What are the SADDEST SONGS of all time?

[battleknight24]

What are the saddest songs of all time? If the song actually isn't written about something sad, why do you think its a sad song? Does it reming you of something sad?

By the way, I'm not starting this thread to depress you all... rather, I'm starting it so I (and you all too) can kind of vent...

IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER...

- "Everybody Hurts" by R.E.M.
- "Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman
- "Return to Me" by October Project
- "Eyes of Mercy" by October Project (this song is about children of war... I didn't know this until I saw October Project live this past October in New York City; Julie Flanders said so right before the song started...)
- "Fields of Gold" by Sting
- "American Pie" by Don McLean
- "My Heart Will Go On" by Celing Dion (admit it... this song is pretty sad...)
- "Bittersweet Symphony" by ??? (does anyone know?)... this song reminds me of a girl I knew in High School... she died in a car accident a few years ago...
- "Hurt Before" by the Corrs (a lot of people don't know this song, since it wasn't a radio single... its beautiful, but hard to get through...)
- "My Immortal" by Evanescence

This is all I can think of at the moment...

[Whitacre D_WI]

1. "Oh Comely"

Neutral Milk Hotel

[Screaming Lord Byron]

4. Escape (The Pina Colada song) by Rupert Holmes

[Fenris]

7. "Never Gon..." Okay, I'll just stop there.

:D

[Whitacre D_WI]

11. Profane not our Lord by using His Name in vain.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

12. 'Funky Town' by Lipps Inc.

I never did get to Funky Town.

[Whitacre D_WI]

9. I am into Champagne!

[BritishHuman]

162. I like that one...

I'm not sure I'd say it was the saddest song, though.

"blind in safety and leafy in love" by Cardiacs is pretty sad, but I've always thought (and it may seem trite) that "Nothing Compares 2 U" by Sinead O'Connor took the prize.

[arwalden]

2. The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald

[Nay]

70. For me, too, arwalden. I stand there and cry every time I hear that song.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

3. It was The Verve.

[Fenris]

5. ...and they were sued by Keith Richards.

:)

[Screaming Lord Byron]

8. Despite the fact that it sounds nothing like 'The Last Time'

They got it off one of those Andrew Oldham Orchestra abominations.

[Fenris]

14. Yeah. But his blood is 50% heroin. I forgive him.

:D

[XNASA]

6. Bittersweet Symphony was by The Verve.

My eyes always get a little moist whenever I hear that Romeo and Juliett song by Dire Straits.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

10. Lady D'Arbanville by Cat Stevens (nt)

[MissMillie]

13. Two that I can think of

If These Walls Could Speak (written by Jimmy Webb--I like Shawn Colvin's rendition)

and

Coming Up Close by 'til Tuesday ("But anything I could have said I thought somehow that you already knew...." Good stuff!)

[necso]

15. Sand And Water by Beth Nielsen Chapman

All alone I didn't like the feeling
All alone I sat and cried
All alone I had to find some meaning
In the center of the pain I felt inside
All alone I came into this world
All alone I will someday die
Solid stone is just sand and water, baby
Sand and water, and a million years gone by
I will see you in the light of a thousand suns
I will hear you in the sound of the waves
I will know you when I come, as we all will come
Through the doors beyond the grave
All alone I heal this heart of sorrow
All alone I raise this child
Flesh and bone, he's just
Bursting towards tomorrow
And his laughter fills my world and wears your smile
All alone I came into this world
All alone I will someday die
Solid stone is just sand and water, baby
Sand and water, and a million years gone by

[Red State Rebel]

67. That is beautiful, written after her husband died...

[NuckinFutz]

16. How about...

Honey by Bobby Goldsboro

The Living Years by Mike and the Mechanics

He Stopped Loving Her Today by George Jones

[texastoast]

22. Oh Stop!

You picked some dooooosies.

[NuckinFutz]

40. I know...

It's that death thing...

Then, of course, anything done by George Jones could be labeled the saddest song of all time....Oy!

[Bake]

101. God Bless George Jones!!!!!!

He said I'll love you 'till I die
She told him you'll forget in time
And as the years went slowly by
She sill preyed upon his mind

He kept her picture on his wall
Went half-crazy now and then
But he still loved her through it all
Hoping she'd come back again

He kept some letters by his bed
Dated nineteen sixty two
He had underlined in red
Every single "I love you."

I went to see him just today
Oh, but I didn't see no tears
All dressed up to go away
First time I'd seen him smile in years.

He stopped loving her today
They placed a wreath upon his door
And soon they'll carry him away
He stopped loving her today.

You know, she came to see him one last time
And we all wondered if she would
And it kept running through my mind
This time, he's over her for good.

He stopped loving her today
They placed a wreath upon his door
And soon they'll carry him away
He stopped loving her today.

And if that ain't the saddest song you ever heard, you just don't have a heart in your chest. Now THAT, my friends, is COUNTRY MUSIC!

