Top 10 Upbeat Broadway Songs with Dark Lyrics
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Date: 2023-11-21
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Comments and reviews: 30
Jimmy
The thing about Gee Officer Krupke is that for the original 1961 version, the lyrics had to be changed.
1957 version
My father is a bastard,
My ma's an S. O. B.
My grandpa's always plastered,
My grandma pushes tea.
1961 version
My Daddy beats my Mommy,
My Mommy clobbers me,
My Grandpa is a Commie,
My Grandma pushes tea.
1957 version
Dear kindly social worker,
They say go earn a buck.
Like be a soda jerker,
Which means I'd be a shmuck.
1961 version
Dear kindly social worker,
They tell me get a job,
Like be a soda jerker,
Which means I'd be a slob.
I don't understand why they changed the lyric from. My grandpa's always plastered. to My grandpa is a commie. Plastered is another way of saying drunk. I'm a bit puzzled by that. But they leave in, With all the marijuana
They won't give a puff.
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The thing about Gee Officer Krupke is that for the original 1961 version, the lyrics had to be changed.
1957 version
My father is a bastard,
My ma's an S. O. B.
My grandpa's always plastered,
My grandma pushes tea.
1961 version
My Daddy beats my Mommy,
My Mommy clobbers me,
My Grandpa is a Commie,
My Grandma pushes tea.
1957 version
Dear kindly social worker,
They say go earn a buck.
Like be a soda jerker,
Which means I'd be a shmuck.
1961 version
Dear kindly social worker,
They tell me get a job,
Like be a soda jerker,
Which means I'd be a slob.
I don't understand why they changed the lyric from. My grandpa's always plastered. to My grandpa is a commie. Plastered is another way of saying drunk. I'm a bit puzzled by that. But they leave in, With all the marijuana
They won't give a puff.
reply
Alexander
My answer will forever be The Ballad of Sara Berry. Beneath the upbeat pop and cheer sound, the song describes the title characters descent into insanity and subsequent murder spree. Not to mention the depictions of societal pressure, borderline abusive parents, and an amputation in the first verse. The song ends with the main character being arrested, locked in an insane asylum, and not even realizing it because of her belief that shes still at her prom. However, dark content alone does not make a good song. The masterful subversion of expectation and rhyming schemes, the upbeat and almost triumphant feeling of the chorus, the witty lyrics, and the sudden shift in tone near the end create an amazing listening experience. DEFINITELY check it out!
Also Everybodys Got The Right from Assassins, because need I say more?
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My answer will forever be The Ballad of Sara Berry. Beneath the upbeat pop and cheer sound, the song describes the title characters descent into insanity and subsequent murder spree. Not to mention the depictions of societal pressure, borderline abusive parents, and an amputation in the first verse. The song ends with the main character being arrested, locked in an insane asylum, and not even realizing it because of her belief that shes still at her prom. However, dark content alone does not make a good song. The masterful subversion of expectation and rhyming schemes, the upbeat and almost triumphant feeling of the chorus, the witty lyrics, and the sudden shift in tone near the end create an amazing listening experience. DEFINITELY check it out!
Also Everybodys Got The Right from Assassins, because need I say more?
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McKaylee
I've kinda always thought Gee, Officer Krupke was a subtle manipulation of the members of the Jets. It's sung by the gang leaders, they acknowledge the frustration many of the underlings have felt as well as the experiences many of them may have had with the justice system in a way that labels the police as a clear enemy, meanwhile they reinforce the idea that the gang members can't change, and the leader of the gang himself finishes off the song with the line no one wants a guy with a social disease. The sad truth feels wielded to tell the gang members you have no choice but to stay, we are the only ones who will accept you.
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I've kinda always thought Gee, Officer Krupke was a subtle manipulation of the members of the Jets. It's sung by the gang leaders, they acknowledge the frustration many of the underlings have felt as well as the experiences many of them may have had with the justice system in a way that labels the police as a clear enemy, meanwhile they reinforce the idea that the gang members can't change, and the leader of the gang himself finishes off the song with the line no one wants a guy with a social disease. The sad truth feels wielded to tell the gang members you have no choice but to stay, we are the only ones who will accept you.
