# What makes you cry topic....What is the saddest song? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 23, 2003, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-you-cry-topic-what-is-the-saddest-song/163630 "2003-03-23T22:23:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Magickly\_Delicious](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magickly\_Delicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magickly_Delicious)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2003, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-you-cry-topic-what-is-the-saddest-song/163630/21 "2003-03-24T04:21:33Z")
I’ve written this in another thread somewhere, but “Ashokan Farewell” from _The Civil War_ soundtrack (the Ken Burns PBS program). ---
**Author:** ![hardygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a3d4f5/32.png) [@hardygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hardygrrl)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2003, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-you-cry-topic-what-is-the-saddest-song/163630/22 "2003-03-24T04:53:32Z")
**Where Did You Sleep Last Night** either Leadbelly or Nirvana’s cover **Black** by Pearl Jam **All I Want Is You** by U2. **When I’m Gone** by 3 Doors Down, for the chorus: _So hold me when I’m here Right me when I’m wrong Hold me when I’m scared And love me when I’m gone Everything I am And everything in me Wants to be the one you wanted me to be I’ll never let you down Even if I could I’d give up everything If only for your good So hold me when I’m here Right me when I’m wrong Hold me when I’m scared You won’t always be there So love me when I’m gone Love me when I’m gone_ ---
**Author:** ![Sigmundex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e19adc/32.png) [@Sigmundex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmundex)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2003, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-you-cry-topic-what-is-the-saddest-song/163630/23 "2003-03-24T04:54:28Z")
I agree with you on Cat’s in the Cradle, Joel, but what about Father & Son, that’s another one that gets the lump in my throat. Let me also add She’s Leaving Home, by the Beatles, it says so much with so few words. ---
**Author:** ![dr\_hermes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dfb087/32.png) [@dr\_hermes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dr_hermes)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2003, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-you-cry-topic-what-is-the-saddest-song/163630/24 "2003-03-24T04:55:53Z")
“Long Long Time” by Linda Ronstadt. I heard her perform it live at Saratoga back in the late 70s, and when there was a catch in her voice at the end, you could see half the audience start to cry. ---
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2003, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-you-cry-topic-what-is-the-saddest-song/163630/25 "2003-03-24T04:56:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sigmundex \* > \*\*I agree with you on Cat’s in the Cradle, Joel, but what about Father & Son, that’s another one that gets the lump in my throat. Let me also add She’s Leaving Home, by the Beatles, it says so much with so few words. \*\* Father and Son, that doesn’t sound familiar. ---
**Author:** ![LifeOnWry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/96bed5/32.png) [@LifeOnWry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LifeOnWry)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2003, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-you-cry-topic-what-is-the-saddest-song/163630/26 "2003-03-24T05:03:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Joel \* > \*\*Father and Son, that doesn’t sound familiar. \*\* If it’s the same song I’m thinking of, it’s a sort of inner dialogue between a father and a son. There’s no real communication, just their thoughts on the other one and how they can’t get past their expectations of one another. Oh, and it’s performed by Cat Stevens. ---
**Author:** ![CadburyAngel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c2a13f/32.png) [@CadburyAngel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CadburyAngel)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2003, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-you-cry-topic-what-is-the-saddest-song/163630/27 "2003-03-24T05:04:00Z")
Ashokan Farewell is definitely a tearjerker, especially with the Sullivan Ballou letter read over it. Every Breath You Take, the rap remix, gets me because it was playing the summer the first year my friends and I lost a companion of our own age (7th Grade at the time). I recently heard an india.arie song that made me misty. It’s called “Good Man.” A verse and the chorus: Two eyes looking up at me, pointing to the picture like, “Where is he?” “Mama, are you okay? What did the paper say to make you cry that way?” “It said that your daddy lived for you, and your daddy died for you, and I’d do the same.” Baby, if the sun comes up and I’m not here, be strong. If I’m not beside you, do your best to carry on. Tell the kids about me when they’re old enough to understand, And tell them that their daddy was a good man. ---
**Author:** ![pezboy2u](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@pezboy2u](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pezboy2u)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2003, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-you-cry-topic-what-is-the-saddest-song/163630/28 "2003-03-24T05:07:22Z")
My votes are- “I know it’s over”-the Smiths “Love will tear us apart”-Joy Division “Cry for a shadow”-Beat Happening ---
**Author:** ![karomon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@karomon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/karomon)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2003, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-you-cry-topic-what-is-the-saddest-song/163630/29 "2003-03-24T06:54:32Z")
I’m such a geek. My vote goes to Rikki’s “Suteki da ne”. But “me and a gun” takes 2nd place. ---
**Author:** ![Largo62](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/45deac/32.png) [@Largo62](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Largo62)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2003, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-you-cry-topic-what-is-the-saddest-song/163630/30 "2003-03-24T07:05:13Z")
An old Peggy Lee song, **Is That All There Is?** , always brought me down. It was the late sixties and I was newly divorced and depressed anyway. Now that I’ve dredged up that memory, the damned song will be buzzing in my head all night. Thanks a lot, **Bjork**! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Nightime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Nightime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nightime)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2003, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-you-cry-topic-what-is-the-saddest-song/163630/31 "2003-03-24T07:11:22Z")
