Subscribe to ListverseTop 10 Most Depressing Rock Songs
- Published November 5, 2007 - 488 Comments
Following on from the top 10 depressing scenes in movies, we have top 10 depressing rock songs. Light a few black candles, dim the lights, and weep!
10. New Order Leave Me Alone
New Order were an English rock group formed by members of Joy Division in the wake of their lead singer, Ian Curtis’ suicide. They were known for their minimalist aesthetic and melding of post-punk and dance.
Their 1983 album, Power Corruption and Lies truly established them as a new and original band, and helped them break free from the shadow of their predecessor. Despite the album’s electronic tinged tracks, it was the final song, the guitar led, sorrowful, Leave Me Alone that stood out the most.
9. Suicide Frankie Teardrop
Influential synth duo, Suicide, caused a stir with the release of their self-titled 1977 album, with its stand out track, the 10 minute Frankie Teardrop.
Composed of a simple drum machine beat and Alan Vega’s lacerating vocals, Frankie Teardrop tells the disturbing story of one factory worker’s murder/suicide. Best listened to at high volume and with lights out, the song’s raw and unique style sends shivers down your spine, up until its shocking climax which leaves you in a catatonic state of pure disbelief. You wont feel well after this.
8. Johnny Cash Hurt
Music icon Johnny Cash sadly passed away in 2003, but left a legacy of unforgettable music practically unrivalled by any other country music star.
His last hit was 2002’s Hurt, an unlikely cover of a song by industrial band Nine Inch Nails. The song’s poignant acoustic guitar and Cash’s fragile vocals have made the song arguably more popular than the original. Cash’s death shortly after it was released make the song even more tragic.
7. The Beatles Eleanor Rigby
All the lonely people, where do the all come from? The Beatles never got sadder than this examination of those lonely people that the world forgets. The song is entirely a string quartet arrangement and definite stand out track on their Revolver album, and helped transform The Beatles from a simple pop act to something much more special.
6. Metallica Fade to Black
Released on their Ride the Lightning album, this partly acoustic song was such a departure from the trademark thrash metal that fans originally deemed it a ‘sell out,’ although it has become a fan favourite now.
5. Dire Straits Brothers in Arms
Dire Straits’ war elegy appeared on their 1985 album of the same name. There are three version of the song, a long, medium and short version. The shorter version has been included here.
4. Jeff Buckley Hallelujah
Another cover that has outlasted the original, Jeff Buckley took Leonard Cohen’s biblical hymn and made it his own song about the futility and pain of love, stripping away Cohen’s synth and bass to replace it with a single high pitched guitar.
Buckley only produced one studio album in his time, accidentally drowning in a tributary of Mississippi River in 1997.
3. Elliott Smith King’s Crossing
Starting with a slow amalgam of seemingly random noise, Elliott Smith’s mournful tale of self-destructive drug addiction constantly changes harmonies and beats to reflect the characters constantly changing thought patterns. The wall of noise technique overwhelms the listener with feelings of distortion, and after it’s all over, Smith has one last epilogue to haunt you.
2. Radiohead How To Disappear Completely
The feeling of not wanting to be there, of being in a situation so painful that you wish you could tell yourself ‘I’m not here’ and be whisked away. Yorke’s meandering, dreamlike voice works wonders on this song, as the crescendo builds and builds to its emotional climax.
In a 2006 BBC interview, Yorke said that this was “the most beautiful thing we have ever done.”
1. The Smiths How Soon is Now?
The Smiths were an 80s rock band from Manchester, England whose jangly guitar riffs and depressing lyrics, courtesy of singer Morrissey, made them one of the most notorious band of the era.
Their undoubted masterpiece is this six and a half minute caterwaul of pure sadness. As Johnny Marr’s trademark guitar riffs are replaced with a chilling reverb effect, as Morrissey sings about those of us who long for love but don’t know how to find it. Perhaps it’s most despairing moment comes around the half way point, ‘There’s a club if you want to go/You could meet somebody who really loves you/So you go and you stand on your own/You leave on your own/You go home and you cry and you want to die.’
Contributor: JT
November 5th, 2007 at 3:42 am
Nice list. All these songs make me wanna cry. I would have said that ‘She’s leaving home’ is more depressing than ‘Eleanor Rigby’ for the Beatles. Perhaps that’s just me.
November 5th, 2007 at 3:53 am
I agree, Johnny Cash’s version of Hurt is far better than NIN.
November 5th, 2007 at 4:17 am
Nazareth – Love Hurts
November 5th, 2007 at 4:32 am
I would suggest:
)
Evanescence- My “Immortal”
Queen- “Too much love will kill you” and “These are the days of our lives”
I don’t know why, but “What a wonderful world” by Louis Armstrong always made me cry… (I know, it’s not rock
As for spanish songs, I suggest
“Despídete”- by “Ella Baila Sola” and “La chispa adecuada”-by “Héroes del Silencio”
November 5th, 2007 at 4:54 am
wow – great additions guys – thanks
Another omission would be Seventeen by Janis Ian
November 5th, 2007 at 5:16 am
I’d say Elliott Smith’s “between the bars”, “twilight”, “see you later”, “miss misery” and “I didn’t understand” are all sadder than “king’s crossing”.
“See you later” only really because of the way he sings the words “see you later” so many times, but we never will.
November 5th, 2007 at 5:38 am
Morgaine: I second the Queen- how about “Who wants to live forever”? That’s one sad song
Good choices though.
November 5th, 2007 at 5:40 am
Two words: Jugband Blues.
November 5th, 2007 at 5:47 am
Hobolad: Sure it is
But not depressing, I think… just very beautiful..another one that makes me cry is “The show must go on”, really beautiful, too.
November 5th, 2007 at 5:58 am
Morgaine: Good call! These all get even sadder considering what happened to Freddie
Who wants to live forever is depressing for like, the first half- then it gets kinda triumphant almost.
Those were the days of our lives though- ugh, that’d be my choice for saddest song ever, we can all relate to it (Who doesn’t wish they could be five years old forever with nothing changing and no one dying and always being that innocent
)
November 5th, 2007 at 6:18 am
“Reflections of My Life” by Marmalade. The most depressing regretful 3 minutes of music ever recorded.
November 5th, 2007 at 6:30 am
watch out with the johnny cash version being better than NIN. seen that comment cause some problems on another thread. i don’t care either way, but there are some strong opinions on the matter.
good work JT.
November 5th, 2007 at 6:35 am
Need something from ‘The Wall’ – gaurenteed to ruin your day.
November 5th, 2007 at 7:00 am
Hobolad: Another song meant to be happy (as “What a Wonderful world”)that makes the opposite effect is “It’s a beautiful day”…. how can a man consumed by his illness, as Freddie was, sing a song saying “it’s a beautiful day, the sun is shining, I feel good, and no one’s gonna stop me now”?
November 5th, 2007 at 7:37 am
Major Tom by David Bowie is a great depressing rock song.
And virtually all songs from The Wall are pretty depressing. Goodbye Blue Sky, The Thin Ice, Vera, Don’t Leave Me Now, Comfortably Numb, Waiting For The Worms…and I could go on and on.
November 5th, 2007 at 7:46 am
I got no complaints about the list, but I got a couple additions:
Perfect Day- Lou Reed
I Know It’s Over- The Smiths
Seasons In The Sun- (Don’t remember the artist. It’s tricky because it’s all poppy and sing-songy and rather cheesy, but the lyrics are very sad.)
The story told is Jane Says is pretty sad too…
November 5th, 2007 at 7:49 am
Ya know, as an avid Beatles fan, I’d still have to go with Yesterday over Eleanor Rigby… but that’s just me. Oh, also check out Wheat Kings by The Tragically Hip, Everybody Hurts by REM, or even One by Metallica is, for me anyway, far more depressing than Fade to Black. Good list, as always!
November 5th, 2007 at 7:51 am
some of these arent depressing enough-
i want to see the list after a few more iterations
November 5th, 2007 at 8:01 am
Blue October – Hate Me
James Blunt – Goodbye My Lover
Both make me softly weep.
November 5th, 2007 at 8:17 am
So sad. i love elenor Rigby though. Sad, but beautiful.
November 5th, 2007 at 8:23 am
“Tears in Heaven” is scientifically proven to be the saddest song in the world.
November 5th, 2007 at 8:35 am
Oops – I forgot to include the links – I have updated the list with links to the songs so you can actually HEAR them
November 5th, 2007 at 8:39 am
Hazel O’Connor with Will You, from the film Breaking Glass – the saxophone solo just tears me up.
November 5th, 2007 at 8:43 am
Wow, nothing by Bright Eyes OR Dashboard Confessional? I would nominate nearly any one of their songs. What about Mad World, not the Tears for Fears version but the one for Donnie Darko? THAT is a depressing song. I also find it hard to listen to Coldplay at all without getting overly emotional, but I guess that’s more related to personal experience. How about I Miss New Wave by the Matthew Good Band? That song is so sad…I’ve got a million of ‘em. But I would have to agree that Tears in Heaven is the most depressing song written of the face of the planet. =( And I LOVE Elanor Rigby! Beautiful song.
November 5th, 2007 at 8:49 am
Kelsi: I love Dashboard Confessional – a very worthy mention.
November 5th, 2007 at 8:50 am
Gary Jules Version of MAd world from the Donnie Darko soundtrack
somthing I can never have bu NIN
November 5th, 2007 at 8:58 am
The Freshmen by The Verve Pipe!!!!! Just listen closely to the lyrics, it’s quite sad.
November 5th, 2007 at 9:06 am
Tie the Rope by The Format, those lyrics are damn depressing but the song is sung in a poppy upbeat style.
November 5th, 2007 at 9:21 am
Oh – another one for me is “Can’t live if living is without you” – made doubly depressing in my mind since it starred as the background music in the suicide scene of Rules of Attraction!
November 5th, 2007 at 9:27 am
‘That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore’ would’ve been a better Smiths selection and ‘Big Eyed Fish’ from Dave Matthews could be included as well.
November 5th, 2007 at 9:36 am
A list of depressing rock songs which doesn’t include anything from Anathema?:O Anathema is The saddest and most depressing band of all, in my opinion. Check out songs like Lost Control, Flying, Regret, Angelica, Forgotten hopes, etc.. I mean the song How soon is now may have depressed lyrics, but thats nowhere not enough to make a song with such a cheery melody worthy of the title depressing.
November 5th, 2007 at 9:55 am
‘Gloomy Sunday’ was reported to have caused numerous suicide. And you can’t get much depressive as that!
I would add to the list, ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’ – Joy Division.
November 5th, 2007 at 10:06 am
your music lists are horrible!!
November 5th, 2007 at 10:16 am
I thought the song “seasons in the sun” was pretty sad but I’m not sure who it was originally by. I found a Nirvana cover of it on youtube though.
November 5th, 2007 at 10:30 am
I think Melissa by the Allman Brothers is the most depressing song, not so much in the lyrics, but in the song itself. It was the first song that was written and recorded by Gregg Allman after Duane Allman’s death. You can really hear the sadness in Gregg Allman’s voice and makes lyrics like “Crossroads, will you ever let him go? Will you hide the dead mans ghost, or will he lie, beneath the clay, or will his spirit roll away?” even more depressing. Oh and “Alone Again (Naturally)” by Gilbert O’Sullivan always makes me really depressed too.
November 5th, 2007 at 10:31 am
Seasons in the Sun is by Terry Jacks
November 5th, 2007 at 10:44 am
Everybody Hurts – REM
November 5th, 2007 at 10:46 am
Not one Type O Negative song… lame bias lists…
November 5th, 2007 at 10:50 am
Creep: it’s true – we actually planned this list especially to be biased against your own personal taste. We suck.
November 5th, 2007 at 10:51 am
“The Kids” from Lou Reed’s album Berlin. Unmatched.
November 5th, 2007 at 10:53 am
Mother – Pink Floyd
Never Too Late – Three Days Grace
Under the Bridge – Red Hot Chili Peppers
Just about anything by Depeche Mode
Scientific evidence shows that listening to these back-to-back will induce a psychosomatic response in the listener, causing blood to leak from their wrists, liprings to instantaneously appear, and dark mascara circles to appear under the eyes.
November 5th, 2007 at 11:26 am
Okay, try this one for size: The song is about a fellow who is in love with a woman from a ‘rival’ family (I suppose a-la Romeo and Juliette) and as he goes to kiss her for the first time, right in the middle of the street, a bullet fired from her brother’s gun intent on killing the man misses and murders his sister… how’s that for depressing. The song is called Valencia and it’s by The Decemberists:
The video is so much different that the song, I kinda wonder why they chose it. Oh well.
November 5th, 2007 at 11:34 am
Great list!
