Are your songs happy or sad?

A close friend recently said to me, “You play too many sad songs. Learn some happy ones.” I took a few minutes to scan my file of songs I know and am learning. It turns out that two-thirds of them lean toward sad in sound and/or theme, and one-third lean toward happy. (If there are songs that have a neutral sound and theme, who would want to play them?)

How does your playlist compare? Are there a lot more sad songs in the world than happy ones? Is it just my taste in music? Chime in here you sage musicians…

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Sad.
Black humour is fine.
What is Gettin’ tipsy in da club? :thinking:

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Hi Michael, firstly are they really sad or is it a case of them reminding us of how we can actually feel if we stop for a minute in this hectic world and let our emotions go to work for a little bit, I personally don’t mind that I think it helps you on in life uses a bit of that brain that doesn’t get used a lot, secondly take an anthem or marching song that picks our armed forces up when they are proud music is all about emotions and I personally like you Michael like a sad song or two. So I think it is up to the player because it is us that listen to ourselves the most, well in my case it is cheers Hec

Well Brian @brianlarsen, I generally put black humor songs on my happy list. For example this gem:

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Maybe fun to see…or Uch… I mean sad to read :grin:

My last song I played came from the gruesome death of someone :roll_eyes:, but the tune is very cheerful …

Edit:
And I play the saddest song on this list and the second saddest …

Greetings

Definitely sad.

I think it’s reflective of rock music in general that it leans towards sad / dark / serious subjects whereas pop leans more towards happy (obviously these are generalisations and there are exceptions)

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It seems to me Behind Blue Eyes belongs on this list. It’s on my playlist - a good challenge. And thanks, Rogier, I’ve added Pearl Jam’s Black to my “to learn” list.

I tend to THINK of my songs as mostly up-beat. Calling them happy might be a stretch, but it depends on viewpoint. Before guitar, I tended toward songs that made me feel happier most of the time. During the grunge era that was not the case, but in the 70s and 80s, I was very much toward happy.

Currently, even the blues I tend to enjoy feels more like irony or poking fun at the subject than dreary experiences put to music. This is the case even when lyrics tell a pretty sad tale.

Do you mean songs with “sad” (whatever that means) lyrics or songs in a minor key… ?

I’d say learn songs that you like and if your friend or anyone hearing you play doesn’t like them, then they can listen to other songs played by other people.

I mean both - sad lyrics and/or somber (minor chord) feel. I suppose with the right chords you could make Mary Had a Little Lamb feel sad. After all, isn’t it about a young girl who starts out breaking school rules-the beginning of a long criminal career? :thinking:

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I like country music, so yes the majority are sad :wink: However, they usually have an upo tempo beat to them, so I suppose that the lyricvs are sad but the tune is upbeat. The best of both worlds :wink:

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Nothing kills a party faster than sad songs on an acoutic. So if your ever asked to play at a party and don’t want to open with a sad song and they will never ask you again.

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Let’s be honest here, there really isn’t a lot of joy in most popular music. A lot of heartbreak and sorrow. On the other hand it can also be a reflection of the times.

You may need to tune out that sort of negativity. Find your own voice and play what you feel. You don’t have to appeal to someone’s smiley, sappy little world view. At the same time forcing “Mad World” on people is almost criminal. :slight_smile:

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Thanks a lot @stitch Rick. Now you’ve narrowed my set list dramatically. I guess I won’t open with one of my favorite instrumentals, Suicide is Painless.

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Screw that, sing what you feel and what you need to. Unless you are under contract do your best to make your own musical choices.

For me its been sad for sure so far. Most of the songs i have been trying to write this year are about fighting against larger forces and being crushed. The struggle against the waves of destiny and being to tired to continue and giving into the horrors of your life. Hopefully 2025 I can write about nice things.

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Well @ontime1969 Jason, I am a Boomer (freakin’ ancient, right?) and I fought that struggle in the 70s, 80s, 90s and 2000s. Now I just want to relax :relieved:, watch football :soccer: and play guitar :guitar:. I leave the struggle to others.

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Fun. :grin: :wine_glass:

Is some of this a matter of personal interpretation at OP.

R

This was hard for me to answer, as I’m pretty sure most of the stuff I play can’t really be described as “happy” or “sad”. I think the best word I could use is “angsty” :laughing: but uptempo angsty.

Play whatever calls to you! If you love what you are playing- that will come across regardless of the tone. At least to me it does :wink:

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@Jenndye429 I grew up on up tempo angsty.

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A little bit of Drama…it is never too bad to me :woman_shrugging: