It’s hard to think of a more ubiquitous topic than the news. Whether it’s the local paper, the six o’clock broadcast, or the latest headlines on social media, we can’t seem to get away from it. And while most of us would rather not think about it at all, there are a few songwriters who have been irresistibly drawn to the news.
Some of these songs are funny, some are sad, and some are just plain angry. But they all have one thing in common: they capture the essence of news in all its forms. Here are 20 of our favorites!
By the way, if you’re looking for more songs about news, you might find some good songs in our other articles, such as songs about crimes, songs about energy, songs about hats, songs about limits, and songs about poisons.Good News – Mac Miller
In his song “Good News,” Mac Miller offers a unique take on the concept of news. Rather than simply reporting on the events of the day, he instead offers his own commentary and interpretation. In doing so, he allows listeners to gain a deeper understanding of the events that are taking place. Through his lyrics, Miller paints a picture of the world that is both harsh and beautiful.
A Little Good News – Anne Murray
Anne Murray’s “A Little Good News” is a song about the importance of good news in our lives. The song was inspired by a devastating fire that destroyed much of her hometown of Springhill, Nova Scotia. Despite the destruction, the townspeople were buoyed by the fact that no one was killed in the fire. For Murray, this was an example of how good news can help us through tough times. In the song, she asks us to think about all the good news we’ve heard lately and to share it with others.
All I Hear Is Good News – Rodney Howard-Browne
Rodney Howard-Browne’s song “All I Hear Is Good News” is a catchy tune with a positive message. The lyrics tell the story of a person who is feeling down but decides to focus on the good news instead. This change in perspective leads to a feeling of hope and happiness. The song is a reminder that no matter what might be happening in the world, there is always some good news to be found. For anyone who needs a pick-me-up, this tune is sure to put a smile on your face.
That’s The Way It Is – Celine Dion
Celine Dion’s “That’s The Way It Is” is a song about the power of news. In the lyrics, Dion describes how news can travel quickly and have a huge impact on people’s lives. She also talks about how the media can sometimes be sensationalistic and how important it is to be careful about what you believe. Overall, the song is a thought-provoking look at the role of news in our world.
I’m Like A Bird – Nelly Furtado
Released in 2000, “I’m Like a Bird” is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Nelly Furtado. The song was written by Furtado and produced by Gerald Eaton and Brian West. “I’m Like a Bird” was released as the lead single from Furtado’s debut album, Whoa, Nelly! (2000). The song received critical acclaim and won a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 44th Annual Grammy Awards. “I’m Like a Bird” is a mid-tempo pop song with elements of trip hop and R&B.
Bad News – Ghost Hounds
Ghost Hounds is a band from Austin, Texas that formed in 2010. The band’s sound has been described as a mix of country, rock, and blues. “Bad News” is a song from their debut album, which was released in 2011. The song is about the news, and how it can be both good and bad. The lyrics talk about how the news can bring us down, but we should never give up hope. The song has a catchy hook and a driving beat, which makes it one of the band’s most popular songs. If you’re looking for a song to get you through tough times, “Bad News” by Ghost Hounds is a great choice.
Second Hand News – birdy
Secondhand News is a 1977 song by Birdy. The song was written by Lindsey Buckingham and released on the band’s album Rumours. The song is about the gossip and rumors that often circulate within a relationship. Buckingham has said that the song is not specifically about any one person or event, but is instead a general commentary on the way that gossip can damage relationships. The song was a moderate success for the band, reaching #19 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. In recent years, the song has been used in various television shows and movies, including The Office, Bridesmaids, and Big Little Lies.
Watching The News – Conan Gray
In his song “Watching the News,” musician Conan Gray reflects on the ways that the news can be both informative and depressing. He opens the song with the line “I’m addicted to the sadness of strangers,” setting the stage for a discussion of the ways that we consume news stories about people we will never meet. Gray goes on to say that he feels both voyeuristic and powerless when he watches the news, observing tragedies that he can do nothing to prevent.
Bad News – Wande
“Bad News” is a song by American singer and songwriter Wande. The song was released on June 18, 2019, as the lead single from her debut EP, The Prettiest Curse. “Bad News” is a pop ballad with trap and R&B influences. The song lyrically deals with the subject of fake news and its effects on society. “Bad News” received positive reviews from music critics.
Real Bad News – Aimee Mann
Aimee Mann is a singer-songwriter who first came to prominence in the 1980s as a member of the new wave band ‘Til Tuesday. Since then, she has released eight solo albums, most recently 2016’s Mental Illness. “Real Bad News” is the lead single from that album, and it is a song about news: specifically, the way that bad news always seems to outpace good news, no matter how hard we try to focus on the positive. The song opens with the lines “Good intentions can’t stop / The bad news coming in / Every day there’s something wrong.”