Bake

[bubblesby2002]

68. The Living Years

is the saddest song to me. Especially the following:


I wasn't there that morning
When my father passed away
I didn't get to tell him
All the things I had to say

My Dad passed away in the hospital all alone.

[BOSSHOG]

17. "I'll think of something"

Country song by Mark Chestnutt from 93. Tells what he will do if he ever sees the love he broke up with. Tearjerker extraordinaire.

[Coventina]

18. Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me - The Smiths

"Promise To Try" Madonna

[populistmom]

146. In that tradition- "I Don't Mind if You Forget Me" by Morrissey

[populistmom]

147. "It's Too Late" by Carol King

[texastoast]

19. Wish You Were Here

Pink Floyd.

[meegbear]

30. That resonanted with me this past Sunday ...

I work at a bar Fri/Sat nites and hang out there Sat/Sun afternoon. The Sat nite / Sun bartender quit during the week. She's a great gal.

The jukebox is electronic and will play songs randomly if no one puts money in. WYWH came on. Made me think of her.

[boobooday]

20. Muskrat Love!

A sad excuse for a song.

http://www.wgoeshome.com

[VOX]

138. Whoa! That's sad, all right!

How I wish I could forget it...

:toast:

[bif]

21. "They Dance Alone" by Sting

I think that what it's called. About all the widows in Peru whos husbands have dissapeared.

[texastoast]

23. Forgot one

The Other Side by Don Conoscenti.

[SaveElmer]

24. Ok...I know it was sappy...but "Seasons in the Sun"

When I was in 7th grade that was the hit song of the year!!!

I think it's about suicide!

[Brewman_Jax]

25. "Seasons in the Sun" by Terry Jacks

:cry:

[Screaming Lord Byron]

26. The real answer is 'Two Little Boys' by Rolf Harris.

[a_random_joel]

62. The real answer is that is wistful, not sad

Thanks for playing.

[Bake]

102. Are you talking about the Civil War song, Country Gentlemen, etc.?

If so, that is one POWERFUL number!

Bake

[Screaming Lord Byron]

27. The real answer is 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' by Joy Division

[a_random_joel]

63. The real answer is that is melancholy not sad.

Better luck next time.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

28. The real answer is 'Wild Horses'

[a_random_joel]

65. The real answer is that is pensive not sad.

Come on... can we see some effort here?

[AlabamaYankee]

29. "Back on the Street Again"

by the Stone Poneys with Linda Ronstadt

It's permanently attached to the memory of a former girlfriend

[NuckinFutz]

64. And then there's

I Guess It Doesn't Matter Anymore....Ronstadt's singing this gets me every time.

[afraid_of_the_dark]

31. Butterfly Kisses

I have to leave when they play that one at weddings...

[southpaw]

35. As sappy as it is...

Any father of a daughter has a weakness when that one comes on...

[DrWeird]

41. I'll never forget that song.

I was shopping for music when this frumpy middleaged woman came in with her teenage son, she looked like a real conservative Stepford type mom. Her son was maybe thirteen or fourteen, the perpetually embarassed age. He was looking for Marilyn Manson, or Megadeth, absolutely anything with any kind of dark sort of edge. But he wasn't able to find anything good. So his mom suggested, "how about Butterfly Kisses, that's a nice song?"

[bobthedrummer]

32. "Fell on Black Days"/Soundgarden; "Commit A Crime"/Howlin' Wolf

lots of others-"Mechanical World"/Spirit
on edit: "kandybars and kitchenware"/Stone Temple Pilots; "Bloodsport"/Sneaker Pimps; "When I was Cruel"/Elvis Costello; "Cold Shot"/Stevie Ray Vaughan...

[terrya]

33. "Vincent" by Don McLean

Well, it's sad to me.

Terry

[Screaming Lord Byron]

34. Actually, you're right, Terry.

[a_random_joel]

47. I agree.

Never fails.

[a_random_joel]

48. Dup

Never Mind

[AlFrankenFan]

88. Agreed...always puts me in somewhat a down mood

But then I listen to something uplifting...and I'm fine again.

[saltpoint]

126. yes. What a song.

Also, terrya -- I like your sigature line. Terrific.

[Kahuna]

36. Swansongs are the saddest. Any last song that a great..

artist puts out before they die gets to me.

[tsakshaug]

37. john prine...hello in there

Old trees just grow stronger
old rivers grow wilder every day
old people just grow lonesome
waiting for someone to say
hello in there......

[Burma Jones]

50. John Prine - Sam Stone

Sam Stone came home
To his wife and family
After serving in the conflict overseas.
And the time that he served,
Had shattered all his nerves,
And left a little shrapnel in his knee.
But the morphine eased the pain,
And the grass grew round his brain,
And gave him all the confidence he lacked,
With a Purple Heart and a monkey on his back.

