Upbeat Songs That Are Actually Very Depressing
Surely you didn’t know the tragic stories behind the lyrics of these famous songs
Surely we have danced to many songs without listening carefully to the lyrics. Although on the outside they may seem like lively and happy rhythms, the story behind them is not very positive.
We get carried away by the moving beat, the high tones, and the energy of the vocalist as they sing. But without knowing it, we are singing a song about divorce, addiction, or depression.
This is a list of the most popular songs that may sound very happy but have very sad lyrics:
Hey ya! — OutKast
Although it sounds very upbeat, this song talks about staying tied to a relationship that doesn’t work just because of the fear of being alone.
“Are we still in denial when we know we’re not happy here?”
Hard Times — Paramore
The tropical sounds and the style of pink pop distract us a bit from the lyrics. Hayley Williams performs a song about how hard it is to overcome depression and the challenges it brings.
“All that I want is to wake up fine Tell me that I’m alright, that I ain’t gonna die All that I want is a hole in the ground You can tell me when it’s alright for me to come out“
Mamma Mia — ABBA
We sang it, we danced to it, we loved it. However, we did it all this time not knowing that the song is talking about getting back with your cheating ex.
“I’ve been angry and sad about things that you do
I can’t count all the times that I’ve told you we’re through
And when you go, when you slam the door
I think you know that you won’t be away too long
You know that I’m not that strong“
Adore You — Harry Styles
At first, it sounds like a lovely song to sing to your special someone. Think twice, as the chorus actually expresses unrequited love or an uneven relationship.
“You don’t have to say you love me
You don’t have to say nothing
You don’t have to say you’re mine“
Stayin ‘Alive — Bee Gees
New York may be a dream city for many, but living in its streets is a death sentence. Surviving is just an award and this song portrays that perfectly.
“Music loud and women warm, I’ve been kicked around
Since I was born
And now it’s alright, it’s okay
And you may look the other way
We can try to understand
The New York Times’ effect on man“
Pumped Up Kicks — Foster The People
Basically about a mentally sick kid trying and failing to cope with being ignored by everyone around him, especially his father of him. He tries to get attention in all the wrong ways, ultimately planning to go on a shooting spree, where his targets are the “kids with the pumped up kicks” aka the cool kids with loving attentive parents he’s jealous of.
“Yeah, I found a six-shooter gun
In his dad’s closet, and with a box of fun things
I don’t even know what
But he’s coming for you, yeah, he’s coming for you“
All I Want For Christmas Is You — Mariah Carey
Mariah grew up in a dysfunctional family and it was very difficult to enjoy Christmas. Growing up, she wrote this song as a statement that she would not let others ruin Christmas for her.
“I don’t want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
I don’t care about the presents underneath the Christmas tree
I just want you for my own“
Surely you will not listen to these songs in the same way again. Did you know the story behind all these songs? Is there any other that you remember that has a letter not as happy as it seems?
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