# Songs whose lyrics don't match their composition **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 24, 2020, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-whose-lyrics-dont-match-their-composition/918933 "2020-08-24T23:12:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tabco](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tabco/32/7644_2.png) [@Tabco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabco)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2020, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-whose-lyrics-dont-match-their-composition/918933/1 "2020-08-24T23:12:51Z")
I’m thinking of songs whose lyrics, when read alone, convey one type of mood but when listened to seem to convey another mood entirely. As an example, I nominate the song “Die Die Die” by the Avett Brothers. In addition to the chorus repeating the word “die” 18 times, the lyrics seem to generally speak of the futility of trying to change your life, or trying to guess where we all go when we die. You can read the lyrics [here](https://genius.com/The-avett-brothers-die-die-die-lyrics). The song itself seems rather more cheerful: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/CXNNsbUhN-U/hqdefault.jpg "The Avett Brothers - Die Die Die") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXNNsbUhN-U) Do any such songs come to mind for you folks? ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2020, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-whose-lyrics-dont-match-their-composition/918933/2 "2020-08-24T23:40:20Z")
The first one that comes to mind after I read your OP is “People Who Died” by the Jim Carroll Band. A fun, upbeat punk rock song about all the singer’s friends who died. [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPNqojbyIDk) ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2020, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-whose-lyrics-dont-match-their-composition/918933/3 "2020-08-24T23:42:15Z")
_Pumped Up Kicks_ by Foster the People sounds pretty upbeat with a catchy chorus. The lyrics are about a school shooter: “you’d better run, better run, outrun my gun.” [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/SDTZ7iX4vTQ/maxresdefault.jpg "Foster The People - Pumped Up Kicks (Official Video)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDTZ7iX4vTQ) ---
**Author:** ![Tabco](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tabco/32/7644_2.png) [@Tabco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabco)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2020, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-whose-lyrics-dont-match-their-composition/918933/4 "2020-08-24T23:56:04Z")
I’ve heard that Pumped Up Kicks song before. I’m wondering if examples of the opposite (sad or serious songs with cheerful and light lyrics) are less common. I can’t think of one off the top of my head. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-whose-lyrics-dont-match-their-composition/918933/5 "2020-08-25T00:02:53Z")
There are plenty of songs that seem upbeat but are actually downers, but relatively few that are the opposite. The only firm one I can think of is Hold Me Now by the Thompson Twins. I’m sure there are probably others in the New Wave-related genres. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/H9694K85Xc8/maxresdefault.jpg "Thompson Twins - Hold Me Now") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9694K85Xc8) ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-whose-lyrics-dont-match-their-composition/918933/6 "2020-08-25T00:06:58Z")
The theme from M_A_S_H_ ---
**Author:** ![Tabco](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tabco/32/7644_2.png) [@Tabco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabco)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-whose-lyrics-dont-match-their-composition/918933/7 "2020-08-25T00:08:32Z")
Speaking of New Wave, the song “Mad World” by Tears for Fears features rather upbeat dancing considering its lyrics. (at 1:48). [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/u1ZvPSpLxCg/maxresdefault.jpg "Tears For Fears - Mad World (Official Music Video)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1ZvPSpLxCg) ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-whose-lyrics-dont-match-their-composition/918933/8 "2020-08-25T00:10:25Z")
Yeah, I can’t think of a lot of happy lyrics/sad melody songs. But _Can’t Get You Out of My Head_ by Kylie Minogue is definitely one - simple sappy lyrics in a minor key. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/c18441Eh_WE/maxresdefault.jpg "Kylie Minogue - Can't Get You Out Of My Head (Official Video)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c18441Eh_WE) ---