Another song I think is depressing is “Brick” by Ben Folds Five
November 5th, 2007 at 11:38 am
I’m surprised that you didn’t include ‘Sunday Bloody Sunday’ by U2, and ‘Rockin’ In The Free World’ by Neil Young.
A few of these entries are good (#8. ‘Hurt’ made me say ‘well, duh’), but I’ve never heard of most of them, so I decided to make my own top ten lists. All of these songs make me cry when I hear them. In no particular order:
10. Placebo – Sleeping With Ghosts
9. The Smiths – Asleep
8. Pink Floyd – High Hopes
7. Johnny Cash – Hurt
6. Youth Group – Why Don’t The Buildings Cry
5. Tim McGraw – Already Home
4. Bird York – In The Deep
3. Dave Matthews Band – Some Devil
2. Vienna Teng – Blue Caravan
1. Amos Lee – Colors
Bonus: Vince Gill – Go Rest High on that Mountain (the song I want our preacher to sing at my funeral)
November 5th, 2007 at 11:38 am
everything by Nickleback is extremely depressing to me, even if the songs not meant to be, maybe its just cause i cant stand them
November 5th, 2007 at 11:42 am
This could so easily have been a top 100! Another addition: My name is Luca by Suzanne Vega
November 5th, 2007 at 11:46 am
The Smiths- How soon is now? is my favorite song. I absolutly love it.
Type-o-negitive – Love you to Death (just for an example…many more good sad songs)
Harry Chapin- Cat’s in the Cradle (This song makes me cry every time I listen to it…saddest song I have EVER heard.)
Ben Folds Five- Brick (Another that makes me cry every time)
November 5th, 2007 at 11:58 am
forever gone by marginal man
probably the most depressing
it’s only time by mark curry
divorce song by liz phair
November 5th, 2007 at 12:00 pm
i think that something in the way by nirvana should be on here. it always gets to me.
November 5th, 2007 at 12:08 pm
Bruce Springstein came out with some songs about 9/11 that were pretty darn depressing
November 5th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
I agree, evan. Or I’d include The River or Fade Away or Gypsy Biker by Springsteen.
November 5th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
Not really rock but “Sound of Silence” by Simon and Garfunkle.
November 5th, 2007 at 12:25 pm
MojoRisin: You’re not the only one. I also think “She’s Leaving Home” is more depressing than Eleanor Rigby. Both are great songs though.
And I’m glad FekketCantenel put “Asleep” by the Smiths on his/her list. It’s the second song I thought of after “Hurt” and I sure like my depressing music.
November 5th, 2007 at 12:28 pm
Look up the lyrics to Pink Floyd’s “Two Suns in the Sunset”.
November 5th, 2007 at 12:40 pm
or Dark Globe, from Syd Barrett’s first solo album, The Madcap Laughs.
November 5th, 2007 at 12:43 pm
Should be some Muse… uhh… pretty much any song
November 5th, 2007 at 12:51 pm
My first thought when I saw the title of this list was “I Don’t Like Mondays” by Boomtown Rats. Remember that one? It was inspired by the true story of a 16-year old girl who killed some people and when asked why, she said it was because she didn’t like Mondays. Ouch. (My 1970s bias is showing again, jfrater!)
November 5th, 2007 at 12:58 pm
Id have to go with The Cure “The Same Deep Water As you”
November 5th, 2007 at 1:02 pm
Jugband Blues is a very sad song; that ending is one of the best ever: “what exactly is a dream, and what exactly is a joke?”
Also, I think there has to be some Nirvana: All Apologies, Dumb, Do Re Mi or Sappy. Another song that I think is amazing is Mom & Dad by Frank Zappa from the album We’re only in it for the money.
November 5th, 2007 at 1:05 pm
@Noah: That is a sad line. “When the Tigers Broke Free” just has the most heartbreaking end though “That’s how the high command took my daddy from me”.
There’s a few Dylan one’s that are sad: “Sara”, for his estranged wife is sad. “Joey” for his gangster friend who got shot. Oh, “Forever Young” is fair sad. None of these are really as sad as those posted though.
EDIT: Okay, I need to learn some more alternatives for the word “sad”
November 5th, 2007 at 1:08 pm
I can think of a few Springsteen songs that would qualify. Atlantic City and The River come to mind. Also, Nick Cage’s Murder Ballads (esp. Wild Rose) are pretty bleak.
Is the protagonist of Kate Bush’s “This Woman’s Work” supposed to be dying? I can never tell. She’s quite the regretful bit, isn’t she?
November 5th, 2007 at 1:14 pm
I can’t believe nobody mention “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman.
also:
Phil Collins-Another day in paradise
Starsailor-Alcoholic
Manic Street Prachers – The Everlasting
Mike And The Mechanics – The living years
Simply red- If you don’t know me by now
Simply red- Holding back the years
Electric light orchestra- Telephone line
Tom Waits and Gavin Bryars – Jesus Blood never felt on me
Anything but the girl – Missing
Creedence Clearwater Revival – Long as i can see the light
The doors – Cristal ship
Just to mention some of them…
November 5th, 2007 at 1:31 pm
Thumbs up on Fade To Black.
I honestly think the original version of Hurt is more haunting than Cash’s.
November 5th, 2007 at 1:45 pm
I would second Lou Reed’s “The Kids” or the whole last half of that album for that matter. When the kids in the song start screaming for their mother…holy cow, it’s terrible.
Most of the Red House Painters material is depressing, too many to choose from there. Richard Buckner’s “Surprise, AZ”, all of Springsteen’s Nebraska album. The 6th’s album Wasps Nests, as well as most of Stephin Merritt’s out put with the Magnetic Fields.
November 5th, 2007 at 2:22 pm
My list. Not all of them are traditional Rocksongs (heck, I don’t know how to define “Rock”
), but they’re all pretty depressing.
10. Dope – With or Without You (http://youtube.com/watch?v=Jut1gabwPzg)
9. In Flames – Free Fall (http://youtube.com/watch?v=NXaEUquOIEc)
8. Silent Hill 2 OST – Promise [Piano] (http://youtube.com/watch?v=FO7Z_lXmrwI)
7. Evanescence – My Immortal (http://youtube.com/watch?v=YxQrPXPSVhQ)
6. HIM – Heartache Every Moment [Acoustic] (http://youtube.com/watch?v=0BIV2TZyQA0)
5. ineartheD/Children of Bodom – Talking of the Trees (http://youtube.com/watch?v=HKeN9lI9WYs)
4. Metallica – Until it Sleeps (http://youtube.com/watch?v=sZtszXnG11E)
3. Cryhavoc – Repent (http://youtube.com/watch?v=b3LDL2OJwv4)
2. The 69 Eyes – Wasting the Dawn (http://youtube.com/watch?v=1or6C4Ucnww)
1. Dire Straits – Brothers in Arms (http://youtube.com/watch?v=k5JkHBC5lDs)
Took me half an hour to write down, so hope ya like it. =P
November 5th, 2007 at 2:28 pm
Fire and Rain- James Taylor is kinda sad “I always thought that I’d see you again” Aww
Old Red Wine by the Who is a contender I reckon.
