Your favorite sad/depressing song?

[Touch Of Death]

I was recently talking with a friend about songs we liked, and I suddenly realized not just that an awful lot of mine—perhaps most of them—are rather sad, even grim, but that very often, when I'm in a bleak kind of mood, I prefer to listen to this sort of music rather than anything cheerful or uplifting. I was curious whether other people found this to be true, and, for those of you who don't mind confiding this sort of thing, what your favorite depressing songs are. Anyone?

"Sad Song" and "lady Day" by Lou Reed.
Sean

 

[Twin Fist]

Bonnie Raitt - I Can't Make You Love Me

This

I cant listen to this without crying like a little girl with a skinned knee.

 

[Cryozombie]

I'm feeling this one acutely tonite...

How long? How long? Hold on,
Safe within this womb of living stone.
Nothing changes, nothing grows, fly out as we will.
And yet, I hold us to it still.
How long? How long? Hold on.
How long? How long to stay?
All that we could want within these walls,
Except... we have no children born as long years stretch behind.
And, one by one, the shadows take our minds.
How long? How long to stay?
How long? How long 'til night?
The world outside is only endless foes.
Shall we wither in the dark, or risk our lives in war?
Is there hope outside worth fighting for?
How long? How long 'til night?
Fly on, fly on 'til dawn.
We shall wait no longer for the dark.
Take the chance, take hold of life, do battle with the night.
Follow in my last and bravest flight.
Fly on, fly on 'til dawn!

 

[Cryozombie]

"Don't look, don't look" the shadows breathe
Whispering me away from you
"Don't wake at night to watch her sleep
You know that you will always lose
This trembling Adored
Tousled bird mad girl... "

"Oh don't talk of love" the shadows purr
Murmuring me away from you
"Don't talk of worlds that never were
The end is all that's ever true
There's nothing you can ever say
Nothing you can ever do... "

"Just paint your face" the shadows smile
Slipping me away from you
"Oh it doesn't matter how you hide
Find you if we're wanting to
So slide back down and close your eyes
Sleep a while You must be tired... "

But every night I burn
Every night I call your name
Every night I burn
Every night I fall again
Every night I burn
Scream the animal scream
Every night I burn
Dream the crow black dream...

 

[MeatWad2]

I have two. One of them is slipped away because it reminds me of when my Uncle died of Cancer, and the other is In My Life by the Beatles because it was the song that was playing on the radio when I found out my Aunt committed suicide.

Slipped Away by Avril Lavigne

Na na, na na na, na na
I miss you, miss you so bad
I don't forget you, oh it's so sad
I hope you can hear me
I remember it clearly

The day you slipped away
Was the day I found it won't be the same
Ooooh

Na na na na na na na

I didn't get around to kiss you
Goodbye on the hand
I wish that I could see you again
I know that I can't

Oooooh
I hope you can hear me cause I remember it clearly

The day you slipped away
Was the day I found it won't be the same
Ooooh

I had my wake up
Won't you wake up
I keep asking why
And I can't take it
It wasn't fake
It happened, you passed by

Now you are gone, now you are gone
There you go, there you go
Somewhere I can't bring you back
Now you are gone, now you are gone
There you go, there you go,
Somewhere your not coming back

The day you slipped away
Was the day i found it won't be the same noo..
The day you slipped away
Was the day that i found it won't be the same oooh...

Na na, na na na, na na
I miss you


In My Life by the Beatles

There are places I remember
All my life, though some have changed
Some forever not for better
Some have gone and some remain
All these places had their moments
With lovers and friends
I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life I've loved them all

But of all these friends and lovers
there is no one compares with you
And these memories lose their meaning
When I think of love as something new
Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life I love you more

Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life I love you more
In my life I love you more

 

[tellner]

I'm a Blues fan, spoiled for choice. Here's a few, not all of the the Blues...

