# 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:** 6
**Author:** ![desdinova](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8baadc/32.png) [@desdinova](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/desdinova)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2002, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/102 "2002-04-30T18:21:18Z")
What, no votes for anything by **Marillion**? Sugar Mice, or most of the Misplaced Childhood or Afraid of Sunlight albums, always get me all choked up… ---
**Author:** ![Lady\_Venom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9fc348/32.png) [@Lady\_Venom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lady_Venom)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2002, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/103 "2002-04-30T18:28:28Z")
Another vote here for Tears in Heaven - Eric Clapton It was popular shortly after my mom died unexpectedly. I still cry when I hear it. Another one is The Living Years “I wasn’t there that morning When my Father passed away I didn’t get to tell him All the things I had to say” ---
**Author:** ![Lady\_Venom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9fc348/32.png) [@Lady\_Venom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lady_Venom)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2002, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/104 "2002-04-30T18:30:40Z")
Another vote here for Tears in Heaven - Eric Clapton It was popular shortly after my mom died unexpectedly. I still cry when I hear it. Another one is The Living Years - Mike & The Mechanics “I wasn’t there that morning When my Father passed away I didn’t get to tell him All the things I had to say” ---
**Author:** ![The\_Great\_Zamboni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@The\_Great\_Zamboni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Great_Zamboni)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2002, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/105 "2002-04-30T21:47:56Z")
First of all, when people mention Pink Floyd they think all of their songs were sad or depressing. Most of The Wall was, but the rest of their albums, especially the early ones, were either upbeat or psychadelic. Get it right. My list: Don’t Leave Me Now: Pink Floyd Goodbye Blue Sky: Pink Floyd Tears From Heaven: Eric Clapton King of Pain: The Police Bloody Sunday: U2 I’m So lonesome I Could Cry: Hank Williams Cat’s in the Cradle: Harry Chapin (I didn’t know who it was until this thread) ---
**Author:** ![scott\_evil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@scott\_evil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scott_evil)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2002, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/106 "2002-04-30T21:56:20Z")
Three by Kate Bush: Moments of Pleasure (from “The Red Shoes,” 1993). It’s about all of the people she’s lost in her life. Lyrics a bit cryptic and full of references only die-hard fans would get. This Woman’s Work (from “The Sensual World,” 1989). It’s (kind of) about a man in a hospital waiting room while his wife is going through potentially deadly labour. The video is fantastic. Under the Ivy (only released as a B-side, circa 1985). It’s about retreating to your secret place. Those three always get to me. - s.e. ---
**Author:** ![zev\_steinhardt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/97f17d/32.png) [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2002, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/107 "2002-04-30T22:03:56Z")
Maybe not the saddest of all time, but Another Auld Lang Syne by Dan Fogelberg is pretty sad. Zev Steinhardt ---
**Author:** ![G.Nome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c89c15/32.png) [@G.Nome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/G.Nome)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2002, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/108 "2002-04-30T23:52:50Z")
**Millworker** by **James Taylor** (from the Flag album). “So may I work the mills as long as I am able and never meet the man whose name is on the label.” I know someone said once that our saddest songs are set to the sweetest melodies. Could have been Shakespeare, I don’t know. There’s a difference though, I would have thought between lyrics being sad and being exhortations to suicide. Dust in the Wind is very pretty but what do they mean by this: [Now] Don’t hang on, nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky It slips away, and all your money won’t another minute buy ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2002, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/109 "2002-05-01T01:29:45Z")
How about Lynyrd Skyryd: “Was I Right or Wrong” ---
**Author:** ![bobkitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c67d28/32.png) [@bobkitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobkitty)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2002, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/110 "2002-05-01T01:51:04Z")
Coming back with a few more suggestions… James Taylor has one that brought me to tears even before I heard the story behind it… “You can close your eyes.” Mr. Kitty was going to sing it to me at our wedding, but he had terrible laryngitis that day. Loreena McKennit’s **The Highwayman**. OOOooog. And I can’t believe I forgot **Dust in the wind**. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Sarcasticus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@Mr.Sarcasticus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Sarcasticus)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2002, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/111 "2002-05-01T02:17:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Flymaster \* > \*\*The saddest song ever written is “Cat’s in the cradle” by Harry Chapin. > > I will _NOT_ argue about this. \*\* I don’t suppose you’ll find the rendition of it performed at this site funny, then: [http://www.eugenemirman.com/](http://www.eugenemirman.com/) You can always count on a couple of very depressing songs on any Chapin album. Some that haven’t been mentioned yet: Mercenaries They Call Her Easy Sniper The Mayor of Candor Lied Woman Child ---
