List songs with ironic lyrics

[Peter Paltridge]

"I've got a crummy job; it don't pay near enough." --Sheryl Crow

"If I was a rich girl, na na na na na na" --Gwen, who must be speaking hypothetically

"FAME! I'm gonna live FOREVER! People will REMEMBER my name!!" --Irene Cara

[MonkeyFunk]

It's not quite what you're looking for, being intentionally ironic, but "Shameless" by the Pet Shop Boys deserves a mention:


I know what you think
It's clear as mud in your eyes
We're the plastic poseurs and prostitutes
You've obviously come to despise

But you don't know nothing
You're not hot enough to matter
You don't understand it's the glamorous life
A dream that no one can shatter

We're shameless
We will do anything
To get our fifteen minutes of fame
We have no integrity
We're ready to crawl
To obtain celebrity
We'll do anything at all

I'm ambitious
Believe me, I'm going to be big
I'm a slave to glamour
Applause and clamour
My makeup, my wardrobe, my wigs

[Terminatah]

"Ironic," by Alanis Morissette, contains a bunch of non-ironic unfortunate coincidences that purportedly amount to the definitive anthem of irony. Which is what makes the song ironic.

-Terminatah

[90'sCartoonMan]

What you're asking, Mars, are lyrics that reflect the opposite lifestyle of the artist who sings them?

I'm sure there's a ton about rappers who are poor (although I guess it could be them talking about growing up that way) or rockers who can't get a girl, but I honestly can't think of any at the moment.

[NachoHat]

In a way, I always thought "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting" by Elton John seemed a little ironic. I really don't think I'd expect ol' Elton to do any fighting on Saturday or, for that matter, any night.

[sun]

Sung by Peter Paul and Mary, words by- Pete Seeger- a truly great writer.

Where Have All the Flowers Gone?

Where have all the flowers gone, long time passing?
Where have all the flowers gone, long time ago?
Where have all the flowers gone?
Gone to young girls, every one!
When will they ever learn, when will they ever learn?

Where have all the young girls gone, long time passing?
Where have all the young girls gone, long time ago?
Where have all the young girls gone?
Gone to young men, every one!
When will they ever learn, when will they ever learn?

Where have all the young men gone, long time passing?
Where have all the young men gone, long time ago?
Where have all the young men gone?
Gone to soldiers, every one!
When will they ever learn, when will they ever learn?

And where have all the soldiers gone, long time passing?
Where have all the soldiers gone, a long time ago?
Where have all the soldiers gone?
Gone to graveyards, every one!
When will they ever learn, when will they ever learn?

And where have all the graveyards gone, long time passing?
Where have all the graveyards gone, long time ago?
Where have all the graveyards gone?
Gone to flowers, every one!
When will they ever learn, oh when will they ever learn
__________________