God by John Lennon- “The dream is over” and all that
@Patrask- gotta agree with Brothers in Arms. Can’t remember the rest (If I’ve heard ‘em at all!).
If we could venture into Blues territory there’s gonna be like a list of a million.
November 5th, 2007 at 2:40 pm
How’s about the song “I’m so lonesome I could cry” by Hank Williams. Oh… LOL… sorry, that wasn’t a rock tune but dang it’s a depressing song.
November 5th, 2007 at 2:45 pm
Fade into you – Mazzy Star. I don’t really know what it’s about but the lyrics and the music..that sure is a depressing song.
November 5th, 2007 at 2:46 pm
Hey – just realized we missed an important one: Old Shep sung by Elvis Presley: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiHilskewnY
November 5th, 2007 at 2:47 pm
Blue Sunday – The Doors (from the album Morrison Hotel)….can’t get more morose and depressing that that..
Check out the youtube link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12376tJ9xsU&NR=1
Here an RHCP cover..(bonus
)
November 5th, 2007 at 2:47 pm
Prozacsoldier: hey – I forgot about Tracey Chapman – that is a great song! Thanks for mentioning it.
November 5th, 2007 at 2:51 pm
“Somebody” by Depeche Mode has to be one of the most depressing song ever!
November 5th, 2007 at 2:54 pm
Sorry for the similar posts above. Tried to edit the first one..was told i was spamming…so broke the comments into 2 parts..page refreshed..saw all three..no way of deleting the last 2…something you might look into jfrater..
November 5th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
Rainy Days and Mondays, by The Carpenters.
November 5th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
Christopher Joseph Borne: great song – though I don’t find it particularly sad. Her life, however, is a different matter entirely!
November 5th, 2007 at 3:52 pm
#74, I second “Rainy Days and Mondays.” And that reminds me, “Goodbye to Love” by The Carpenters ALWAYS makes me cry.
I’m wondering, though, if “depressing” is necessarily the same as “sad.” Case in point: “I Don’t Like Mondays” (#57) is grim and yucky and it depresses me, but “Goodbye to Love” is hanky-sad. I think those are different vibes. It’s all in the ears of the beholder, I suppose.
November 5th, 2007 at 3:59 pm
Dan, Into Dust would be a better Mazzy Star entry. But, yeah, pretty much all their stuff sounds depressing. I guess heroin can do that to a person.
November 5th, 2007 at 4:05 pm
Deffinitly “What it’s like” by “Everlast” is number one for me. So sad….. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4z9f9Eybv4I
November 5th, 2007 at 4:25 pm
What about “Goodbye to Romance,” by Ozzy Osbourne? Or “The End,” by The Doors? And by the way, “Blue Sunday,” and “Crystal Ship” are not depressing at all!
And, the title of this list is “Top 10 Most Depressing ROCK Songs,” not new wave, rap, or pop.
November 5th, 2007 at 4:28 pm
If it weren’t rock Gloomy Sunday would definately be here.
And I just realised I misread it, aw well.
November 5th, 2007 at 4:29 pm
LOVE this list. I regret that this is my first time hearing the original of How Soon Is Now – I love the cover that Tatu did of it.
Hallelujah and Eleanor Rigby are two more songs that I adore and absolutely agree with. I’m in the process of listening to the rest of them now. =]
November 5th, 2007 at 4:40 pm
“In The Backseat”by Arcade Fire is pretty depressing too. Good list tho, I wouldn’t take any of these songs off!
November 5th, 2007 at 4:56 pm
The Drugs Don’t Work by the verve is a pretty depressing song, definitely should be on the list
November 5th, 2007 at 5:07 pm
I would have to say Asleep by The Smiths is the saddest song i have ever heard, it may not be a rock song, but the smiths were among many rock bands of the eightees. Their song Asleep, i think, is about one coming face to face with death and hoping it brings better things. Absolutely heart-renching.
November 5th, 2007 at 5:57 pm
Something in the Way – Nirvana
Wow.
November 5th, 2007 at 6:02 pm
I only recognize one song from the list and that’s the Johnny Cash one. Since I rarely listen to rock, most of my list pretty much constitutes, well everything else.
These are the ones that are off the top of my head, as I was reading through the comments.
The Dance – Garth Brooks
Riding with Private Malone – David Ball (this one was released while my little brother was in Iraq, so it always makes me cry, though my little brother came home safe and relatively sound.)
Just about anything by Allison Krauss, even cheerful songs sound bittersweet with her amazing voice
Tear Upon the Rose – Gaelic Storm
Field’s of Gold – Eva Cassidy
Into the West – Annie Lennox from Return of the King
Both E Museki and Mediavel Babes have pieces that make it sound like the instruments are crying. Most of their work is traditional pieces, gypsy tunes as well as medieval works that sound so …mournful to modern ears.
November 5th, 2007 at 6:25 pm
Ok, everyone check this ditty out: It’s originally by BEN FOLDS FIVE and it’s called MAGIC. However, since they never recorded a video for it, this is the best I could dig up and it still conveys the absolute sadness within. Lemme know what you think.
Oh, and if you care, the album is called THE UNAUTHORIZED BIOGRAPHY OF REINHOLD MESSNER and it is one of my top ten favorite albums ever.
http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=4mOSE3zwQ5s
November 5th, 2007 at 6:26 pm
How is 45 by Shinedown not up here?
November 5th, 2007 at 7:25 pm
Ænema, by Tool, is pretty depressing. Maybe you could give it an honorable mention?
http://youtube.com/watch?v=uCEeAn6_QJo
November 5th, 2007 at 7:31 pm
I just thought of a better one – Down In A Hole, by Alice In Chains.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=FL0cK4gaEuM
November 5th, 2007 at 7:37 pm
how about needle in the hay by elliott smith? played during the suicide attempt in royal tenenbaums.
