# Cheerful songs about maudlin things **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 10, 2006, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheerful-songs-about-maudlin-things/356211 "2006-05-10T12:23:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2006, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheerful-songs-about-maudlin-things/356211/21 "2006-05-10T14:55:28Z")
> [@Talon Karrde](#): > > What, I’m the first to mention The Smiths? The OP’s description practically defines them. Their song Girlfriend in a Coma is a good example. > I like Sweet and Tender Hooligan: > “Poor old man had an accident in a three bar fire > But that’s okay because he wasn’t very happy anyway > Poor woman > Strangled in her very own bed as she read but that’s okay > She was old and she would have died anyway” Damn, you beat me by ten minutes! Absolutely the first thing that sprang to mind. “Cemetary Gates” , anyone? ---
**Author:** ![Br\_er\_Lapin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Br\_er\_Lapin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Br_er_Lapin)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2006, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheerful-songs-about-maudlin-things/356211/22 "2006-05-10T15:00:15Z")
I nominate most anything by The Magnetic Fields, or related band The 6ths. Seriously. As an example, I present “100,000 Fireflies.” Very upbeat sounding, but containing the lines “_I have a mandolin / I play it all night long / it makes me want to kill myself_” and "_you won’t be happy with me / but give me one more chance / you won’t be happy anyway_ " A good portion of their music fits the bill. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2006, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheerful-songs-about-maudlin-things/356211/23 "2006-05-10T15:10:33Z")
> [@sciurophobic](#): > > Until I read the lyrics, I didn’t know the 10,000 Maniacs’ song “About the Weather” was about lying in bed too depressed to get up. There also “What’s the Matter Here?” which sounds kind of peppy given that it’s about child abuse. And “Don’t Talk” about a verbally abusive drunk is a fun romp. ---
**Author:** ![ZebraShaSha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/eada6e/32.png) [@ZebraShaSha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZebraShaSha)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2006, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheerful-songs-about-maudlin-things/356211/24 "2006-05-10T15:17:28Z")
Almost everything The Unicorns ever did. Their one release, Who Will Cut…, was basically an entire album about death/dying/that kind of thing. Yet, they have some incredible hooks, along with this unending poppy type rock thing. Check out [Les Os](http://mp3.alien8recordings.com/MP3/lesos.mp3) - French for “The Bones”. It isn’t the best example of their stuff by far, but the best online. Rock out time! I’m also kind of busy at the moment, but, I should be back with tons of songs/links if you would like. ---
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2006, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheerful-songs-about-maudlin-things/356211/25 "2006-05-10T15:26:14Z")
“Dead Flowers” by the Rolling Stones. A happy, jaunty country-rock tune about heroin addiction: > [@](#): > > Well, when you’re sitting back > In your rose pink Cadillac > Making bets on Kentucky Derby day > I’ll be in my basement room > With a needle and a spoon > And another girl to take my pain away ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2006, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheerful-songs-about-maudlin-things/356211/26 "2006-05-10T15:32:06Z")
Similar to Lehrer, there are a lot of songs by Uncle Bonsai that are like this. There’s _Isaac’s Lament_ (about a person who kills himself when he hears that _Love Boat_ has been cancelled), _In it for the Children_, _Cheerleaders on Drugs_, _Johnny, it’s Downhill from Here_, _Sponge Boy_, _Where’s the Milk_, _Parcel Post_ and pretty much all the Doug songs. Good stuff. _Main and Broadway_ by Cub _Your Father and I_ (two parents telling their different recollections of how their child was conceived) by The Beautiful South. (I’m sure there’s more Beautiful South that fits this category, but I’d have to check through my collection.) ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2006, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheerful-songs-about-maudlin-things/356211/27 "2006-05-10T15:48:49Z")
Lots of **Randy Newman**. Three of my favorites: “Rednecks” “Political Science” “Roll with the Punches” ---
