# Recommend me some sad songs, with lyrics. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 6, 2006, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-sad-songs-with-lyrics/355629 "2006-05-06T01:26:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![stargazer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb8c5e/32.png) [@stargazer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stargazer)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2006, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-sad-songs-with-lyrics/355629/81 "2006-05-22T04:27:56Z")
[QUOTE=Jahdra] Alison Krause has the most haunting voice; I think she could make the phone book sound like a dirge. [/QUOTE] Alison Krauss is my favorite singer – I came in here to add her song [“Ghost in This House”](http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/alisonkrauss/ghostinthishouse.html) to the list: I’m just a ghost in this house. I’m just a shadow upon these walls, I’m living proof of the damage heartbreak does. I’m just a whisper of smoke I’m all that’s left of two hearts on fire That once burned out of control You took my body and soul I’m just a ghost in this house. Just _sad._ ---
**Author:** ![Madwoman\_in\_the\_Annexe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/94ad74/32.png) [@Madwoman\_in\_the\_Annexe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Madwoman_in_the_Annexe)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2006, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-sad-songs-with-lyrics/355629/82 "2006-05-22T11:32:26Z")
[QUOTE=WishIHadACoolName] \*\*Keep me in your Heart for a while \*\* by Warren Zevon. It might possibly be the one song guaranteed to make me cry. He wrote it knowing he was dying. Hurts even more right now, as my sister was just widowed recently. [/QUOTE] Mr Zevon was hardly a ray of sunshine while healthy, either. Case in point, perhaps, being such beautiful songs as **Carmelita**. Tom Waits is another one of those. I saw ‘Broken Bicycles’ mentioned, but for even more soul-killing power, there is: **House Where Nobody Lives** , which puzzles over a derelict house. ‘Did someone’s heart break? Did someone do somebody wrong?’ **Georgia Lee** , a murdered girl who is found in the woods. ‘Lonesome was the place where Georgia was found She’s too young to be out On the street.’ **Hold On** also sparks some tears. ---
**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:** [May 22, 2006, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-sad-songs-with-lyrics/355629/83 "2006-05-22T14:10:45Z")
[He Stopped Loving Her Today](http://trash.candysweet.com/fibbers/lyrics/hestopped.html) ---
**Author:** ![SkeptiJess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@SkeptiJess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkeptiJess)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-sad-songs-with-lyrics/355629/84 "2006-05-24T02:27:03Z")
Ooh, I’d forgotten that one, **Annie-Xmas**. Just reading the lyrics, I could ‘hear’ George’s voice and I was all over goosebumps… One of the greatest hurtin’ songs of all time! ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-sad-songs-with-lyrics/355629/85 "2006-05-24T13:48:24Z")
DARCY FARROW By Steve Gillette and Tom Campbell. Best known recording of it was by John Denver. _But her pony did stumble and she did fall Her dyin’ touched the hearts of us one and all Young Vandy in his pain put a bullet through his brain And we buried them together as the snows began to fall_ ---
**Author:** ![Sophistry\_and\_Illusion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Sophistry\_and\_Illusion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sophistry_and_Illusion)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-sad-songs-with-lyrics/355629/86 "2006-05-24T14:13:35Z")
Being the fan of traditional Appalachian and bluegrass music, I would have to recommend [Body and Soul](http://www.bluegrasslyrics.com/all_song.cfm-recordID=s28381.htm) _Tomorrow as the sun sinks low The shadows will cover her face As her last sun goes down, she’s laid beneath the ground And my teardrops are falling like rain_ There are others but I’ll post them later. ---
**Author:** ![zoogirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b9bd4f/32.png) [@zoogirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoogirl)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-sad-songs-with-lyrics/355629/87 "2006-05-25T03:53:14Z")
OOh, I’ve just remembered another one. It’s called “Die For You” and it’s off the album _Hey Stoopid_, by Alice Cooper, of course. Man, it’s hurtin… A sample - - A thousand hours on my own My softest pillow turns as hard as stone This is the longest night on my own Lyin’ here thinking of you.\* Full lyrics here, [http://sickthingsuk.co.uk/lyrics/hs.php#10](http://sickthingsuk.co.uk/lyrics/hs.php#10) ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-sad-songs-with-lyrics/355629/88 "2006-05-25T07:02:31Z")
The sucky part is I know there are tons of songs but I can’t remember most of them right now Thru the eyes of Ruby - smashing pumpkins The Kids aren’t alright - Offspring suicide is painless - Johnny Mandel Local H - Bound for the floor Last edited by C K Dexter Haven : 05-25-2006 at 11:55 AM. Reason: Mom asked me to and if I don’t obey she’ll make me kill the woman staying in our motel – CKDH ---
**Author:** ![Declan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Declan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Declan)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-sad-songs-with-lyrics/355629/89 "2006-05-25T07:19:25Z")
[QUOTE=Speaker for the Dead] Naturally, I thank you all ahead of time for your suggestions. [/QUOTE] Not sure if its a remake, but November Rain by Guns N Roses. Declan ---
