# Most Depressing Song **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 25, 2008, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-song/435014 "2008-01-25T21:01:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![well\_he\_s\_back](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/3ab097/32.png) [@well\_he\_s\_back](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/well_he_s_back)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2008, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-song/435014/121 "2008-01-28T21:15:09Z")
Zsofia - You’re so right - “And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda” is definitely great, and depressing. I think it has been mentioned upthread (but I’ve lost track). Don’t know if another of Eric Bogle’s great songs has been mentioned, “The Green Fields of France”, which has this verse, which slays me: “And I can’t help but wonder young Willie McBride Do all who lie here with you know why they died Did you really believe it when they told you the cause Did you honestly think that one war would end wars Well your suffering, your sorrow, your glory, your shame Your killing, your dying, it was all done in vain… 'Cos young Willie McBride it all happened again, and again, and again, and again and again.” just reading that… ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2008, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-song/435014/122 "2008-01-28T21:32:59Z")
[QUOTE=phungi] Yes, I am a Smiths fan, and while the jingly-jangly melodies of Johnny Marr can be quite uplifting, the lyrics are downright depressing (_iiiiiin my liiiife, why do I give valuable time, to people who don’t care if I, liiive or I diiiiieee_)… however, they never depress me and also have that paradoxical effect. [/QUOTE] Smiths fan here too and their lyrics are absolutely depressing juxtaposed with the upbeat music. Overall depressing? Not sure…they tend to make me introspective though. Have to nominate [There’s a Light That Never Goes Out](http://youtube.com/watch?v=INgXzChwipY) (lyrics below) _Take me out tonight Where there’s music and there’s people And they’re young and alive Driving in your car I never never want to go home Because I haven’t got one Anymore_ ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2008, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-song/435014/123 "2008-01-28T23:30:53Z")
[QUOTE=koeeoaddi] **And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda** , by Eric Bogle (or whatever version you like) [/QUOTE] Yes, very sad indeed. I like the version by [Priscilla Herdman](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kki1kpFCBh0). Ties into one of the saddest movies-- _Gallipoli_. The title song to the album on which you’ll find this is also sad (but very god): _The Water Lily_. A woman dreams about her dead daughter, who asks her to step out onto the water lilies-- once she does, though, she falls through the lilies into the water and wakes up. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2008, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-song/435014/124 "2008-01-28T23:35:04Z")
If this hasn’t been mentioned yet, it should be: [Hello in There](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSufO2FlpAQ&feature=related), by John Prine. ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-song/435014/125 "2008-01-29T03:45:00Z")
I’ve edited a few posts to avoid any copyright violations. Please remember to only post a few lines of a song or other work of art (usually a short stanza in the case of a song or poem) and link to the rest. ---
**Author:** ![Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d9b06d/32.png) [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boozahol_Squid_P.I)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-song/435014/126 "2008-01-29T03:52:16Z")
Moxy Fruvous’ The Drinking Song. It’s a tribute song to a buddy of the band who died of alcohol poisoning… gives me shivers just remembering the refrain. ---
**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:** [January 29, 2008, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-song/435014/127 "2008-01-29T04:17:01Z")
[QUOTE=Whack-a-Mole] Smiths fan here too and their lyrics are absolutely depressing juxtaposed with the upbeat music. Overall depressing? Not sure…they tend to make me introspective though. Have to nominate [There’s a Light That Never Goes Out](http://youtube.com/watch?v=INgXzChwipY) (lyrics below) [/QUOTE] You left out the real kicker: _And if a ten-ton truck Kills the both of us To die by your side Well, the pleasure - the privilege is mine_ ---
**Author:** ![Windwalker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/5e9695/32.png) [@Windwalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Windwalker)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-song/435014/128 "2008-01-29T04:36:11Z")
_Fake Plastic Trees_, by **Radiohead** A hauntingly dismal (yet beautiful) existential lament. ---
**Author:** ![Satellite\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Satellite\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Satellite_Guy)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-song/435014/129 "2008-01-29T04:58:50Z")
[QUOTE=Diomedes] Moxy Fruvous’ The Drinking Song. It’s a tribute song to a buddy of the band who died of alcohol poisoning… gives me shivers just remembering the refrain. [/QUOTE] I saw them in concert, when they opened for Jann Arden’s first tour (early 90’s, iirc). I actually asked them if they wrote the song about a friend they lost, and they said it was just fictional… I’d told them that they seemed to put alot of emotion into the song, is why I thought it was a true story. Maybe they said that to avoid some awkwardness, though… S^G ---
