The most obvious choice of music for cynics is, of course, blues. The blues lifestyle or the more modern blues lifestyle is cynical by its very nature, concerning issues like you're stuck in a ditch, you're stuck in a ditch, and there's no way out. Or, getting the electric chair for a crime you didn't commit and fixin' to die.
Blues is not all completely downbeat. For intstance, the Hesitation Blues is about lonliness, but trying to do something about it. Then, Handy Man is about a woman who has found a good man who pleases her greatly, and full of double entendres. Even the more depressing blues songs, such as Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out can be viewed as a reality of life and society, where those who are depressed or otherwise having a difficult time are often isolated and abandoned. The good side of this though is that one learns who their true friends are, and who are the "Polyanas" and who are clinging to you because of what you can do for them, rather than it being a two way street. "Nobody can use you when you're down and out", is the line from the song.
Other forms of music have cynical fans. Country music is infamous for the songs they have about substance abuse, rain, cheating, and death. Some folk also has similar types of lyrics, as does some rock. There are crossover tunes, some very popular, such as Everybody Has the Blues by James Taylor. The lyrics are quite downbeat, but the mood of the music is almost party-like. James Taylor had a number of blues-influenced songs which are very popular. Leonard Cohen also wrote and performed many popular blues tunes such as "Ain't No Cure For Love", "Heart With No Companion", and "Hey, That's No Way To Say Goodbye".
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I originally put this up for Valentines Day, but these songs apply to people all year long. This list can otherwise be known as "The St. Valentine's Day Massacre List", in honor of Bugzy Malone. Cynics for a Better Tomorrow take no responsibility for the Youtube videos. Use at your own risk.
I'd like to raise awareness of Singles Awareness Day, on February 15th. You may be aware of that if you got through all of these songs.
First, I would like to thank Blind Lemming Chiffon for discussing blues, the meaning of blues songs, and the philosophies of depression and cynicism.
Finally, I would like to mention that an aunt by marriage, Marilyn Middleton Pollock, is a blues performer in the United Kingdom.
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