# 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:** 9
**Author:** ![non-native](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bc8723/32.png) [@non-native](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/non-native)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2002, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/162 "2002-05-09T00:07:53Z")
\*Radiohead - How to Disappear Completely \* I read in an interview that it was about a dream… But I always interpreted it differently. A part of the song goes “that there, that’s not me” and the chorus goes “I’m not here, this isn’t happening” which i could almost relate to when i was really depressed. \*Godspeed You Black Emperor! - Moya \* Its instrumental. I just like it. ---
**Author:** ![epolo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b487fb/32.png) [@epolo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epolo)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2002, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/163 "2002-05-10T16:00:37Z")
I can’t believe I read through four pages of this thread and noone mentioned Bob Dylan - _The Ballad of Hollis Brown_ > [@](#): > > Your grass it is turning black > There’s no water in your well > Your grass is turning black > There’s no water in your well > You spent your last lone dollar > On seven shotgun shells > … > There’s seven people dead > On a South Dakota farm > There’s seven people dead > On a South Dakota farm > Somewhere in the distance > There’s seven new people born Bob Dylan - _North Country Blues_ > [@](#): > > The summer is gone, > The ground’s turning cold, > The stores one by one they’re a-foldin’. > My children will go > As soon as they grow. > Well, there ain’t nothing here now to hold them. Or any of the other songs on The Times They Are A-Changin’ (which includes _Boots of Spanish Leather_, possibly my favorite song ever and a pretty damn depressing one too) Or how about The Beatles - _For No One_ > [@](#): > > Your day breaks, your mind aches > There will be time when all the things she said will fill your head > You won’t forget her > > And in her eyes you see nothing > No sign of love behind the tears > Cried for no one > A love that should have lasted years! ---
**Author:** ![jaytini2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@jaytini2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaytini2)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2002, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/164 "2002-05-10T17:03:05Z")
If i WANT to be depressed i listen to… “Missing you” from the Romeo and Juliette Soundtrack by Des’ree “Seprate Lives” by Phill Collins (cheesy but oh well) “I Don’t Have the Heart to Love you” i forget who it was by…jeffrey someone “December” by Expose (again…sorry for the cheese) and the song from Ally McBeal, sung by Josh Groban for the girl he wanted to bring to the Prom…his voice makes me so sad during that song… and finally (for now) Karen Carpenter’s voice on “Superstar” makes me weep, and the end notes of the song are the saddest things ever…and i think it is all because of VH-1’s 100 greatest women of rock and roll…they ended her segment with that song, and i get teary everytime i hear it. ☹ ☹ ☹ ---
**Author:** ![dbygawdcapn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dbygawdcapn/32/3995_2.png) [@dbygawdcapn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dbygawdcapn)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2002, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/165 "2002-05-10T18:27:49Z")
A second for “And the Band played Waltzing Matilda” and also “Willie McBride” by Eric Bogle. “My Old Man” by Steve Goodman “Dakota” by Christine Lavin It doesn’t matter how many times I listen to these songs, I still mist up every time I hear them. ---
**Author:** ![NutMagnet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ea5d25/32.png) [@NutMagnet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NutMagnet)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2002, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/166 "2002-05-10T18:45:23Z")
Entire Lyrics here: > **[Welcome to Beanfield](https://www.beanfield.com/openface/)** > > Beanfield has acquired Openface/Zerofail, in a step forward to bringing our best-in-class fibre solutions to Montreal. depressing is not the word: Is That All There Is? sung by Peggy Lee SPOKEN: (Music in the background) I remember when I was a very little girl, our house caught on fire. I’ll never forget the look on my father’s face as he gathered me up in his arms and raced through the burning building out to the pavement. I stood there shivering in my pajamas and watched the whole world go up in flames. And when it was all over I said to myself, “Is that all there is to a fire” SUNG: Is that all there is ? Is that all there is ? If that’s all there is my friends, then let’s keep dancing Let’s break out the booze and have a ball If that’s all there is \ SPOKEN: I know what you must be saying to yourselves, if that’s the way she feels about it why doesn’t she just end it all? Oh, no, not me. I’m in no hurry for that final disappointment, for I know just as well as I’m standing here talking to you, when that final moment comes and I’m breathing my lst breath, I’ll be saying to myself SUNG: Is that all there is, is that all there is If that’s all … \ ---
**Author:** ![MisterThyristor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecccb3/32.png) [@MisterThyristor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MisterThyristor)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2002, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/167 "2002-05-10T19:44:14Z")
This song, _Loving Arms_, written by Tom Jans, and covered by just about everybody: If you could see me now The one who said that he’d rather roam The one who said he’d rather be alone If you could only see me now [Chorus] I’ve been too long in the wind Too long in the rain Taking any comfort that I can Looking back and longing for The freedom of my chains And lying in your loving arms again ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2002, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/168 "2002-05-10T19:58:09Z")
\*\* Do you love me?\*\* by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. I find it very sad. ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2002, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/169 "2002-05-11T15:36:16Z")
“Emmaline” buy Hot Chocolate and “Things I’d Like to Say” by New Colony Six ---
