I found no reports that he ever expressed any remorse a soulless bastard to the end. Was Polly known to have expressed any remorse? Ham also co-wrote Without You, a massive hit in 1972 for Harry Nilsson and again in 1994 for Mariah Carey. Badfinger had made the most of the opportunity, releasing a series of irresistibly melodic hit singles that led many to proclaim the foursome to be destined for Fab Four-level greatness. BY ANCESTRY.COM, Riverside National Cemetery Stan Polley rose to prime prominence as a Celebrity. For many Wish You Were Here is the bands best album and it received good positive reviews from the likes of Rolling Stone magazine. dixie county times newspaper. Did Stanley finish grade school, get a GED, go to high school, get a college degree or masters? Pete, who had already taken some tentative early stabs at songwriting, took Collins urgings to heart and embraced the challenge. One of the highlights was Ham and Harrisons acoustic take on Here Comes The Sun. You have to have hits. Ham left behind a sucide note in 1975, specifically blaming the band's manager, Stan Polley. After a night in the pub in which he downed scotch after scotch, he apparently told Evans I know a way forward. Mollands departure, and the fact that Wish You Were Here had been pulled from record-store shelves, didnt stop the band (which now included new keyboardist/guitarist Bob Jackson) from rushing into the studio in early 1975 to record yet another haphazardly-assembled album, Head First. Exceptional talent, heartbreaking story, beautifully written article; thanks for the music Pete, Tom, Mike and Joey. The business, which sold musical instruments, belonged to Pete's brother. In the early hours of April 24, 1975, 27-year-old Pete Ham hanged himself in his garage recording studio. The situation weighed most heavily on Pete Ham. The strain had increasingly shown in his behavior, with friends seeing him put out cigarettes on his arms and hands. His potentially provocative comments proved to be a blessing when Paul McCartney read the piece, and responded by offering the band Come And Get It, an infectious new tune hed written for the soundtrack of the upcoming Ringo Starr/Peter Sellers film The Magic Christian. AncientFaces is a place where our memories live. I will take him with me." And then he hanged himself. He is not known to have expressed any remorse for destroying the lives literarily of the talented musicians. Were not complaining.. Updated: June 22, 2016. On paper, these deals were worth millions of dollars, seemingly confirming Polleys promises that hed made the band members millionaires. The Meteorites, The Fireflies, The Jetsit was in this vibrant musical environment that Hams band The Iveys (named after Ivey Place near to Swanseas High Street Train Station where the band rehearsed) would develop, catching the eyes and ears of Bill Collins manager of Merseybeat stars The Mojos (and father of The Professionals actor Lewis Collins). A woman claims to have killed in self-defense, until a blackmailer turns up with incriminating letter. Please direct comments, questions or suggestions to mwilson@midwesternnewspapers.com. And in the end two of them hanged themselves. As Evans later stated Peter was the type of person who, if he put his trust in someone, would feel humiliated if he was wronghe was a very stubborn type of guy. Despite a few memorable songse.g. Evans was the victim of more mismanagement and was sued for $5-million. Page contents not supported in other languages. A more permanent memorial was erected on April 27th 2013 (Hams 66th birthday) with the songwriter becoming the first recipient of the citys new Blue plaque scheme. In 1988, readers of Goldmine voted Straight Up the album theyd most like to see released on Compact Disc. Polley manipulated a contract that gave him most of the bands earnings. What is Stanley's ethnicity and where did his parents, grandparents & great-grandparents come from? Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account. According to Wkipedia's entry on Stan Polley (it doesn't mention the fact that he was a jew), he defrauded some white man of a quarter of a million dollars in 1991, and was prosecuted for it. 8 birth records, View He never expressed any public remorse for any of his fraudulent actions. How utterly heartbreaking it must have been then, to have seen the album withdrawn due to a lawsuit between Warner music publishing and Polley only seven weeks after its release. An eccentric mans constant companion is a six-foot tall rabbit that only he can see. I cried as I read and did my research on the band and the tragedy that came with it. to view service. Head First contained a pair of scathing Tom Evans compositions, Hey Mr. Manager and Rock n Roll Contract, that offered his bitter assessment of Stan Polleys handling of the bands affairs. The city was still in the process of rebuilding while Pete was growing up in Swanseas Townhill