# Most. Depressing. Pop or rock song. Ever. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 3, 2005, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296 "2005-11-03T15:20:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Doc\_Sarvis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2acd7d/32.png) [@Doc\_Sarvis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doc_Sarvis)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/21 "2005-11-03T19:10:30Z")
I have to go with Lou Reed’s Perfect Day. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/22 "2005-11-03T19:31:10Z")
Every Rose Has its Thorn by Poison Something I Can Never Have by Nine Inch Nails My Immortal by Evanescence Landslide - Fleetwood Mac ---
**Author:** ![vertizontal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ad7895/32.png) [@vertizontal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vertizontal)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/23 "2005-11-03T19:36:29Z")
A few months ago I heard the Beatles song [For No One](http://www.lyricsondemand.com/b/beatleslyrics/fornoonelyrics.html) for the first time. It’s about a guy whose girlfriend just doesn’t love him anymore. It bummed me out for about two hours after hearing it. > [@](#): > > _… > And in her eyes you see nothing > No sign of love behind the tears > Cried for no one > … > You want her, you need her > And yet you don’t believe her when she said her love is dead > … > There will be time when all the things she said will fill your head > You won’t forget her > …_ ---
**Author:** ![Feydeau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df788c/32.png) [@Feydeau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Feydeau)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/24 "2005-11-03T20:09:10Z")
> [@Small Clanger](#): > > **One Man Guy** > Loudon Wainwright III That song was also recorded by his son, Rufus Wainwright. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/25 "2005-11-03T20:25:38Z")
The most depressing pop song is Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me” about a woman (or man) coming to terms with the fact that her feelings are unrequited. Excerpts below (warning: get your hanky ready): Here in the dark in these final hours I will lay down my heart And I’ll feel the power but you won’t… Morning will come and I’ll do what’s right just give me till then to give up this fight :😭: [Complete lyrics](http://www-scf.usc.edu/~osmosis/lyrics/cantMakeLove.html) ---
**Author:** ![phungi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/phungi/32/395_2.png) [@phungi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phungi)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/26 "2005-11-03T20:33:34Z")
**The Smiths** : Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now… I was happy in the haze of a drunken hour But heaven knows I’m miserable now I was looking for a job and then I found a job And heaven knows I’m miserable now In my life Why do I give valuable time To people who don’t care if I live or I die? [Complete Lyrics](http://www.worldofmorrissey.com/template.asp?id=125) ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/27 "2005-11-03T20:41:42Z")
Well, if you want to bring up **The Smiths** , there’s plenty of material. How about **“Asleep,”** a nice little suicide number: _Sing me to sleep Sing me to sleep And then leave me alone Don’t try to wake me in the morning 'Cause I will be gone …Don’t feel bad for me I want you to know Deep in the cell of my heart I really want to go There is another world There is a better world Well, there must be Well, there must be…_ But of the songs that made the charts in the US, I’d have to agree with **"Ode to Billy Joe"** ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/28 "2005-11-03T21:08:36Z")
_Don’t Take the Girl_ by someone who’s name escapes me. That might be too country for the list, though. What was the name of the song about some shoes a kid wants to bury his mother in? That’s most depressing song ever. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/29 "2005-11-03T21:09:27Z")
Dylan’s Ballad of Hollis Brown. In fact a good chunk of The Times They are a Changing is depressing. When I was in college I stopped playing it at 3 am since it made me want to jump out the window. (The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carrol ain’t too cheerful either.) Wildfire is pretty depressing. Neil Young: Here’s a song that will bring you right down. It’s called “Don’t Let it Bring you Down.” ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/30 "2005-11-03T21:16:09Z")
Everything But The Girl’s _Me and Bobby D_ is pretty bad, involving abuse/etc. > [@](#): > > Knocked her from here to kingdom come? > How many girls have you had today? > And how many bottles have you downed today? > And while you’re on the skids, who’s minding the kids? ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/31 "2005-11-03T21:21:55Z")
