# What is/are the most depressing song(s) you've ever heard? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 13, 2000, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-are-the-most-depressing-song-s-youve-ever-heard/33027 "2000-09-13T15:15:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2000, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-are-the-most-depressing-song-s-youve-ever-heard/33027/41 "2000-09-14T21:32:37Z")
Although it has been mentioned once at least I think the saddest is “Cat’s in the Cradle” However, on the other side, has anyone ever heard the parody of the above called “Cat’s in the Kettle”? ---
**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:** [September 14, 2000, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-are-the-most-depressing-song-s-youve-ever-heard/33027/42 "2000-09-14T23:05:30Z")
> [@](#): > > Kudos to Jophiel for “The Last Spike” interpretation. I hadn’t listened closely enough, I didn’t get the bit about a guy not coming back. I’ll have to listen to that album again when I go home. Thanks Davis, it’s always good to hear another fan. I’m sure you’ve listened to it by now, but anyway… “The longest train I’d ever seen was the train you were on. I walked you to the station, we kissed and you were gone. I dream at night about you coming home: the train in the station, your uniform on fire. As you step onto the platform, the band plays a little louder. And as we embrace, your cap falls off. Oh, I guess these foolish dreams must stop.” Just my guess, but I assumed that her husband had left for war and was killed, or at least is missing. The train running was her last dream that one day he’d return and with the closing of the rail line, her hopes are crushed along with her life in the town. More depression by Margo Timmins: _This Street, That Man, This Life_: Just a general lament about the pain of life. The third verse hits me the hardest though. “Lord, you play a hard game; you know we follow every rule. Then you take the one thing that we thought we’d never lose. All I ask is if she’s with you, please keep her warm and safe. And if it’s in your power, please purge her memories of this place.” _First Recollection_: Margo sings a lot of songs about picking up roots and abandoning your family. For whatever reason, those always make an impression on me. “I’ve sat and watched the woodpiles grow through the summer. Now I’m sitting smelling summer burn through the fall. Winter’s coming on, day’s getting dreary. And I’m thinking this is the season that I leave you all. I’ve heard ‘a man in a crisis falls back on what he knows best. A murderer to murder; a thief to theft’. And I don’t want you to think this is some kind of deathbed confession, but run is what I did when put to the test.” ---
**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:** [September 14, 2000, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-are-the-most-depressing-song-s-youve-ever-heard/33027/43 "2000-09-14T23:08:55Z")
> [@](#): > > I can’t say the song is particularly good; in fact it’s got several lines that are embarassingly bad. But despite all that it’s the only song that has ever, in and of itself, moved me to tears. It’s also the only song I’ve ever heard that managed to rhyme “Chiang Kai-shek”. Well, okay… so it’s a pretty forced rhyme. ---
**Author:** ![Anti\_Pro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Anti\_Pro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anti_Pro)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2000, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-are-the-most-depressing-song-s-youve-ever-heard/33027/44 "2000-09-15T02:08:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Baker \* > \*\*Although it has been mentioned once at least I think the saddest is “Cat’s in the Cradle” > > However, on the other side, has anyone ever heard the parody of the above called “Cat’s in the Kettle”? \*\* Harry Chapin’s ‘Cat’s in the Cradle’ is certainly up there, and \*\* Baker \*\* I saw Shirley Ujest’s post and followed the link to ‘Cat’s in the Kettle’ and just cracked up, it was really hilarious. There was a song my mother used to play, I think it had a bit of a country ring to it. I believe the song was ‘The Three Bells’ having to do with when the church bells ring. Once for this guy’s birth, once when he got married, and then at his funeral. My mom used to listen to it when she felt like crying. For me: “In the Ghetto” by Elvis and “Daddy Don’t Walk So Fast” by Mac Davis. ---
**Author:** ![DavisMcDavis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dfb087/32.png) [@DavisMcDavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavisMcDavis)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2000, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-are-the-most-depressing-song-s-youve-ever-heard/33027/45 "2000-09-15T02:47:37Z")
[QUOTE] \*Originally posted by Jophiel \* \*\* > [@](#): > > _This Street, That Man, This Life_: Just a general lament about the pain of life. The third verse hits me the hardest though. > > “Lord, you play a hard game; you know we follow every rule. Then you take the one thing that we thought we’d never lose. All I ask is if she’s with you, please keep her warm and safe. And if it’s in your power, please purge her memories of this place.” > \*\* Crazy! We’re lyric twins! I just logged on when I got home - I checked the lyrics on this album re: The Last Spike and was going to post this verse in addition. What could be more depressing than a mother mourning the death of her child by a psycho-killer? “All I ask is if she’s with you, please keep her warm. And if it’s in your power, please purge the memories of this place.” Which of course means purging her child’s memory of her as well. Absolutely mortifyingly depressing. ---
