With a strong focus on nostalgic reflection and explorations of tragic themes such as lost loves, the passage of time and even simple wistfulness for days gone by it would probably be easier to list the songs that aren't tear-jerking in some way. Of course, more than a few stand out.
- "Endless Summer" from the self-titled album is probably one of their best examples. It captures all the feelings of a fleeting summer love in so few words but it will likely leave a strong impact on the listener long after its over.Disappeared in a camera flashWhy do the bad girls never lastLost in gin and lemonadeElectrospins and the mermaid paradeFour quartets and no regretsExcept for the polaroids I leftYou were just some spell I was underThat endless summer
- "Waves" from Kids manages to nail that perfect blend between awesome and sad that really hammers in the inherent sadness of the modern age and people slowly losing the ability to bond with each other like they did in the past.When I dream, we're all melting togetherSynchronized in a mass embraceBeads of water folding togetherLike a north shore waveHow strangeWe're parts of each other how strangeI'll never even know your name
- "Kids (Prelude)" and "Kids (Reprise)" are another set of heartbreaking songs from the Kids album that deal with the pain of growing up and leaving things behind as you get older.Kids are sad, the sky is blue
There are monsters in the spare bedroom
Kids grow up, and move away
They closed the plant and the mall arcade
Kids are sad, their parents, too
Kids get high in the spare bedroom
We grow up and move away
The seasons pass, but the monsters stay - Despite its fairly upbeat tune the lyrics for the self titled track on Days of Thunder are some of the most sad and bitter sounding in their entire discography.Love was a dream to have
Was a king-size bed
Was an escape plan
Was an open hand
Now it's a dog from hell
It's a dream you sell
It's an epitaph
It's a photograph - "WeMoveForward" (also from Days of Thunder) is a perfect blend of young love and wistful nostalgia with just the right amount of bittersweet notes to tug at the heartstrings as it progresses.Sun in my eyes and the gold coast shiningAnd the girl with the braids in her hairSteady breeze and oh I was fallingI would follow her anywhereThe sky turned grey in a flash flood warningShe smiled and she took my handShe kissed my lips and the rain came pouringSwore I heard a marching bandWe move forward'Cause we can't go backWe move forward'Cause we can't go backWe move forward'Cause we can't go backWe move forward'Cause we can't go back
- "Light Years" off of Nocturnal seems to be about a broken love or a painful separation of some kind. Either way it packs a punch truly unlike most of the other songs in their discography thanks to the absolutely fantastic guest vocals of Nikki Flores.Millions behind or light years ahead
Our time is now, our time was then
And I hear your voice inside of my head
But it's just a silhouette
Do you wander what happens
To all of the love we lose?