3 Songs That Trick You Into Thinking They’re Happy When They’re Actually Incredibly Tragic

The ultimate 180-degree turn in music is when the themes of the lyrics don’t match the emotions of the music. For most music listeners, the music is seemingly the first thing they react to. That being so, their understanding of the song is primarily attached to merely the music. Though, upon closer listening and an analysis of the lyrics, that can change one’s idea of the song entirely, especially if the lyrics are tragically dark.

If you are a devoted music fan, then you’ve certainly had this happen to you a time or two. And if you want it to happen to you again, check out these three songs, as they trick you into thinking they’re happy when they’re actually incredibly tragic.

“Pumped Up Kicks” by The Foster People

“Pumped Up Kicks” by The Foster People is a quintessential 2010s alternative pop hit, and that is what the majority of folks thought about the single upon first hearing it. It’s upbeat, catchy, and optimistic in almost every sense of the word. Though, when you listen to the lyrics of the song, that emotion is overshadowed by a looming darkness.

In short, The Foster People’s 2011 hit is about a lonesome and troublesome teenager who harbors morbid and homicidal thoughts. The song explores themes and topics such as school shootings, gun violence, mental illness, and social ostracization.

“Pursuit Of Happiness” by Kid Cudi

“Pursuit Of Happiness” by Kid Cudi became the party anthem of the 2010s. Its psychedelic touches and hip-hop foundation are conducive to completely clocking out of reality. For this reason, many people do exactly that when they listen to it, but ironically, that is the very thing Cudi’s lyrics are shedding light on.

The lyrics in Cudi’s “Pursuit Of Happiness” tell the tale of the youth being completely subdued by substance abuse and, generally, a detrimental hedonistic lifestyle. It is unclear if this is the desired result Kid Cudi tried to achieve, but regardless, the reality of the song is incredibly eye-opening upon learning the meaning behind the lyrics.

“Time To Pretend” by MGMT

MGMT‘s electronic pop-dance hit, “Time To Pretend,” is the epitome of musical euphoria. Like Cudi’s mega-hit, MGMT’s 2007 single musically idealizes the fast living, ambitious, and hedonistic nature of youth. This song particularly deals with these themes in the context of fame.

While this single sonically paints a pretty picture, the lyrics articulate a different landscape. A landscape displaying the pitfalls of excess, ambition, disillusionment, as well as the inevitable fact of life, death. It’s raw, pessimistic, and bitterly honest, but you’d never assume that if you didn’t read into the lyrics.

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