Sad songs are part of our lives like it or not. These are my ten. What would be yours?
Music is meant to be a joyful, delightful sensation. But unfortunately, mankind also saw that, in addition to happiness, music can also express sorrow. Sad songs have been with us for ever it seems, but with the advent of pop music, sad songs just got more prominent.…
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— go to most recent comments26 - Mark Saleski
in the sorta-classical world there's the Gavin Bryars "Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me"....build around a tape loop of an old homeless man singing this short hymn-type thing.
that might be sadder than the mega-powerful Bryars work "The Sinking of the Titanic".
27 - Sister Ray
Another vote for "Hurt," but I like the original version better. Cash may well be the superior performer overall, but Nine Inch Nails' version really gets to me.
The instrumental theme to "Midnight Cowboy" by Ferrante & Teicher is another good one.
28 - Sister Ray
Of Beatles' songs, I would definitely pick "Eleanor Rigby" over "Yesterday." Dying alone and unmourned takes the sadness sweepstakes.
29 - Sister Ray
For lost love:
"But I’d trade all of my tomorrows for one single yesterday
To be holding Bobby’s body next to mine"
30 - Sister Ray
I have a quibble with the beginning of this post. I don't think it's "unfortunate" that music can express sorrow as well as happiness. *Life* is sorrow as well as happiness. It would be a unique form of sadism to have a so-called uplifing song foisted on you when you're not goddamn happy.
Here are some more shades from the darker palette:
John Prine - Sam Stone
David Bowie - Heroes
Supremes - Love Child
Procol Harum - Whiter Shade of Pale (and Annie Lenox's version)
The Band - The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down
Nico - Frozen Warnings
Pink Floyd - Brain Damage/Eclipse
The Who - Behind Blue Eyes
Donovan - Atlantis (I know the spoken-word part is hokey, and he's kind of an also-ran as a performer, but maybe that makes it even more effective)
31 - zingzing
"i see a darkness" by bonnie prince billy. johnny cash covered this as well, but the original still takes the cake. runner up--> "new partner" by palace. same writer... must be a sad man.
i think "new partner" gets me right now... the lyric describes a man who's done something bad to a woman (maybe cheating) and he realizes that he'll have to pay for it. bam! that's me. it gets even sadder because, as the chorus goes, "you were always on my mind... but oh, i've got a new partner riding with me..." jesus christ, i don't even have that. of course, it's only been a few days... nothing like a woman to make you forget about women. 2006 is a disaster.
32 - Trish
I absolutely LOVE 'Your Song.' I'm also fan of the sadness in 'Alone Again Naturally.'
For pure cheese, there's 'Teen Angel' and 'Billy Don't Be a Hero.' I have a whole dance routine to the latter, choreographed with my neighbors at the age of seven. It still rocks. "I heard his fiancee got a letter...that told how Billy died that day. The letter said that he was a hero...she should be proud he died that way. I heard she threw the letter...awaaaaaaayyyyyy." (Sniff.)
33 - reggie von woic
I swear "my heart will go on" still turns on my water works. I try to avoid listening to it in the company of others.
Is Nancy Sinatra's "bang bang" (in the kill bill soundtrack) a sad song? i don't know but it just makes me feel all empty inside.
34 - unknown
i actually thing this song has quiet a sad tune;
'song to say goodbye' by 'placebo'
35 - Jet in Columus
Baby I'm a want you-by Bread.
"Baby I'm a want you,
Baby I'm a need you,
You're the only one I care enough to hurt about"
36 - Jet in Columbus
Okaaaaaaaaaaay-top this-if you dare
Sweet Dreams, by Patsy Cline
Sweet dreams of you
Every night I go through
Why can't I forget you and start my life anew
Instead of having sweet dreams about you
You don't love me, it's plain
I should know I'll never wear your ring
I should hate you the whole night through
Instead of having sweet dreams about you
Sweet dreams of you
Things I know can't come true
Why can't I forget the past, start loving someone new
Instead of having sweet dreams about you
37 - Mark Edward Manning
"Bang Bang" borders on sad, but doesn't quite get there. After all, I've heard a dance-edit version of this in nightclubs! I especially like Vanilla Fudge's version of it.
38 - Steve
Well, these two examples may be obscure to American listeners but two British sad songs that stick out for me are "Empty Spaces" (1989) or "Through The Barricades" (1986), both by Spandau Ballet and "Sugar Mice" by Marillion (1987).
39 - reggie von woic
Evanescence: My last breath
"...closing your eyes to disappear
you pray your dreams will leave you here
but still you wake and know the truth
no one's there
say goodnight
don't be afraid
calling me calling me as you fade to black..."
40 - Liam
everyone forgettin one song
is dat one from the film ladder 49 :'( it gets me everytime
Robbie Robertson - Shine your light
41 - Scott Butki
I second the nomination of Johnny Cash's version of Hurt and would add a few Peter Gabriel songs
42 - megan
i think that what hurts the most is more effective than any other sad song out today!