district, at the time one of the working-class towns roughest areas. Featured as a part of Most popular Celebrity. Being taken under the Beatles wing had the added benefit of allowing Badfinger to collaborate with their bigger-than-life labelmates. A coldhearted Soviet agent is warmed up by a trip to Paris and a night of love. Warner Bros. Records sued Badfinger's business manager, Stan Polley, after an advance vanished. Stan Polley is a soulless bastard. Evans possessed a mercurial personality that contrasted with Petes even-keeled approach. Mackintosh Academy - Boulder. unfortunately Pete Hamm downed 10 shotshe was drunk and like many suicides, it may not have happened if he was sober. Meanwhile, Stan Polley forced a battle between Apple and Warner Bros. over Badfingers song publishing, causing the substantial royalty payments for the bands hits (and for Nilssons cover of Without You) to be tied in a legal knot that would take years to untangle. On April 24, 1975, Ham's girlfriend, who was pregnant with their daughter at the time, discovered his body hanging in their garage. The intense, emotionally volatile musicianthe one Badfinger member who had initially expressed reservations about signing with Stan Polleyhad never really come to terms with Hams suicide, and remained racked by guilt and depression. Its a better place than down here.. With their Warner Bros. debut a commercial and critical bust, and yet another album deadline looming, Badfinger returned to the studio in early 1974. He was the last to sign the contract placed in front of the band. Evans protests would go unheard by the public until 2000, when demand from fans resulted in an early rough mix of Head First being released. On July 23, 1968, the Iveys became Apples first non-Beatles singing, with each member also signing contracts with Apples publishing company. Link to family and friends whose lives he impacted. PleaseKillMe.com is the home of Please Kill Me: the Uncensored Oral History of Punk. His potentially provocative comments proved to be a blessing when Paul McCartney read the piece, and responded by offering the band Come And Get It, an infectious new tune hed written for the soundtrack of the upcoming Ringo Starr/Peter Sellers film The Magic Christian. In August 1970 American business manager Stan Polley sweet-talked Bill Collins into doing business with him. Evans, Molland and Gibbins all drifted back into music, and in 1979, Evans and Molland reunited in a new U.S.-based band that eventually adopted the familiar Badfinger name. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Stanley Herbert Polley (April 7, 1922 - July 20, 2009) was an American entertainment manager and fraudster active in the 1960s and 1970s. But in April 1975, penniless and feeling trapped by the insidious mechanisms of the music industry, one of Wales most talented songwriters and the man whose punchy, melodic songs arguably invented a new sub-genre which became known as power pop could tragically only see one way out. Although the fallout from the Warner Bros. lawsuit led to his exit from the music industry, Polley apparently never lost his gift for larceny. becomes full Cast:Bette Davis, Herbert Marshall, James Stephenson. THE KING OF FUH: BRUTE FORCE MEETS THE BEATLES, AND IN THE END: A LOOK AT THE LAST DAYS OF THE BEATLES. The flight had left Heathrow Airport in London less than an hour before, on its way to New York. Great-grandfather of Sullivan and Harrison Westra; Sawyer, Brynn and Thatcher Burns; Hailey and Mason Van Andel; and Zachary and Madison Polley. He recalled: I met Bill Collins, who I thought was a bit of a wally far too protective and a bit nave at the same time and also Stan Polley on the US trip. You've got. The association was to a prove a double edged sword. In 1937, Stanley was only 15 years old when on May 28th, the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge opened to cars. Tragic is an appropriate word. The song would become a major hit for Harry Nilsson in 1972, and Mariah Carey in 1994, plus scores of other singers over the years. Financially and emotionally destroyed a great band leading to the hanging deaths of both Pete Ham & Tom Evans in '75 & '83 respectively. But Pete remained optimistic that the band would achieve success. We were all ready to go when Tom poked his head around the door and said can you come into the studio with me? However questionable its legitimacy, the Cass lawsuit was a major source of consternation for Evans, who was already broken emotionally from his years of soul-crushing legal and financial struggles. 