Bad News Beat – Neil Young
Neil Young is no stranger to writing songs about the state of the world. With a career spanning nearly 50 years, Young has always been outspoken about the issues that are important to him. In “Bad News Beat,” Young tackles the issue of fake news. The song opens with the lines “I can’t watch the evening news/ It only makes me feel bad.” This sets the tone for the rest of the song, which criticizes the media for its focus on negative stories. Young goes on to say that he would rather hear good news, but unfortunately “there’s just no good news left.” Despite its somber subject matter, “Bad News Beat” is an upbeat and catchy song that will stay with you long after you’ve heard it.
I Read The News – Peter Frampton
The song “I Read the News” by Peter Frampton is a commentary on the state of the world. In the song, Frampton lists a number of current events and issues, including war, poverty, and political corruption. He then asks the question, “Is there anything new?” The answer, of course, is no; these problems have existed for many years. However, what makes this song so powerful is its use of suggestion. By listing a series of current events, Frampton implies that things are getting worse rather than better.
Please Don’t Tell Me ‘Bout The News – The Yardbirds
The song “Please Don’t Tell Me ‘Bout The News” by The Yardbirds is a song about the importance of staying informed. In the song, the singer pleads with someone not to tell them about the news, as they don’t want to hear about all the negative things going on in the world. Instead, the singer implores the other person to tell them about something good that has happened. The message of the song is that it is important to stay informed, but it is just as important to focus on the positive things happening in the world. By doing so, we can maintain our hope and sanity in spite of all the bad news we see on a daily basis.
Good News Travels Fast – Shenandoah
Good news traveled fast in the days before the internet and 24-hour news channels. In the song “Good News Travels Fast” by Shenandoah, the narrator reflects on how news used to be passed along by word of mouth. In the old days, if someone had something good to tell, they would spread the news from town to town. The song paints a picture of a simpler time when people were more connected to each other and less reliant on technology.
I Got The News – Steely Dan
I Got the News is a song written and performed by the American rock band Steely Dan. The song was released as the lead single from the group’s fifth studio album, Aja (1977). I Got the News was one of several songs on Aja that was co-written by Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, the two main members of Steely Dan. The song is a commentary on the 24-hour news cycle and how it can be difficult to keep up with all the events that are happening in the world. The lyrics make reference to several news stories that were in the headlines in 1977, including the nuclear accident at Three Mile Island and the murder of supermarket executive Marvin Krakauer.
Here Is The News – Electric Light Orchestraelo
Here Is The News is a song by English rock band Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), released as the first single from their 1981 album Time. The song was written by frontman Jeff Lynne and is about the global news industry. It includes references to various news stories of the time, such as the election of US President Ronald Reagan, the Space Shuttle program, and the assassination of John Lennon. The song was a moderate success, reaching the top 40 in several countries, including the UK, Germany, and Australia.
Used To Bad News – Boston
Boston’s “Used to Bad News” is a song about, well, bad news. The band has been through a lot of turmoil over the years, and this song seems to be about how they’ve dealt with it all. The lyrics talk about how the news never seems to be good, and how it can be so hard to take sometimes. But despite everything, the band has managed to stay together and even thrive. The song is an anthem for anyone who’s ever felt like they’re being bombarded with bad news. It’s a reminder that we can all get through tough times if we stick together.
News From Nowhere – Graeme James
![Graeme James - News From Nowhere [Official Music Video]](https://theawesomemix.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FeZGryCHHlWc%2F0.jpg&fix=it)
News From Nowhere by Graeme James is a song about the news and how it’s always focused on the negative. The song starts off with the line “I read the news today, oh boy” which immediately sets the tone of the song. The rest of the lyrics talk about how the news is always showing us images of violence, death, and destruction. However, despite all the negativity, there is still some hope to be found. The last line of the song talks about how we can still find beauty in the world if we look for it. News From Nowhere is a powerful song that makes us think about the way we consume news and how it affects our outlook on life.
Bad News From Home – Randy Newman
In “Bad News from Home,” Randy Newman tells the story of a man who is struggling to deal with the constant stream of negative news he hears on the radio. The song begins with the man waking up to another day of bad news, which only serves to make him more depressed. He tries to go about his day as usual, but the news is always there in the background, weighing on his mind. eventually, he can’t take it anymore and shuts off the radio. However, even without the news, he still feels overwhelmed by all the negativity in the world. The song ends with the man wondering if there’s any good news out there at all.
Celebrate The News – Beach Boys
Celebrate the News is a song written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love for the Beach Boys’ 1966 album Pet Sounds. The song is an uptempo, horn-driven track with a optimistic message about the power of news to bring people together. The lyrics make reference to several major events that happened in 1966, including the launch of the Gemini space program and the death of President John F. Kennedy. Despite its positive message, the song was not released as a single and received little attention from radio programmers. Regardless, it remains a fan-favorite and is one of the most popular tracks from Pet Sounds.
You might also like these playlists: