# 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:** 5
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/81 "2005-11-04T06:16:30Z")
A Perfect Circle - The Noose > [@](#): > > Recall the deeds as if they’re all > Someone else’s > Atrocious stories > Now you stand reborn > Before us all > So glad to see you well > > And not to pull your halo down > Around your neck and tug you to the ground > But I’m more than just a little curious > How you’re plannin’ to go about makin’ your amends > To the dead Marilyn Manson - Man That You Fear > [@](#): > > i have it all and i have no choice but to > i’ll make everyone pay and you will see > you can kill yourself now > because you’re dead > in my mind > the boy that you loved is the monster you fear > peel off all those eyes and crawl into the dark, > you’ve poisoned all of your children to camouflage your scars > pray unto the splinters, pray unto your fear > pray your life was just a dream > the cut that never heals > pray now baby, pray your life was just a dream I give a second to Nine Inch Nails - Something I Can Never Have Anything by Leonard Cohen Portishead - Glory Box Vic Chesnutt - Distortion Radiohead - Talk Show Host > [@](#): > > I’m ready with a gun and a pack of sandwiches and nothing. I was a goth back in the day, I could go on for days. Erek ---
**Author:** ![gouda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c77e96/32.png) [@gouda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gouda)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/82 "2005-11-04T07:21:16Z")
Bad Moon Rising, by Creedence Clearwater Revival: I see the bad moon arising. I see trouble on the way. I see earthquakes and lightnin’. I see bad times today. Chorus: Don’t go around tonight, Well, it’s bound to take your life, There’s a bad moon on the rise. I hear hurricanes ablowing. I know the end is coming soon. I fear rivers over flowing. I hear the voice of rage and ruin. Chorus All right! Hope you got your things together. Hope you are quite prepared to die. Looks like we’re in for nasty weather. One eye is taken for an eye. Foot-tappin’ catchy tune though! ---
**Author:** ![Headrush042](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a5b964/32.png) [@Headrush042](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Headrush042)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 8:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/83 "2005-11-04T08:38:31Z")
> [@GargoyleWB](#): > > 😕 With the exception of how it was used in Trainspotting, this seems like a very nice, sweet love song. I think it has more to do with the way he sings it, rather than the lyrics and the music, itself – but count me in with the “this song makes me want to slit my wrists” crowd. Here’s my top 3 (or 4 🙂 ): “Vincent” by Don McLean makes me want to cry. “Perfect Day” by Lou Reed makes me want to die. “October” and “Hello” by Evanescence both make me wish I was never born. ---
**Author:** ![mamboman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecb155/32.png) [@mamboman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mamboman)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/84 "2005-11-04T09:37:53Z")
Johnny Cash’s [If I Give My Soul](http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/If-I-Give-My-Soul-lyrics-Johnny-Cash/47502CA26C9C9A5B48256DEA000A4F6E) is pretty damn sad and futile. Also, Elvis Costello’s [Indoor Fireworks](http://www.seeklyrics.com/lyrics/Elvis-Costello/Indoor-Fireworks.html) is another reminde ro grim things I’d rather not dwell on mm ---
**Author:** ![Nilor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a4c791/32.png) [@Nilor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nilor)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 9:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/85 "2005-11-04T09:46:45Z")
> [@](#): > > “Perfect Day” by Lou Reed Hrm…I didn’t find that song to be depressing. Sounded a little upbeat to me…guess I just can’t recognize it in his voice. Old Friends / Bookends, by Simon and Garfunkel > [@](#): > > Time it was, and what it a time it was it was > A time of innocence > A time of confidences > Long ago, it must be > I have a photograph, preserve your memories > They’re all that’s left you I also think that the start of One Of My Turns by Pink Floyd is depressing, though the rest of it doesn’t keep the same mood. > [@](#): > > Day after day > Love turns gray > Like the skin on a dieing man > > And night after night > We pretend its alright > But I have grown older > And you have grown colder > And nothing is very much fun, anymore Hrm…and one more The Gunner’s Dream, by Pink Floyd Specifically, this part > [@](#): > > After the service > when you’re, walking slowly to the car > And the silver in her hair > Shines in the cold November air > > You hear the tolling bell, and touch the silk in your lapel > And as the tear drops rise to meet the comfort of the band > You take her frail old hand > And hold on to the dream Though it’s more the way it sounds than the actual lyrics. ---
