They seem happy, but they're actually the opposite. They lure you in with trumpets or disco joy or hand-claps and tambourines, and then bam! it's heartbreak, drug addiction, loneliness, torture, turmoil, tragedy, betrayal, and all things teary. Here are some of our favourite happy sad songs.
Soft Cell 'Tainted Love'
Well, isn't this disco-fantastic and fun? Apart from the fact that Marc Almond is singing about pain being driven into his heart and running the fuck away from his love interest. "Don't touch me please!" Love you too, babe.
Fleetwood Mac 'Little Lies'
Um, as if this isn't best breakup song ever.
No Doubt 'Bathwater'
Gwen's man has his own "museum of lovers" aside from her, but she sees the bright side by using is old bathwater and sharing his toothbrush. Pretty sure that's not a fair deal, Stefani.
Talking Heads 'Road to Nowhere'
It's a road to nowhere where "they'll make a fool of you" but we're all invited. So that's nice.
The Roots with Cody ChesnuTT 'The Seed 2.0'
Cody sings like a little angel about making babies with another woman behind his lover's back. But he's going to call it Rock'n'Roll and apparently that makes it just dandy.
Jane's Addiction 'Jane Says'
Awww, precious. A sweet little ditty about a junkie who has big dreams of getting away from her abusive boyfriend, Sergio. Everybody sing along!
Kylie Minogue 'Better the Devil You Know'
Oh Kyles, can you spell co-dependent? But then there's that key change...
Blind Melon 'No Rain'
So we're struggling with boredom, loneliness with a side of insanity. But how fucking cute is the bumblebee girl?
Blondie 'Heart of Glass'
"Once I had a love and it was divine, soon found out I was losing my mind." Heartbreak schmartbreak, just dance it out.
Paul Simon 'Call Me Al'
Pretty much a bunch of men walking down different streets feeling lost and alone and pretty average. But Chevy Chase is in the video and those horns make our hearts swell.
There are more. Lots more, so get typing.
Main image by
Jill Greenberg.