I don’t need no arms around me And I don’t need no drugs to calm me. I have seen the writing on the wall. Don’t think I need anything at all. No! Don’t think I’ll need anything at all. All in all it was all just bricks in the wall. All in all you were all just bricks in the wall (smooth — albeit creepy — seque into…) Goodbye cruel world, I’m leaving you today. Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye. Goodbye, all you people, There’s nothing you can say To make me change my mind. Goodbye. ---
**Author:** ![ddgryphon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8c91f0/32.png) [@ddgryphon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ddgryphon)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/32 "2005-11-03T21:25:29Z")
[_Alone Again Naturally_](http://www.geocities.com/merrystar3/allysongs/AloneAgain.htm) is just about as depressing as it can get: > [@](#): > > In a little while from now > If I’m not feeling any less sour > I promise myself to treat myself > And visit a nearby tower > And climbing to the top will throw myself off > . . . And then it gets depressing. [\*Seventeen \*](http://users.cis.net/sammy/at17.htm) is pretty wrist slashingly depressing > [@](#): > > Remember those who win the game > Lose the love they sought to gain > Indebentures of quality > And dubious integrity > Their small town eyes will gape at you > In dull surprise when payment due > Exceeds accounts received > At seventeen However I have to add \* Arms of an Angel \* by [Sarah Mclachlan](http://www.lyrics007.com/Sarah%20McLachlan%20Lyrics/Arms%20Of%20An%20Angel%20Lyrics.html): > [@](#): > > In the arms of an Angel, fly away from here > From this dark, cold hotel room, and the endlessness that you fear > You are pulled from the wreckage of your silent reverie > You’re in the arms of an Angel; may you find some comfort here > > So tired of the straight line, and everywhere you turn > There’s vultures and thieves at your back > The storm keeps on twisting, you keep on building the lies > That you make up for all that you lack Life sucks, kill yourself and maybe things will get better (only more beautifully said) ---
**Author:** ![Lady\_Venom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9fc348/32.png) [@Lady\_Venom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lady_Venom)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/33 "2005-11-03T21:31:24Z")
> [@RikWriter](#): > > Ben Fold’s Five “Brick.” I came in here to say Brick as well. Man it hurts to listen to that song. Also, Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/34 "2005-11-03T21:35:10Z")
Cat Steven’s Father & Son is another song of non-connection: How can I try to explain? When I do he turns away again. And it’s always been the same, same old story. From the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen Now there’s a way and I know I have to go away away. ABBA’s Knowing Me Knowing You: Walking through an empty house, tears in my eyes. Here is where the story ends. This is good-bye. Knowing me, knowing you, there is nothing we can do. Knowing me, knowing you, we just to face it, this time we’re through. ---
**Author:** ![LonesomePolecat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a88e57/32.png) [@LonesomePolecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonesomePolecat)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/35 "2005-11-03T21:36:28Z")
Pink Floyd’s _The Wall._ The. Whole. Freakin’. Album. Both disks. And the feature film. And the concert film. Jeez, what were these guys tryin’ to do, pump up the national suicide rate to win a bet or somethin’? ---
**Author:** ![Feydeau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df788c/32.png) [@Feydeau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Feydeau)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/36 "2005-11-03T21:37:24Z")
> [@Casey1505](#): > > _Don’t Take the Girl_ by someone who’s name escapes me. That might be too country for the list, though. That would be Tim McGraw. ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/37 "2005-11-03T21:40:19Z")
Well, let’s not forget Leonard Cohen’s Dress Rehearsel Rag. ---
**Author:** ![Feydeau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df788c/32.png) [@Feydeau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Feydeau)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/38 "2005-11-03T21:40:41Z")
On the subject of father/son missed connection, there’s Barry Manilow’s song _Ships._ ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/39 "2005-11-03T21:51:41Z")
Most of this is subtle, finely-tuned, relationship depressing. You want cranked up, heavy metal depressing, try D.O.A. from Bloodrock, about a plane crash victim bleeding out on the ground after the wreck. ---
**Author:** ![Rube\_E.Tewesday](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f0a364/32.png) [@Rube\_E.Tewesday](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rube_E.Tewesday)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/40 "2005-11-03T21:58:30Z")
> [@Finagle](#): > > Well, let’s not forget Leonard Cohen’s Dress Rehearsel Rag. The one I came in to mention. Wow, what a downer. Pretty much anything from Simon and Garfunkel’s “Sounds of Silence” album is pretty depressing, too. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296.md?page=3)