November 5th, 2007 at 7:53 pm
It’s nice to see there are a few other Queen fans around here. What about “Bohemian Rhapsody?” Yeah, the song kicks ass, but the verse
“Too late,my time has come,
Sends shivers down my spine-
Body’s aching all the time,
Goodbye everybody-Ive got to go-
Gotta leave you all behind and face the truth”
is sadly prophetic.
November 5th, 2007 at 8:24 pm
What about the song What It’s Like by Everlast?? IMHO it should at least be mentioned.
Some of the lyrics:
“We’ve all seen the man at the liquor store beggin’ for your change
The hair on his face is dirty, dreadlocked and full of mange
He ask the man for what he can spare with shame in his eyes
Get a job you fuckin’ slob is all he replied.”
November 5th, 2007 at 8:24 pm
lets not forget the beatles “let it be” that song had brought many a tear to my eyes..not to mention id also include “unchained melody” by the righteous brothers
November 5th, 2007 at 8:34 pm
I can’t beat it so will second Tears in Heaven by Clapton. Essp. sad if you have a toddler. Ever since my son was born that song gets skipped in my rotation.
I would add Uncle Salty by Aerosmith. Think of it as a raw precursor to Janies Got a Gun that they wrote 20 years earlier.
November 5th, 2007 at 9:10 pm
If covers are allowed I would like to add The Pogues cover of “And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda” originally by Eric Bogle.
Such a hauntingly depressing song about the futility of war.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=GPFjToKuZQM
November 5th, 2007 at 9:34 pm
Alice in Chains – Nutshell
Blink 182 – Adams Song
Cold – Bleed
Staind – Excess Baggage
Counting Crows – Color Blind
The Verve – The Drugs Dont Work
All of these songs are worth mention, check them out if you’ve never heard them.
November 5th, 2007 at 9:39 pm
Seeing as no list on here seems to be explicitly rock, I will include all other genres.
adagio for strings – butler
fond farewell + needle in the hay – elliot smith
down in a hole – alice in chains
hurt – NIN or Cash’s version
gone away – offspring
the day is done + clothes of sand- nick drake
sound of silence – simon and garfunkle
something in the way – nirvana
ceremony – either new order version
decades + eternal – joy division
Nobody did soul crushing quite like JD did, both unknown pleasures and closer are masterpieces.
November 5th, 2007 at 10:29 pm
Songs not mentioned that deserve to be on the list or at the very least an HM:
Gary Jules – Mad World
Live – Lightning Crashes
Offspring – Gone Away
Soul Asylum – Runaway Train
Silverchair – Suicidal Dreams
REM – Everybody Hurts
RHCP – Californication
Nirvana – Something in the way (acoustic version)
Eric Clapton – Tears in heaven
Everlast – what its like
Great call on Hurt btw. I prefer the NIN version a lot better however I feel that Cash’s version is a lot more depressing and sad.
November 5th, 2007 at 10:48 pm
A couple others I thought deserved a mention.
The Rose of Tralee – Nightnoise
Ode To Billie Joe – Bobbie Gentry
Miss Otis Regrets – various artists, but my favorite is Ella Fitzgerald
Danny Boy
Taps – when played on a bugle. I’ve heard it at the Shiloh Civil War Battlefield and at the Tomb of the Unknown after the changing of the Guard one rainy afternoon.
November 5th, 2007 at 11:05 pm
Jumper – 3rd Eye Blind
That is a song i cant listen to
November 5th, 2007 at 11:49 pm
blink 182 – adam’s song
i love this song and blink 2
November 6th, 2007 at 4:15 am
coldplay- scientist
November 6th, 2007 at 4:23 am
how come there are nothing from joy division on that list ???
November 6th, 2007 at 4:26 am
How about “Losing My Religion” by R.E.M. – a guy who’s lovesick for someone.
I guess these are too obscure but – “I Don’t Have Anything” and “WE Will Meet Again” by Vast
November 6th, 2007 at 4:26 am
Alkaline Trio – ‘Blue In The Face’ and ‘She Took Him To The Lake’ both have the best final lines.
That band have countless bitter, regretful and sad songs, and the most witty and gruesome lyrics.
November 6th, 2007 at 5:41 am
a must
Some Slender Rest by Two Gallants
tells a sad sad story
November 6th, 2007 at 5:42 am
please listen to that song, its amazing
November 6th, 2007 at 5:53 am
I am amazed at how many great songs people have mentioned in the comments – thanks all – I am going to busy this weekend listening to a lot of depressing music
November 6th, 2007 at 6:24 am
Then there’s “Waters Edge” by 7 Mary 3 – A guy tells of how he watched bad people (known only as “They”) throw the dead body of a girl into a stream.
November 6th, 2007 at 7:21 am
My list. Not all “Rock” but depressing none the less.
In no particular order:
Bruce Springsteen- Downbound Train
Flogging Molly- Far Away Boys
The Black Keys- The Lengths
The Velvet Underground- Pale Blue Eyes
Violent Femmes- Kiss off
Meat Puppets (or Nirvana Covering)- Oh, Me
Postal Service- Nothing Better
Bill Withers- Grandma’s Hands
Neutral Milk Hotel- Oh, Comely
The Smiths- Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me
November 6th, 2007 at 7:24 am
How about Terry Jacks “Seasons in the Sun”… maybe a relatively obscure one, but Google the lyrics or download the audio and listen. Anyone who ever lost a loved one after a long illness would agree.
November 6th, 2007 at 7:40 am
What about Last Kiss by Pearl Jam????
November 6th, 2007 at 8:52 am
I know they have since sold out, but how can you leave out “Daddy” by Korn? Jonathan Davis actually breaks down and cries for about 4 or 5 minutes during the recording of the song and they left it on the track. The song is about his father molesting him as a child and his mother knowing about it and doing nothing to stop it.