**Author:** ![screech-owl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@screech-owl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/screech-owl)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2000, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-are-the-most-depressing-song-s-youve-ever-heard/33027/46 "2000-09-15T03:50:51Z")
[QUOTE] \*Originally posted by Anti Pro \* \*\* > [@](#): > > There was a song my mother used to play, I think it had a bit of a country ring to it. I believe the song was ‘The Three Bells’ having to do with when the church bells ring. Once for this guy’s birth, once when he got married, and then at his funeral. My mom used to listen to it when she felt like crying. > > For me: “In the Ghetto” by Elvis and “Daddy Don’t Walk So Fast” by Mac Davis. \*\* Ah yes, the “Three Bells” song. Can’t remember who sang the country version (Roommate took the tape, thank gawd), but it’s pretty and seems less depressing sung in French by Edith Piaf. [Of course, I’ll probably retract that statement once I can get the French lyrics translated.] :shudder: “Daddy Don’t You Walk So Fast” - forgot that one. Thanks for reminding me. ☹ Add to my depressing song list: “Teddy Bear” - the CB/trucker ballad (by CW McCall?) IIRC about an ill little boy (cancer?) talking to truckers on the CB radio “Honey” by Bobby Goldsboro - as corny as that song is, it always used to make me cry. ---
**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:** [September 15, 2000, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-are-the-most-depressing-song-s-youve-ever-heard/33027/47 "2000-09-15T08:26:23Z")
Indeed, Desperado (Alansmithee called this out first). “And freedom, oh, freedom, well that’s just some people talkin’, you’re prison is walkin’ through this world all alone”. Try listening to that when you have just been dumped by the woman you love. Been there, done that. On a more classical note, Mahler’s Kindertotenlieder (songs of dead children) always does it to me. And one of my all-time favourite songs: Jesse by Janis Ian. Her lover has left her (is dead?), and she cannot accept it. Jesse come home, there’s a hole in the bed Where we slept; now it’s growing cold Jesse your face, in the place where we lay By the hearth, all apart, it hangs on my heart And I’m leaving the light on the stairs No I’m not scared; I wait for you Hey Jesse, it’s lonely, come home Jesse the stairs in the halls, recalling Your step; and I remember too All the pictures are shaded and fading in grey And I still set a place on the table at noon And I’m leaving the light on the stairs No I’m not scared; I wait for you Hey Jesse, it’s lonely, come home Jesse the spread on the bed, It’s like when you left, I kept it for you All the blues and the greens have been recently cleaned And are seemingly new; hey Jess, me and you We’ll swallow the light on the stairs I’ll fix up my hair, we’ll sleep unawares Hey Jesse, it’s lonely, come home. Goosebumps… ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2000, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-are-the-most-depressing-song-s-youve-ever-heard/33027/48 "2000-09-15T12:19:35Z")
Anti Pro, WHERE did you get “Cat’s in the Kettle”? You said it was in a post by a Shirley Ujest(I get the pun) but I can’t find it. I really want it because the CD that I heard it on belonged to someone else and they have lost it. Or if anyone else knows, can you let me know??? ---
**Author:** ![Cyn\_Lennin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@Cyn\_Lennin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyn_Lennin)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2000, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-are-the-most-depressing-song-s-youve-ever-heard/33027/49 "2000-09-15T18:17:56Z")
[http://members.aol.com/BubbasWebstop/](http://members.aol.com/BubbasWebstop/) for “Cat’s in the Kettle”. It’s on about a dozen other sites as well…just do a yahoo search 🙂 Cyn ---
**Author:** ![Tymp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Tymp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tymp)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2000, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-are-the-most-depressing-song-s-youve-ever-heard/33027/50 "2000-09-15T18:36:35Z")
**Morphine - In Spite Of Me** Last night I told a stranger all about you They smiled patiently with disbelief I always knew you would succeed no matter what you tried And I know you did it all in spite of me Still I’m proud to have know you for the short time that I did Glad to have been a step up on your way Proud to be part of your illustrious career And I know you did it all in spite of me In spite of me Late last night I saw you in my living room You seemed so close but yet so cold For a long time I thought that you’d be coming back to me Those kind of thoughts can be so cruel So cruel And I know you did it all in spite of me In spite of me **Morphine - The Night** You’re the night, Lilah. A little girl lost in the woods. You’re a folk tale, the unexplainable You’re a bedtime story. The one that keeps the curtains closed. I hope you’re waiting for me cause I can’t make it on my own. I can’t make it on my own. It’s too dark to see the landmarks. I don’t want your good luck charms. I hope you’re waiting for me across your carpet of stars. You’re the night, Lilah. You’re everything that we can’t see. Lilah, you’re the possibility. You’re a bedtime story. The one that keeps the curtains closed. And I hope you’re waiting for me cause I can’t make it on my own. I can’t make it on my own. Unknown the unlit world of old. You’re the sounds I never heard before. Off the map where the wild things grow. Another world outside my door. Here I stand I’m all alone. Drive me down the pitch black road. Lilah you’re my only home and I can’t make it on my own. You’re a bedtime story. The one that keeps the curtains closed. And I hope you’re waiting for me cause I can’t make it on my own. I can’t make it on my own. ---
**Author:** ![ReservoirDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8edcca/32.png) [@ReservoirDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ReservoirDog)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2000, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-are-the-most-depressing-song-s-youve-ever-heard/33027/51 "2000-09-15T21:51:38Z")
I’m not so sure I agree with this anymore, but back in college my friends and I had a joke that whenever that “Major Tom” song by David Bowie started playing, we would all say, on cue, “Ladies and Gentlemen, The Most Depressing Song in The World!!” ---