**Author:** ![OtakuLoki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 9:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/86 "2005-11-04T09:57:06Z")
My favorite depressing song is Suzanne Vega’s [The Queen and the Soldier](http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/suzannevega/thequeenthesoldier.html). It’s a love song, and the courting is successful, too. Then the enamorata chooses to be alone, because it’s less scary. Another one I really like is a song I’ve only heard from a 60’s folk group: The Serendipity Singers. I believe the title is _Sailing Away_. Without posting the whole song, it’s a sailor’s lament. The last verse is: > [@](#): > > Not one fair maid that’s true or kind. > Not one fair maid that I call mine. > Shining stars and foaming seas > are all I have that’s true to me. I’d always liked the song, but after a g/f experience that would have been _improved_ by the presence of a _Dear, John_ letter, it took on a whole new meaning for me. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/87 "2005-11-04T11:17:49Z")
> [@OtakuLoki](#): > > My favorite depressing song is Suzanne Vega’s [The Queen and the Soldier](http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/suzannevega/thequeenthesoldier.html). The song is even sadder if you take it literally, and not as a metaphor. ---
**Author:** ![Nic2004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/4491bb/32.png) [@Nic2004](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nic2004)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/88 "2005-11-04T13:36:49Z")
> [@NDP](#): > > That’s supposed to be depressing? To paraphrase Oscar Wilde, one must have a heart of stone to listen to Bobby Goldsboro’s “Honey” all the way through without laughing. Through the window behind me I can see the Camphor tree planted by my late wife and me. ---
**Author:** ![Batsinma\_Belfry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea5d25/32.png) [@Batsinma\_Belfry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Batsinma_Belfry)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/89 "2005-11-04T14:02:33Z")
> [@mamboman](#): > > Johnny Cash’s [If I Give My Soul](http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/If-I-Give-My-Soul-lyrics-Johnny-Cash/47502CA26C9C9A5B48256DEA000A4F6E) is pretty damn sad and futile. Also sung (and I think written) by Billy Joe Shaver. And made even more depressing since, during one year he lost his wife and mother to cancer and his son killed himself. ---
**Author:** ![eyoung123](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/91b2a8/32.png) [@eyoung123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eyoung123)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/90 "2005-11-04T14:42:29Z")
Maggie May by Colin Hay… sad, sad tune… Always gets me. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/91 "2005-11-04T14:56:39Z")
> [@vetbridge](#): > > The Beatles’ _Elenor Rigby_ should be on the list. Hey! It is a sad song. This isn’t the MOST depressing–it’s more poignant than anything, but Billy Joel’s _This Is the Time to Remember_. Love that song–but it’s like he has looked ahead and seen that there is no future for them-so treasure today, while it lasts. \ I think _Landslide_ is somewhat melancholy, but depressing? Uh-uh. Eva Cassidy’s cover of _Fields of Gold_ is also moving, but not too sad. Ok-so all the good ones are taken. Tom Lehrer’s _We Will All Go Together When We Go_ ? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/92 "2005-11-04T15:03:46Z")
Bonnie Raitt also covered “Louise,” a song about the sad, short life of a woman of easy virtue. I like Leo Kottke’s version better. “Men brought Louise ten-cent trinkets Their intentions were easily traced.” ---
**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 4, 2005, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/93 "2005-11-04T15:11:50Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > Eva Cassidy’s cover of _Fields of Gold_ is also moving, but not too sad. I think it’s desperately sad, with lines like: > [@](#): > > I never made promises lightly > And there have been some that I’ve broken > But I swear in the days still left > We will walk in fields of gold > We’ll walk in fields of gold > > … > > You’ll remember me when the west wind moves Considering her days still left were so incredibly short. Gah. I’m almost crying just thinking about that damned song. ---
**Author:** ![Gail](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Gail](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gail)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/94 "2005-11-04T15:21:52Z")
If depressing means “wallowing in self-pity” I nominate Linda Ronstadt’s _Long Long Time_ . There’s also _Skinny Legs_ by Lyle Lovett. _Lucky Man_ by Emerson Lake and Palmer…anti-war depressing song I’m going to nominate the whole cd _Fallen_ by Evanescence. ---