Chorus:
There's a hole in daddy's arm where all the money goes,
Jesus Christ died for nothin' I suppose.
Little pitchers have big ears,
Don't stop to count the years,
Sweet songs never last too long on broken radios.
Mmm....

Sam Stone's welcome home
Didn't last too long.
He went to work when he'd spent his last dime
And Sammy took to stealing
When he got that empty feeling
For a hundred dollar habit without overtime.
And the gold rolled through his veins
Like a thousand railroad trains,
And eased his mind in the hours that he chose,
While the kids ran around wearin' other peoples' clothes...

Repeat Chorus:

Sam Stone was alone
When he popped his last balloon
Climbing walls while sitting in a chair
Well, he played his last request
While the room smelled just like death
With an overdose hovering in the air
But life had lost its fun
And there was nothing to be done
But trade his house that he bought on the G. I. Bill
For a flag draped casket on a local heroes' hill.

Repeat Chorus

[Mrs. Venation]

116. God, I Love That Song

In fact, I love almost everything John Prine has ever done. I don't think he gets the respect he deserves. He is a national treasure.

Anyone know the song, "Paradise?" It's about an entire town that disappears after Peabody Coal Company rips up the earth in a surface mining operation. Surface mining destroys the earth; it should be banned.

[tsakshaug]

139. Paradise

I actually used that song to sing my kids to sleep at night, along with Hobo's Lullaby and some other folk songs.
They still know the song (teenagers now) We were driving through Kentucky a few years ago, entered Muhelenburg County and crossed the Green River, they got excited. Didn't have time to look for Paradise.
Met an old guy one time that told me about the time they moved the equipment in, they locals were taking bets about if the equipment would sink in the river.

[Mrs. Venation]

144. The Tennessee Valley Authority

built a coal-fired steam plant right in the middle of Mr. Peabody's coal mine. I haven't been to that part of KY for over 30 years, but the last time I was there it was like a moonscape; not a tree growing anywhere.

[markus]

38. Desperados Waiting For a Train

by Guy Clark.

I get choked up every time I hear that song.

[bif]

39. For the last 3 years-"Hail to the ChieF"

Makes me want to cry.

[montana_hazeleyes]

104. LOL !

;)

[mac56]

42. "I'm A Fool To Want You" by Frank Sinatra.

nm

[geniph]

43. Beethoven's Fur Elise

that melody is just heartbreaking, somehow.

REM, Everybody Hurts
Joan Osbourne, Crazy Baby
Allman Brothers, Whipping Post
Bill Withers, Ain't No Sunshine and Gramma's Hands
Marvin Gaye, What's Going On and Mercy Mercy Me
Smokey Robinson, Tears of a Clown
Rolling Stones, Sister Morphine
Bruce Springsteen, Streets of Philadelphia
Sinead O'Connor, Nothing Compares 2 U
Simon & Garfunkel, I Am a Rock
Jimmy Buffett, He Went to Paris
Steve Goodman, California Promises

and unquestionably Warren Zevon's cover of Knocking on Heaven's Door, made when he was dying of terminal cancer.

[Burma Jones]

51. Beethoven, Second Movement of Emperor Concerto

It never fails to make me feel Beethoven's pain.

[Burma Jones]

52. City of New Orleans

Now there's a song about loss.

[LuLu550]

44. I can't Make You Love Me

Sung by Bonnie Raitt...

[geniph]

46. I forgot that one

That song always makes me tear up.

[GOPisEvil]

58. Yeah, that's the one...

...:cry:

[duhneece]

145. or "Love Has No Pride"

also sung by Bonnie Raitt

[Screaming Lord Byron]

45. I Am The Cosmos by Chris Bell

[a_random_joel]

49. I am now going to be completely serious.

Here are my nominees:

1. Alone Again Or by The Damned
2. Alone Again Naturally by Gilbert O'Sullivan
3. Cats in the Cradle by Harry Chapin
4. Vincent by Don Mclean
5. Johnny was a good man by Bob Marley
6. Tears by The Chameleons UK

My special smart - ass nominee goes to:

Let's hear it for the boy by Deneice Williams

[Red_Storm]

53. sad.......

I Miss You - Aaron Hall

Anytime - Brian McKnight

I Wish I Never Saw The Sunshine - Beth Orton

Standing In The Doorway - Bob Dylan

I've Got Dreams To Remember & I've Been Loving You Too Long - Otis Redding

[MissMillie]

57. Beth Orton

That's a terrific song, too!

[Red_Storm]

75. Yes it is but................

it's a depressing experience listening to it........every time....

[SPQR]

54. I gotta go with

Danny Boy.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

55. Ooh...Thousands Are Sailing by The Pogues.

[tigerbeat]

56. "tears in heaven" by eric clapton

i don't love the song or anything, but it just seems to be one of the most heartbreaking songs about one of the most heartbreaking things that can ever happen to someone.

for my money, i burst into tears everytime i hear "you've lost that loving feeling" by the righteous brothers simply because my high school sweetheart actually played me that song while she broke up with me.