**Author:** ![LLCoolL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/llcooll/32/3596_2.png) [@LLCoolL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LLCoolL)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-whose-lyrics-dont-match-their-composition/918933/9 "2020-08-25T10:59:12Z")
> [@Tabco](#): > > Speaking of New Wave, the song “Mad World” by Tears for Fears features rather upbeat dancing considering its lyrics. This is the first example which came to mind. Gary Jules sad and somber cover really brought out the anguish in the lyrics. Interesting video as well: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/4N3N1MlvVc4/hqdefault.jpg "Mad World - Gary Jules") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4N3N1MlvVc4) ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-whose-lyrics-dont-match-their-composition/918933/10 "2020-08-25T12:03:08Z")
That was kind of Steely Dan’s whole thing-- their sound was very smooth jazzy soft rock that made them palatable for radio play despite the typically bleak and cynical lyrics of the songs. ---
**Author:** ![mcgato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac8455/32.png) [@mcgato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mcgato)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-whose-lyrics-dont-match-their-composition/918933/11 "2020-08-25T13:06:05Z")
“Our Lips Are Sealed” has some pretty downbeat lyrics. The Go-Go’s version of it is quite upbeat, bordering on a lot of fun. Fun Boy Three also have a version of it that is probably truer to the lyrics. The song was co-written by Jane Wiedlin of the Go-Go’s and Terry Hall of Fun Boy Three. [Go-Go’s version here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3kQlzOi27M) [Fun Boy Three version here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhVhK-VVeXo) ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-whose-lyrics-dont-match-their-composition/918933/12 "2020-08-25T15:03:28Z")
Springsteen’s _Born In The USA_ album contains several upbeat songs with downer lyrics, including the title track. Probably the most apt example is _Working On The Highway_, a bouncy, rollicking rocker about a guy who’s been imprisoned for statutory rape. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-whose-lyrics-dont-match-their-composition/918933/13 "2020-08-25T16:17:58Z")
[The Honeymoon Killers](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4fykP2uW8s) by Magazine is a sweet little song - although the title rather gives the subject matter away. It’s an odd example, because the (brief) lyrics don’t actually mention the subject matter directly either. But taking the title - and the first and last lines: > [@](#): > > All police leave has been cancelled… > > …And waited for the cops to come. -there’s not a lot of room for doubt. j ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-whose-lyrics-dont-match-their-composition/918933/14 "2020-08-25T16:25:39Z")
Can’t forget Spinal Tap’s “Lick My Love Pump!” [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/H7vk5keNbRc/hqdefault.jpg ""Lick My Love Pump" Scene from This Is Spinal Tap (1984)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7vk5keNbRc) ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-whose-lyrics-dont-match-their-composition/918933/15 "2020-08-25T16:39:24Z")
Sweet and Tender Hooligans by the Smiths has a good beat and you could dance to it: [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/uEbNRp5tq-E/hqdefault.jpg "the smiths sweet and tender hooligan") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEbNRp5tq-E) ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-whose-lyrics-dont-match-their-composition/918933/16 "2020-08-25T16:40:47Z")
The Beautiful South, The Woman in the Wall, was a catchy upbeat tune: [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjZFC0v6gqo) ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-whose-lyrics-dont-match-their-composition/918933/17 "2020-08-25T16:46:46Z")
April March, Chick Habit: [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NDsbEiCxXw) ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-whose-lyrics-dont-match-their-composition/918933/18 "2020-08-25T16:54:35Z")
I’ve always thought there was a serious mismatch between music and lyrics in Elvis Costello’s “The Comedians”. Setting this to peppy music is just wrong: _And I`m up while the dawn is breaking Even though my heart is aching I should be drinking a toast to absent friends Instead of these comedians_ ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-whose-lyrics-dont-match-their-composition/918933/19 "2020-08-25T16:55:47Z")
[Alone Again (Naturally).](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=D_P-v1BVQn8) Nice, bouncy tune. Lyrics full of death, despair, and suicidal ideation. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-whose-lyrics-dont-match-their-composition/918933/20 "2020-08-25T17:04:15Z")
Gin Wigmore, Hey Ho (Nobody knows you’re not coming home): https://www.youtube.com/embed/_mGVr4uCMCQ?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque&list=RD_mGVr4uCMCQ&start=0 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-whose-lyrics-dont-match-their-composition/918933.md?page=2)