What are some of the best sad songs you know?

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The discussion centers on the appreciation of sad songs, with participants sharing a wide array of tracks that evoke feelings of sadness, loss, and melancholy. Many songs mentioned feature themes of heartbreak, nostalgia, and emotional pain, including classics like "Tears in Heaven" by Eric Clapton, "Hurt" by Johnny Cash, and "Cats in the Cradle" by Harry Chapin. The conversation also touches on the emotional impact of music, with several contributors highlighting how certain songs resonate deeply due to personal experiences or the poignant lyrics. Genres range from folk and rock to country, with artists like Pink Floyd, The Mountain Goats, and Elliott Smith frequently cited for their ability to convey sadness through both sound and lyrics. The thread emphasizes the therapeutic nature of sad songs, suggesting that they can provide comfort and a sense of shared experience during difficult times.
  • #31


Evo said:
All of 69 loves songs by The Magnetic Fields...

yes. Yes. YES! I love Stephen Merritt. He has some other projects you should check out too. The Sixths and the Gothic Archies are coming to mind, but I know he has others.
 
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  • #32


Mad World - Gary Jules
 
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  • #33


'All Out of Love' — Air Supply
I don't know whether or not this fits, because it's a 'feel good' song to me, but: 'You Don't Know What Love Is' — White Stripes

edit: Late addition, which has to be mentioned because of its title, but is actually the opposite of a sad song: "Sad Songs" — Elton John.
 
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  • #34


Almost all my music fits your criteria.

Sad: Ulver - Bergtatt-ind I Fjeldkamrene



Depressing: Katatonia - Rainroom



Twisted: Opeth - The Leper Affinity



Doubt many share my taste in music though... :wink:
 
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  • #35



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59BZxgohr9g
 
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  • #36


Anything by Happy Chapin.
 
  • #37


BobG said:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59BZxgohr9g


Now that's just sad :cry:
 
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  • #38



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-axr23-WP0E
 
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  • #39


This girl is amazing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUZ-TVjHEkA&feature=related
 
  • #40


BobG said:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59BZxgohr9g
Oh, I forgot that one. :cry:
 
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  • #41


Here's an oldie.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OreFuVSByE
 
  • #42


Darn, I should have thought of Honey myself. It's one of my mom's favorites.

Johnny Cash has a version of Sunday Morning Coming Down that I like better than the Kristofferson version.



Thanks for the Hank Williams tune Jimmy. It's been a long time since I've heard the original of that one. Since we're doing country music tear jerkers, we should not leave out this one:

 
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  • #43


Sorry, the pull to contribute to this thread was too strong. I mentioned this song before in a different context. The poignancy in this lyric is almost too painful to bear.

 
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  • #44


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwJxLEbI96Y
 
  • #45


"He Hit Me, (and it Felt Like a Kiss)"

Lyrics by Carole King, performance by the fabulous Crystals, production by Phil Spector.

Respectfully submitted,
Steve
 
  • #46


Matt Johnson was a clinically depressed genius of the early 80s. He was cured shortly after his international hit "Uncertain Smile," and his genius kinda dried up...
Still, here's from when videos were new, so don't watch too close.
The band is The The.
 
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  • #47


Most Elliot Smith is pretty sad:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Afq1ddP65Bk

and his band before he went solo (heatmeiser):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_UR61itZxo
 
  • #48


Are all of these contributions cheering you up, Micro ?

Rhody...
 
  • #49


Sound quality is crap in the video. Too bad! Absolute Torch and Twang is perhaps the best-engineered Country album of all time.

 
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  • #50


Jonny Cash's re working of "Hurt" -originally a nin inch nails song.

Godflesh - Circle of **** or Angel Domain in fact the entire album is pretty depressing but good.

Anything by Codiene is slow and depressing.

Tindersticks "My Sister" is pretty sad. In fact the music you like is my entire record collection!
 
  • #52


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZt5Q-u4crc

Ode to Billie Joe...

I know of no sadder song.

:cry:
 
  • #53


Folk Songs:
He's Young, But He's Daily Growing (The Trees They Do Grow Green)
The Old Maid's Song (Give Me a Butcher or a Baker, . . . )

Billie Holiday: Strange Fruit

Nina Simone: I Love's You, Porgy
 
  • #54


"Seasons in the Sun"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLfRtK0oxYE
 
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  • #55


Of course, there are the very personal sad songs.

This one came out a very short time after my mother passed away.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsJ4O-nSveg

Lightning crashes.
 
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  • #56


Dirge. PLEASE LISTEN! :)
 
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  • #57


Wait. This song is sadder! Sea of Tears.
 
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  • #58


Pearl Jams version of Last Kiss always gets me.

 
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  • #59


Joy Division - Atmosphere
Bonnie Prince Billy - I see a darkness
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - the weeping song
Leakh - Storm
Radiohead - Creep
Deine Lakaien - Love me to the end
Deine Lakaien - Where you are

and of course:
Portishead - Roads
 
  • #60
Evo Child is very, very ill, so I'm needing some sad songs, unfortunately some of these links no longer work, so I'll have to see if I can find new ones, please feel free to add very sad songs.
 

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