[Panda1]

83. Hands down, "Tears in Heaven"

I cry each time I listen to it.
There is no greater pain than the loss of a child.

[Bake]

108. Yeah, that one just rips your heart clean out!

And begs the question, why do we love sad songs?

Because they hurt so good? Yeah ... because in expressing sadness we let it out, because it feels good to let it out, and every time we hear one of these songs we let out a little bit more.

Because we're human.

Bake

[Bossy Monkey]

59. "Helpless" by Neil Young/CSNY, by a wide, wide margin n/t

[a_random_joel]

60. One more

Daniel by Elton John

[tishaLA]

61. Strange Fruit

[jayfish]

72. Very Sad Indeed. -NT-

Jay

[RKO]

66. Garth Brooks - The Dance

as well as:

*Mike and the Mechanics - The Living Years
*REM - Everybody Hurts
*Saliva - My Goodbyes
*Evanescence - My Immortal
*Vince Gill - Go Rest High (played at my grandpa's funeral two weeks ago, just like "The Dance" as mentioned above. :cry:)
*Stabbingwestward - Sometimes It Hurts
*Pearl Jam - Last Kiss
*Kansas - Dust in the Wind

Many others are included that I can't think of at the moment...and as for "Bittersweet Symphony," The Verve sung it.

[jayfish]

69. "Fake Plastic Trees"

Radiohead.

Jay

[phillybri]

71. "Angel" by Sarah Maclachlan...

Makes me weep every damn time...

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

73. "The River" Springsteen

[Shopaholic]

81. My List

Closing Time (I Hope that I Don't Fall in Love with You)-Tom Waits
Biko-Peter Gabriel
Southern Accent-Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
The Sky is Crying-Stevie Ray Vaughn
Fire & Rain-James Taylor
Taxi-Harry Chapin
Hurt-Johnny Cash
Tomorrow is Such a Long Time-Rod Stewart
I'll Always Love You-Original Dolly Parton Version

[Gildor Inglorion]

74. "I Am a Rock"

by Simon & Garfunkel. It was devastating to me when it first came out. I realized, "this is exactly how life will be for me if I let it." Fortunately, I didn't! But it's still a sad, sad song... "I have my books and my poetry to protect me...I have no need of friendship, friendship causes pain, it's laughter and it's loving I disdain..."

[Kolesar]

76. What is striking is that it is such a catchy tune

I don't know if I would call it the "saddest" , but it is stirring. It really talked to me when I was about nine years old. I actually identified with it. Now my personality is soooo different than that nine year old.

[flamingyouth]

119. That would get a vote from me as well

A great song. :hi:

[NashVegas]

160. I'll Go With That

Unfortunately, being of an impressionable age (9) when I discovered that song, and having to deal with various 'dysfunctional childhood' betrayals, I took the song to heart and said "that's gonna be me." And so for the next 9 years or so I retreated into a shell where I trusted no one. The person who helped bring me out of it pretty much saved my life, emotionally.

[Kolesar]

77. The one that gets me now is: "Sacco's Message To His Son "

I have heard this new version on folk programming twice. It is sadder than "the band played waltzing matilda".

http://mysongbook.de/msb/songs/s/saccosme.html

[Bonhomme Richard]

78. Puff the Magic Dragon

It still breaks me up.

[Vittorio]

79. Anything by Kathy Lee Gifford...

when she sings, I cry. I cry because how in the hell could anyone let her come out with a music cd???????????????? She's horrible!

[sendero]

80. Most of the songs....

... from the first Portishead album :).

[a_random_joel]

86. Ohhh! Good call!

[CO Liberal]

82. Since 1/20/2001, "Hail To The Chief"

:-)

[BarbaRosa]

84. Travelin Soldier..Dixie Chicks

"Two days past eighteen, He was waiting for the bus in his army greens."

I'm tring to learn that song but get choked up every time I try to sing it.

[AlienGirl]

85. Comforts of the Harbor by Phil Ochs

[IconoclastIlene]

87. Farewell, and Crazy Man Micheael, Sandy Denny & Fairport Convention

The late and beautiful voice of Sandy Denny who died too young and much missed by her fans..

[regnaD kciN]

95. Nowadays...

...anything by Sandy Denny seems sad, simply knowing that she left this world far too young. (The same can be said for many songs by Tim Buckley.)

[IconoclastIlene]

132. Yes this is true

and she is a grandmother of twin daughters if she were alive today to enjoy them (she fell and had had a brain hemorrhage); her husband Trevor Lucas is also dead.

[Fight_n_back]

89. I find it kind of funny

I find it kind of sad

the dreams in which Im dying are the best Ive ever had...

Yikes

[Faygo Kid]

90. "Abraham, Martin & John"

Broke my heart in 1968. So did the song, by Dion. (On edit: As a Michigander, a special recognition for "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.")

