I’m not sure what modern horror made me wonder why today’s music is so depressing (maybe Kanye West selling swastika shirts during the Super Bowl), but I suddenly started to think blissfully back on the 1930s through 1950s, and yearn for the optimistic music and lyrics of a different age. 

I admit that I don’t listen to many contemporary songs, but – from Billboard Hot 100 top-ten singles in 2023 and 2024 – their titles alone confirm the worst. Here are some for your consideration:

• Guilty as Sin • My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys • Lies, Lies, Lies • Cruel Summer • Anti-Hero • FukUMean • Dial Drunk • Greedy • Hiss • Type Shit • We Don’t Trust You • Down Bad.

In contrast -- I’m still talking only about titles (I’ll get to lyrics momentarily) – here are some from the last century.

• Swinging on A Star • You Are My Sunshine • Star Dust • Pennies from Heaven • Blue Skies Smiling at Me • Cheerful Little Earful • Sunny Side of the Street • Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries • Singing in the Rain • April Showers (Bring May Flowers) • Red Red Robin • Somewhere Over the Rainbow • Young at Heart.

At an awards show years ago, Hermes Pan, who choreographed 17 Fred Astaire films as well as cheerful (romantic, poignant, heroic) movies like Silk Stockings, Pal Joey, Porgy and Bess, Flower Drum Song, and My Fair Lady, was honored. During his acceptance speech, he said – referring to contemporary movies – “Why are they all so depressing?”

And even if my memory is faulty about everything else, I’m certain that the great choreographer finished his statement by asking (I’m paraphrasing): “Why is everybody afraid of joy?”

Indeed, why? I positively LONG for happy songs. Uplifting songs. Melody. Charm. Cleverness. Wit … and, dare I repeat it yet again: JOY?

Now, on to the subject of lyrics. To keep it simple, I’ll stick with the swastika-loving, anti-Semitic hero of contemporary music, Kayne West, described by “Let’s Talk Music” as “the most critically acclaimed artist of the 21st Century.” Admittedly, I have no clue about what this jumble of words mean, but they are from a song called “Gone.”

“You sweat her, and I ain’t talkin ‘bout a Cooqi • You a big L, and I ain’t talkin ‘bout Cool J • See me at the airport, at least twenty Louis • Treat me like the Prince and this my sweet brother Numpsay.”

To which I respond: Huh?

In comparison, here is an enchanting and oh-so-literate song from the Rogers and Hart musical Pal Joey:

“I'm wild again • Beguiled again • A simpering, whimpering child again • Bewitched, bothered and bewildered am I • Lost my heart, but what of it? • My mistake, I agree • He’s a laugh, but I love it • Because the laugh’s on me.”

Admittedly, not a particularly happy song, but the lyrics are so delicious, I couldn’t resist.

Okay. Back to joy, so brace yourself for “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” by Allie Wrubel and Ray Gilbert:

“Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay • My, oh my, what a wonderful day • Plenty of sunshine headin' my way • Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay • Mister Bluebird's on my shoulder • It's the truth, it's actual • Everything is satisfactual • Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay • Wonderful feeling, wonderful day!”

Followed by “April Showers” by Al Jolson:

“Though April showers may come your way • They bring the flowers that bloom in May • So if it's raining, have no regrets • Because it isn't raining rain, you know, (It's raining violets,) • And where you see clouds upon the hills • You soon will see crowds of daffodils • So keep on looking for a blue bird, And list'ning for his song • Whenever April showers come along.”

And ending with one of my favorites – “Swinging on a Star” by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke:

“Would you like to swing on a star • Carry moonbeams home in a jar • And be better off than you are • Or would you rather be a mule • A mule is an animal with long funny ears • Kicks up at anything he hears • His back is brawny but his brain is weak • He's just plain stupid with a stubborn streak • And by the way, if you hate to go to school • You may grow up to be a mule.”

Most, if not all of these songs (I wish I had room for more!) were written before I was born. But I was lucky enough to grow up in an era where movies were shown on TV in which they were sung. So cheerful. So optimistic. Filled with purpose, hope and, yes, joy.

Is anyone out there a romantic composer? Need a lyricist? If so, I would be happy to put words to your joyful tune.

Just knock on my door and whisper, “Hermes Pan sent me!”

Copyright © Shelly Reuben, 2025. Shelly Reuben’s books have been nominated for Edgar, Prometheus, and Falcon awards. For more about her writing, visit: www.shellyreuben.com