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xLife. Lightx
I might make people mad but I find Don't Lose Your Head scarier than All You Wanna Do. What happened to Howard is heartbreaking but Boleyn slowly becoming more scared towards the end is terrifying.
and now he goes around like OFF WITH HER HEAD! (no) Yeah, I'm pretty he means it. .. (seems it) but what was I meant to do! sh//it got real in one verse and the other queens mocky tone doesn't help! Wasn't the most heartbreaking story but shows perfectly how cruel Henry can be, particularly after Aragon's song who only presented him as a douchy cheater.
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I might make people mad but I find Don't Lose Your Head scarier than All You Wanna Do. What happened to Howard is heartbreaking but Boleyn slowly becoming more scared towards the end is terrifying.
and now he goes around like OFF WITH HER HEAD! (no) Yeah, I'm pretty he means it. .. (seems it) but what was I meant to do! sh//it got real in one verse and the other queens mocky tone doesn't help! Wasn't the most heartbreaking story but shows perfectly how cruel Henry can be, particularly after Aragon's song who only presented him as a douchy cheater.
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McKaylee
I have a manageable phobia of dentistry, and in that context the dentist in Little Shop of Horrors is one of the most effective villains I've encountered. He freaks me out, and if he weren't so cartoonishly over the top he'd probably be my second worst nightmare, but he's so over the top that he still fits the tone, which allows me to both get exactly why the main character picks him to feed to Audrey II, and process that doing so is still getting close to the dark side
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I have a manageable phobia of dentistry, and in that context the dentist in Little Shop of Horrors is one of the most effective villains I've encountered. He freaks me out, and if he weren't so cartoonishly over the top he'd probably be my second worst nightmare, but he's so over the top that he still fits the tone, which allows me to both get exactly why the main character picks him to feed to Audrey II, and process that doing so is still getting close to the dark side
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labyrinthgirl17
While I love anything from Sweeney Todd and am happy to A Little Priest on the list, I find the song, Pretty Women far more unnerving. Because at first glance, it sounds like two men exchanging what they love about women, then you realize just how dark it is when you remember that the Judge saw most of the things he's describing while spying on Lucy, and then Joanna over the years.
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While I love anything from Sweeney Todd and am happy to A Little Priest on the list, I find the song, Pretty Women far more unnerving. Because at first glance, it sounds like two men exchanging what they love about women, then you realize just how dark it is when you remember that the Judge saw most of the things he's describing while spying on Lucy, and then Joanna over the years.
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Zzzz23
I want more from Lestat. It sounds like a funny little vampire kid throwing a temper tantrum. But its really a woman stuck in a childs body going on a murderous spree who wished she had died of disease rather than being stuck as a child
Also it wasnt on Broadway but Thankless Job from Repo! The genetic opera. The man literally uses a dead body as a puppet to sing a duet with himself.
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I want more from Lestat. It sounds like a funny little vampire kid throwing a temper tantrum. But its really a woman stuck in a childs body going on a murderous spree who wished she had died of disease rather than being stuck as a child
Also it wasnt on Broadway but Thankless Job from Repo! The genetic opera. The man literally uses a dead body as a puppet to sing a duet with himself.
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LRW
Seriously, no mention of Cabaret. The musical about dancing and hiding from your troubles as Germany sinks deeper into Nazi rule and that ends with a song about going to the gas chamber. The whole thing is upbeat and gay but with horrifying meaning behind the lyrics. Most of the characters including the clownish emcee are implied to have been killed during a song with a quick happy tempo.
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Seriously, no mention of Cabaret. The musical about dancing and hiding from your troubles as Germany sinks deeper into Nazi rule and that ends with a song about going to the gas chamber. The whole thing is upbeat and gay but with horrifying meaning behind the lyrics. Most of the characters including the clownish emcee are implied to have been killed during a song with a quick happy tempo.