[Bertha Venation]

159. The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

God, I haven't thought of that song for years. "He said, 'fellas, it's been nice to know ya...'" :cry:

[leftist_rebel1569]

91. "I Remember" by Stabbing Westward

You have NOT heard a sad song until you've heard that.

Anyways, Bittersweet Symphony is by The Verve, if i'm not mistaken

[thelocalkgb]

92. "Here Comes the Sun" or "Imagine"

Not because of content, but just because it reminds me of how much I miss George and John. :cry:

[Rabrrrrrr]

93. Lots of over-emoted yucks here: try Biko; Anywhere is a Better Place to Be

Outside Now, Watermelon in Easter Hay, Tristan Und Isolde (especially, natch, the Liebestod)

Biko - Gabriel
Anywhere is a Better Place to Be - Harry Chapin
Outside Now and Watermelon - Zappa
Tristan - Wagner
Ancient Voices of Children - Crumb (can be gut wrenching)

and many other Chapin tunes - a true storyteller he was, no over-emoting, no sappiness, just stories, real and honest, without the need to add some "twist" to control our emotions.

Edmund Fitzgerald was mentioned - excellent choice.


And many other excellent choices available. But sappy, over-emoted, bad poetry psuedo-love-songs? Ewwwwww. :puke:

[alfredo]

94. "At Seventeen" and "In The Winter" by Janis Ian "Inconsolable" by

Jonatha Brooke. Her voice is what makes it sad.
http://www.jonathabrooke.com/music/plumb.php

the two Janis Ian have it all.

But "Lowdown" by Tracy Nelson tears me apart.

[ncrainbowgrrl]

153. More Janis Ian- When Angels Cry

Wait Your tired arms must rest
Let this moment pass
Wait until the morning
Close your eyes and you will see
who you used to be
left without a warning
Who knew one so big could grow so small
Lighter than the writing on the wall

When angels cry, can I stand by
When stones weep, can my heart sleep
Wish I'd never heard, wish I'd never heard
Wish I'd never heard
the power of a four letter word

'Cause only love will matter in the end
for a woman or a man
What's the difference now
Here we live with bottles
and needles and truth
Here is your living proof
that death cannot be proud
Some say it's a judgement on us all
I can't believe that God could be that small



When angels cry, can I stand by
When stones weep, can my heart sleep
Wish I'd never heard, wish I'd never heard
Wish I'd never heard
the power of a four letter word

If ever was a rose that longed to bloom
If ever was a heart that longed to fly
If ever was an angel, it was you
So close your eyes and say goodbye
Goodbye



When angels cry, I can't stand by
When stones weep, I can't sleep
Guess I've finally learned
Guess I've finally learned
Yes, I've finally learned
that love is just a four letter word
Hope is just a four letter word

[scucci]

96. The Living Years by Mike and the Mechanics

I haven't spoken face to face with my father in 5 years but I so hope we can mend this silliness before the end. He lives only 20 minutes from me. I still hate him. I still love him. I wish this never happened.

[Skittles]

131. SCUCCI - DO WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO AND PATCH IT *NOW*

even if you have to swallow your pride. My dad committed suicide - don't think there will "always be time" because sometimes TIME ENDS.

DO IT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CALL AND SAY YOU ARE SORRY, JUST GET PAST WHATEVER IS KEEPING YOU APART. NOW!!!

[Djinn]

97. Glad someone mentioned

The Band Played Waltzing Matilda, another Eric Bogle one that I simply can't listen to without atleast a shiver is "No Man's Land"...
And did you leave a wife or a sweetheart behind?
In some loyal heart is your memory enshrined?
And though you died back in nineteen-sixteen
In that faithful heart are you always nineteen?

Or are you a stranger without a name?
Forever enshrined behind some glass pane
In an old photograph, torn and tattered, and stained.
And faded to yellow in a brown leather frame.

And one that hits home for personal reasons, is Heroin Girl, not the whole song just the bit

"I heard the policeman say
Just another overdose"

This thread's made me all sad now! :cry:

[Lindsey]

98. The Dance by Garth Brooks,

Autumn Leaves by Eva Cassidy
I can't make you love me by Bonnie Raitt
Wild Horses by The Stones
Many more but I'm tired.

[necso]

99. "Into the West" by Annie Lennox, Lord of the Rings

Since nobody else has mentioned it. The message of hope and longing, sadness and loss is very powerful.

No fan of the movies, yet I know all the imagery from the books, which I am seized by the desire to read again.

