# 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:** 3
**Author:** ![Dr.Rieux](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Dr.Rieux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Rieux)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/41 "2005-11-03T21:58:31Z")
Are we talking sad oir depressing–they’re \*not \* the same thing, you know. Hole’s cover of “Gold Dust Woman” makes me want to curl up in a ball under the bed. Back in ‘87, when I was depresed, I used to listen to the Wallflowers’ “One Headlight” a lot. ---
**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, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/42 "2005-11-03T22:02:39Z")
> [@Rube E. Tewesday](#): > > The one I came in to mention. Wow, what a downer. You mean you didn’t wanna mention The Stones’ _Ruby Tuesday_? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/43 "2005-11-03T22:06:47Z")
Eva Cassidy singing Sting’s “Fields of Gold.” ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/44 "2005-11-03T22:32:27Z")
Alan Parsons’ “Oh Life (There Must Be More)” (a woman commits suicide after realizing the futility of her life): \*Waves roll out Out to sea Tasting the saltwater Tears upon her cheek Morning breaks She’s not there Who could ever find her? Who would even care? \* Pink Floyd’s “High Hopes” (interpretations vary, but I’ve always seen it as a regretful look back at the carefree days of childhood by a middle-aged man who realizes too late that he’s been chasing the wrong dreams): \*There was a ragged band that followed in our footsteps Running before time took our dreams away Leaving the myriad small creatures trying to tie us to the ground To a life consumed by slow decay \* Evanescence’s “Hello” (which gets even more depressing after you find out that it’s about her little sister who died when they were both children): _playground school bell rings again rain clouds come to play again has no one told you she’s not breathing? hello i’m your mind giving you someone to talk to hello_ ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/45 "2005-11-03T22:40:47Z")
> [@BMax](#): > > Radiohead _Creep_ and the cover of _Mad World_ on the Donnie Darko soundtrack. > > I have learned to turn sadness into anger (it’s good emotional fuel and a quick & dirty way to avoid depression), so hearing either of those songs makes me want to break things. I’ll second that “Mad World” cover, and a lot of songs by the Smiths and Morrissey, solo. ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/46 "2005-11-03T22:45:43Z")
More specifically, “The Boy with the Thorn in his Side” is one of the saddest. ---
**Author:** ![Treviathan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/838e76/32.png) [@Treviathan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treviathan)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/47 "2005-11-03T22:45:46Z")
It’s less than a year old, but I sincerely believe “Casimir Pulaski Day” by Sufjan Stevens will be turning up on lists like these for years to come. Achingly sad. ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/48 "2005-11-03T22:57:23Z")
[Depressing Song Thread #1](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=187848&highlight=Enya) [Depressing Song Thread #2](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=177998&highlight=Enya) My contributions in those two threads stand. I will add Metallica’s “Unforgiven” and “Fade to Black” to the mix. ---
**Author:** ![yellowval](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/919ad9/32.png) [@yellowval](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowval)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/49 "2005-11-03T23:01:13Z")
I came in to mention “Mad World” too, but since it’s already been said, I give you: [The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald](http://home.pacbell.net/chabpyne/lyrics.html) ---
**Author:** ![Busy\_Scissors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d78d45/32.png) [@Busy\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Busy_Scissors)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/50 "2005-11-03T23:05:53Z")
How soon is now? is a good dose of misery from Manchester’s finest: \* There’s a club if you’d like to go you could meet somebody who really loves you so you go, and you stand on your own and you leave on your own and you go home, and you cry and you want to die\* Great, great song > [@vivalostwages](#): > > More specifically, “The Boy with the Thorn in his Side” is one of the saddest. Is your usrname a Bonnie Prince Billy reference **vivalostwages**? Old Billy has knocked out some bleak tracks in his time: You will miss me when I burn, I see a darkness, riding etc. ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/51 "2005-11-03T23:15:08Z")