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DemonicRosebush
I see a River from Urinetown is so underrated. It starts hopefull as the character of Hope sings how everyone is finally free, while slowly becoming more cultlike, to a point where Hope tells people they don't need to drink anymore, because the water is inside them. By the end of the song, everyone except for 3 characters are dead.
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I see a River from Urinetown is so underrated. It starts hopefull as the character of Hope sings how everyone is finally free, while slowly becoming more cultlike, to a point where Hope tells people they don't need to drink anymore, because the water is inside them. By the end of the song, everyone except for 3 characters are dead.
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Allison
I immediately think of Oh What A Circus from Evita. It is overwhelmingly upbeat and catchy, but it is sung from the beginning of the musical, which starts at her funeral. Let down your people, Evita. you were supposed to have been immortal. That's all they wanted, not much to ask for, but in the end you could not deliver.
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I immediately think of Oh What A Circus from Evita. It is overwhelmingly upbeat and catchy, but it is sung from the beginning of the musical, which starts at her funeral. Let down your people, Evita. you were supposed to have been immortal. That's all they wanted, not much to ask for, but in the end you could not deliver.
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america
Okay, so the reason Sobbin' Women is funny, is because Adam LEGITIMATELY misunderstands. He's super illiterate and has only recently learned to read, so he legit thought the women were happy. Because of course the book is from the Roman standpoint. And it's not until his wife bluntly explains it to him that he realizes.
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Okay, so the reason Sobbin' Women is funny, is because Adam LEGITIMATELY misunderstands. He's super illiterate and has only recently learned to read, so he legit thought the women were happy. Because of course the book is from the Roman standpoint. And it's not until his wife bluntly explains it to him that he realizes.
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PaperMoon
I thought of Pretty Women from Sweeney Todd; disturbing because it's sung by a true pervert. But it's more pretty than upbeat. However, Cabaret, hello? Anything from the title number Cabaret itself to Money, Makes the World Go Round, Tomorrow Belongs to Me, etc.
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I thought of Pretty Women from Sweeney Todd; disturbing because it's sung by a true pervert. But it's more pretty than upbeat. However, Cabaret, hello? Anything from the title number Cabaret itself to Money, Makes the World Go Round, Tomorrow Belongs to Me, etc.
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Mokiefraggle
I've always viewed You'll Be Back less as standard musical fare, more as yet another stylistic choice in Hamilton: King George's song is the British Pop Invasion. It sounds a lot like classic Beatles, both musically and in lyrical stylings.
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I've always viewed You'll Be Back less as standard musical fare, more as yet another stylistic choice in Hamilton: King George's song is the British Pop Invasion. It sounds a lot like classic Beatles, both musically and in lyrical stylings.
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Princess
I was so happy to see a Urinetown song on here, even if it was just an honorable mention. I was in a production of Urinetown over the summer and I played Little Sally. What kind of musical is this was always one of my favorite lines.
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I was so happy to see a Urinetown song on here, even if it was just an honorable mention. I was in a production of Urinetown over the summer and I played Little Sally. What kind of musical is this was always one of my favorite lines.
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fanjoy
I would like to have seen something from Cabaret on the list, plus maybe American Dream from Miss Saigon around #10, instead of The heat is on in Saigon. The dentist song from Little Shop should have been way higher.
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I would like to have seen something from Cabaret on the list, plus maybe American Dream from Miss Saigon around #10, instead of The heat is on in Saigon. The dentist song from Little Shop should have been way higher.
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toxicsugar
Not sure if it totally fits since its not the lyrics that are dark as much as just, hearing the song knowing what happens because its such a famous movie, but. a night well never forget from Carrie.
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Not sure if it totally fits since its not the lyrics that are dark as much as just, hearing the song knowing what happens because its such a famous movie, but. a night well never forget from Carrie.
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mykemurfy
You fools. You forgot Sincerely, Me. Literally the most playful song ever about rewriting a dead kid's personality for your own social benefit. My favorite song. I saw DEH on broadway yesterday.
