The two I can think of are:
- It’s Not Unusual
- Escape (The Piña Colada Song)
I think I have the best answer here: Gwar - Rock N Roll Never Felt So Good
On the documentary ‘shifty’ they claimed that ‘the land of make believe’ by bucks fizz was written about Margaret Thatcher/Thatcherism. Really puts a depressing spin on it.
Walking on broken glass - Annie Lennox
Charlie’s Inferno is about an innocent man being tortured in Hell. It’s a 50’s style tune reminiscent of Mr Sandman.
Flo by Smash Mouth
Fish Yu Mang is a great album, and I’ll never miss an opportunity to give it love. Definitely the depressed thoughts of a dude who suffers from crippling alcoholism, but somehow manages to sound fun and upbeat the whole time.
That’s my take as well, I started giving it more attention only recently and there are many gems in it. Padrino is one of my all time favourites of the genre
Neutron Dance by the Pointer Sisters
Really? I’ll have to check out the lyrics now. Such an 80s staple that I think I just sang along and never really processed the words.
The title of the song is a reference to nuclear war.
I don’t want to take it anymore I’ll just stay here locked behind the door Just no time to stop and get away 'Cause I work so hard to make it every day
Whoo-ooh Whoo-ooh
There’s no money falling from the sky 'Cause a man took my heart and robbed me blind Someone stole my brand new Chevrolet And the rent is due, I got no place to stay
Whoo-ooh Whoo-ooh
And it’s hard to say Just how some things never change And it’s hard to find Any strength to draw the line Oh, I’m just burning doin’ the neutron dance I’m just burning doin’ the neutron dance
Industry don’t pay a price that’s fair All the common people breathing filthy air (Lord, have mercy) Roof caved in on all the simple dreams And to get ahead your heart starts pumping schemes
Edit- but the vibe of the song is so upbeat you’d never know
Lots of great choices here - I’ll throw in Moon Over Marin by Dead Kennedys.
Sounds like a bop, but is actually about the destruction of the environment.
I always found The Scientist by Coldplay to be a pretty upbeat song about the death of a loved one. And Viva la Vida upbeat, and all about the fall from grace.
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That’s like Paul Simon’s entire schtick. Alongside downbeat songs with uplifting lyrics.
I always find it funny how upbeat the Cambodia version by Pulsedriver is. PTSD and dropping bombs on cambodia. What a topic for a dance tune.
Checked out Apoptygma Beezerk’s cover?
I didn’t see wake up boo by the boo radleys in here.
It’s about suicide
Hey Jealousy by The Gin Blossoms comes to mind.
Fast Car
Pumped Up Kicks
Flowers on the Wall
My boyfriend said he thought about me when we listen to Saturday Night by the Misfits. I’m like… do you want to murder me?..
The lyrics always sounded very murdery to me. I think they did an amazing job of making it sound romantic but bf read through the lyrics after that and hugged me when I got home and said he definitely didn’t want to murder me.