2017-2023 Tribute Archive. Tom obviously looked a bit dejected and I looked at Pete and said no, you go because.thats what he loved doing I said Im fine about it and he said no, I promised. The vacancy was filled by another Liverpool native, Joey Molland, whose guitar, vocal and songwriting skills were well matched to those of Ham and Evans. He had scrawled a note that read I will not be allowed to love and trust everybody. . As for Polley, in 1991 he pleaded no contest to charges of misappropriating funds and money laundering. In 1991, having relocated to the West Coast, he pleaded no contest to charges of money laundering and misappropriation of funds, after aeronautics engineer Peter Brock accused Polley of swindling him out of $250,000 after the two set up a corporation to manufacture airplane engines. One indication of the bands increasing seriousness was the decision to fire guitarist Dai Jenkins, who showed more interest in Londons nightlife than he did in the Iveys musical progress. But Harrison was busy planning his all-star Concert for Bangladesh benefit showsin which Badfinger would participateand dropped out of Straight Up after completing four songs and playing the distinctive slide guitar hook on Hams Day After Day. The album was completed with Rundgren, who recorded some new tracks with the band, mixed the tapes from the Harrison sessions and recut some of the material that the band had recorded with Emerick. Chris Little officiating. As well as a new name, it was also decided that a little Beatles songwriting magic dust might help set them on their way. Meanwhile, Mike Gibbins quietly released some low-key solo projects, and died of natural causes in 2005. But it was never given the chance to revive the bands increasingly moribund career. He was so gifted,said American record producer Dan Matovina. Martinevans123 (talk) 09:51, 25 November 2018 (UTC)Reply[reply]. Im saddened that Badfinger will never carry on till tomorrow. Apple were shown to be wrong when the song reached number 5 in the UK. By this point, the Iveys hometown had a sizable scene of Beatles-inspired beat groups. Evans singing and songwriting abilities added considerably to the Iveys creative arsenal, allowing them to expand their songbook and develop the harmonies that would become an integral element of their sound. Stanley Polley. We will never know. And I myself have visited Pete Hams resting place at Morriston Cemetery in Swansea. When 2 or more people share their unique perspectives, Collins defended himself years later by saying Im not legally minded Im not a businessman..I had to do it on feeling, trust you might say that was a poor show for the group I was looking after but they had a chance to talk to lawyers themselves. No comments Anonymous Just A Chance A crusading district attorney investigates the murder of a Jewish man. 4,414 were confirmed dead. But such success tends to make naive, inexperienced musicians into inviting targets for unscrupulous industry sharks. Evans wife Marianne later quoted him as saying I want to be where Pete is. Ham and Evans were suitably impressed when they heard Nilssons version, believing it showed the power of good production and a good singer to transform a song. By the time he joined Badfinger, Molland had accumulated a good deal of professional experience, having played with such acts as the Merseys, the Masterminds and Gary Walker & the Rain. William Stanley Polley of Listowel, passed away peacefully at Freeport Hospital, Kitchener, on Wednesday December 23, 2020, in his 88th year. In an interview in Disc & Music Echo magazine, bassist Ron Griffiths complained about Apple neglecting the Iveys. McCartney has always denied there was any hidden meaning in the song title. Soon after recording Come and Get It, the Iveys changed their name to Badfinger. At any rate, Polley's death date can be found in the United States Social Security Records database online. This celebrity has also been counted as part of famous people who are born on April 7. P.S. 7 "Life is Meaningless.": Man Leaves a 1,904 Page Suicide Note and Then Shoots Himself as Part of a Philosophical Exploration. Youre right, alcohol is a killer as for myself I do love taking those shots another Bill here. None of the band could get hold of him. A couple of bumbling, out-of-work musicians, accidentally witness the St. Valentines Day massacre. I want someone to look at that number . The Iveys struggled to keep their heads above water, barely scraping by on their meager gig receipts and the small weekly stipend that Collins paid them. For years, the Ham name lived on in Swansea through The John Ham Music Shop on Mansel Street. On the night of April 23, 1975, Pete Ham received a phone call from the United States telling him that he was broke. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. "Stan Polley is a soulless bastard. The publicity from the Senate hearings later caused several of Polleys clients to sever their ties with him, although its unclear if Badfinger or Bill Collins were aware of this at the time. Badfinger fulfilled its commitment to Apple with the 1973 release Ass. After leaving school at 14, Pete took on a series of labor-intensive day jobs, many of them in Swanseas busy dock area. Cast:Wallace Ford, William Lynn, Victoria Horne. American businessman Stan Polley, who had taken over their affairs from original manager, Bill Collins, defrauded the band out of millions, leaving them all but broke. This split in dynamic was apparent in something Ham and Evans worked on together at the start of the seventies. THE SHOCKING LIVE TELEVISION SUICIDE OF A NEWS ANCHOR! It previously read, "[Ham] blamed Polley for his death." The band had been pressured into recording Head First after Polley, realizing that litigation from Warner Bros. was looming, theorized that having a new album in the can would give him leverage in negotiating with the label, and would allow him to extract another advance. Come and get it was a song McCartney knocked out a demo of in less than one hour and was available for The Beatles Abbey Road album. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. This section is to introduce Stanley Polley with highlights of his life and how he is remembered. Meanwhile, another Ham composition, Dennis is stunning; a piano-pop epic that wouldnt have sounded out of place on Queen or Elton Johns mega-selling mid-seventies albums. Recently read Stan Polley, of Badfinger fame , died in Summer of '09. To the present, it is the symbol of the City that is known throughout the world. By 1982, Tommy and Joey were touring separately, each fronting a band billing itself as Badfinger. His general discomfort expressing his deepest emotions influenced him to turn to songwriting as an outlet. To use this website, please use Chrome or Firefox. On the night of April 23, 1975 in the London suburb of Surrey, Ham and Tom Evans had drinks at a local pub, commiserating over their mutual misfortune. PS. McCartney considered Badfinger a great band but theyre gonna need a hit to get them started.. He was insistent that they record the track exactly as he wished, despite the band wanting to make changes. Although it was a Paul McCartney song that launched the newly monikered group and all four members wrote it was soon becoming clear that Pete Ham was the bands one truly great songwriter. Pete Ham co-wrote Without You with bassist Tommy Evans. It went top 5 in the UK and US. Asss Tom Evans-devised coverdepicting a jackass gazing longingly at a giant carrot off in the distanceoffered a grim omen of Badfingers future. The crunchy guitar and sweet melodies of No matter what perhaps best crystallised Hams talent as a songwriter. Hams girlfriend at the time Beverley Tucker told the BBC why his songs tended to be deeper than those of his bandmates. Tom knew how to work the business, what people would sing along to. Pete. Although it would take another five years for Capitol Records to actually release it on CD, Badfingers albums have been reissued multiple times in the years since, and the bands songs remain beloved staples of oldies and classic-rock radio. stan polley deathmy boyfriend wants me out of his house. At the time, Evans was also being pursued by original manager Bill Collins and former bandmates Gibbins and Molland, all of them seeking a share of the Apple publishing funds. Cast:Spencer Tracy, Milton Berle, Sid Caesar, He was so gifted,said American record producer Dan Matovina. This is better. The band were stung but regrouped to write and record perhaps their strongest LP. Chris Little officiating. Throughout his career, Polley defrauded a number of clients and associates, most notably Badfinger. Soldiers from the United States, Britain, Canada, and the Free French landed on Normandy Beach and were later joined by Poland, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Greece, and the Netherlands. All information provided to Nation.Cymru will be handled sensitively and within the boundaries of the Data Protection Act 2018. Polley died in 2009 at the age of 87. Joey Molland's wife, Kathie Molland, died on 24 March 2009, and Stan Polley died on 20 July 2009 in California. The strategy backfired, and Warner declined to releaseor pay forHead First. Good riddance. It came no, e soundtrack of the final episode of the TV megahit. Home; Products; About Us. He left behind a pregnant girlfriend, who gave birth to their daughter one month after his death. The average age of The British band Badfinger was on its way to becoming the next Beatles, but they got ripped off by a crooked American manager who got rich while the musicians became impoverished. Rev. Perhaps a better way to phrase it would be "Ham blamed Polley for the circumstances which lead to his suicide". we begin to Show & Tell who they were during particular moments in their lives. Stanley Herbert Polley (April 7, 1922 - July 20, 2009) was an American entertainment manager and fraudster active in the 1960s and 1970s. Everything was discussed. He lived until he was 87. Still, the Americans instincts on what makes a hit were correct, his 1972 version of the song going to number 1 for several weeks in both the UK and USA. Father of Lorraine & Blair Burns of