# Most Depressing Love Song of all Time? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 13, 2003, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-love-song-of-all-time/154743 "2003-02-13T03:05:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![teleute12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@teleute12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teleute12)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2003, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-love-song-of-all-time/154743/101 "2003-02-16T08:55:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by casdave \* > \*\ ***teleute12** [sup](there are 11 other posters by that name ?)[/sup] > > Without you - Nielson is far more tragic then most people realise. (snip)\*\* Not that I know of, but I like the number 12. ---
**Author:** ![teleute12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@teleute12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teleute12)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2003, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-love-song-of-all-time/154743/102 "2003-02-16T08:56:32Z")
Damnit, there was supposed to be more to it than just that. Oh well. ---
**Author:** ![eenerms](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cdc98d/32.png) [@eenerms](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eenerms)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2003, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-love-song-of-all-time/154743/103 "2003-02-16T10:59:24Z")
If You Go Away ( Marianne Faithful?? or the Seekers) Seventeen by Janis Ian ---
**Author:** ![pervertatoid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f07891/32.png) [@pervertatoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pervertatoid)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2003, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-love-song-of-all-time/154743/104 "2003-02-16T12:46:10Z")
I think _Don’t Speak_ by No Doubt is pretty high up there on the list, if not number one for me. Mostly because of the sound of Gwen’s voice when she sings it. You can almost hear tears in her words. The music is also not fast, happy and bouncy like the majority of their other songs. I also would have to nominate _I Remember_ by Stabbing Westward: \*Do you ever wonder where we would be if we had tried a little harder? It seems like yesterday we were making plans for the future. But it’s been so long since I have known the truth; these dreams we’ve left abandoned And I’m haunted by your face and the memory of your kisses Sweet kisses Do you remember? I still remember so much. I remember never feeling so alive Do you remember? I still can’t forget your touch. We swore that we would never end We knew our love transcended space and time These memories slip away; the ghost of what we were is fading But there is no more pain, which is funny 'cause that night, I was dying I was dying… Now I don’t even recognize the girl I swore that someday I would marry But I can’t forget her face, and I can’t forget her kisses Sweet kisses… Do you remember? I still remember so much I remember always feeling so alive Do you remember? I still can’t forget your touch We swore that we would never end We knew our love transcended space and time Do you remember? I still remember so much I remember never feeling so alive Do you remember? I still can’t forget your touch And we swore that we would never be alone… Do you remember? I still remember so much I remember never feeling so alive Do you remember? 'Cause I still can’t forget your touch And how we swore that we would never end, We knew our love transcended space and time… We swore that we would never end, We knew our love transcended space and time… Do you remember? God, I remember so much…\* Could just be me (being that I’m a huge Stabbing Westward fan), but if you’ve ever had that relationship that was perfect…you know, that person was “the one”, it was gonna last forever - but somehow didn’t…Well, again, it may just be me…but that song really gets me. Their song _Happy_ may not be quite as sad, but leads me to think sad thoughts, too… _Please tell me are you really happy? Do you think he’s really worth the pain? Tell me are you really happy? Or did you simply throw our life away Just to be unhappy._ Just the chorus for that one. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Mothchunks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@Mothchunks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mothchunks)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2003, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-love-song-of-all-time/154743/105 "2003-02-16T13:09:58Z")
Song of the Siren, the Elizabeth Fraser version. Lovesong for a Vampire by Annie Lennox Joan of Arc by Leonard Cohen Kathy’s Song by Paul Simon ---
**Author:** ![Rie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a6a055/32.png) [@Rie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rie)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2003, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-love-song-of-all-time/154743/106 "2003-02-16T14:55:16Z")
Donovan’s _ **Catch the Wind** _ always makes me a little sad… ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2003, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-love-song-of-all-time/154743/107 "2003-02-16T15:00:54Z")
Sorry, but I think the **Bright Eyes** is one of the funniest songs ever written. Maybe I should stop watching the Addams Family so much. ---
**Author:** ![eenerms](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cdc98d/32.png) [@eenerms](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eenerms)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2003, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-love-song-of-all-time/154743/108 "2003-02-16T15:16:32Z")
Oh another one: Old Friends by Simon and Garfunkle ---
**Author:** ![Jberto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8baadc/32.png) [@Jberto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jberto)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2003, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-love-song-of-all-time/154743/109 "2003-02-22T07:19:00Z")
Consider Freedy Johnston’s “Across the Avenue:” "Though you’ve gone away I play your favorite song In the blue and gold With your dark glasses on I always think I see you Across the avenue Walking by where I lost you It’s all I ever do You just walked away We’ll meet tonight, okay Going against the light Run down in front of me I always think I see you Across the avenue Someday I’ll come to meet you On the other side Across the avenue Though you’ve gone away I wear your favorite shirt Sitting in the sun By the library lights I always think I see you Across the avenue Someday I’ll come to meet you On the other side" Gets me every time. ---
**Author:** ![ion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f1d935/32.png) [@ion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ion)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2003, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-love-song-of-all-time/154743/110 "2003-02-22T16:53:15Z")
**Hallelujah** by Leonard Cohen. Brings me to the depths of despair - and I can’t get enough of it. So true. ---
**Author:** ![Qwertyasdfg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/ecc23a/32.png) [@Qwertyasdfg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qwertyasdfg)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2003, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-love-song-of-all-time/154743/111 "2003-02-22T17:22:26Z")
“Fair” by the Ben Folds Five ? ---
**Author:** ![Lisa-go-Blind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Lisa-go-Blind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lisa-go-Blind)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2003, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-love-song-of-all-time/154743/112 "2003-02-22T23:35:09Z")
When I saw the title of this thread, I thought of two songs: 1. “Love Will Tear Us Apart” by Joy Division (an ironically-named band if there ever was one). Technically, it’s about love dying, but this one has already been discussed enough. 2. “Lovesong” by the Cure. Others by them have been mentioned but not this one. This fits the definition of a “true” love song; i.e., it’s very much about an ongoing love and is written as a tribute to it: “whenever i’m alone with you/ you make me feel like i am whole again”. However, the song is depressing not only because of the minor key arrangement and Robert Smith’s desparate delivery, but there’s something so sad about the lyrics, almost regretful, that isn’t all shiny and bright like the majority of happy “love is perfect” songs: _However far away, I will always love you_ _However long I stay, I will always love you_ _Whatever words I say, I will always love you_ _I will always love you_ ---
**Author:** ![Eutychus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Eutychus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eutychus)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2003, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-love-song-of-all-time/154743/113 "2003-02-22T23:48:47Z")
The Tubes : “Love’s A Mystery” “Love’s a mystery I don’t understand Love’s supposed to make you glad, tell me why I feel so sad Love’s a mystery I don’t understand You won’t stay another day And if that’s all you can say Then I don’t understand.” ---
**Author:** ![ECJones29](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c77e96/32.png) [@ECJones29](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ECJones29)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2003, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-love-song-of-all-time/154743/114 "2003-02-23T00:45:34Z")
Lauramarlane, you’re so right about “My Funny Valentine;” I’ve always hated it too and for the same reasons. “Distant Lover” by Marvin Gaye. On the live version that “PLEEEEAAASSSEEE” at the end gets me every time. Although not a conventional love song, John Lennon’s “Julia” fits the bill for me. ---
**Author:** ![mrsface](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a9adbd/32.png) [@mrsface](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mrsface)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2003, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-love-song-of-all-time/154743/115 "2003-02-23T00:59:47Z")
I guess it depends how you define “depressing”. Billions of love songs have a melancholy/nostalgic/heartbreak message, but they don’t actually make you feel depressed unless they are also bad songs. For the yuck factor, I think I would nominate “Seasons in the Sun” by Terry Jacks, and “Sylvia’s Mother” by Dr Hook. I’d rather slit my wrists than listen to either of them ever again. ---
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2003, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-love-song-of-all-time/154743/116 "2003-02-23T03:18:37Z")
Joni Mitchell is Queen of the Depressing Love Song. Her most depressing, I think is “Down to You.” "In the morning there are lovers in the street They look so high You brush against a stranger And you both apologize Old friends seem indifferent You must have brought that on Old bonds have broken down Love is gone ooh love is gone written on your spirit this sad song love is gone." ☹ ---
**Author:** ![RodneyH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/50afbb/32.png) [@RodneyH](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RodneyH)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2003, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-love-song-of-all-time/154743/117 "2003-02-23T04:49:57Z")
Full of Grace by Sarah McLachlan. That is my official depression song. Even now that I’ve heard it enough to deassociate it with the Buffy ep. I first heard it at…it’s still the most beautifully depressing song that I’ve ever heard. “the winter here’s cold, and bitter it’s chilled us to the bone we haven’t seen the sun for weeks to long too far from home I feel just like I’m sinking and I claw for solid ground I’m pulled down by the undertow I never thought I could feel so low oh darkness I feel like letting go if all of the strength and all of the courage come and lift me from this place I know I could love you much better than this full of grace full of grace my love so it’s better this way, I said having seen this place before where everything we said and did hurts us all the more its just that we stayed, too long in the same old sickly skin I’m pulled down by the undertow I never thought I could feel so low oh darkness I feel like letting go if all of the strength and all of the courage come and lift me from this place I know I could love you much better than this full of grace” The melody, the accompaniment. Wow. Every time, it makes me tear up. Honorable mentions: “What do you say” by Reba. That lyric about the old couple just hits me everytime. “She looks at him and says, I wanna go home.” Not sure if it counts. “Fragments”, “Footprints in the Snow”, and “Lonely Miracle” by Vertical Horizon. Evanescence. “Tourniquet” and “My Immortal” That’s enough for now. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![The\_Wrong\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b782af/32.png) [@The\_Wrong\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Wrong_Girl)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2003, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-love-song-of-all-time/154743/118 "2003-02-23T05:53:30Z")
“The Wild Ones” by Suede. It gets me every time I hear it. ---
**Author:** ![Trigonal\_Planar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/0ea827/32.png) [@Trigonal\_Planar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trigonal_Planar)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2003, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-love-song-of-all-time/154743/119 "2003-02-23T07:03:48Z")
**Lisa-go-Blind** : I was thinking “Love Will Tear us Apart” too. Damn, you got it first. ---
**Author:** ![Trigonal\_Planar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/0ea827/32.png) [@Trigonal\_Planar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trigonal_Planar)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2003, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-love-song-of-all-time/154743/120 "2003-02-23T07:12:23Z")
**Lisa-go-Blind** : I was thinking “Love Will Tear us Apart” too. Damn, you got it first. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-love-song-of-all-time/154743.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-love-song-of-all-time/154743.md?page=7)