Tim Buckley, Song to the Siren. Especially when he sings “touch me not, touch me not, come back tomorrow…” Neutral Milk Hotel, Two Headed Boy Pt Two. Radiohead, Like Spinning Plates, seen live. “Our bodies floating down the muddy river…” ---
**Author:** ![karomon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@karomon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/karomon)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2003, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-you-cry-topic-what-is-the-saddest-song/163630/32 "2003-03-24T07:17:37Z")
Oh, I forgot the barrel of laughs that is radiohead. I don’t remember the title of the song … it’s on the OK COMPUTER album. “and you can laugh your spineless laugh … we hope your rules and wisdom choke you” ---
**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:** [March 24, 2003, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-you-cry-topic-what-is-the-saddest-song/163630/33 "2003-03-24T07:29:18Z")
Ok, here are my votes: First, I agree with “And the band played Waltzing Matilda” and Pearl Jam’s “Black”. Then I have to add these: “Sometimes in Winter” by Blood, Sweat, and Tears > [@](#): > > …Now you’re gone girl, > and the times slow down til dawn > its a cold room > and the walls ask where you’ve gone > > Sometimes in winter I love you when the good times seem like memories > in the spring that never came. > > Sometimes in winter, i wish the empty streets would fill with laughter > from your tears to ease my pain. and “Perfect Day” by Lou Reed. That one isn’t really sad, but ever since I saw Trainspotting, that song just puts me into a depression every time I hear it. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2003, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-you-cry-topic-what-is-the-saddest-song/163630/34 "2003-03-24T08:11:15Z")
_Tears in Heaven_ by Eric Clapton always gets me. _I Don’t Call Him Daddy_ by Doug Supernaw > [@](#): > > God bless the little hearts, they’re the ones who really pay > When mom and dad can’t get along and they go their separate ways > In a way I’m glad there’s someone there to fill the empty space > Tears of understanding streak down a dirty face > > And he said, “I don’t call him Daddy but he takes care of things > When you pick me up on Friday are you gonna bring me anything > Oh don’t worry Dad you know it don’t matter what we do > Cause I don’t call him Daddy, he could never be like you > Be like you, be like you” > > He is quite a little man growing up as fast as he can > And I don’t get to see him half as much as I had planned > There’s so much I need to tell him so precious little time > A little rain on the window and a little wave goodbye And I don’t know the name, but the song sung by Sally in _The Nightmare Before Christmas_ when she is pining for Jack is so beautifully melancholy and sad. ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2003, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-you-cry-topic-what-is-the-saddest-song/163630/35 "2003-03-24T11:06:38Z")
I was going to come in here and say “Leaving on a jetplane”. Good pick Bjork. ---
**Author:** ![Lucki\_Chaarms](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@Lucki\_Chaarms](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucki_Chaarms)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2003, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-you-cry-topic-what-is-the-saddest-song/163630/36 "2003-03-24T14:22:30Z")
I think that **Cat Power** deserves a lifetime achievement award in this category… her saddest songs, IMHO are: Maybe Not Colors and the Kids Water and Air Good Woman Ice Water She is right at the top of the list when it’s time for me to sit around and feel sorry for myself while listening to music. I saw her live and it was wonderful… but really painful. Like, wow, that hurt. LC ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2003, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-you-cry-topic-what-is-the-saddest-song/163630/37 "2003-03-24T14:38:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by LifeOnWry \* > \*\*If it’s the same song I’m thinking of, it’s a sort of inner dialogue between a father and a son. There’s no real communication, just their thoughts on the other one and how they can’t get past their expectations of one another. > > Oh, and it’s performed by Cat Stevens. \*\* That’s probably why few have heard of it, but I agree that [“Father and Son”](http://rlg.peircecentral.com/tea.html#FatherandSon) is one of the saddest songs I know. What’s especially heartbreaking is that neither one of them is wrong, but they cannot see the other has valid points, too. ---
**Author:** ![NYR407](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bbe5ce/32.png) [@NYR407](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NYR407)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2003, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-you-cry-topic-what-is-the-saddest-song/163630/38 "2003-03-24T14:47:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by karomon \* > \*\*Oh, I forgot the barrel of laughs that is radiohead. I don’t remember the title of the song … it’s on the OK COMPUTER album. > > “and you can laugh your spineless laugh … we hope your rules and wisdom choke you” \*\* That’s **Exit Music (For A Film)** - Written for the mid 90’s version of Romeo and Juliet. I think that Radiohead’s **Steet Spirit (Fade Out)** takes the cake. “I can feel death, can see it’s beady eyes.” I read a quote in Blender Magazine (I think) that said something to the effect of: “I am not sure if I am depressed because I listen to Radiohead or I listen to Radiohead because I am depressed”. FYI, only a few months to the release of their next album. ---
**Author:** ![karomon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@karomon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/karomon)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2003, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-you-cry-topic-what-is-the-saddest-song/163630/39 "2003-03-24T14:55:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by NYR407 \* > \*\*I think that Radiohead’s **Steet Spirit (Fade Out)** takes the cake. > > “I can feel death, can see it’s beady eyes.” > > I read a quote in Blender Magazine (I think) that said something to the effect of: “I am not sure if I am depressed because I listen to Radiohead or I listen to Radiohead because I am depressed”. > FYI, only a few months to the release of their next album. \*\* Speaking of radiohead/romeo&juliet/depressing, what about “talk show host”? Gad, this could go on forever. ---
**Author:** ![metroshane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/aeb1de/32.png) [@metroshane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/metroshane)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2003, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-you-cry-topic-what-is-the-saddest-song/163630/40 "2003-03-24T14:58:01Z")
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