Listowel, Glenn & Diane Polley of Pickering, Bryan & Fiona Polley of Brampton, and Dean & Diane Polley of Ajax. Home / News / stan polley death. Although Bill Collins was more of a dreamer than a dealmaker, his interest in the Iveys was genuine. Select the pencil to add details. Having the Beatles as their mentors led to predictable comparisons from the press. Wars/Conflicts: World War Ii. Pete was also a trusting, innocent soul, and that personality trait would eventually cost him dearly. All materials copyright Midwestern Newspapers, 2006-2023. In November 1968, Apple released the Iveys first single, the bittersweet Evans-penned ballad Maybe Tomorrow, lushly produced by Tony Visconti. A Celebration of Stans life will be held at Knox Presbyterian Church, Listowel, on Saturday, June 25, 2022 at 11:00 a.m., with visitation one hour prior. In less than five years, Badfinger, which had been responsible for some of the eras most upbeat, hopeful music, was plunged into a financially and emotionally devastating nightmare that would end up claiming Hams life, as well as that of Evans, who would duplicate his friends tragic exit eight years later. stan polley deathwhat do yellow license plates mean in ohio? Polley was a slick, charming operator whod served in the U.S. Army and worked in New Yorks garment industry, before entering the music business in the mid-60s. " And an accusatory blast toward Badfinger's business manager, Stan Polley, with Ham writing: "P.S. Cast:Albert Finney, Susannah York, Hugh Griffith. During the early months of 1975, Ham repeatedly tried in vain to reach Polley via telephone, hoping to get a handle on the bands out-of-control legal situation and the money that he was owed. The love and optimism contained in the songs written by Pete Ham and Tom Evans have outlasted the hopelessness and despair that led the bandmates to prematurely end their lives. Great-grandfather of Sullivan and Harrison Westra; Sawyer, Brynn and Thatcher Burns; Hailey and Mason Van Andel; and Zachary and Madison Polley. Still, as an album track it would do, so onto 1970s No Dice it went and the band thought little more about it. After the desperate musicians finally managed to flee their squalid surroundings and return to England, Cass slapped Evans with a five-million-dollar breach-of-contract lawsuit. Scott fantastic read really enjoyed your writing. Brother of Margaret Quinn. Two of the original members, Joey Molland and Tom Evans set up rival Badfinger bands. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Collins became the bands manager, moving Ham and his bandmates Mike Gibbons (drums), Ron Griffiths (bass) and Dai Jenkins (guitar) into an overcrowded house in London in 1966. Already in his 50s, Collins had played piano in dance bands in the 1940s, and more recently had briefly road-managed the Kinks. Stan Polley outlived both the band that he helped to destroy and the two men hed driven to suicide. He quickly emerged as a prolific tunesmith, coming up with new songs on an almost daily basis and cutting rough demos of his compositions on the two-track tape machine in the houses makeshift studio. Molland stirred further controversy by releasing Day After Day, a recording of a 1974 show by Badfingers classic lineup, augmented with posthumous guitar and vocal overdubs and drum samples. The "international orange" color was chosen because it resisted rust and fading. After reaching this far, do you have compliments, complaints or opinions to share? Stanley's immediate relatives including parents, siblings, partnerships and children in the Polley family tree. This is better. Hams note also placed the blame for his death at the feet of the man who had devastated his career, stating, Stan Polley is a soulless bastard. The Swansea scene Ham died at the age of 27. The track, from 1971, is an upbeat and engaging overview of a romantic relationship recently consigned to the past, a breezy celebration of what was, rather than sorrowful lament for what could have been. I called up (producer) Rishard Perry and said I think weve got one! he said I think youre right. THE TRUTH BEHIND THE BRAWL BETWEEN JOHN LENNON AND CHRIS MONTEZ IN 1963! His natural facility with electronicswhich won him a post as an apprentice electrical engineer at his brother Johns TV/radio repair shopenabled him to build homemade amps and a P.A. An insurance investigator uncovers a string of crimes when he tries to find a murdered boxer. Your browser is too old. PS Stan Polley is a soulless bastard. WERE WE ALL BRAINWASHED BY THE CIA WITH SEX, DRUGS AND ROCK & ROLL? Gibbons described Polley as the kind of man who could sell sand to an Arab but Tom Evans was concerned. With Apple rotting, Polley negotiated a new record contract with Warner Brothers for Badfinger, which called for advances to be paid into an escrow account. The last word goes to Petera: Although I didnt know my dad, I still feel very close to him through his