**Author:** ![J.Z.Knuckles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecccb3/32.png) [@J.Z.Knuckles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/J.Z.Knuckles)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2006, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheerful-songs-about-maudlin-things/356211/28 "2006-05-10T15:50:42Z")
Thank you all for your replies so far. I should have known The Smiths and The Beautiful South would fit the bill, of course. I’ll swing by HMV on the way home with your suggestions in mind. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2006, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheerful-songs-about-maudlin-things/356211/29 "2006-05-10T16:11:00Z")
I’d say most of Barenaked Ladies’ catalog fits this bill. ---
**Author:** ![FilmGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@FilmGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FilmGeek)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2006, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheerful-songs-about-maudlin-things/356211/30 "2006-05-10T16:24:18Z")
Most of Oingo Boingo’s catalog also fits the bill. I’m thinking “Little Girls” which is from the point of view of a pedophile. [http://www.lyricsfreak.com/o/oingo+boingo/little+girls\_20102778.html](http://www.lyricsfreak.com/o/oingo+boingo/little+girls_20102778.html) Also “Possum Kingdom” by the Toadies. [http://ww.lyricsdepot.com/the-toadies/possum-kingdom.html](http://ww.lyricsdepot.com/the-toadies/possum-kingdom.html) ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2006, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheerful-songs-about-maudlin-things/356211/31 "2006-05-10T16:24:50Z")
Gilbert O’Sullivan’s _Alone Again Naturally_ Not exactly the most uptempo melody but the lyrics are absolutely devastating. Blue Oyster Cult _Don’t Fear the Reaper_ All it needs is more cowbell! Country music is loaded with examples. I’m fond of the Statler Brothers’ _Flowers on the Wall._ ---
**Author:** ![Loopydude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e56c9b/32.png) [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2006, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheerful-songs-about-maudlin-things/356211/32 "2006-05-10T16:32:28Z")
The Smiths, hands down. > [@Stephen Patrick Morrissey](#): > > Oh, Sweetness > Sweetness I was only joking when I said > I’d like to smash every tooth in your head > … > Oh, Sweetness > Sweetness I was only joking when I said > By rights you should be bludgeoned in your bed > > **Bigmouth Strikes Again** > > And the pain was enough > To make a shy bald Buddhist reflect > And plan a mass murder > Who said I lied to her? > … > Nothing’s changed, I still love you > Oh, I still love you > Only slightly, only slightly less > Than I used to > > **Stop Me If You Think That You’ve Heard This One Before** > > Spending warm summer days indoors > Writing frightening verse > To a bucktoothed girl in Luxembourg > > Oh, ask me, because > > If it’s not love > Then it’s the bomb, the bomb, the bomb (etc.) > That will keep us together > > **Ask** > > Frankly Mr. Shankley, this position I’ve held > It pays my wage, and it corrodes my soul > … > Frankly Mr. Shankley, I’m a quivering wreck > I’ve got the 21st century breathing down my neck > … > Fame, fame, fatal fame > It can play horrible tricks on the brain > Buth then I’d rather be famous > Than righteous or holy, any day > … > Frankly Mr. Shankley, since you asked > You are a flatulent pain in the arse > > **Frankly Mr. Shankley** Need I go on? ---
**Author:** ![mr.jp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/48db29/32.png) [@mr.jp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mr.jp)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2006, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheerful-songs-about-maudlin-things/356211/33 "2006-05-10T17:48:42Z")
The best I can come up with are the mentioned beautiful south and the smiths. Also there is, (as you have to mention Beatles): -maxwells silver hammer -run for your life I can’t decide if Wilco songs fit the description. Their lyrics are sad, and their melodies are often upbeat, but there seems to be an underlying sadness anyway. The song Summer teeth is a good example, with the dichotomy right in the title. I suppose punk rock has a lot of this. Greendays hits longview and basket case seems to fit well. ---
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2006, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheerful-songs-about-maudlin-things/356211/34 "2006-05-10T17:48:51Z")
> [@Priceguy](#): > > [Weird Al Yankovic’s] _Christmas at Ground Zero_, for one. Cheery ditty about life after the nuclear holocaust. And, along a similar line, Fishbone’s [“Party at Ground Zero”](http://www.lyricsfreak.com/f/fishbone/party+at+ground+zero_20053859.html). ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2006, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheerful-songs-about-maudlin-things/356211/35 "2006-05-10T18:10:45Z")