November 6th, 2007 at 8:57 am
My list. Not all “Rock” but depressing none the less. Added videos. Just ignore them for the most part they suck. but it was the easiest way to find some of the songs
In no particular order:
Bruce Springsteen- Downbound Train http://youtube.com/watch?v=vw3y_WDOgbI
Flogging Molly- Far Away Boys
The Black Keys- The Lengths http://youtube.com/watch?v=8GaY3ElWWEU
The Velvet Underground- Pale Blue Eyes http://youtube.com/watch?v=dnjaevCMj_o
Violent Femmes- Kiss off http://youtube.com/watch?v=gproa6vzgws
Meat Puppets (or Nirvana Covering)- Oh, Me http://youtube.com/watch?v=pG4WRNPA-Mc
Postal Service- Nothing Better http://youtube.com/watch?v=K_9nIljBYTc
Bill Withers- Grandma’s Hands http://youtube.com/watch?v=nEFH-HVks4c
Neutral Milk Hotel- Oh, Comely http://youtube.com/watch?v=6doB7ZRtQJw
The Smiths- Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me http://youtube.com/watch?v=i6frK0DBGjI
November 6th, 2007 at 2:23 pm
i cant bealive theres no The cure on the list. One hundread years or just about any song from ”pornography” is just the most depressing thing if heard in my life. And no radiohead- creep, pihh…
November 6th, 2007 at 4:01 pm
One of my all-time favourite songs is Pink Floyd – Wish you were here. So much heart put into it.
November 6th, 2007 at 4:03 pm
at the top of this list, or very near to it:
Roger Waters – Three Wishes
November 6th, 2007 at 8:54 pm
How can I forget the song I always look for on karaoke DJ lists. “A Tout Le Monde” by Megadeth. – A letter written by a guy before he died, being read to his friends.
November 7th, 2007 at 5:40 am
I can’t believe people would rather listen to the Johnny Cash butchered version of an amazing song than the original. D:
November 7th, 2007 at 8:09 am
Tomorrow Wendy, either the original by Andy Prieboy or Concrete Blonde’s version. Its a song about a girl who knows she’s dying of AIDS.
The most painful lines:
Only God says jump
So I set the time
cause if he ever saw it
It was through these eyes of mine!
And if he ever suffered it was me who did his crying
November 7th, 2007 at 9:27 am
Thanks to the folks that have already thrown out some Irish influence out there. You want depressing, listen to Irish music.
Flogging Molly; If I Ever Leave This World Alive, The Son Never Shines (on Closed Doors)
The Pogues; And the Band Played Waltzing Mathilda (repeat, I know, but this is a beautiful song)
Dropkick Murphys; Curse of a Fallen Soul, Last Letter Home
Just to name my favorites
November 7th, 2007 at 10:28 am
How about “Close Your Eyes”, by Alice Cooper and Lita Ford. Also “Don’t Close your Eyes” by Kix. Both great ’80s tearjerkers.
November 7th, 2007 at 10:45 am
No Mazzy Star?! I love Mazzy Star, and Hope Sandoval is beautiful… but it IS music to commit suicide to, let’s face it…
November 7th, 2007 at 10:49 am
holocaust by big star is a downer, yet great. anything by Bon Jovi depresses me big time.
November 7th, 2007 at 10:54 am
Yeah, Randall, I think Into Dust would be a worthy addition.
November 7th, 2007 at 11:33 am
“The Kids” or “the Bed” by Lou Reed from the album Berlin.
Heck, the ten songs on that album probably *are* the top ten most depressing rock songs ever. Definitely the most depressing album ever made.
November 7th, 2007 at 3:33 pm
i say again. some slender rest by two gallants, also waves of grain by two gallants.
November 7th, 2007 at 4:21 pm
OK, after a cursory check of these comments, I may have one that everybody else missed: “DOA” by Bloodrock, a Texas band from the early, early 70s. It’s apparently about a plane crash, with the narrator missing a limb and bleeding out, his girlfriend lying dead near him. The refrain is “I remember … We were flying along, and hit something in the air …” I heard it in the dead of winter when I was 13, and I really think I could have used therapy afterwards. It’s beyond depressing, made worse by the fact that it’s the ONLY listenable song on the album, which, yes, I bought, ’cause I like pain, I guess.
November 7th, 2007 at 5:57 pm
Kelsi (way up there at like number 24) is right about bright eyes. I would probably say Bright Eyes’ saddest is “Lover I don’t have to Love”, I mean he talks about being a train wreck for the whole song, and then lyrics like “I want a girl who’s too sad to give a f^ck.
November 8th, 2007 at 3:17 am
nick drakes ’suicide is painless’. that stuff is a downer
November 8th, 2007 at 4:31 pm
judee sill-the kiss
big star-take care
radiohead-how to disappear completely(anyone with the answer should e mail james blunt forthwith)
cat power-maybe not
lambchop-my blue wave
stephanie dosen-lakes of canada
the handsome family-weightless again
elliot smith-i better be quiet now(james blunt anyone?)
the smiths-i won’t share you
leonard cohen-hey thats no way to say goodbye
November 8th, 2007 at 5:28 pm
Wow, I don’t know any of those songs xD
Um, you’ve missed ‘Drifting Further Away’ by Powderfinger (Album: Dream Days At The Hotel Existance)
I can not forgive you for that.
November 8th, 2007 at 7:34 pm
what about the
pogues – and the band played waltzing matilda … the dude gets hid legs blown off in a war he didnt want to be in
or redgum – i was only 19 … same kinda thing
rolf harris – two little boys, its about the english civil war, the two boys who were childhood mates end up fighting on opposite sides
November 9th, 2007 at 10:49 am
How about Yaz and Alison Moyet? Only you and Midnight from the Upstairs At Eric’s album are sufficiently depressing and sad. As well as a couple from their second album. And Everything But the Girl has a couple of real downers as well.
November 9th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
Good list, but none of those songs bring on even a fraction of the tears that Blackbird by the Beatles does for me. The covers of Blackbird are even worse as far as sob factors go. Eleanor Rigby doesn’t make me sad in the least.
November 9th, 2007 at 4:38 pm
creep: chill out guy, you have no idea what kind of work goes into these lists. everyone has their own opinion on music. just because this list doesn’t reach your expectations doesn’t mean its lame.. besides, everyone can make their own top ten lists in the comments.
November 9th, 2007 at 6:21 pm
Oooh, there are some good ones in the list and in the comments! Here’s a couple of suggestions of my own:
Vincent by Don McLean
Hear You Me by Jimmy Eat World
The Nowhere Man by The Veils
John Wayne Gacy Jr by Sufjan Stevens
Maps by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs
actually, I could totally go on but the songs are probably not really Top 10 material… just depressing.
November 11th, 2007 at 1:19 am
what about:
Elvis – in the ghetto
Foo fighters – my hero
jon bon jovi – dying aint much of a livin
November 11th, 2007 at 7:07 pm
Mother – John Lennon
Mr. Lonely – Bobby Vinton
Those two came to mind instantly, could probably think of more but, as usual, if I try and think up more, my mind draws a blank. Must have a touch of old timers disease.