St. James Infirmary or the Koko Taylor/Willie Dixon updated version Insane Asylum
Rambling Boy
Irene Goodnight - Ah Leadbelly, that man could make the Devil cry
Run Straight Down - Warren Zevon
Knock Knock Knocking on Heaven's Door - Warren Zevon on The Wind
Why Women Cry - Marcia Ball
Another Man Done Gone
Ira Hayes
Bad Blood - Son Seals
Knock at the Door

And so many others

 

[exile]

I'm a Blues fan, spoiled for choice. Here's a few, not all of the the Blues...

St. James Infirmary or the Koko Taylor/Willie Dixon updated version

I was reared on the Dave van Ronk version... and yes, gratifyingly sad, absolutely.

Knock Knock Knocking on Heaven's Door - Warren Zevon on The Wind

... another bullseye.

Another one worthy of mention, for its grimly accurate depiction of the lethal power of denial, is Springsteen's Atlantic City. A fail-safe bummer, no matter how good a mood I start off in....

 

[CoryKS]

Act of Remembrance - The Proclaimers

 

[Tames D]

I think Mike Rutherford wrote this song about me and my old man...


The Living Years Lyrics
Artist(Band):Mike & The Mechanics
Review The Song (4)Print the Lyrics

Complimentary "The Living Years" Ringtone

​

Every generation
Blames the one before
And all of their frustrations
Come beating on your door

I know that I'm a prisoner
To all my Father held so dear
I know that I'm a hostage
To all his hopes and fears
I just wish I could have told him in the living years

Crumpled bits of paper
Filled with imperfect thoughts
Stilted conversations
I'm afraid that's all we've got

You say you just don't see it
He says it's perfect sense
You just can't get agreement
In this present tense
We all talk a different language
Talkin' in defense

Say it loud, say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
It's too late when we die
To admit we don't see eye to eye

So we open up a quarrel
Between the present and the past
We only sacrifice the future
It's the bitterness that lasts

So Don't yield to the fortunes
You sometimes see as fate
It may have a new perspective
On a different date
And if you don't give up, and don't give in
You may just be O.K.

Say it loud, say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
It's too late when we die
To admit we don't see eye to eye

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

I think I caught his spirit
Later that same year
I'm sure I heard his echo
In my baby's new born tears
I just wish I could have told him in the living years

Say it loud, say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
It's too late when we die
To admit we don't see eye to eye

Say it loud, say it clear
Say it loud
Don't give up
Don't give in
And don't know what you can do next

 

[Kreth]

Metallica - Fade to Black
Sevendust (kind of) - Angel's Son

 

[hong kong fooey]

there are a bunch of sad songs for me but the one that tears me up everytime is the song. FEED JAKE it/s about a man who is dying and all he wants is for someone to feed his dog

 

[Jenna]

The Left Banque's Just Walk Away, Renee

Yes, such a touching song.. There are some wonderful covers too if you look about..

Billie Holiday - Strange Fruit. Hard to imagine a more grave and yet poignant song ever, even though it is not one the listener feels personal about I think..

Walking After You - Foo Fighters - true pathos in here and such a well assembled song
In My Life - The Beatles - so yearning I think
Philadelphia - Bruce Springsteen - already mentioned I think..
Other Side of the World - KT Tunstall - a lump in the throat song for me..
Sinead O'Connor - Nothing Compares 2U - with that video wow..
Transatlanticism - Death Cab for Cutie - the most wistful song ever written I would argue..

And there are loads of songs that would make me wistful and but are not sad / depressing per se..
Killing Me Softly - Roberta Flack
More Than This - Roxy Music - I fell in love with this song after watching Lost in Translation

I wonder why do we listen to the sad stuff???

Yr most obdt hmble srvt,
Jenna

 

[jkembry]

For me an oldie

"Why Me Lord" - Kris Kirstofferson

 

[Ronin Moose]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Arial][SIZE=-1]You Never Even Called Me By My Name (David Allen Coe)[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Arial][SIZE=-1][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Arial][SIZE=-1]Well, it was all that I could do to keep from cryin'
Sometimes it seems so useless to remain
You don't have to call me darlin'...darlin'
You never even call me by my name.