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You fools. You forgot Sincerely, Me. Literally the most playful song ever about rewriting a dead kid's personality for your own social benefit. My favorite song. I saw DEH on broadway yesterday.
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Jorge
I good effort, but too many good songs and shows were left out. What ever happened to Mame, I am what I am, and I'll Never fall in Love Again. Furthermore, toe rank Hello Dolly so low is criminal.
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I good effort, but too many good songs and shows were left out. What ever happened to Mame, I am what I am, and I'll Never fall in Love Again. Furthermore, toe rank Hello Dolly so low is criminal.
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Alex
I saw Six the musical in San Francisco, and after All You Wanna Do no one clapped. NO ONE. We were dead silent. It wasnt until Howard said And then I was beheaded that everyone started cheering
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I saw Six the musical in San Francisco, and after All You Wanna Do no one clapped. NO ONE. We were dead silent. It wasnt until Howard said And then I was beheaded that everyone started cheering
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Something
When I first heard You'll be back: oh? Is this a love song? But. the lyrics are a little off.
After listening it a few times: oh. this is abusive love song to US.
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When I first heard You'll be back: oh? Is this a love song? But. the lyrics are a little off.
After listening it a few times: oh. this is abusive love song to US.
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Putts
For everyone asking why no song from Heathers is on here, Heathers has never actually played on Broadway so it wouldnt count. Its been off-broadway and west end instead.
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For everyone asking why no song from Heathers is on here, Heathers has never actually played on Broadway so it wouldnt count. Its been off-broadway and west end instead.
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Rebels_Rhapsody
What happened to Waving through a window from Dear Evan Hansen, it gets more grandiose as he sings about whether people will notice if he's gone or not
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What happened to Waving through a window from Dear Evan Hansen, it gets more grandiose as he sings about whether people will notice if he's gone or not
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Marge
The question with gee officer krumpkee is. how much of what they say are you really supose to believe? Personally I think they're embellishing a little
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The question with gee officer krumpkee is. how much of what they say are you really supose to believe? Personally I think they're embellishing a little
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Blake
A musical full of songs like these is Oh What A Lovely War its about WW1 and once you know the context behind the songs they hit completely different
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A musical full of songs like these is Oh What A Lovely War its about WW1 and once you know the context behind the songs they hit completely different
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Ace
And Tomorrow Belongs To me has to be paired with Do You Hear The People Sing (Les Mis) as examples of revolutionary zeal gone very very wrong.
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And Tomorrow Belongs To me has to be paired with Do You Hear The People Sing (Les Mis) as examples of revolutionary zeal gone very very wrong.
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Danice
Little Shop of Horrors, Dentist. Steve Martin's version is the best. He makes it funny. I remember seeing it in the theaters ages ago.
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Little Shop of Horrors, Dentist. Steve Martin's version is the best. He makes it funny. I remember seeing it in the theaters ages ago.
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AniMusicals
I'd say ''I'm Alive'' (Next To Normal) could make a spot on this list. All You Wanna Do was a perfect choice tho. Poor K Howard: (
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I'd say ''I'm Alive'' (Next To Normal) could make a spot on this list. All You Wanna Do was a perfect choice tho. Poor K Howard: (
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h193013
Ive been listening to 13 and I find Terminal Illness an example of the is. Its an upbeat song about a kid with a fatal disease.
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Ive been listening to 13 and I find Terminal Illness an example of the is. Its an upbeat song about a kid with a fatal disease.
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Sabrina
I would've added The Cell Block Tango from Chicago and a few tracks from Beetlejuice as well. maybe a part 2 is in order here?
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I would've added The Cell Block Tango from Chicago and a few tracks from Beetlejuice as well. maybe a part 2 is in order here?
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fanjoy
I adore both versions of Sweeny Todd but dear God the mental whiplash going from the stage to the movie version and back x. x
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I adore both versions of Sweeny Todd but dear God the mental whiplash going from the stage to the movie version and back x. x
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