**Author:** ![lawoot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/35a633/32.png) [@lawoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lawoot)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2000, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-are-the-most-depressing-song-s-youve-ever-heard/33027/52 "2000-09-15T23:52:09Z")
Neil Young. _The Needle and the Damage Done_ ---
**Author:** ![hypergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/49beb7/32.png) [@hypergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hypergirl)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2000, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-are-the-most-depressing-song-s-youve-ever-heard/33027/53 "2000-09-15T23:52:24Z")
Stan by Eminem. Despite itself, the music has an almost haunting quality. It probably has to do with the Dido song that is sampled. The words also strike a chord with me. This guy is killing himself because Eminem won’t write back to him. He says. “I loved you Slim, we could have been together. Think about it, you ruined it now. I hope you cant sleep and you dream about it. And when you dream I hope you can’t sleep and you scream about it. i hope your conscience eats at you and you can’t breathe without me.” This song made some of my guy friends cry. And these are people that almost never cry. ---
**Author:** ![Flang\_Dang](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a88e4f/32.png) [@Flang\_Dang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flang_Dang)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2000, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-are-the-most-depressing-song-s-youve-ever-heard/33027/54 "2000-09-15T23:57:21Z")
Judy I feel weary now– Older than a man of 33. The gates of Hell just opened. After 20 years the warden saya I’m free. Revenge was all I wanted When I killed the man that took your life that day. Now I’ve had my satisfaction But the price was more than love should have to pay ``` Lord knows you were no lady And the witnesses all swore you were to blame. And the way you teased the men-folk, The jury all agreed--you knew no shame. ``` I’m glad that you can’t see me now– Prob’ly say I do not look my best. Those lawyers took my money And that Lousiana road gang took the rest. And Judy I can’t even conjure Up your picture in my mind today. Lately I’ve been thinkin’ What a fool I was to love you anyway. Well it all seems kind of useless As I place these flowers on your grave today I don’t know what I’m doing here– I’ve forgotten all the things I came to say. ---
**Author:** ![Timban](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Timban](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timban)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2000, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-are-the-most-depressing-song-s-youve-ever-heard/33027/55 "2000-09-16T04:54:16Z")
Actually, I always found Tracy Chapman’s Behind the Wall to be pretty depressing. ---
**Author:** ![Flutterby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2000, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-are-the-most-depressing-song-s-youve-ever-heard/33027/56 "2000-09-16T05:24:14Z")
FYI: Puff The Magic Dragon > [@](#): > > One grey night it happened. Jackie Paper came no more I think he dies too. Teddy Bear The kid is a cripple not with cancer and his Dad was a trucker who died “Trying to get home in a blinding snow” (I’ve heard that song lots its one of my favs) On to my choices! Daddy’s Girl A fathers memories of his daughter growing up… taking her to a football game, fishing etc > [@](#): > > Daddy’s girl, Daddy’s girl. I’m the center of Daddy’s world. I know I’m Daddy’s number one cuz he loves me like I was his son… Daddy’s girl Daddy’s girl Borderline Angel About a woman who is a prostitute trying to support her kids and “Begging sweet Jesus to let her cross over the borderline” > [@](#): > > Borderline angel in her heart she believes this is the last time down on her knees. Begging sweet Jesus to make her cross over… the borderline Don’t Cry Daddy A guy with his two sons their Mom walked out on him and his sons comfort him. > [@](#): > > And as I think of giving up a voice inside my coffee cup kept crying out ringing in my ears. Don’t cry Daddy. Daddy please don’t cry don’t cry. You’ve still got me and little Tommy together we’ll find a brand new Mommy. Daddy Daddy please laugh again Daddy ride us on your back again Oh Daddy please don’t cry Believe (by Savatage on Streets: A Rock Opera) A guy witnesses a death and he follows the ghost of the guy. The ghost sings about atuff its kinda sad. (Can’t remember it exactly I haven’t listened to it in awhile) The Rose by Bette Midler At least this one is for me cuz in grade 9 for Remembrance Day we did this ceremony… there was a skit done about a guy who was lost in the war and he had a daughter and a wife. His ‘wife’ read a letter to her ‘daughter’ and handed her a false rose. In the background ‘The Rose’ was being played on the piano (I think a clarinet also) It was really sad and touching. Most everyone was crying there after that one (even me) > [@](#): > > Its the heart afraid of breaking, > That never learns to dance. > Its the dream afraid of breaking, > That never takes the chance. > Its the one who won’t be taken, > Who cannot seem to be. > And the soul afraid of dying, > That never learns to live. ---