Well, you don't have to call me Waylon Jennings
And you don't have to call me Charley Pride.
And you don't have to call me Merle Haggard, anymore.
Even though your on my fightin' side.

And I'll hang around as long as you will let me
And I never minded standin' in the rain.
You don't have to call me darlin'...darlin'
You never even call me by my name.

Well, I've heard my name a few times in your phone book
And I've seen it on signs where I've played But the only time I know I'll hear David Allan Coe
Is when Jesus has his final judgement day.

So I'll hang around as long as you will let me
And I never minded standin' in the rain.
You don't have to call me darlin'...darlin'
You never even call me by my name.

Well, a friend of mine named Steve Goodman wrote that song
And he told me it was the perfect country-western song
I wrote him back a letter and told him it was NOT the perfect country-western song because he hadn't said anything at all about
mama, or trains, or trucks, or prison, or gettin' drunk.
Well, he sat down and wrote another verse to the song and he sent it to me
And after reading it, I realized that my friend had written the perfect country-western song.
And I felt obliged to include it on this album. The last verse goes like this here:

Well, I was drunk the day my Mom got outta prison.
And I went to pick her up in the rain.
But, before I could get to the station in my pickup truck
She got runned over by a damned old train.

And I'll hang around as long as you will let me
And I never minded standin' in the rain. No,
You don't have to call me darlin'...darlin'
You never even call me
Well, I wonder why you don't call me
Why don't you ever call me by my name? [/SIZE][/FONT]

 

[Flying Crane]

Cat's In The Cradle, by Harry Chapin (Not the Guns n Roses remake)

My child arrived just the other day
He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch and bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away
And he was talkin' 'fore I knew it, and as he grew
He'd say "I'm gonna be like you, Dad
You know I'm gonna be like you"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little Boy Blue and the Man on the Moon
When you comin' home, Dad?
"I don't know when, but we'll get together then, Son
You know we'll have a good time then."

My son turned ten just the other day
He said, "Thanks for the ball, Dad, come on let's play
Can you teach me to throw", I said "Not today
I got a lot to do", he said, "That's ok"
And he walked away but his smile never dimmed
And said, "I'm gonna be like him, yeah
You know I'm gonna be like him"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little Boy Blue and the Man on the Moon
"When you comin' home, Dad?"
"I don't know when, but we'll get together then, Son
You know we'll have a good time then."

Well, he came home from college just the other day
So much like a man, I just had to say
"Son, I'm proud of you, can you sit for a while?"
He shook his head and said with a smile
"What I'd really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys
See you later, can I have them please?"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little Boy Blue and the Man on the Moon
"When you comin' home, Son?
"I don't know when, but we'll get together then, Son
You know we'll have a good time then."

I've long since retired, my son's moved away
I called him up just the other day
I said, "I'd like to see you, if you don't mind"
He said, "I'd love to, Dad, if I can find the time
You see, my new job's a hassle and kids have the flu
But it's sure nice talking to you, Dad
It's been sure nice talking to you"

And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me
He'd grown up just like me
My boy was just like me

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little Boy Blue and the Man on the Moon
When you comin' home, Son?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then, Son
You know we'll have a good time then

 

[teekin]

Heroin- Velvet Underground
Beautiful Goodbye- Amanda Marshall
Spaces In between- Dave Mathews Band
Heroes- David Bowie
Love will Tear us Apart- Joy Division

 

[zDom]

Haven't made it all the way through this thread, so I don't know if this one has been mentioned yet, but:

"That's The Way"
(Page, Plant, as performed by Led Zeppelin)

I don't know how I'm gonna tell you, I can't play with you no more,
I don't know how I'm gonna do what mama told me, My friend, the boy next door.
I can't believe what people saying, You're gonna let your hair hang down,
I'm satisfied to sit here working all day long, You're in the darker side of town.

And when I'm out I see you walking, Why don't your eyes see me?
Could it be you've found another game to play, What did mama say to me?

