She’s setting up her daughter to be a prostitute because she sees that as the daughter’s best option in life. It’s not exactly upbeat:
hey, she may have been born Poor White Trash but FANCY is her name!
Woke up this morning
Jumped outta bed
Tripped on the carpet
Bruise on my head
Went to the bathroom
Slipped on the floor
Stubbed my big toe
On the ol’ bathroom door
Hobbled downstairs
Best way I could
Light me a fire
Get me some wood
Swinging my axe
A splinter shot out
Now I’m in pain
Of that there’s no doubt
Off to the Docs
Please take a seat
What is your problem?
You’re not looking sweet
I got me a splinter
In the sole of my feet
Let’s have a look boy
Say that sure looks rough
Taking the medicine
Gonna be tough
Tell me doc
Just tell me straight
What is the medicine?
Cos medicine I hate
Go back home son
And get into bed
Put on your earphones
Over your head
Tune to the station
With sad country songs
You’ll soon feel better
As you hum along
So I did and it worked
It sure cheered heart
To know that in Nashville
They sing from their heart
The pain and the trouble
Of Tammy Wynette
That sharp burning splinter
I sure did forget.
If Texas swing is considered country, it’s pretty relentlessly upbeat.
Lots of bluegrass type stuff too. How can you get happier than Rollin’ in My Sweet Baby’s Arms?
Like most stereotypes, it’s only partially true. There are many many exceptions:
Fastest Girl in Town - Miranda Lambert
Redneck Woman - Gretchen Wilson
Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy - Big and Rich
It’s 5 o’clock Somewhere - Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffet
Chicken Fried - Zac Brown Band
Suds in the Bucket - Sara Evans
TROUBLE - Travis Tritt
Mud on the Tires - Brad Paisley
Sideways - Dierks Bentley
All my Rowdy Friends are Coming Over Tonight - Hank Williams Jr.
On the Bayou - Hank Williams
Johnny Cash - Jason Aldean
Daddy Sang Bass - Johnny Cash
Pretty Little Miss - Patty Loveless
Keep on the Sunny Side - The Carter Family
Uncle Pen - Bill Monroe, Ricky Scaggs, many others
Toes, Zac Brown Band
Got my toes in the water, my ass in the sand.
Not a worry in the world, ice cold beer in my hand.
Life is good today.
I don’t know if you consider John Prine country, but he has a lot of fun, happy songs like “Granpa was a Carpenter,” and “Let’s Talk Dirty in Hawiian.” He also has “Hello in There,” “Angel From Montgomery,” and “Sam Stone,” which are what depression listens to when it’s feeling a little blue.
“The Night Miss Nancy-Ann’s Hotel for Single Girls Burned Down” by Tex Williams.
“The Ballad of Forty Dollars” by Tom T. Hall
Fifty-one posts and no one has mentioned practically all of Ray Stevens’ catalogue!
How about Great Day to be Alive by Travis Tritt?
I’m not even a big country fan, but that song always puts a spring in my step!
I’d rather forget about him.
Up! by Shania Twain
Heads Carolina, Tails California by Jo Dee Messina
Happy Girl by Martina McBride
As If by Sara Evans
Most of the country songs I’m familiar with are pretty upbeat, in fact.
But you gotta admit, no downers. 
I agree. See post #34. 
“Dance, Little Jean” - Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
“One Piece at a Time” - Johnny Cash
“Tennessee Flat-Top Box” - Johnny Cash (though actually I prefer his daughter Roseann’s version better)
“The One on the Right” - Johnny Cash
“Your Love” - Tammy Wynette
“Thank the Cowboy” - Chris LeDoux (with a great cover by Wynette, too)
“Lord, Mr Ford” - Jerry Reed
“Fiddlin’ Man” - Michael Martin Murphey
“Della and the Dealer” - Hoyt Axton
Southern Nights, Glen Campbell