# 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:** 4
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2002, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/62 "2002-04-29T00:00:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Farkle \* > \*\ ***Strange Fruit** Billie Holiday > > _Southern trees bear a strange fruit > Blood on the leaves and blood at the root > Black bodies swingin’ in the southern breeze > Strange fruit hangin’ from the poplar trees_ \*\* I think we have a winner here. It sounds so sad I don’t WANT to hear it. ---
**Author:** ![Nightime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Nightime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nightime)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2002, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/63 "2002-04-29T05:44:55Z")
Joy Division - _Heart and Soul_ Belly - _Low Red Moon_ Slint - _Good Morning, Captain_ Cat Power - _Colors and the Kids_ Jeff Buckley - _Nightmares by the Sea_ Big Star - _Holocaust_ Big Star - _Nightime_ Nina Simone - _Strange Fruit_ Chris Bell - _You and Your Sister_ These are all sad songs, but only three songs make my eyes water just thinking about them. These are: Nick Drake - _All My Trials_ (duet with Gabrielle Drake) Neutral Milk Hotel - _Two-Headed Boy Pt. 2_ Tim Buckley - _Song to the Siren_ ---
**Author:** ![ThesaurusRex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@ThesaurusRex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThesaurusRex)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2002, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/64 "2002-04-29T05:51:53Z")
Kate Bush: This Woman’s Work Natalie Merchant: Jezebel, River Phil Collins: Against All Odds Beatles: Long and Winding Road, All the Lonely People Celine Dion: My Heart Will Go On Elton John: Daniel ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2002, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/65 "2002-04-29T05:58:00Z")
What, nobody voted for Randy Newman’s “When She Loved Me,” from the **Toy Story 2** soundtrack? Damn depressing, _especially_ in the context of the movie… ---
**Author:** ![Joe\_Cool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecb155/32.png) [@Joe\_Cool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joe_Cool)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2002, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/66 "2002-04-29T07:29:34Z")
I second “Alone again, naturally” and “Cat’s in the cradle”. I also have to add: **How Will I Laugh Tomorrow When I Can’t Even Smile Today - Suicidal Tendencies** > [@](#): > > seems like no one cares at all– > search for personality and I look for things I cannot see > love and peace flash through my mind pain and hate is all I find > find no hope in nothing new and I never had a dream come true > lies and hate and agony through my eyes that’s all I see > > How will I laugh tomorrow, when I can’t even smile today? **Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me - The Smiths** Come on, it’s The Smiths, fer cryin’ out loud…do I really need to sample lyrics? **Who Am I? - The Samples** > [@](#): > > in a car on the freeway > broken down from some new form of gasoline > in the door she’s waiting > living up to every diamond in that ring > who am I to love you, who am I to care > > Another starry night is above us > For the last ten thousand years it’s been the same > in a moment’s notice > not a stone unturned that someone didn’t claim > who am I to be here, who am I to know > > who am I to love you, who am I to care **Misery - also by The Samples** > [@](#): > > Behind a window with no borders > I cry myself to sleep > And through these shades of mediocrity > I stand alone and weep > > And while the mirror reflection shows me > All the things that may pass me by > I choose to stand alone and wonder > If they will pass me before I die > > This misery leaves me lonely and it holds me in > This misery is a shell from which behind I grin > And when my feelings cut me down so deep inside > I run with my shield and hide ---
**Author:** ![Black\_Lizard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e480ec/32.png) [@Black\_Lizard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Black_Lizard)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2002, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/67 "2002-04-29T07:31:26Z")
These ones usually make me sad… Concrete Blonde - Tommorrow Wendy Radiohead - Exit Music (For A Film) Radiohead - How To Completly Dissappear Rolling Stones - Angie Sinead O’ Conner - Nothing Compares To You ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2002, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/68 "2002-04-29T07:54:22Z")
**Barbara Allen** (as performed by Art Garfunkel) \*All in the Merry month of May, When all the buds were swellin’ Sweet William on his deathbed lay For love of Barbara Allen He sent his servant into the town The place where she was dwellin’ “My master dear, has bid you come If your name be Barbara Allen.” So slowly, slowly, she got up And slowly she came to him And all ahe said as there he lay Was, “Young man I think you’re dyin’”\* And it doesn’t get any peppier from there. **The Sally Garden** (as written by Benjamin Britten) \*All down by the Sally Garden My love and I did meet. She passed the Sally Garden On little snow-white feet. She bid me take life easy As the leaves grown on the tree. But I, being young and foolish, With her did not agree. In a field by the river My love and I did stand And on my weary shoulder She placed her show-white hand. She bid me take love easy As the grass grown on the weirs. But I was young and foolish And now am full of tears.\* ---
**Author:** ![aschrott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/aca169/32.png) [@aschrott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aschrott)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2002, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/69 "2002-04-29T12:14:19Z")
Don McLean’s ‘Vincent’ gets my vote. “Starry, starry night… …you took you life as lovers often do, but I could have told you Vincent, this world was never meant for one as beautiful as you…” ---
**Author:** ![civilize](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@civilize](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/civilize)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2002, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/70 "2002-04-29T13:11:54Z")
_The Saddest Thing_ by Melanie Safka brings tears to one’s eyes.☹ ---