Oh: a couple more, by Assemblage 23: [Fallen Down](http://www.assemblage23.com/deflyr.html#fallendown) and [30KFT](http://www.assemblage23.com/stormlyr.html#30kft) \*Hello, if you’re there pick up the phone I’m calling from 30,000 feet above you The captain’s just informed us that our plane is going down So I’m calling for one last time to say I love you \* (snip to avoid posting entire lyrics) \* I’m sorry most of all I won¹t be there when you grow old To be there by your side and keep you warm when you are cold Forgive me, but I think my time is drawing to a close So I’ve one last thing to tell you now before I have to go \* I…\* ---
**Author:** ![davenportavenger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f8ce5/32.png) [@davenportavenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davenportavenger)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/52 "2005-11-03T23:29:06Z")
“Gates of the Country” by Black Lab “Last Kiss” by some band from the fifties, later covered by Pearl Jam although I don’t like their version The lyrics to “Glory Days” by Pulp are kind of depressing, although the song itself is upbeat. ---
**Author:** ![Gail](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Gail](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gail)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/53 "2005-11-03T23:36:19Z")
I’ve got some good ones: An obscure depressing song: _D.O.A._ by Bloodrock A depressing song where the melody is more depressing than the lyrics: _Some Other Place_ by the Alan Parsons Project. _The End_and _Riders on the Storm_ by The Doors—The Doors probably have a lot more depressing songs. _Something’s Always Wrong_by Toad the Wet Sprocket _I Come and Stand at Every Door_ by The Byrds ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/54 "2005-11-03T23:41:01Z")
> [@Doc Sarvis](#): > > I have to go with Lou Reed’s Perfect Day. 😕 With the exception of how it was used in Trainspotting, this seems like a very nice, sweet love song. ---
**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, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/55 "2005-11-03T23:44:02Z")
> [@vetbridge](#): > > You mean you didn’t wanna mention The Stones’ _Ruby Tuesday_? 😉 Somehow, although that song always makes me think of the worst case of unrequited love of my life, it never gets me down. And of course, I love it so much that I used it for my user name. I am one sick puppy. ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/56 "2005-11-04T00:03:34Z")
Two that leap to mind: “State Trooper”- Springsteen, though I’ve only heard the Steve Earle version. _Maybe you got a kid, maybe you got a pretty wife, the only thing that I got’s been botherin’ me my whole life Mister state trooper please don’t stop me._ “Tomorrow Wendy”-Andy Prieboy, though I’ve only heard the Concrete Blonde version. _But God says jump, so I set the time 'cause if he ever saw her, it was through these eyes of mine and if He ever suffered it was me who did His crying… Hey, hey, good bye…_ ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/57 "2005-11-04T00:09:58Z")
> [@Rube E. Tewesday](#): > > I am one sick puppy. My forte`! Have you heard Marianne Faithfull’s cover of _Ruby Tuesday_? Worth a listen. ---
**Author:** ![Feydeau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df788c/32.png) [@Feydeau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Feydeau)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/58 "2005-11-04T00:19:42Z")
Mentioned in a recent thread (but which thread?) and I don’t recall the artist – _Once You Understand_. It’s about a dad’s reaction to the police telling him his son has died of an overdose. _Things get a little easier Once you understand._ ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/59 "2005-11-04T01:43:06Z")
> [@](#): > > What I’ve got they used to call the blues > Nothin’ is really wrong > Feelin’ like I don’t belong _Rainy Days and Mondays_, the Carpenters. I started crying when I first heard this song when I was… 5, I think. ---
**Author:** ![Kilvert\_s\_Pagan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@Kilvert\_s\_Pagan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kilvert_s_Pagan)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/60 "2005-11-04T01:46:59Z")
I considered **DOA** , as well as **Cat’s in the Cradle.** And almost the entire album of John Prine’s **The Missing Years** ranks up there. But if you want something obscure and depressing which is completely instrumental, try the 13 minute **Threnody For Souls In Torment** by the Robert Fripp String Quintet. Maybe terrifying is a better word - listening to this piece, with no words at all, is like experiencing hell firsthand. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296.md?page=4)