**Author:** ![Engineer\_Dude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9fc29f/32.png) [@Engineer\_Dude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Engineer_Dude)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-sad-songs-with-lyrics/355629/90 "2006-05-25T11:58:35Z")
Billy Joel - [And So It Goes](http://www.oldielyrics.com/lyrics/billy_joel/and_so_it_goes.html) > [@](#): > > And every time I’ve held a rose > It seems I only felt the thorns > And so it goes, and so it goes > And so will you soon I suppose The Who - [I’m One](http://www.oldielyrics.com/lyrics/the_who/im_one.html) > [@](#): > > Every year is the same > And I feel it again > I’m a loser - no chance to win > Leaves start falling > Come down is calling > Loneliness starts sinking in Pete Townshend - [Empty Glass](http://www.oldielyrics.com/lyrics/pete_townshend/empty_glass.html) > [@](#): > > Don’t worry, smile and dance > You just can’t work life out > Don’t let down moods entrance you > Take the wine and shout > > My life’s a mess, I wait for you to pass > I stand here at the bar, I hold an empty glass ---
**Author:** ![One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/838e76/32.png) [@One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/One_And_Only_Wanderers)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-sad-songs-with-lyrics/355629/91 "2006-05-25T12:05:14Z")
Gilbert O’ Sullivan “Alone Again, Naturally” > [@](#): > > In a little while from now > if im 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 > in an effort to, make it clear to who- > ever what it’s like when you’re shattered > left standing in the lurch at a church where people saying > my God that’s tough she stood him up, no point in us remaining > may as well go home, 'cos I did on my own > Alone again, naturally following verses have more of the same ---
**Author:** ![One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/838e76/32.png) [@One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/One_And_Only_Wanderers)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-sad-songs-with-lyrics/355629/92 "2006-05-25T12:15:59Z")
Just thought of another Eddi Reader “Dear John” She has a good voice for a sad song too as a bonus > [@](#): > > Oh dear John, I hate to be the one to break the news, > but it’s concerning me and you. > This is the letter no-one ever wants to write, > i know you might not believe me, but it’s the hardest thing i’ve ever done… ---
**Author:** ![Future\_Londonite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9dc877/32.png) [@Future\_Londonite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Future_Londonite)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-sad-songs-with-lyrics/355629/93 "2006-05-25T13:00:36Z")
The before mention **Lover, you should have come over** by Jeff Buckley and **Hurt** (both versions). I’ll throw in **Rabbit in your headlights** on U.N.K.L.E’s Psyence Fiction sung by Thom Yorke of radiohead fame… here a some snippets; Im a rabbit in your headlights Scared of the spotlight You dont come to visit … … If youre frightened of dyin and youre holding on… Youll see devils tearing your life away. It’s the combination of the lyrics and the simple piano accompanying it ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-sad-songs-with-lyrics/355629/94 "2006-05-25T14:58:38Z")
How about The SMiths" most well known song [How Soon Is Now](http://www.leoslyrics.com/listlyrics.php?hid=K9dXhfYLsvw%3D): 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 ---
**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:** [May 25, 2006, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-sad-songs-with-lyrics/355629/95 "2006-05-25T15:04:05Z")
There’s also Rush’s [“Losing It”:](http://www.songmeanings.net/lyric.php?lid=3458764513820550898) The writer stare with glassy eyes – Defies the empty page His beard is white, his face is lined And streaked with tears of rage. Thirty years ago, how the words would flow With passion and precision, But now his mind is dark and dulled By sickness and indecision And he stares out the kitchen door Where the sun will rise no more… ---
**Author:** ![mrklutz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ebca7d/32.png) [@mrklutz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mrklutz)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-sad-songs-with-lyrics/355629/96 "2006-05-25T15:57:05Z")
Lorena McKennit does a wonderful version of Alfred Noyes’ poem [“The Highwayman”](http://www.cs.rice.edu/~ssiyer/minstrels/poems/13.html), although I don’t recall if she uses the poem verbatim or adapts it. _Blood-red were his spurs in the golden noon, wine-red was his velvet coat When they shot him down in the highway, Down like a dog in the highway, And he lay in his blood in the highway, with the bunch of lace at his throat._ Cowboy Junkies are great for sad stuff. [“Mining for Gold”](http://www.lyricstime.com/cowboy-junkies-mining-for-gold-lyrics.html), an a capella rendition of a traditional mining song, may be the best of the bunch for me: _Two years and the silicosis takes hold and I feel like I’m dying from mining for gold_ And then there’s [“All Dead, All Dead”](http://www.sing365.com/music/Lyric.nsf/All-Dead-All-Dead-lyrics-Queen/8D7540BE0EA4750F482568940001EB97) by Queen: _All dead all dead And alone I’m spared My sweeter half instead All dead and gone_ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-sad-songs-with-lyrics/355629.md?page=4)