**Author:** ![screech-owl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@screech-owl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/screech-owl)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2000, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-are-the-most-depressing-song-s-youve-ever-heard/33027/57 "2000-09-16T11:04:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by TopazAntares \* > **FYI: > Teddy Bear > The kid is a cripple not with cancer and his Dad was a trucker who died “Trying to get home in a blinding snow” (I’ve heard that song lots its one of my favs** Thanks for the clarification. This is one where I change the station because the song makes me upset, not because it annoys me. [Song Intro…click] Roommate’s fav, not mine - :sniff: Waaaaah! ---
**Author:** ![lawoot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/35a633/32.png) [@lawoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lawoot)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2000, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-are-the-most-depressing-song-s-youve-ever-heard/33027/58 "2000-09-16T12:46:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by hypergirl \* > **Stan by Eminem. Despite itself, the music has an almost haunting quality. It probably has to do with the Dido song that is sampled. The words also strike a chord with me. This guy is killing himself because Eminem won’t write back to him.** Eminem slightly full of himself? > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by hypergirl \ ***He says. "I loved you Slim, we could have been together. Think about it, you ruined it now. I hope you cant sleep and you dream about it. And when you dream I hope you can’t sleep and you scream about it. i hope your conscience eats at you and you can’t breathe without me."** What a dick. ‘Let’s take a fan’s suicide note, and make it into a song and make money off of it.’ Obviously he has no conscience. ---
**Author:** ![screech-owl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@screech-owl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/screech-owl)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2000, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-are-the-most-depressing-song-s-youve-ever-heard/33027/59 "2000-09-16T13:58:04Z")
Okay folks, I have read a couple posts about “Puff the Magic Dragon” with the conclusion that the kid died. There seems to be a vital line of the song that has been overlooked. The verse, with a minor brainburp (can’t remember the original word - X/X): “Dragons live forever, Not so little boys; _Painted wings and flying things make/give way for other toys_” Conclusion: the child grew up, put away childish things and abandoned the friend who kept him company for most of his young life. Of course Puff is going to be upset and hide from the world. Would you not be crushed if you were thrown over by someone you had considered to be your best friend for a new toy/friend/playmate with no warning at all? [OTOH, this song was a great teaching tool about considering other people’s feelings.] When I was a music teacher, and also did children’s concerts, I dreaded this song, knowing that somewhere in class or in the audience, some child (or parent) was going to burst into tears thinking that little Jackie had shuffled off this mortal coil. At the critical line noted above, we would all sing it with a little more emphasis. Explaining the song to a sobbing kindergartener was not one of the joys of my life or career. [On a more positive note, a locally-produced children’s show (“Happy Romping Children’s Magic Neighborhood ToyshopLand Room” or something like that) had a host that would draw pictures to the songs as the other host/ess was singing. The first picture started with little Jackie knocking at the door to Puff’s cave. Puff emerging, looking happy, the two of them playing together, gray night scene, Puff crying and depressed, Puff slipping back into his cave. On the last repeat of the chorus, a new child (different shirt, different hair, still a boy [evidently girls didn’t play with dragons]) knocks on the door to Puff’s cave, implying the cycle starts again. Brilliant idea: I premade some pictures, had the kids hold them up during the specific verse of the song, and voila! no more traumatized children in class or the audience, happy reassured parents in audience, and audience/class participation to boot.] End of rant, Jackie’s alive and I feel much better for saying this. Now only I could have found a way to explain “John Henry” (another depressing folk song). Add that and most of the Woody Guthrie repertoire to my list. ---
**Author:** ![screech-owl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@screech-owl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/screech-owl)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2000, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-are-the-most-depressing-song-s-youve-ever-heard/33027/60 "2000-09-16T14:29:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by screech-owl \* > > **Ignore this if you are convinced Jackie is dead…** should have read: **Read this if you are convinced Jackie is dead…** :Pounds head on keyboard. No effect on sinuses: ☹ Credibility. That’s all I ask. :heads back to bed: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-are-the-most-depressing-song-s-youve-ever-heard/33027.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-are-the-most-depressing-song-s-youve-ever-heard/33027.md?page=4)