43 - jane
tommy nilsson - "öppna din dör"
"like a rose" - a1
44 - jane
"desperado" - westlife
45 - jane
stevie wonder - "shelter in the rain"
46 - jane
michael jackson "heal the world"
47 - jane
limb bizkit - "behind blue eyes"
48 - jane
stage dolls - "hard to say goodbye"
49 - jane
simply red - "if you don't know me by now"
50 - jane
really touching theese songs.. (the music) the text is probably touching too, but i think the music matter more than the text..
51 - azz
darren hayes..delta goodrem cover lost without you
How am I ever gonna get rid of these blues
baby I'm so lonely all the time
everywhere I go I get so confused
your the only thing thats on my mind
On my bed so cold at night
I miss you more each day
only you can make it right
no I'm not too proud to say
All I know is I'm lost without you
I'm not gonna lie
how am I gonna be strong without you
I need you by my side
if we ever say we'd never be together
in the end you wave goodbye
dunno what I'd do
I'm lost without you
I keep trying to find my way
and all I know is I'm lost without you
I keep trying to face the day
I'm lost without you
If I could only hold you now
make the pain just go away
can't stop the tears from running down my face (ho)
52 - Mike
Full of Grace -Sarah mclochlan
53 - Michael Garcia
Brad Paisley & Alison Krauss - Whiskey Lullaby
One of the saddest songs I have ever heard.
She put him out like the burnin' end of a midnight cigarette
She broke his heart he spent his whole life tryin' to forget
We watched him drink his pain away a little at a time
But he never could get drunk enough to get her off his mind
Until the night
He put that bottle to his head and pulled the trigger
And finally drank away her memory
Life is short but this time it was bigger
Than the strength he had to get up off his knees
We found him with his face down in the pillow
With a note that said I'll love her till I die
54 - KH
Willie Nelson's 'You were alway on my mind'
makes me cry.
"Little things I should have said and done,
I just never took the time...
You were always on my mind,
You were always on my mind."
"Tell me, tell me that your sweet love hasn't died."
55 - Jet in Columbus
She's got you-Patsy Cline
56 - pepper
definately Don Mcleans'
The Grave
one of the few songs where his voice reaches an emotional pitch. great lyrics and hauntingly sung
57 - hi
i miss you - incubus
58 - Shnitzel
"amy in the white coat" as well as "padriac my prince" by bright eyes are some of the saddest songs I have ever heard. especially "amy".
"june 18 1976" by pedro the lion also gets me teary eyed.
elliott smith also writes alot of sad stuff.
59 - Chris
Quite right about Jonny Cash's version of Hurt.
It seems that Jeff Buckley has been omitted. Much of his Grace album is very sombre, dealing as it does with death, break-up, subconsciousness.
* Lover, you should've come over.
* Grace
* Last goodbye
* His cover of Hallelujah, originally by Leonard Cohen.
Many of the demo recordings for his uncompleted second album are pretty sad too, as well as the rarities, outtakes, B-sides and live recordings e.g.
* Mama you been on my mind, originally by Bob Dylan
* The boy with the thorn in his side, originally by The Smiths.
Moving on, I'll throw some other stuff into the mix:
* Off he goes by Pearl Jam
* Country feedback by REM
* Blower's daughter by Damien Rice
* Melancholny and the infinite sadness by Smashing Pumpkins is pretty melancholic (funny that, eh?) but perhaps not, strictly speaking, sad.
60 - ESPGuitars
Alice Cooper - Might As Well Be On Mars
Anthem Rock - ish. But sad all the same.
61 - CAITLIN
OK HERES ONE.
MOTORCYCLE DRIVEBY- THRID EYE BLIND.
ALSO,
JUMPER- BY THRID EYE BLIND.
AND HERE IS MY FAVORITE
OK I BELIEVE YOU, BUT MY TOMMY GUN DONT- BRAND NEW.
OH AND
ADAM'S SONG- BLINK 182.
THOSE ARE MY FAVORITES.
62 - Cipriano Algor
Just to add some foreign touch to the mix:
- "Carmen Jones" and "Voces de tango", Enrique Bunbury.-
- "Mumuki" and "Milonga del ángel", Astor Piazzolla.-
- "Elegía", Joan Manuel Serrat.-
63 - Jessica
Guppusmaximus mentioned Porcupine Tree's "Collapse The Light Into Earth" which is amazing because I choreographed one of my best works to that piece of music. I would also have to say Fiona Apple's "Never is a Promise" Tara Maclean's "For You" and Sia's "Breathe Me" should be mentioned. Those are really sad songs that get to me. "1000 Oceans" by Tori Amos is also amazing. What else? Oh and the song "On My Own" and "Out Here On My Own" are musical kinda sadness
64 - Adam
Way to fall - Star sailors
Thats the saddest song i found, found those songs kinda...just songs. This just has an impact on you
65 - Nate
Vote for Hurt by Mr Cash. I also like the Pearl Jam version of last kiss. That song has to be one of the saddest of all time
66 - dawdaw
I didn't think I saw any of these up here, but they are all fantastic songs.
