# What are the saddest songs you know? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 28, 2002, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024 "2002-04-28T00:09:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/1 "2002-04-28T00:09:05Z")
I don’t know if this has been covered recently, but I don’t remember seeing it, so here goes. In general, I can be a bit of depressed person, so there are certain times in my life where sad songs are the perfect (albeit probably not the healthiest) fit for me. Some of my favorites are: **VNV Nation** _Forsaken (vocal version)_ **VNV Nation** _Left Behind_ **Anything Box** _An Ending_ **Anything Box** _65 Million Miles_ **Portishead** _Roads_ **Mesh** _I Can’t Imagine How It Hurts_ **The Cure** _Letter To Elise_ **Nine Inch Nails** _A Warm Place_ **Lestat** _Vision of Sorrows_ **Erasure** _Spiralling (Orchestral Version)_ How about yours? Colin ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/2 "2002-04-28T00:40:56Z")
“Honey” - Bobby Goldsboro 😃 Seriously: “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” - Gordon Lightfoot (sad, cause it’s true) “The Streets of Baltimore” - Bobby Bare “Let It Be” - The Beatles (feels sad anyway) ---
**Author:** ![Flymaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c4cdca/32.png) [@Flymaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flymaster)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/3 "2002-04-28T01:13:23Z")
The saddest song ever written is “Cat’s in the cradle” by Harry Chapin. I will _NOT_ argue about this. ---
**Author:** ![kiz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7feea3/32.png) [@kiz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kiz)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/4 "2002-04-28T01:16:47Z")
My votes: 1. _At Seventeen_ - Janis Ian 2. _Alone Again Naturally_ - Gilbert O’Sullivan Both these songs used to send me into a torrent of tears 'way back when…☹ ---
**Author:** ![bytheway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/df705f/32.png) [@bytheway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bytheway)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/5 "2002-04-28T01:21:03Z")
“Tears In Heaven” by Eric Clapton - Written shortly after the death of his son Conor (who accidentally fell through an open window). Sample lyrics: _Would you know my name if I saw you in heaven?_ _Would it be the same if I saw you in heaven?_ _I must be strong and carry on,_ _'Cause I know I don’t belong here in heaven._ “I’m Going Home” by Hootie & the Blowfish - Off their first album, I believe the song is semi-autobiographical (the lead singer’s mom died when he was young). Sample lyrics: _Mama please don’t go_ _Won’t you stay here for one more day_ _I’ve been your boy for so long now_ _There’s so much I still have to say_ “Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)” by Elton John - Written after the murder of John Lennon. Sample lyrics: _And I’ve been knocking but no one answers_ _And I’ve been knocking most all the day_ _Oh and I’ve been calling oh hey hey Johnny_ _Can’t you come out to play_ ---
**Author:** ![syncrolecyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f08c70/32.png) [@syncrolecyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/syncrolecyne)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/6 "2002-04-28T01:23:06Z")
“Beautiful Boy” by John Lennon. How can you not cry when you hear the line: “I can hardly wait…to see you come of age”. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Hosayf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/2acd7d/32.png) [@Hosayf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hosayf)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/7 "2002-04-28T01:25:24Z")
“Morning Dew”- Originally written by Bonnie Dobson, but I can’t find her version any way so I’m going on the Grateful Dead/Allman Bros/Jeff Beck Group versions. “So Many Roads”- The Grateful Dead “To Lay me Down”- The Grateful Dead There are many more Dead songs, and other songs that I can’t think of at the moment, and I’m sure that’s enough Dead for everyone. You have to hear these songs to really feel the sadness especially Morning Dew. ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/8 "2002-04-28T01:26:11Z")
Sam Stone - John Prine Streets of London - Ralph McTell Joan of Arc - Leonard Cohen Come to think of it, just say most of Leonard Cohen’s work, and be done with it. ---
**Author:** ![neofishboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/neofishboy/32/444_2.png) [@neofishboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neofishboy)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/9 "2002-04-28T01:38:38Z")
“A Soldier’s Things” - Tom Waits When I was a wee little kid, The Beatles’ “She’s Leaving Home” was the saddest thing I had ever heard because I naturally assumed that the girl in the song was the same age as I (five or six). To me, it was a song about a little girl opening her door, going outside, getting lost and never coming home and her parents were soooo sad.☹ When I was twelve, I figured out what it was about. Tramp. Oh, and “Wildfire”. ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/10 "2002-04-28T01:54:31Z")