November 12th, 2007 at 8:45 pm
Trouble Breathing- Alkaline Trio
Sunrise, Sunset- Bright Eyes
Anne- John Frusciante
Bedshaped- Keane
Thoughts of a dying atheist- MUSE
Priest and Paramedics- Pedro the Lion
I do- Pedro the Lion
Spinning Plates – Radiohead
I might be wrong- Radiohead
True Love Waits- Radiohead
Talk Show Host- Radiohead
Black Star- Radiohead
Zero- The Smashing Pumpkins
I CAN’T BELIEVE NO ONE PUT ZERO BY THE PUMPKINS!!!!
Oh and…
I know some of these aren’t very well known. But they are extremely beautiful and depressing songs.And yes I listed a lot of Radiohead songs. but Thom Yorke is the f-in man.
WARNING: Do not listen to if suicidal!!!!!!
November 13th, 2007 at 5:50 am
I’d have to put Lost Realist by Trapt on there.
“Will the dice ever roll?
Will the lights ever lower?
(unintelligible) at a loss to resist
I’m playing the part of a lost realist”
November 13th, 2007 at 9:58 pm
how about Eric Clapton’s Tears in Heaven. I mean come on its written for his son who died at the age of five.
November 15th, 2007 at 9:10 pm
3 Doors Down – Away From the Sun
http://youtube.com/watch?v=-bX2IyXejGk
The video is depressing too. I am a little disappointed that no one else has mentioned it.
November 20th, 2007 at 5:19 pm
How about I Won’t See You Tonight pt. 1 by Avenged Sevenfold? Or Disappoint by Assemblage 23?
November 23rd, 2007 at 8:17 pm
the river by the boss, aka bruce springstein hope i spelled it right
November 25th, 2007 at 2:03 am
Pictures of You by The Cure is really depressing too.
November 25th, 2007 at 3:46 am
Knockin on Heaven’s Door – Bob Dylan (G n
R not bad either)
How’s it gonna be – Third Eye Blind
The Ledge – The Replacements
Name – Goo goo dolls
Dust in the Wind – Kansas (until Wil Ferrell sang it in Old School)
Last Kiss – Pearl jam (although the J Frank Wilson is more errie)
Maybe more sad than depressing perhaps.
November 25th, 2007 at 10:15 pm
Johnny Cash sucks. He did a cover of an amazing song. Then he died. Wow.
November 25th, 2007 at 10:20 pm
Well, Courtney, Johnny Cash had a career that lasted 10 times longer then any of the trash pop bands you see now a days will ever have, and you say he sucks? God damn I hope I suck that bad in my life time. All of his number one hits, millions of albums sold, what a poser!
Maybe you don’t care for his music, but saying Johnny Cash sucks is like saying Elvis sucks, or that the Beatles were a bunch of fakes.
November 26th, 2007 at 5:57 pm
Die
November 26th, 2007 at 11:33 pm
Courtney: Welcome to the site. You may not have read many comments around the place yet, but we try to be tolerant of other’s views here – it always leads to interesting discussions and sometimes hot debate. People will extend that courtesy to you – so please extend it to others
November 27th, 2007 at 12:39 am
courtney: you do realize that that comment makes you the lesser person.. i can name many new artists who have taken wonderful songs and ruin them, and in fact i perfer his version of hurt over the one NIN did
November 27th, 2007 at 1:05 am
What an eloquent reply =/
November 28th, 2007 at 9:17 pm
Here’s yet another vote for Lou Reed’s “The Kids”. Visceral like Throbbing Gristle. Again, the entire album is a type of “sad” that I’ve never heard in popular music. Here’s Wikipedia:
“”The Kids” tells of a “miserable rotten slut” having her children taken from her by the authorities, and contains a particularly upsetting mid-section featuring the sounds of children shouting for their mother. This segment is so harrowing that a legend has arisen telling how producer Bob Ezrin went home one night and told his children that their mother had (in different versions) either left them or died, and recorded their response. Later, Ezrin dispelled this myth, stating that he had just asked them to cry for the recorder, and that his younger child got carried away with the game. In actuality, Joshua Ezrin, Ezrin’s youngest son, was outside the screen door of their house for a few minutes, and while he was pleading to be let back inside, his cries were recorded and put on the album.”
I maybe need to listen to some Jonathan Richman after just thinking about this song…
On the other hand, “Tears in Heaven”…man, I don’t know. That’s some brutal personal history to try to put on wax. It’s a song you can’t criticize, right? Except, well, I hate it. I feel for the man and his family, but the first time I heard it, I felt so manipulated.
December 1st, 2007 at 9:15 pm
I can name a few songs that are extremely depressing, though not popular enough to be on this list:
Our Lady Peace: Are You Sad?
Matthew Good Band: The Fine Art of Falling Apart
Matthew Good Band: Fated
Matthew Good Band: Strange Days
Matthew Good Band: Prime Time Deliverance
Matthew Good Band: Advertising on Police Cars
A Perfect Circle: Stranger
Anything by Staind
December 4th, 2007 at 6:23 am
Golden Slumbers by the Beatles always makes me cry, as well as Yesterday. And While my Guitar Gently Weeps. Gee, the Beatles had some really sad songs. Vincent by Don Mclean is another one. I cannot get through that without looking like an idiot. The Quiet Room by Alice Cooper. I could sit here all night and think of songs. Wow, how sad, might go to bed and have a little sniffle.
December 4th, 2007 at 9:41 pm
Eric Clapton – Tears in Heaven
without this song this list is utter crap
December 5th, 2007 at 8:23 am
Tears in Heaven is in this list-duh!
December 5th, 2007 at 2:44 pm
not really rock at the time but dylan’s “the ballad of hollis brown” is messed up when you factor in that it was based on a true event as were several of his early talking blues songs. my guess he was’nt included on this list because so much of his work is depressing.its why i listen to him so much,when i hear it i can’t help but feel my life isn’t so bad.
December 10th, 2007 at 11:51 am
I know this is strange but… “Hey You” by Pink Floyd (from their album ‘The Wall’, and the rock-opera b the same name), actually kept me from killing myself after my ex-wife left me. Very depressing song, but also very beautiful.
December 10th, 2007 at 12:44 pm
I didn’t see it in the comments but “Desperado” by the Eagles makes me tear up every time.
I agree with the person who said “Goodbye my Lover” by James Blunt, I sobbed the first time I heard it.
December 10th, 2007 at 1:19 pm
“i am rock” by simon and garfunkle ,damn, just messes me up when i hear it.