Reba McEntire " How Can I Help You Say Goodbye
Alexz Johnson - Skin
Allison Krauss - My ain' True Love
Evanescence - Forgive Me
Flyleaf - Supernatural
Julie Roberts - Unlove Me, Men and Mascara
Lifehouse - Everything
Le Notre Dame de Paris - Danse Mon Esmeralda
Natalie Grant - Held, Always be Your Baby
Rascall Flatts - what hurts the most, pieces
Tupac - Changes
Bethany Dillon " My Love Hasn’t Grown Cold, Be Near Me
Breaking Benjamin - So Cold
Waking Ashland - Shades of Grey, Hand on Deck
"Shades Of Grey"
I and I am to blame,
I sit here in shame.
I threw you away again.
And I, I send you my best.
I try to lay this to rest,
When you were my everything.
Shades of Grey,
And please fade away.
And oh what have I said in vain?
Hey, and I'll look away,
Pretend I'm okay.
I'm back on the road again.
And please, could it be true,
That I still love you,
And my loves unworthy.
67 - shadowcat
Some fantastuc sad songs,I have been compiling a play list called SAD for a while now just to listen to when i am down or just want a cry, the best are
Somewhere only we know-Keane (a must)
picture- kid rock and shery crow
shame-matchbox 20
immortality-celine dion & the beegees
chemistry-semisonic
seasons-good charlotte
all out of love-air supply
love bites-def lepard
you were always on my mind-elvis presley
seperate lives-phil collins
iris-goo goo dolls
nothings gonna stop us now-starship
joey-concrete blonde
enjoy!!
68 - yd
You Never Know - Immortal Technique
a song about a guy who falls in love with the most beautiful pure girl everyone wants...they become great friends but when he tells her how he feels she pushes him away and he ends up in jail. Wen he finally gets out he goes to visit her..and finds a letter addressed to himself from her. In the letter she explains she loves him with all her heart...and she is dead. She never gae herself to him because she was sick and had a blood transfusion which gave her AIDS...its sooooo sad
69 - lovetunes.de
OMD : The romance of the telescope
Daniel Johnston Dead Lovers Twisted Heart
Morrissey : Moonriver
George Michael : Jesus to a child
Nirvana : Polly
Radiohead : Let down
Roxy Music : In every dream home
TV Personalities : Prettiest Girl in the world
70 - Amin
hi. i always say my Immortal by evanescence is really a sad song. And Nothing else matters by Metalica.
71 - Zimmy
too many
James Taylor - You Can Close Your Eyes
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
Ben Harper - Another Lonely Day
Joni Mitchell - River
Sarah McLaughlin - Arms of an Angel
Extreme - More Than Words
Another good one from a movie is try a little tenderness from duets.
Also the song at the end of Titanic..NOT the celine dion one but the onbe the band plays while the boat is going down. That song makes that scene sad.
72 - Zimmy
Oh and definately Arnold McCullers rendition of freebird at the end of duets!
73 - Zimmy
By The way that titanic song that the band plays while the ship sinks is called "nearer my god to thee" by I Salonisti
74 - O/A
What a lovly list bro, I really liked your choose.
You make it very powerful with your wrriting..
Keep'em comming.
75 - joy
I am going through a very tough time in life.I am very afraid of life, devoid of any confidence & am so vulnerable since nobody is there to hold my hand.
But i can't let go. i have people to support who are so innocent & lovely. They need me.
Maria Carey's HERO makes me cry and at the same time tells me to fight back.
I am trying, trying very hard. It is a irony people call me joy.
Maria Carey's HERO - It makes me cry every time i listen.
There's a hero,
If you look inside your heart,
You don't have to be afraid
Of what you are.
There's an answer,
If you reach into your soul,
And the sorrow that you know
Will melt away.
And then a hero comes along
With the strength to carry on.
And you cast your fears aside
And you know you can survive.
So when you feel like hope is gone.
Look inside you and be strong.
And you'll finally see the truth,
That a hero lies in you.
It's a long road,
When you face the world alone,
No one reaches out a hand
For you to hold.
You can find love,
If you search within yourself,
And the emptiness you felt
Will disappear.
And then a hero comes along.
With the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside.
And you know you can survive.
So when you feel like hope is gone.
Look inside you and be strong.
And you'll finally see the truth,
That a hero lies in you,
Lord knows,
Dreams are hard to follow.
But don't let anyone,
Tear them away.
Hold on,
There will be tomorrow.
In time,
You'll find the way.
And then a hero comes along.
With the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside.
And you know you can survive.
So when you feel like hope is gone,
Look inside you and be strong.
And you'll finally see the truth,
That a hero lies in you.
That a hero lies in you.