**Author:** ![lawoot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/35a633/32.png) [@lawoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lawoot)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2002, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/170 "2002-05-11T16:04:42Z")
**Time** by the Alan Parsons Project. Just because it coincided with a sad episode in my life (having to leave the girl I had just fallen for, and losing my best friend because of it). ---
**Author:** ![mr.greg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecae2f/32.png) [@mr.greg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mr.greg)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2002, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/171 "2002-07-05T19:32:48Z")
I would have to say: Radiohead - Fake Plastic Trees Pearl Jam - Release Grateful Dead - Brokedown Palace Lynryd Skynrd - Simple Man R.E.M. - Everybody Hurts Janis Joplin - Me and Bobby McGee Temptations - Papa Was A Rolling Stone ---
**Author:** ![The\_Bad\_Astronomer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f05b48/32.png) [@The\_Bad\_Astronomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Bad_Astronomer)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2002, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/172 "2002-07-05T20:03:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by c-of-cyn \* > \*\*Take a knife, stick it in my heart, and twist it… > > The Winner Takes It All - ABBA > \*\* Actually, the first song that came to my mind was “Slipping Through My Fingers”, also by ABBA. But then, I’m a parent. It’s a mother singing about how her daughter is growing up, and she didn’t spend enough time getting to know her child. I just saw “Mamma Mia” in San Francisco, and both songs were sung, but somehow neither were as sad as the original versions. ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2002, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/173 "2002-07-05T20:28:31Z")
**The Last Unicorn** by America **Why does my heart feel so bad?** by Moby **Someonw to watch over me** various artists Alright, I’m a big softie. Sue me. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Pink\_Pussycat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Pink\_Pussycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pink_Pussycat)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2002, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/174 "2002-07-05T21:03:05Z")
I tear up EVERY time I hear Elton John’s “Candle in the Wind.” -pinks ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2002, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/175 "2002-07-06T00:21:12Z")
_Remember the Feeling_ Chicago _And So It Goes_ Billy Joel _Total Eclipse of the Heart_ Bonnie Tyler _When the Children Cry_ White Lion (Okay, okay, I remember it being sad in middle school. :)) ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2002, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/176 "2002-07-06T00:25:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by zev\_steinhardt \* > \*\*Maybe not the saddest of all time, but Another Auld Lang Syne by Dan Fogelberg is pretty sad. > > Zev Steinhardt \*\* Agreed! Or should it be “Agreed. :(” ---
**Author:** ![hazel-rah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/73ab20/32.png) [@hazel-rah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hazel-rah)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2002, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/177 "2002-07-06T00:40:59Z")
Hmm… saddest songs. Many good ones already listed, I’ll add: “My Father” by This Mortal Coil “Sanvean” by Dead Can Dance “Only Human” by Heidi Berry (or the Hope Blister cover) “I Love My Leather Jacket” by the Chills “Midnight” by Yaz but that’s embarassing to admit. Spiritualized’s “Ladies and Gentleman” album should be sad, the entire album is a plea to Jason Pierce’s ex-girlfriend to come back to him… and she didn’t. Married Richard Ashcroft from Verve. Along those lines you could try “Her Handwriting” by Trembling Blue Stars, another entire album devoted to one woman who quit the band and the relationship at the same time. Mr. Wratten had better success than Jason Spaceman though… he got her to rejoin the band at least, if not the relationship. As for Kate Bush, I always thought “This Woman’s Work” was uplifting, not sad. “Never Be Mine” or perhaps “The Fog” are much more miserable, but the whole of “The Red Shoes” takes the cake… a jaded Kate Bush is a bitter, bitter pill. The kings of sad I would say… Nick Drake, Scott Walker, Tim Buckley, Alex Chilton, and Morrissey. Nick Drake wins for most sad songs written about him… I can think of “Life In A Northern Town” by Dream Academy, “Salamander” by Louisa John-Krol, and “E.N.D.” by Roy Montgomery. There’s no doubt many more. And oh yes, that fabulous “Mad World” by Gary Jules is a cover of an old Tears for Fears song… and they put “Head Over Heels” in there as well! -fh ---
**Author:** ![sKipping\_girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e19adc/32.png) [@sKipping\_girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sKipping_girl)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2002, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/178 "2002-07-06T02:06:27Z")
Chemical Bros- One Too Many Mornings Moby- Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad? Basement Jaxx- Stop 4 Love Full Intention- I’ll Be Waiting Bent- Always Coldcut- Autumn Leaves but the song guaranteed to make me cry everytime is- They Might Be Giants- Man It’s So Loud In Here (even though it isn’t a sad song… it makes me sad) ---
**Author:** ![kka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/54ee81/32.png) [@kka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kka)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2002, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/179 "2002-07-06T03:46:39Z")
“He stopped loving her today” George Jones ---
**Author:** ![flano1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f14d63/32.png) [@flano1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flano1)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2002, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/180 "2002-07-06T03:49:54Z")
Harry Chapin’s " A Better Place to Be", yhe only song ever to make me cry. ( live version, of course ) ---
**Author:** ![Hoops](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hoops/32/6408_2.png) [@Hoops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hoops)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2002, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024/181 "2002-07-06T10:30:16Z")
> [@](#): > > You can always count on a couple of very depressing songs on any Chapin album. Got that right. My vote for the truly saddest is **The Shortest Story** , about an infant born into poverty who slowly starves to death–told in first person, no less. Featuring the immortal closing couplet: _Above me, a bird crawls slowly across the sky. Is there anything left to do but die?_ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-saddest-songs-you-know/106024.md?page=10)