Multiple Personality Songs

I ranted about songs that sound wonderful when the lyrics were in fact very dark and filled with pain.
There are so many facets to every gem; this is relevant because the band wants to add some tunes.

Touch of background - the drummers are 21 each, the bass player is 47 and I am the elder statesman at 54.

Here are the songs to be added:
Magnolia - The Hush Sound
I and Love and You  - The Avett Brothers
How Do You Like Me Now - The Heavy
Pulling Mussels From a Shell - Squeeze
Django's Blues - Django Reinhardt

An interesting mix. The songs are suggested and I listen to them. However, I have learned to pause before hitting 'reply.'

The entire list of songs is over represented by failure and bad karma. I mean that one of two ways - literally - oh yeah, some of these choices are awkward and not my type at all - pieces that are not well done for one reason or another. The other way is the meaning of the song. Dark and painful to hear.
And yet - all these tunes have a redeeming factor...somehow compelling.

In both 'Magnolias' and 'I and Love and You' the theme is is looking for sanctuary after a bad turn.
Magnolia's lyrics do not fit the meter of the song. The production of the song is a typical rock ballad, well done musically. The way the vocals are expressed it sounds plausible. An examination of the lyrics is quick to show you how the lines rely on shoe-horning a couple of syllables in, using a lilting sort of stumble. It is one hundred percent intentional. But it sounds like a goofy, nerdy plea for attention. In other words, a good song for us to play.

The Avett Brothers are good. They have a nice act that at times makes you think of other harmonizing brother based bands and yet...
The song 'I and Love and You,' is written over a Civil War tune. (I believe the brothers are from North Carolina)
I would guess that was not intentional as much as it was natural for true "country" musicians.
They employ violin and banjo, guitar and piano. Drums are rare to be noticed, more like ornaments.
Their song is a Dear Jane with the hope of redemption awaiting on the other side. Both dark and light at the same time.

Okay - I buy these two ballads.

The tune from The Heavy - 'How Do You Like Me Now,' is the story of a man who has been dumped and found himself a new friend and asks the question, "How Do You Like Me Now..." the smirk dripping from his face.

"Why are we doing this?," I asked.
"It's a good dance tune...lots of dirty rubbing stuff."
"Dude?"
I'm kind of lost. I do have to allow others to have input on the song list but this is pushing it. Isn't it?

'Pulling Mussels From a Shell,' from Squeeze is a favorite of mine. A song about nothing really - just the happenings one day along a beach. What people have read into it is another story. Not an easy tune to play, this will entail a lot of work, but I am all thumbs up.

Django? You guys suggested this? Wow.
All for it. And how we pull this off is all on me. I love it.


I cave easily to 'How Do You Like Me Now.'
Multiple personality tunes.