**Author:** ![Legomancer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/779978/32.png) [@Legomancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Legomancer)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2002, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/71 "2002-04-29T13:15:48Z")
The Smiths are usually too over the top to be genuinely sad - I used to listen to them to cheer me up because it’s so funny after a while. But there are times when they seem serious, and it starts to work. The ones that I find saddest are Asleep Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want This Night Has Opened My Eyes ---
**Author:** ![minty\_green](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@minty\_green](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minty_green)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2002, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/72 "2002-04-29T13:37:05Z")
“North Dakota” by Lyle Lovett. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![lurkernomore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@lurkernomore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lurkernomore)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2002, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/73 "2002-04-29T15:56:08Z")
2 that hit way too close to home: \*\* Meatloaf - 2 out of 3 Ain’t bad \*\* - he’s emotionally scarred, and can’t give of himself any more, and probably never will. \*\* I am a Rock - Simon and Garfunkel (?) \*\* - I have no need of friendship, friendship causes pain… A rock feels no pain, and an island never cries . He’s isolated. Avoids pain by avoiding contact. ---
**Author:** ![Judith\_Prietht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b19c9b/32.png) [@Judith\_Prietht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Judith_Prietht)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2002, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/74 "2002-04-29T16:11:57Z")
I’ll go ahead and second U2’s **Running to Stand Still**. Also: **Atmosphere** : Joy Division **Pale Blue Eyes** : Lou Reed/Velvet Underground **Spiritual** : Johnny Cash **Fool To Cry** : Rolling Stones **Angel** : The Eurythmics **You Better Be Home Soon** : Crowded House **Never Tear Us Apart** : INXS ---
**Author:** ![Amidar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/48db29/32.png) [@Amidar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amidar)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2002, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/75 "2002-04-29T16:38:15Z")
I must put in a mention for **Richard Thompson** , who has written perhaps the two most depressing songs ever. **Withered and Died** is a heartbreaking waltz sung by his wife Linda, and features the uplifting chorus “My dreams have withered and died.” By far sadder, however, is **End of the Rainbow**. This has the disctinction of being the single saddest song I have ever heard, by anyone. Here are some of the lyrics, set to a minor dirge: I feel for you, you little horror Safe at your mother’s breast No lucky break for you around the corner 'Cause your father is a bully And he thinks that you’re a pest And your sister she’s no better than a whore. Life seems so rosy in the cradle, But I’ll be a 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 anymore … Your mother works so hard to make you happy But take a look outside your nursery door There’s nothing at the end of the rainbow. There’s nothing to grow up for anymore All the sad and empty faces That pass you in the street All running in their sleep, all in a dream Every loving handshake Is just another man to beat How your heart aches just to cut hiom to the core … Yeesh. Incidentally, **Elvis Costello** has covered both of these songs, and done a pretty good job. But Thompson’s versions are crushing. ---
**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:** [April 29, 2002, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/76 "2002-04-29T18:33:13Z")
Beth Nielsen Chapman’s “Sand and Water” from the album of the same name. Actually the whole album, but particularly that song. ---
**Author:** ![Eran](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Eran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eran)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2002, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/77 "2002-04-29T18:55:09Z")
“Smoke” by Ben Folds Five “One” by Metallica (especially the intro to the orchestral version) ---
**Author:** ![Maci](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@Maci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maci)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2002, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/78 "2002-04-29T19:32:32Z")
“See How We Are” - X “Joey” - Concrete Blonde “Who Knows Where the Time Goes” - Sandy Denny “Behind Blue Eyes” - The Who “A Sort of a Homecoming” - U2 “Linger” - The Cranberries “A Rainy Night in Soho” - The Pogues “Allison” - Elvis Costello “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” - Elvis “Wish You Were Here” - Pink Floyd ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Bee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Larry\_Bee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Bee)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2002, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/79 "2002-04-29T19:40:45Z")
**Fleetwood Mac:** Man of the World **Tom Waits:** Kentucky Avenue **Loudon Wainwright:** Five Years Old **The Pogues:** Fairytail Of New York Are some that spring to mind. ---
**Author:** ![AtomicDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ac91a4/32.png) [@AtomicDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AtomicDog)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2002, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/80 "2002-04-29T19:55:53Z")
“Way Back Home” - Junior Walker And The All Stars I was driving home one rainy night listening to a JW CD and when that song came on I got to thinking about my Mom (rest her soul) and my childhood in the South; and I just lost it. I haven’t been able to listen to that song since. ---
**Author:** ![Sauron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@Sauron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sauron)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2002, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/81 "2002-04-29T19:56:20Z")
Seconding (thirding?) Harry Chapin’s _Cat’s in the Cradle_. And adding a few more from Mr. Chapin: _Taxi WOLD A Better Place to Be_ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024.md?page=5)