musicI love listening to his songs, it makes me feel very close to him and it makes me very very proud. Refresh this page to see various historical events that occurred during Stanley's lifetime. I get the chance to remember the Share yesterday to connect today & preserve tomorrow, Copyright 1999-2023 AncientFaces, Inc. All Rights Reserved, ADVERTISEMENT Some Facts About Stan Polley Stan Polley's age 87 years (age at death). Pete had seen Evans perform with his band Them Calderstones, a Mod outfit that specialized in Motown and soul covers. This site will provide additional information on dress size & shoe size soon. Stanley Herbert Polley of Rancho Mirage, Riverside County, California was born on April 7, 1922, and died at age 87 years old on July 20, 2009. Its a better place than down here.. Predeceased by parents Willie & Mary (Lowry) Polley, sister Anne & brother in-law Robert Little, and brother-in-law George Quinn. Ham was aged 27 at the time; his suicide fell just three days shy of his 28th birthday. Thanks. Polley was 87 years old when he died in Riverside County, California. Cass convinced the trio to relocate temporarily to Milwaukee, where they lived in poverty for two months while waiting fruitlessly for the proposed tour to materialize. I will take him with me". Badfinger continued its hot streak with 1971s Straight Up, whose production is credited to George Harrison, Todd Rundgren and Geoff Emerick. They were attracted to his shrewd business style, his ability to secure six-figure deals for his clients, and his previous experience with world-class music acts. But Polley was no ordinary showbiz sharpie. When the remaining members had difficulty finding a suitable bassist to replace Griffiths, Evans offered to switch from guitar to bass to widen their options. My death needs to be counted in the number of transgender people who commit suicide this year. Another change came with the departure of Ron Griffiths in October 1969. By the time Badfinger hired Polleywithout having a lawyer look at the contract that he offeredsome of his other clients had already come to suspect that Polley was mishandling their finances. Pete was friendly, personable and well liked by virtually everyone who knew him. A newspaper reporter takes on the task of educating a crooked businessmans girlfriend. Despite its rushed birth cycle, the resulting Wish You Were Here was a meticulously constructed mini-masterpiece. Sure we were influenced by them, like ten million other groups. His clients included rock band Badfinger, musician Al Kooper, and singer Lou Christie. P.S. The Iveys move to London allowed the band to be closer to the British music business, and to begin to make a name for themselves performing in the citys hipper clubs. That talk subsided when Badfinger launched their first American tour that September and began appearing on various television programs. Former member Joey Molland continues to tour under the name Joey Molland's Badfinger in the United States. There arent many times when the finale to a television show is a cultural event but the final episode of Breaking Bad could be considered one such occasion, with the death of main character and anti-hero Walter White soundtracked by the song Baby Blue. At around the same time, the band members modest salary checks stopped arriving. Evans never recovered from the loss of his bandmate and best friend, telling those closest to him I want to be where Pete is. Polley was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered by the court to repay the missing funds, although he apparently never got around to making restitution. His clients included rock band Badfinger, musician Al Kooper, and singer Lou Christie. Only Gibbins kept a handhold on full-time music, occupying the drum . What Polley did to those guys is unforgivable. In 1988, Stanley was 66 years old when on December 21st, Pan Am Flight 103 exploded over Lockerbie Scotland. William Stanley Polley of Listowel, passed away peacefully at Freeport Hospital, Kitchener, on Wednesday December 23, 2020, in his 88th year. In the event they ended up penniless anyway. Despite their divergent temperaments, Pete and Tom shared a common musical sensibility, and the two quickly became fast friends and enthusiastic collaborators. Hams new partner Anne was eight months pregnant, and with the couple struggling to pay the mortgage on their new Surrey home, the pressure was becoming unbearable. When we share what we know, together we discover more. He was placed on probation for five years. I will take him with me." Source Photo. Straight Up spawned a pair of Ham-penned American hits in Day After Day and Baby Blue, although Apples business problems kept the latter from being released as a single in the U.K. Like No Matter What, both songs carried an unmistakable sense of bittersweet melancholy, giving them an emotional depth that transcended their ostensible status as fluffy pop-rock tunes.