“Gloomy Sunday” (originally a Hungarian poem, I think) as covered by Diamanda Galas is 1000 times more depressing than by Portishead. Ditto for her cover of “My World Is Empty Without You”.
Hide and Seek by Imogen Heap and All Is Full of Love by Björk both leave me feeling very empty. Ditto for Poor Leno and What Else Is There? by Röyksopp.
And I think Heather Nova’s version of Gloomy Sunday is the saddest sounding one I’ve heard.
Ah, I see I’m the first this time around to mention “Willie McBride (No Man’s Land)”, most famously done by the Pogues.
Also, a number called “Kilkelly, Ireland”, a collection of letters from the family back in Ireland to an emmigrant to the New World, repeatedly asking him when he’s going to come home.
“Something I Can Never Have” - NIN
“Lying Eyes” - The Eagles
“I Know You’re Married” - Patty Loveless, tons of other country/bluegrass performers
“Every Rose Has its Thorn” - Poison
“Hurt” - NIN, Johnny Cash
“My Immortal” - Evanescence
“Whiskey Lullaby” - Brad Paisley & Alison Krauss
Picture by Sheryl Crow an Kid Rock. I love the song but it is a real downer.
(kid rock) livin my life in a slow hell
Different girl every night at the hotel
I aint seen the sun shine in 3 damn days
Been fuelin up on cocaine and whisky
Wish I had a good girl to miss me
Lord I wonder if Ill ever change my ways
I put your picture away
Sat down and cried the day
I cant look at you, Im lyin next to her
I put your picture away, sat down and cried today
I cant look at you Im lyin next to her
Gloomy Sunday, a.k.a. The Hungarian Suicide Song has been covered by dozens of artists since it was first recorded in 1933. The original composer did, indeed, live up to the name of his most famous creation by jumping from his apartment window to a premature death.