I’ll start with this Devo classic, Beautiful World.
“It’s a beautiful world / For you / It’s not for me!”.
Radiohead - optimistic
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The Smashing Pumpkins have a ton of great ones that fit this thread perfectly. It’s one of the things I love so much about Billy’s songwriting.
Hummer is the embodiment of it. Both lyrically and musically, it has so much hope and doom, even at the same time.
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Muzzle is another obvious one. The balance between the two is part of what makes it one of the most magical songs ever.
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Age of Innocence too, summed up neatly by its “Desolation yes, hesitation no” chorus.
Eels are really good at this. Two knockout album closers that do this:
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Mark Kozelek & Jimmy LaValle - “Somehow the Wonder of Life Prevails”
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Another depressing album closer with a sliver of hope. I’m realizing this is my favorite way for a band to end an album (its only competition is unrelenting pessimism).
The Twilight Singers - Twilight
Ought - Beautiful Blue Sky
Ought - Today More Than Any Other Day
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