From American Songwriter · Alex Hopper · · 30s
Happy-Sounding 1960s Songs That Feel Sad
1960s songs with upbeat melodies hide heartbreak in their lyrics.
In brief
1960s songs with upbeat melodies hide heartbreak in their lyrics. Three 1960s songs have happy-sounding melodies but sad lyrics about toxic relationships. Originally reported by American Songwriter.
Build Me Up Buttercup
This 1960s song has an infectious melody but hides toxic relationship lyrics.
“Why do you build me up / Buttercup, baby / Just to let me down / And mess me around / And then, worst of all (Worst of all) / You never call, baby / When you say you will”
Happy Together
The Turtles' song seems happy but describes imagined obsessive love.
“Imagine me and you, I do / I think about you day and night, it’s only right / To think about the girl you love and hold her tight / So happy together”
I Second That Emotion
Smokey Robinson's song wants more love than the relationship provides.
“Oh, but if you feel like lovin’ me / If you’ve got the notion / I second that emotion / Say, if you feel like giving me / A lifetime of devotion / I second that emotion”
At a glance
Three 1960s songs have happy-sounding melodies but sad lyrics about toxic relationships.