[Selwynn]

100. Man - you need a better list, hehe... how about:

Peter Gabriel: Here comes the Flood
Peter Gabriel: Washing of the Water (brutal song if you identify)
Bob Dylan: Most of the time (interesting becuase the music is more upbeat, and the lyrics are again, brutal if you identify - I used to pray to god that this would never be my song)
Bob Dylan: Not Dark Yet
Daniel Lanois: The Messenger
Pink Floyd: High Hopes
Erin Mckeown: How to open my heart (in four easy steps)
And I would pick Evanescene's "Hello" over My Immortal
Jeff Buckley covering Leonard Cohen: Hallelujah
Tori Amos: Baker,Baker
Tori Amos covering Lenoard Cohen: Famous Blue Raincoat
Leonard Cohen: basically anything :)
Hanz Zimmer: Jouney to the Line (from the Thin Red Line)
Barber: Adagio for strings

All I can think of for now.

[Bake]

103. My City of Ruins -- Springsteen

No way, post 9/11, you can listen to that and not get to' up.

Bake

[Kinkistyle]

105. Nothing Compares 2 You

Sinead O'Connor's version of Elton John's "Sacrifice" is also pretty damn sad.

[montana_hazeleyes]

106. "Ole' Shep "by Elvis,

"Stop The Wedding "by Etta James,"St. James Infirmiry" by Bobby Blue Bland.

[AnnitaR]

107. Empty Garden (Hey, Hey Johnny) - Elton John

Makes me weepy every time I hear it.

[Mobius]

109. American Pie - don mclean & taps

and "who wants to live forever" - Queen

[Heyo]

110. I always though...

That song Jack and Diane is really sad.. because of one line...

.."Life goes on, long after the thrill of livin' is gone.."

What a terrible concept...

Heyo

[Shananigans]

111. Where Oh Where Can My Baby Be....

The Lord took her away from me...
she's gone to heaven so I'v got to be good...
so I can see my baby when I leave this world...

etc. etc. etc... I love that song, but it's so sad!

It was rerecorded by Pearl Jam a few years ago and I just love it. It reminds me of my friend Andy who was killed in a car accident a few years ago...

[Limbought]

112. "I Can't Make You Love Me" - Bonnie Rait

[grannylib]

113. One that always gets me, it's sad but also hopeful, is Crowded House's

"And She Goes On"

Another one that tears me up is Aerosmith's "Fallen Angels"

[Merrick]

114. The entire second side of The Cure's "Disintegration"

[mvd]

115. I see the R.E.M. as kind of a reassurance

It gets me emotional, but not sad. Definitely agree with your Corrs choice.

Some more:

"The Little Girl" and "Streets Of Heaven," two newer country songs by John Michael Montgomery and Sherrie Austin respectively, are very sad.

"Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain" and many other more traditional country songs

"Black" - Pearl Jam

"In My Life" - The Beatles

"When You Were Mine" - Dixie Chicks

"Lonlier Than This" - Steve Earle

"Red Dirt Girl" - Emmylou Harris

"Wicked Game" - Chris Isaak

"Fire And Rain" - James Taylor

"Old Friends" - Simon & Garfunkel

"Circle Game" - Joni Mitchell

"I Can't Make You Love Me" - Bonnie Raitt

"Deathly" - Aimee Mann

"Philadelphia" - Bruce Springsteen

"Raggedy Ann" and "Train Song" - Mindy Smith

"Tears In Heaven" - Eric Clapton

"Ole Shep" by Elvis, and others already mentioned

I could go on..

[CBHagman]

117. Rick Danko singing "It Makes No Difference"

The ultimate devastation song.

Honorable mentions:

"The Green Fields of France"

"And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda"

(I guess war gets to me more than break-ups. Go figure)

[shawmut]

118. At Seventeen - Janis Ian ... and The Circle Game by Tom Rush

[Jade Fox]

121. The Circle Game--written by Joni Mitchell n/t

[Hubert Flottz]

120. 'Don't leave me now'

Supertramp......

[Skittles]

122. Last Date by Floyd Cramer

it's strictly piano - no words, but it is so bittersweet.

[Jade Fox]

127. I've had that gorgeous tune in my head ever since you posted it on that

other thread. I've decided to get the piano music for it--what better thing to be
able to play! :loveya:

[Jade Fox]

123. Washed Up On A Distant Shore-Billy Bragg, If You Go Away-Jacques Brel

[saltpoint]

124. "Song for Adam" by Jackson Browne --

-- or "White Squall" by Stan Rogers

[saltpoint]

125. "Lost in the Love of You" by Livingston Taylor

and as long as I'm in town,

Gordon Lightfoot's "Too Late for Prayin'"

[amazona]

128. "The Boys of Summer" -- Don Henley

There is sad, as in wistful/melancholy/nostalgic...which is sad in the same way that the setting sun is sad.

and then there is sad/lame, which is the category of such songs as "My Heart Will Go on." Come on, you're playing with us, right? Most "sad" songs, alas, do fall in this category. "American Pie" sad? It's a puzzle song. What is sad about a puzzle?