**Author:** ![Boulter\_s\_Canary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Boulter\_s\_Canary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boulter_s_Canary)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/95 "2005-11-04T16:02:25Z")
‘End of the Rainbow’ by Richard Thompson - it’s a lullaby: “Life seems so rosy in the cradle But I’ll be your friend, I’ll tell you what’s in store There’s nothing at the end of the rainbow There’s nothing to grow up for any more” ☹ The verses are even more depressing. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/96 "2005-11-04T16:49:09Z")
**The Smiths** have a bunch of them, although they’re all sort of humorous, in a tongue-in-cheek kind of way. But _What She Said_ is the one I usually think of as being the saddest: “What she said, how come no one’s noticed that I’m dead?, and decided to bury me, god knows I’m ready.” “What she said, was not for the job or lover that she never had.” “What she said was sad, but then all the rejection she’s had, to pretend to be happy could only be idiocy.” “What she said, I smoke because I’m hoping for an early death, and I need to cling to something.” ---
**Author:** ![The\_Chao\_Goes\_Mu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_chao_goes_mu/32/3191_2.png) [@The\_Chao\_Goes\_Mu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Chao_Goes_Mu)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/97 "2005-11-04T17:37:25Z")
☹☹ 1. Bonnie Raitt’s version of “Angel From Montgomery” 1. The Doors “The End” 2. Gary Jules version of “Mad World” 3. Grateful Dead “Looks Like Rain” \*woke today, and felt your side of bed The covers were still warm where you’d been layin’ You were gone, my heart was filled with dread You might not be sleeping here again It’s all right, 'cause I love you And that’s not gonna change Run me round, make me hurt again and again But I’ll still sing you love songs Written in the letters of your name And brave the storm to come For it surely looks like rain\* ☹ 1. Bonnie Raitt again, with “I Can’t Make You Love Me” (grabbing the razor now) 2. Gordon Lightfoot “If You Could Read My Mind” my heart hurts when I listen to that one 3. Buddy Holly’s version of "[I Guess It Doesn’t Matter Anymore](http://homepage.ntlworld.com/gary.hart/lyricsh/holly.html) 4. The Stones “Wild Horses” & “Angie” 5. Simon & Garfunkle “April Come She Will” 6. John Lennon “Mother” 7. Floyd “Comfortably Numb” aw hell, every song on “The Wall” sends me into a tailsping. 8. Bob Dylan "[“Visions [COLOR=Blue]Of[/COLOR] Johanna”](http://www.bobdylan.com/songs/visions.html) 9. Peter Gabriel “Washing of the Water” & “Come Talk to me” Damn you all. I was already depressed and now I’m sitting at my computer teary-eyed. ☹ ---
**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 4, 2005, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/98 "2005-11-04T17:54:47Z")
Yet Another Nomination: Joni Mitchell, “Harry’s House / Centerpiece” from _The Hissing of Summer Lawns_. Actually the whole album has teeth in it to pull you down a bit, but this is pretty much the culminating track. ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_Bowe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df788c/32.png) [@Doug\_Bowe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_Bowe)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/99 "2005-11-04T17:58:54Z")
> [@bradministrator](#): > > …has there been a more frank look at suicide in the Top 40? Depends on how far you want to go back. If you travel to 1941 you’ll bump into “Gloomy Sunday” performed by Billie Holliday. Here’s just a portion: _Sunday is gloomy With shadows I spend it all My heart and I have decided To end it all Soon there’ll be flowers and prayers That are said I know But let them not weep Let them know That I’m glad to go Death is no dream For in death I’m caressing you With the last breath of my soul I’ll be blessing you Gloomy Sunday_ The writer, Rezso Seress, jumped to his death in 1968 ---
**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2005, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296/100 "2005-11-04T18:46:18Z")
Pansy Division’s _Denny_ is the most depressing song I have ever heard. I changed the genre and artist in itunes just so it won’t get accidentally played. It depresses and angers me to the point is is difficult to do anything but stew quietly, so I just don’t think about it, if I can help it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-pop-or-rock-song-ever/329296.md?page=6)