Harry Nillsson had a couple. _I’d Rather Be Dead_ (with an old people’s choir) is about becoming old and helpless. “I’ll tie my tie Til the day I die, But if I have to be fed, I’d rather be dead.” _You’re Breakin’ My Heart_ "I sang my balls off for you, baby, I even broke the microphone. I closed my eyes to reach the high note, But when I woke up, I was alone. (chorus) “You’re breakin’ my heart, You’re tearin’ it apart, So fuck you.” The Rolling Stones had _Dear Doctor,_ in which Mick begs a doctor to tear out his heart “and preserve it right there in that jar” because “the girl I’m to marry is a four-legged sow.” It’s a great song. Monty Python’s Flying Circus had _The Medical Love Song_ which lists a mess of sexually transmitted diseases and infections, and says, “At least we both were lying when we said that we were clear.” ---
**Author:** ![Meros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@Meros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meros)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2006, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheerful-songs-about-maudlin-things/356211/36 "2006-05-10T18:15:33Z")
And one of my personal favorites, also by weird al: [Mr. Frump in the Iron Lung](http://www.com-www.com/weirdal/mrfrumpintheironlung.html) ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2006, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheerful-songs-about-maudlin-things/356211/37 "2006-05-10T18:26:57Z")
Since I came in here to mention **The Smiths** , I may as well add a couple of lyrics: “I’ve come to wish you an unhappy birthday, Because you’re evil and you lie, and if you should die, I may feel slightly sad, but I won’t cry.” “And if a double decker bus, crashes into us, to die by your side, what a heavenly way to die. And if a 10 ton truck, kils the both of us, to die by your side, the pleasure, the privilege is mine.” All to sing-songy type music. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2006, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheerful-songs-about-maudlin-things/356211/38 "2006-05-10T19:01:42Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > Country music is loaded with examples. I’m fond of the Statler Brothers’ _Flowers on the Wall._ I love that! “Playin’ solitaire ‘til dawn with a deck of fifty-one Smokin’ cigarettes and watchin’ Captain Kangaroo Now don’t tell me I’ve a-nothin’ to do” Tim McGraw’s _Just to See You Smile_ is pretty uptempo, but not so upbeat: And yesterday I knew just what you wanted When you came walkin’ up to me with him So I told you that I was happy for you And given the chance I’d lie again Just to see you smile I’d do anything That you wanted me to And all is said and done I’d never count the cost I’ts worth all that’s lost Just to see you smile And sorry for the earworm, but I think “Seasons in the Sun” may fit the bill. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2006, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheerful-songs-about-maudlin-things/356211/39 "2006-05-10T19:08:17Z")
> [@AskNott](#): > > The Rolling Stones had _Dear Doctor,_ in which Mick begs a doctor to tear out his heart “and preserve it right there in that jar” because “the girl I’m to marry is a four-legged sow.” It’s a great song. It’s “bow-legged sow.” And yeah, it is a great song. I’ll nominate the Grateful Dead’s “Dire Wolf,” a bouncy country ditty with a refrain of: _Don’t murder me I beg of you, don’t murder me Plee-ee-ee-ease don’t murder me!_ ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2006, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheerful-songs-about-maudlin-things/356211/40 "2006-05-10T19:20:05Z")
No one yet has mentioned one of my faves, Nick Lowe’s **Marie Provost** : \*Marie Provost did not look her best the day the cops bust into her lonely nest the cheap hotel up on Hollywood west July 29 She’d been lyin’ there for two or three weeks The neighbors said they never heard a squeak While hungry eyes that could not speaksaid even little doggies have got to eat chorus: She was a winner that became a doggie’s dinner \ The cops came in and they looked around Throwin’ up everywhere over what they found The handiwork of Marie’s little dachshund That hungry little dachshund\* Plenty of other goodies from Nick Lowe and Dave Edmunds. **I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass, Crawling from the Wreckage** _(Bits of me were hanging from the trees and from the hedges…)_ And a little more obscure, the Motors: **You Beat the Hell Out of Me** and **Do You Mind?** _I wanna squeeze you and break your bones, do you mind?_ Howz about Southern Culture on the Skids - **Let’s Go Huntin Granpa** _(We’ll chase him like a deer!)_ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheerful-songs-about-maudlin-things/356211.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheerful-songs-about-maudlin-things/356211.md?page=3)