[Dogmudgeon]

129. From My 'Suicide Set'

Forever Autumn (Justin Hayward)
End of the Summer (Dar Williams)
Found Out About You (Gin Blossoms)
Children's Crusade (Sting)
Caroline, No (Beach Boys)
Is It Really Love At All? (Eric Andersen)
I Go Crazy (Paul Davis)
Gloomy Sunday (Reszo Seres - approximately 50 cover versions now)
Green, Green Grass of Home (several versions)
Things I'd Like To Say (New Colony Six (Kummel-Rice))
Tomorrow, Wendy (Concrete Blonde (Andy Prieboy))
Lonely Town (Stan Ridgway)
No Milk Today (Herman's Hermits (Graham Gouldman))
Circle In The Sand (Belinda Carlisle (Rick Nowels))
Following (Bangles (Michael Steele))
I Feel Good (dB's (Chris Stamey))
Attraction Gear (The Impossible Years)

That's enough!

--bkl

[kitkatrose]

130. I will nominate "Wind Beneath My Wings"

by Bette Middler. I start to cry every time I hear that song.

[UrbScotty]

133. Maybe not sad but emotional... Amazing Grace

I love that song.

[SOteric]

134. Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers,

and if you'd ever lost a lover to death you wouldn't even need to hear the other nominees in the category.

[m-jean03]

135. "Mourn for the Highlands" and "Fire In The Glen"/Andy Stewart

with Phil Cunningham. Good, irish folk ballads always do it to me.

[shawmut]

136. The Last Song - Elton John

[TeeYiYi]

154. Unbelievably sad . . .

The Last Song

Music by Elton John
Lyrics by Bernie Taupin
Available on the album The One
 
Yesterday you came to lift me up
As light as straw and brittle as a bird
Today I weigh less than a shadow on the wall
Just one more whisper of a voice unheard

Tomorrow leave the windows open
As fear grows please hold me in your arms
Won't you help me if you can to shake this anger
I need your gentle hands to keep me calm

`Cause I never thought I'd lose
I only thought I'd win
I never dreamed I'd feel
This fire beneath my skin
I can't believe you love me
I never thought you'd come
I guess I misjudged love
Between a father and his son

Things we never said come together
The hidden truth no longer haunting me
Tonight we touched on the things that were never spoken
That kind of understanding sets me free

TY

[cryfordawn]

137. Leader of the Band by Fogleburg? & Condition Critical by Quiet Riot.

Condition Critical always made me cry because my Mom was in hospice at the time. Leader of the Band did just because.

[tsakshaug]

140. Zevon

Keep me in your heart
Perhaps sadder because it is on his last album


Shadows are falling and I'm running out of breath
Keep me in your heart for awhile
If I leave you it doesn't mean I love you any less
Keep me in your heart for awhile
When you get up in the morning and you see that crazy sun
Keep me in your heart for awhile
There's a train leaving nightly called when all is said and done
Keep me in your heart for awhile
Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la-li-li-lo
Keep me in your heart for awhile
Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la-li-li-lo
Keep me in your heart for awhile
Sometimes when you're doing simple things
around the house
Maybe you'll think of me and smile
You know I'm tied to you like the buttons on
your blouse
Keep me in your heart for awhile
Hold me in your thoughts, take me to your dreams
Touch me as I fall into view
When the winter comes keep the fires lit
And I will be right next to you
Engine driver's headed north to Pleasant Stream
Keep me in your heart for awhile
These wheels keep turning but they're running out
of steam
Keep me in your heart for awhile
Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la-li-li-lo
Keep me in your heart for awhile
Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la-li-li-lo
Keep me in your heart for awhile
Keep me in your heart for awhile

[Dogmudgeon]

141. Kilkelly, Ireland

By the Dubliners.

Hide the sharp objects first.

Most. Depressing. Song. Ever.

--bkl

[ornotna]

149. I just heard this song yesterday

and your right. This is one sad song. The version I heard was by Moloney, O'Connell & Keane, very moving song.

Kilkelly
(Peter Jones)

Kilkelly, Ireland, 1860, my dear and loving son John
Your good friend schoolmaster Pat McNamara's so good
as to write these words down.
Your brothers have all got a fine work in England,
the house is so empty and sad
The crop of potatoes is sorely infected,
a third to a half of them bad.
And your sister Brigid and Patrick O'Donnell
are going to be married in June.
Mother says not to work on the railroad
and be sure to come on home soon.

Kilkelly, Ireland, 1870, my dear and loving son John
Hello to your Mrs and to your 4 children,
may they grow healthy and strong.
Michael has got in a wee bit of trouble,
I suppose that he never will learn.
Because of the darkness there's no turf to speak of
and now we have nothing to burn.
And Brigid is happy, we named a child for her
and now she's got six of her own.
You say you found work, but you don't say
what kind or when you will be coming home.

Kilkelly, Ireland, 1880, dear Michael and John, my sons
I'm sorry to give you the very sad news
that your dear old mother has gone.
We buried her down at the church in Kilkelly,
your brothers and Brigid were there.
You don't have to worry, she died very quickly,
remember her in your prayers.
And it's so good to hear that Michael's returning,
with money he's sure to buy land
For the crop has been bad and the people
are selling at every price that they can.

