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Happy melody with sad subject lyrics.

L

Lester_the_NightFly

Was thinking of songs that were 'happy' sounding but realized it was a sad subject, cheating, etc.
So I thought it might be fun to have a game that covers this. Please only one song per entry, link the song if permitted here.
I'll start

'Smoke from a Distant Fire' by Sanford Townsend Band Smoke from a Distant Fire.
 
The Beatles' "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" certainly qualifies. Maxwell hits his enemies over the head with his blunt instrument...

 
How about this from the Spinners: It's A Shame" was their first hit for Motown, but due to lack of promotion, the group left for Atlantic and the rest is history.

 
Lots of social comment from this Phil Ochs tune from 1967. It was played on FM rock, including WBCN 104.1 Boston.

 
Just heard this one today. "Bad Moon Rising" has to be the ultimate song in this category!

 
"I Fought The Law" originally done by the Bobby Fuller Four in 1966.

 
Inspired by the 1967 movie Bonnie And Clyde, Georgie Fame.

 
Mother And Child Reunion -- Paul Simon

From Wikipdia:
The title originates from a chicken-and-egg dish called "Mother and Child Reunion" that Simon saw on a Chinese restaurant's menu. The song's lyrics were inspired by a pet dog that was run over and killed. It was the first death Simon personally experienced, and he began to wonder how he would react if the same happened to his first wife.
Click to expand...
 
Some serious social commentary in this classic country tune from 1968.
Skip A Rope -- Henson Cargill
 
I don't hear a particularly happy melody on "Skip a Rope." It's uptempo, but there's a certain foreboding in the way Cargill sings "Ain't it kinda funny what the children say." If you're going to call "Skip a Rope" a "message" song with an upbeat feel, then you can include Joe South's "Games People Play" and "Walk a Mile in My Shoes in that category, too. I wouldn't.
 
OK, you may have me on that one... :oops:
This one definitely qualifies:
The Night Chicago Died -- Paper Lace
 
From the same songwriters (Mitch Murray and Peter Callander) who brought you "The Night Chicago Died" comes "Billy Don't Be A Hero." The song was a hit in the UK by Paper Lace, but the Bo Donaldson & The Heywoods cover was the hit in the US.
 
Nothing sadder than spending a "Blue Christmas" by yourself. How about this little uptempo version of the classic made famous by Elvis, sung here by the legendary Fats Domino.

 
A seldom played tune from the 70s. "9,999,999 Tears" by Dickey Lee. How much sadder can you get?
 
The original version of the anti-war classic by Country Joe & The Fish. "The FISH Cheer/I Feel Like I'm Fixin' To Die Rag"
 


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