That's The Way, Oh, That's The Way it oughtta be, yeah, yeah,
Mama say That's The Way it oughtta stay, yeah, yeah, ooh, ooh

And yesterday I saw you standing by the river,
And weren't those tears that filled your eyes?
And all the fish that lay in dirty water dying,
Had they got you hypnotized?

And yesterday I saw you kissing tiny flowers,
But all that lives is born to die.
And so I say to you that nothing really matters,
And all you do is stand and cry.

I don't know what to say about it,
When all your ears are turned away,
But now's the time to look and look again at what you see,
Is that the way it ought to stay?

That's the way... That's the way it oughtta be, oh don't you know now,
Mama said, mama said... that's the way it's gonna stay, yeah. ahh, ahhh, ahhhhhhhh

 

[matt.m]

Like others have said: It is all about the type of sad or depressed I am.

My top 3 sad songs have to be:
Too Much Love Will Kill You
The Show Must Go On
Who Wants to Live Forever.
All by Queen. All for different reasons they are three of my muses. Being a combat vet with PTSD is a hard thing to cope and conquer, you can cope but never conquer. No matter what.

However on the flip sideI will say that the following are sad pick me ups if you will:
We Will Rock You/We Are the Champions
Princes of the Universe
Hammer To Fall

In their own way each song talks about perserverance and overcoming adversity. Acceptance of the truth no matter how good or bad. Just accept it and work with it.

I will share the lyrics to "Too Much Love Will Kill You". and "The Show Must Go On". From being in the absolute worst places in the world and trying to help the people and regretfully killing all the people I did I identify with these songs the best.

"Too Much Love Will kill You."
I'm just the pieces of the man I used to be
Too many bitter tears are raining down on me
I'm far away from home
And I've been facing this alone
For much too long
I feel like no-one ever told the truth to me
About growing up and what a struggle it would be
In me tangled state of mind
I've been looking back to find
Where I went wrong

Too much love will kill you
If you can't make up your mind
Torn between the lover
And the love you leave behind
You're headed for disaster
'cos you never read the signs
Too much love will kill you
Every time

I'm just the shadow of the man I used to be
And it seems like there's no way out of this for me
I used to bring you sunshine
Now all I ever do is bring you down
How would it be if you were standing in my shoes
Can't you see that it's impossible to choose
No there's no making sense of it
Every way I go I'm bound to lose

Too much love will kill you
Just as sure as none at all
It'll drain the power that's in you
Make you plead and scream and crawl
And the pain will make you crazy
You're the victim of your crime
Too much love will kill you
Every time

Too much love will kill you
It'll make your life a lie
Yes, too much love will kill you
And you won't understand why
You'd give your life, you'd sell your soul
But here it comes again
Too much love will kill you
In the end...

In the end.

"The Show Must Go On"
Empty spaces - what are we living for?
Abandoned places - I guess we know the score..
On and on!
Does anybody know what we are looking for?

Another hero - another mindless crime.
Behind the curtain, in the pantomime.
Hold the line!
Does anybody want to take it anymore?
The Show must go on!
The Show must go on!
Inside my heart is breaking,
My make-up may be flaking,
But my smile, still, stays on!

Whatever happens, I'll leave it all to chance.
Another heartache - another failed romance.
On and on!
Does anybody know what we are living for?
I guess i'm learning
I must be warmer now..
I'll soon be turning round the corner now.
Outside the dawn is breaking,
But inside in the dark I'm aching to be free!

The Show must go on!
The Show must go on! Yeah!
Ooh! Inside my heart is breaking!
My make-up may be flaking!
But my smile, still, stays on!
Yeah! oh oh oh

My soul is painted like the wings of butterflies,
Fairy tales of yesterday, will grow but never die,
I can fly, my friends!

The Show must go on! Yeah!
The Show must go on!
I'll face it with a grin!
I'm never giving in!
On with the show!

I'll top the bill!
I'll overkill!
I have to find the will to carry on!
On with the,
On with the show!

The Show must go on.

 

[Jenna]

I'm Not in Love - 10cc sung like it is meant.. so heartfelt. Just an amazing choon.