Kilkelly, Ireland, 1890, my dear and loving son John
I suppose that I must be close on eighty,
it's thirty years since goodbye.
Because of all of the money you send me,
I'm still living out on my own.
Michael has built himself a fine house
and Brigid's daughters have grown.
Thank you for sending your family picture,
they're lovely young women and men.
You say that you might even come for a visit,
what joy to see you again.

Kilkelly, Ireland, 1892, my dear brother John
I'm sorry I didn't write sooner to tell you, but father passed on.
He was living with Brigid, she says he was cheerful
and healthy right down to the end.
Ah, you should have seen him play with
the grandchildren of Pat McNamara, your friend.
And we buried him alongside of mother,
down at the Kilkelly churchyard.
He was a strong and a feisty old man,
considering his life was so hard.
And it's funny the way he kept talking about you,
he called for you in the end.
Oh, why don't you think about coming to visit,
we'd all love to see you again.

[July]

142. I'm going to be thinking about this all day

Let me add "2,000 Miles" sung by Chrissie Hynde (sp.?). Though it sounds like a love song, it always makes me think of my late brother. "I miss you." I think of him as 2,000 miles away -- "very far."

"I'll Be Home For Christmas" gets me in the same way. It was one of my late father's favorites, and it makes me think of his time in Europe during WWII, his sentimental love of the holidays, and, of course, "if only in my dreams." He died a few weeks before Christmas 21 years ago, and I think of him every time that song plays.

[Dees]

143. Caroline No...Brian Wilson

[CanuckAmok]

148. Did I miss it? Has nobody else mentioned Harry Chapin's "Taxi"?!

That one rips my heart out.

Harvest Festival by XTC is sad, too.

Both are similarly-themed; two people in love, but heading in different directions--one 'wins', one 'loses'.

[bain_sidhe]

150. Time in a Bottle - Jim Croce

Also, a couple of little known Don McLean songs always make me tear up - "The More You Pay" and "Oh My What A Shame". Oh, and "A Daisy A Day" by ... um, Jed Strunk, I think.

[Atman]

151. "Lost In The Moment" by Edie Brickell

It's an awesome song with a great story that makes me tear up every time.

[TeeYiYi]

152. Daniel by Elton John . . .

. . . made me cry just the other day.

Lyrics by Bernie Taupin
Available on the album Don't Shoot Me I'm Only The Piano Player

Daniel is travelling tonight on a plane
I can see the red tail lights heading for Spain
Oh and I can see Daniel waving goodbye
God it looks like Daniel, must be the clouds in my eyes

They say Spain is pretty though I've never been
Well Daniel says it's the best place that he's ever seen
Oh and he should know, he's been there enough
Lord I miss Daniel, oh I miss him so much

Daniel my brother you are older than me
Do you still feel the pain of the scars that won't heal
Your eyes have died but you see more than I
Daniel you're a star in the face of the sky

Daniel is travelling tonight on a plane
I can see the red tail lights heading for Spain
Oh and I can see Daniel waving goodbye
God it looks like Daniel, must be the clouds in my eyes
Oh God it looks like Daniel, must be the clouds in my eyes

TYY

[Jim Sagle]

155. "Sometimes I Feel like a Motherless Child"

Even the instrumental version (by guitarist Grant Green) made me cry.

[FDRrocks]

156. W/O A DOUBT! "Something" by the Beatles

Listen to that, tell me it does not share its sadness with you. I haven't heard a sadder song since.

[Ysabel]

157. Deja Vu...

...

[Zinfandel]

158. Loan me a dime...Boz Scaggs with Duane on guitar.

My Cricket, (Leon Russell)

[NashVegas]

161. "Those Were People Who Died, Died"

Jim Carroll.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

163. Happy Birthday to You (after 30)

[randr]

164. For everyone with a drop of Irish---Danny Boy

[Donkeyboy75]

165. The Verve sang Bittersweet Symphony

"Hush" by Till Tuesday

[dolo amber]

166. Sunless Saturday

by Fishbone. If I had one shred of writing talent I'd swear I wrote it myself.



I see the pestilence outside my window
I see the dung heaps piled at least a mile high
I see the shards of shattered dreams in the street
I face the morning with my customary sigh

I hear the sounds of children laughing aloud
A stumbling wino has attracted quite a crowd
My breakfast finished now I brave the outside
But the clouds have hidden all the warmth inside

Chase these clouds away
I hate this sunless saturday

Freedom come
For us now
Light our sky
Burn away these clouds

Perhaps the charcoal grey and brown around me
Is just the mirror image of tainted soul
I think the sun will never visit my sky
Until the truth is seen by each and every eye

I see the helpless and I see the insane
I see a pauper singing in the pouring rain
I see the means of help elude us again
I think the sun will never visit me again