The two I can think of are:

  • It’s Not Unusual
  • Escape (The Piña Colada Song)
  • mlfh@lemmy.sdf.org
    941·
    1 month ago

    99 Luftballons is upbeat and fun, and about some balloons inadvertently kicking off a cataclysmic war that leaves the world in ruins.

    • Einar@lemmy.zip
      14·
      1 month ago

      It’s about the cold war paranoia. Sound is all synth pop upbeat, though.

      The English version is called “99 Red Balloons”.

      • grue@lemmy.world
        12·
        1 month ago
        excerpt from the last verse

        It’s all over and I’m standin’ pretty
        In this dust that was a city

        • ArxCyberwolf@lemmy.ca
          5·
          1 month ago

          If I could find a souvenier just to prove the world was here… here it is, a red balloon. I think of you, and let it go…

      • Fondots@lemmy.world
        18·
        1 month ago

        In my opinion, the lyrics tell a pretty straightforward story, no real need for metaphor

        Someone releases a bunch of balloons into the sky, they get mistaken for enemy aircraft/missiles, and set off a war.

        If you get more out of it with your interpretation, more power to you, but it feels like a bit of an unnecessary stretch though.

  • wizardbeard@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    69·
    1 month ago

    Semi-Charmed Life by Third Eye Blind is the usual one I see brought up.

    Push by Matchbox 20 and Possum Kingdom by Toadies are arguable ones.

    Also, Richard Cheese covers a lot of raunchy and dark stuff in a vegas lounge singer style. Rape Me sung in a cheesy upbeat tone is a trip.

    • KittenBiscuits@lemmy.todayOPEnglish
      91·
      1 month ago

      Hey Ya is an excellent example.

      Steely Dan seems more low key. And he hates on my alma mater lol. And he acted like kind of a dick when I saw him live. But I do love his sound, like warm tea with honey and a lil splash of bourbon.

    • KittenBiscuits@lemmy.todayOPEnglish
      16·
      1 month ago

      But it’s about the euphoria one may experience after deciding to go through with it. Yaayy

      /s

      PS, I have witnessed the euphoria, but I didn’t recognize it for what it was at the time. They were calling to say goodbye. Fuck, that still gets to me.

    • hitmyspot@aussie.zone
      11·
      1 month ago

      I wouldn’t call the smashing pumpkins upbeat. Some are up tempo, .maybe, but upbeat is not their style. Their biggest album was titled Mellon Collie and the infinite sadness. Not exactly cheerful stuff.

      • hopesdead@startrek.website
        4·
        1 month ago

        I’ve heard the song used in those compilations of sporting events you see on TV before said sporting event, to celebrate a athlete.

        • hitmyspot@aussie.zone
          4·
          1 month ago

          I’ve just gone back for a listen, which is why these posts are great. I’d say it’s the opposite of the title. It’s a downbeat song with a very happy lyric, used to cover for a dark subject.

          I’m now listening to Mellon Collie album. It’s surprisingly similar to Ash, an Irish band. I liked them both at the time but never saw the similarity when I was young. I suppose with time, many similar styles sound similar.

        • hitmyspot@aussie.zone
          1·
          1 month ago

          It can be powerful or emotional without being upbeat. It can also be used inappropriately. Do you think it’s upbeat?

          • hopesdead@startrek.website
            3·
            1 month ago

            I guess The Smashing Pumpkins being my favorite band, has skewed my perspective. I’ve always felt that song was ironically upbeat for their style.

            • hitmyspot@aussie.zone
              1·
              1 month ago

              Especially the intro, but I still wouldn’t call it upbeat in general, lol.

              Have you ever listened to Ash? They kind of alternate between rockier and poppier sounds. However, listening back to smashing pumpkins today, as I haven’t listened to more than one song in a while, it struck me as very similar. I think Ash is a little more upbeat in general though, so perhaps why they can lean into a more pop sound. They lean into a more heavy sound also, where I think pumpkins show more controlled restraint.

  • baldingpudenda@lemmy.world
    27·
    1 month ago

    hey ya – Outkast It’s about relationships that aren’t working out, but you still stay together.

    " thank God for Mom and Dad / for sticking two together cause we don’t know how"

    Then later

    " are we so in denial when we know we’re not happy here? / y’all don’t want to hear me, y’all just want to dance"

    • shalafi@lemmy.worldEnglish
      9·
      1 month ago

      Someone’s boat was blasting that at the 4th of July on the water. My brother in Christ, I understood the lyrics back in 1984. It’s a jammin’ tune, but damn.

  • ArxCyberwolf@lemmy.ca
    21·
    1 month ago

    90% of ska/ska punk music is like this. A few examples:

    “The Science of Selling Yourself Short” - Less Than Jake

    “Beer” - Reel Big Fish

    “Struggler” and “I Don’t Love You Anymore” - Bomb the Music Industry!

    “The Last Bell I Will Ever Hear”, “1-800-ALARM-ME” and “Last on my List” - The Arrogant Sons of Bitches

    “Ska Dream” and “Checkerboard Ashtray” - Jeff Rosenstock

    “A Better Place, a Better Time” and “As the Footsteps Die Out Forever” - Streetlight Manifesto

    • Tehhund@lemmy.worldEnglish
      2·
      1 month ago

      Nearly Everything by Reel Big Fish. It’s all fun ska and mostly about social anxiety, broken hearts, and substance abuse. I love them.

      • ArxCyberwolf@lemmy.ca
        2·
        1 month ago

        I’ll have to listen to that one! “I Know You Too Well to Like You Anymore” fits the bill as well. A very ugly fight between a couple who hate each other but can’t live without one another.