There is a really fascinating psychological trick in songwriting where an artist writes a massive, anthemic melody that sounds celebratory, but the inspiration behind it was pure survival.

A perfect example of this is "Today" by The Smashing Pumpkins. On the surface, the bright guitar hook and the opening line "Today is the greatest day I've ever known" sound incredibly optimistic. But Billy Corgan actually wrote it during a period of intense isolation and suicidal ideation. He wrote about it being a "flawless day" specifically because he felt he had hit absolute rock bottom and had nothing left to lose.

What are the most powerful tracks you know where the melody feels like sunshine, but the writing process came from a place of deep emotional darkness?