**Author:** ![Qwertyasdfg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/ecc23a/32.png) [@Qwertyasdfg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qwertyasdfg)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2002, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/112 "2002-05-01T02:26:42Z")
My cousin thinks that “Moonlight Sonata” by Beehthoven is sad. I think it just sounds like waiting. ---
**Author:** ![Jurhael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/cab0a1/32.png) [@Jurhael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jurhael)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2002, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/113 "2002-05-01T02:28:06Z")
Dante’s Prayer–Loreena Mckennit Makes me cry…☹ ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2002, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/114 "2002-05-01T02:44:13Z")
Two more votes for “Cat’s in the Cradle” and “Tears in Heaven” I remember that TIH was sung at the memorial service held one week after the Oklahoma city bombing. One young mother, sitting on the front row of mourners, had lost two little boys and clutched their pictures, along with two teddybears, in her lap. When that song was sung the camera passed by her and you could not see her face. She was doubled over into her lap, with long reddish hair hanging down like a waterfall past her knees. That was when I started crying. ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2002, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/115 "2002-05-01T02:51:52Z")
> [@](#): > > **Originally Posted by Jurhael** > \*Dante’s Prayer–Loreena Mckennit > > Makes me cry…\* Damn, Jurhael, you and I are on the same wavelength! First we have a mutual love of **VNV Nation** , then we run into each other on AudioGalaxy, and now this! That song is amazing! In fact, the whole cd _Book of Secrets_ is one of my all-time favorites. Colin ---
**Author:** ![Rysdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2002, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/116 "2002-05-01T02:54:33Z")
A couple of clips: From _Angels in Waiting_ by Tammy Cochran (written about her little brothers’ deaths): They always knew they’d never grow old. Sometimes the body is weaker than the soul. In their darkest hour, I made a promise I will always keep: I’ll give them life; I’ll let them live through me. And, _If You Get There Before I Do_ by Collin Raye: If you get there before I do, don’t give up on me. I’ll meet you when my chores are through; I don’t know how long I’ll be. But I’m not gonna let you down, darling wait and see. And between now and then, till I see you again, I’ll be loving you. Love, me. (Words written by a young girl to her beau, and then re-stated by her husband of many, many years when she dies.) ---
**Author:** ![Kru-baby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/6bbea6/32.png) [@Kru-baby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kru-baby)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2002, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/117 "2002-05-01T03:04:07Z")
Across the Universe - Fiona Apple version Purple Rain - Tori Amos live version - actually a lot of her songs are pretty sad Pink Moon - Nick Drake - I dont even know what he is saying, but it makes me sad Midnight Train to GA - Gladys Knight and the Pips I have a bunch of songs that I “second” in this thread, but I dont feel like writing them out - I am tired. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2002, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/118 "2002-05-01T03:28:10Z")
**Rysdad** , I guess I never thought of _If You Get There Before I Do_ as a sad song. After all, although the old man misses his wife he _knows_ he will see her again. Sure, I leak a few tears at the song, but that’s because I wish that I could have had a love like theirs. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Scrivener](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@The\_Scrivener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Scrivener)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2002, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/119 "2002-05-01T04:26:41Z")
Alone Again Or – Love (but I much prefer The Damned’s cover) All By Myself – Eric Carmen/The Raspberries Seagulls Screaming Kiss Her, Kiss Her & All Of A Sudden (It’s Too Late) – XTC From A Window & Nothing Is Wrong – The dB’s Another vote here for “I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Bonnie Raitt, “Alone Again, Naturally” by Gilbert Sullivan, and “Another Olde Lang Syne” by Dan Fogelberg Time – Pink Floyd That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore – The Smiths A Simple Kind of Life [correct title?] – No Doubt Love Is Stronger Than Death & Slow Emotion Replay – The The (both off of **Dusk** ) The Whisperers & Soul Catcher – The The (from **NakedSelf** ) ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2002, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/120 "2002-05-01T05:00:58Z")
Keeping the Cowboy Junkies banner aloft, I cast my vote for _The Last Spike_. Also, Liz Phair’s _Go on Ahead_. ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2002, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/121 "2002-05-01T05:26:02Z")
Another vote here for the following: _Screaming Infidelities_- Dashboard Confessions _Sunday, Bloody Sunday_- U2 And more for the list that might have been mentioned already: _Stuck in a Moment_ - U2 It’s got that depressing feeling while still being a beautiful song. _Yesterday_- The Beatles - C’mon! Need I explain? _Overcome_- Live - The lead singer’s voice is so…hard to explain, but creepily sad. And the timing of the song’s release only added to it’s sadness. _Romeo and Juliet_- Dire Straights - The poor guy just wants the girl to love him! Is that so much to ask! (I started listening to this song a lot after my ex broke up with me last year.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024.md?page=7)