**Author:** ![Paragod22510](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b5ac83/32.png) [@Paragod22510](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paragod22510)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-song/435014/130 "2008-01-29T05:42:09Z")
Amazing Grace played on Bagpipes… ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-song/435014/131 "2008-01-29T11:43:17Z")
**AHunter3** , I spent a lot of the Spring of 1969 listening to that particular Blood Sweat and Tears album. You are right about the Satie piece. But it can be very calming too. It is used as the background music for _My Dinner with Andre_. And the Simon and Garfunkle piece that has the words “A time of innocence…a time of confidences…” We are talking about the same piece. It is so delicate and quiet. I liked it so much that when I used to record from vinyl to cassette, I would end each tape with that little piece. Given all of this, I think you would also find “The Aquarium” from _Carnival of the Animals_ to be a short sadness and catharsis. Finally, the song 'Oh, Shenandoah" seems to connect to me. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-song/435014/132 "2008-01-29T12:04:06Z")
Pearl Jam’s “Better Man”. About a woman who stays in a relationship that she doesn’t like, but she doesn’t think she can find anyone better. It’s very mournful in tone and just sounds like the death of hope. > [@](#): > > As he opens the door, she rolls over > Pretends to sleep as he looks her over > She lies and says shes in love with him, can’t find a better man ---
**Author:** ![JohnGalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johngalt/32/184_2.png) [@JohnGalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnGalt)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-song/435014/133 "2008-01-29T14:43:33Z")
Doesn’t anyone find _Don’t Fear the Reaper_ really sad? It must be the cowbell… ---
**Author:** ![well\_he\_s\_back](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/3ab097/32.png) [@well\_he\_s\_back](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/well_he_s_back)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-song/435014/134 "2008-01-29T15:50:47Z")
I love “Don’t Fear the Reaper”; just don’t find it real depressing. “Dust in the Wind” I find real depressing. ---
**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-song/435014/135 "2008-01-29T16:08:56Z")
“Walk Away Renee” by Left Banke. “Never Gonna Fall in Love Again” by Eric Carmen. The only thing depressing about James Blunt is the fact that somebody with so little talent can be so successful. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-song/435014/136 "2008-01-29T16:11:14Z")
Although it is hopeful, in some ways, as well as sad, I think [Into the West](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24fGmWG6kpg) by Annie Lennox (as the closing song to _The Return of the King_) deserves a spot on the list. ---
**Author:** ![supervenusfreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@supervenusfreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/supervenusfreak)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-song/435014/137 "2008-01-29T16:23:58Z")
The very first song that came to my mind was [Kate Bush - This Woman’s Work](http://youtube.com/watch?v=Hm901CXujEg). Even thinking about this song makes me tear up. It’s about a young wife dying, and the laments of her grieving husband. It gets to me every time… ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-song/435014/138 "2008-01-29T16:53:44Z")
[QUOTE=John Mace] If this hasn’t been mentioned yet, it should be: [Hello in There](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSufO2FlpAQ&feature=related), by John Prine. [/QUOTE] That’s a good choice. I’m going to go with another Eric Bogle classic: [My Youngest Son Came Home Today](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDLZ55y5n7U) I prefer the Billy Bragg version, but I couldn’t find it on YouTube. Here’s a lyric sample: _My youngest son came home today His friends marched with him all the way The fife and drum beat out the time While in his box of polished pine Like dead meat on a butchers tray My youngest son same home today_ ---
**Author:** ![Ro\_Carter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7feea3/32.png) [@Ro\_Carter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ro_Carter)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-song/435014/139 "2008-01-29T19:32:26Z")
My vote goes to [Gollum’s Song](http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/thelordoftheringsthetwotowers/gollumssong.htm) from the end of _The Two Towers_ . My word, talk about sucking all the hope out of you. Sample lyric: These tears we cry Are falling rain For all the lies you told us The hurt, the blame! And we will weep to be so alone We are lost We can never go home ---
**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:** [January 29, 2008, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-song/435014/140 "2008-01-29T20:54:22Z")
This thread pops up every now and then, and I always post the same two songs (among others). I see someone has already beaten me to Assemblage 23’s 30KFT, but the other one is Alan Parsons’ “Oh Life (There Must Be More)”. A sample: Morning breaks She’s not there Who could ever find her? Who would even care? No one heard No one came No angel of mercy Appears to know her name Where is hope When words fail All the colours running Inside when life turns pale It’s a song about a woman preparing to commit suicide. Depressing, but beautiful. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-song/435014.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-depressing-song/435014.md?page=8)