**She’s Leaving Home** , **Yesterday** , and **Two of Us** (I think it’s about Paul and John, though Paul insists it’s about him and Linda.) are the saddest Beatles songs. I agree about **Beautiful Boy** …it can be painful to listen to. Sting’s **Fragile** , **Fields of Gold** , and **I’m So Happy (I can’t stop crying)** depress me as well. ---
**Author:** ![Dragon\_Phoenix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@Dragon\_Phoenix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dragon_Phoenix)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/11 "2002-04-28T02:01:22Z")
I will plug **Cup of coffee** by Garbage once more on this board. It is a beautiful sad song about an ended love affair. I second the choice of Eric Clapton, even tough he did not write the lyrics himself, it is quite moving. ---
**Author:** ![clayton\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c57346/32.png) [@clayton\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clayton_e)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/12 "2002-04-28T02:05:13Z")
The song by P.O.D., “Youth of the Nation” I think is the title. ---
**Author:** ![PhiloVance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e19adc/32.png) [@PhiloVance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhiloVance)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/13 "2002-04-28T02:09:28Z")
Throw Mama from the Train. a Kiss, a Kiss (Patti Paige) Hang Down your head, Tom Dooley (Kingston Trio) ---
**Author:** ![Mogwei22](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@Mogwei22](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mogwei22)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/14 "2002-04-28T02:26:35Z")
_The Wrong Child_ - R.E.M. Come play with me I whispered to my new found friend Tell me what it’s like to go outside I’ve never been Tell me what it’s like to just go outside I’ve never been And I never will _Mad World_ - Gary Jules from **Donnie Darko** soundtrack IAll around me are familiar faces Worn out places, worn out faces Bright and early for their daily races Going nowhere, going nowhere And their tears are filling up their glasses No expression, no expression Hide my head I want to drown my sorrow No tommorow, no tommorow And I find it kind of funny I find it kind of sad The dreams in which I’m dying Are the best I’ve ever had ---
**Author:** ![Ankh\_Too](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3ab097/32.png) [@Ankh\_Too](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ankh_Too)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/15 "2002-04-28T03:04:08Z")
_Black Eyed Dog_ - **Nick Drake** It’s not even the lyrics, hell, there’s only ten line in the whole song. It’s the sound of Drake singing them. ---
**Author:** ![popokis5](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@popokis5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/popokis5)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/16 "2002-04-28T03:10:22Z")
Oldie moldies Seasons in the Sun-Terry Jacks Last Song-can’t remember but not Soundgarden even though the remake is really good Honey-Bobby Goldsborogh OK, OK, but at the time they were REALLY SAD lol Green Green Grass of Home- Tom Jones (reminds me of my Scottish dad) Tears in Heaven is probably the saddest one that has been around in a while- maybe they just dont get to me like they used to- ---
**Author:** ![popokis5](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@popokis5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/popokis5)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/17 "2002-04-28T03:13:57Z")
Oh, Oh, also Philadelphia- by the Bard, Bruce Springsteen-gotta get to anyone who has known someone of any kind of wasting disease, including cancer, aids, really anything that lingers— ---
**Author:** ![Ruby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/18 "2002-04-28T03:22:06Z")
And an oldie… **Teen Angel** guh-ross! ---
**Author:** ![DarkWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee59a6/32.png) [@DarkWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DarkWriter)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/19 "2002-04-28T03:25:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by cuate \* > \*\*“Beautiful Boy” by John Lennon. > > How can you not cry when you hear the line: > “I can hardly wait…to see you come of age”. > > ☹ \*\* _Starting Over_ also really gets to me. And although The Cardigans’ _Love Fool_ is an upbeat, peppy song, I find this line very sad: “I don’t care if you really care, as long as you don’t go.” Sheri ---
**Author:** ![Ersatz\_Shmoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee59a6/32.png) [@Ersatz\_Shmoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ersatz_Shmoe)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/20 "2002-04-28T03:36:18Z")
Damn, as soon as I get to the bottom of this thread, “Letter to Elise” comes on. I’ll definitely second that one. Also: Nine Inch Nails - “Something I Can Never Have” R.E.M. - “Try Not to Breathe” & “Nightswimming” Counting Crows - “Raining In Baltimore” Radiohead - “Exit Music (For a Film)” [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024.md?page=2)