What do you think of fast-paced happy songs that still sound sad?

[Bethany22]

Like the song is very fast and joyous, but because a lot of minor notes are used, the song also sounds sad. Do you like those types of songs or do you find them annoying?

[abc3643]

Can you give us an example because I am having a hard time imagining a "happy song that sounds sad"?

Maybe Beethoven's Symphony Number 9 in D Minor, Opus 125 (aka "Choral" which has "Ode To Joy" as the 4th movement)?

https://www.youtube.com/embed/hdWyYn0E4Ys

Or maybe "O Fortuna"?

https://www.youtube.com/embed/GXFSK0ogeg4

Or maybe the "Flower Duet"?

https://www.youtube.com/embed/C1ZL5AxmK_A

Or maybe Beethoven's "Coriolan Overture, Opus 62" which definitely is fast and seems joyous, but has a sad ending as, musically, Coriolanus is mortally wounded and sounds his final 4 heartbeats.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/MXD501__JCI

I think perhaps a good example is John William's end music for "Close Encounters of the Third Kind". Watch these next two videos one after the other.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/JeeZA4B1qyIhttps://www.youtube.com/embed/zJxJySTXXN0

This is the soundtrack version which is better musically and includes music from the scenes leading upto the end credits.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/4-jdkM2q5t0

Close Encounters of the Third Kind is an excellent movie. Jaws established Spielberg, but Close Encounters cemented Spielberg's reputation that he was not a one-hit-wonder but a rather wonderful director and writer.

Fortunately, it is currently free to stream on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/CugtQaWd2fI

[FunkyMonkee]

I like minor key stuff.
Here's one that's fast, happy but in minors.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/9Cx4Wq_pgt8

[krin_m]

I can think of one song.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/Yfd2cQNQDOc

What is love?
Baby, don't hurt me
Don't hurt me, no more
Baby, don't hurt me
Don't hurt me, no more
What is love? Yeah-yeah
(Ooh, ooh)
No, I don't know why you're not there
I give you my love, but you don't care
So what is right and what is wrong?
Give me a sign
What is love?
Oh, baby, don't hurt me
Don't hurt me, no more
What is love?
Oh, baby, don't hurt me
Don't hurt me, no more

[jahaims]

MGMT is good at that. I enjoy some of it.

[Anonymous]

Yes I do - e. g. nobody by mitski