December 10th, 2007 at 6:29 pm
No women ? I would add Clapton’s song to his son, Tears in Heaven. And Joy Division’s Love Will Tear Us Apart. If the line “Why is the bedroom so cold ?” isn’t depressing, I don’t know what is. Lou Reed’s song about his pal Billy is also a truly depressing song. Since Cash is on the list, I’d suggest Give my love to Rose.
December 10th, 2007 at 8:20 pm
I have no idea why, but the so-happy-it’s-creepy vibe of “Perfect Day” by Lou Reed makes it somehow depressing…
December 11th, 2007 at 1:07 am
Great list, great comments.
radiohead-how to disappear completely is so beautiful. I had to laugh at this
“(anyone with the answer should e mail james blunt forthwith)”
I really didn’t care for Johnny Cash’s cover of Hurt.
To me something is depressing when there is no hope, so I find “Brothers In Arms” sad, but not hopeless, as they find comfort in each other.
That said,
Simon’s I am a Rock
Tons of stuf by the Smiths and the Cure, and especially,
In The Ghetto,
Are depressing!
December 11th, 2007 at 1:16 am
suzi: you are right about Brothers in Arms – it is a great song – thanks for mentioning it
December 11th, 2007 at 1:21 am
Very hard to find, but easily the most depressing song I’ve ever heard in my entire life.
Birdbrain- “My Gun”.
From the band’s final album in 1997, it’s essentially the lead singer playing acoustic and saying he’s going to kill himself, with a trumpet solo that only adds more sadness.
This list is great btw
December 11th, 2007 at 2:03 am
crimmas: thanks
I have not heard the song “My Gun” – did the singer kill himself or was it just the theme of the song?
December 11th, 2007 at 4:17 pm
I know a lot of people may disagree with me , but Blind Melon “No Rain” always get to me, especially on rainy days!
December 11th, 2007 at 10:13 pm
“In the Sun” by Joseph Arthur is an amazing depressing song. Also, any song by the band Manchester Orchestra is both incredibly sad and well written.
December 12th, 2007 at 1:32 am
Smashing Pumpkins: Night Mare
December 12th, 2007 at 11:34 am
Great list, but the only songs that realy depress
me A Tout Le Monde by Megadeth and Cortez the Killer by Neil Young
December 12th, 2007 at 2:10 pm
FOR FUCKS SAKE TRENT REZNOR WROTE HURT , HE SHOULD GET THE RECOGNITION NOT CASH (THOUGH I LOVE HIS COVER) IT’S JUST NOT THE SAME AS THE THE INDIVIDUAL WHO FUCKING WROTE IT
December 13th, 2007 at 1:02 pm
YEAH !!! How can I forget , also Down in a Hole & Dirt by Alice in Chains are too depressing
December 18th, 2007 at 2:36 am
Hard to see Suicide ‘Frankie Teardrop’ as depressing. I’d call it unsettling or perhaps even scary. Do a blog on scary music!
December 18th, 2007 at 1:04 pm
“Me & a Gun” by Tori Amos.
December 23rd, 2007 at 10:32 pm
How Soon is Now
is an awesome song and yah i guess its kinda of depressing lol
December 24th, 2007 at 10:09 pm
Oh wow I cant believe that All Of Me by Evanescence wasnt on there. Zoe Jane by Stained. Or Ozzy’s song about suicide it made a guy commit suicide. And none of Queens songs??? why??
December 25th, 2007 at 10:53 am
simple plan – Untitled
Seether – Broken
Sugarcult – Counting Stars
Manic Street Preachers – Suicide is Painless
and a whole bunch of songs by Cold (A Different Kind of Pain, Another Pill, Tell Me Why, Happens All The Time, When Angels Fly Away…..)
December 25th, 2007 at 7:58 pm
I have 3 songs that always come to mind when it comes to personal pain and that love that I lost but shouldn’t have…
Wishing you were here – Chicago
From the beginning – Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Far from me – nick cave and the bad seeds
whoever mentioned Forever Gone by Marginal Man, that’s a really sad song when you’ve lost someone
December 29th, 2007 at 12:12 pm
#123 Toni – I think that the song you are referring to is actually “If I Close My Eyes Forever” by OZZY and Lita Ford.
I would have to cast my vote for the following
In the Ghetto Elvis
Dust in the Wind Kansas
Last Kiss any version
and this is an old country song and i am not sure if this is actually the name of the song but someone else might know Teddy bear about the trucker talking to the little boy on the CB
December 30th, 2007 at 12:45 pm
i hate that the beatles are so hailed for their music. i’ve heard a thousand songs sadder than ‘eleanor rigby’.
December 30th, 2007 at 12:52 pm
pearl jam – ‘black’
heavens – ‘leave’
grandaddy – pretty the whole of their album ‘the sophtware slump’
December 31st, 2007 at 7:45 am
Anybody ever heard “The Living” by Natalie Merchant? That’s not a song, it’s a suicide note set to music.
December 31st, 2007 at 9:02 am
bridge: geez. i read those lyrics. i want to give her a hug or something. i hope that all was written as what someone might feel instead of how she actually feels.
January 2nd, 2008 at 4:26 am
“Counting Blue Cars” by Dishwalla
“Iris” by Goo Goo Dolls (sometimes called the “I won’t tell your name” song)
(I remembered “Jumper” but it’s already mentioned.
January 11th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Just about any song from “The Final Cut” by Pink Floyd would fit quite nicely in this list
January 12th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Hi, I have been reading on this website for the past few days, I am quite addicted..lol the lists are great, and i find the comments very entertaining/informative as well. I have been almost inclined to comment on other issues, however cannot help myself now…
i don’t like mondays – Boomtown Rats
the day the music died – Don Mclean
wasted time – Eagles
keep up the good work, and good comments..
January 13th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
“Last Kiss” by J. Frank Wilson always brings me to tears.
January 14th, 2008 at 3:03 am
“Last Kiss” by Pearl Jam kills me every time
January 14th, 2008 at 4:28 am
“I Try” by Macy Gray might fit the list.
January 14th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
The Ballad by Millencolin is very depressing and Adams song by Blink 182 is sad too
January 17th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
River of Tears
Eric Clapton
End of story
January 17th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Whisky Lullaby by Brad Paisley and Allsion Krause
January 20th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
Ditto whoever mentioned “The River” By Springsteen.
I’d also add “Everybody Knows” by Leonard Cohen
And while he’s not really rock, nearly everything by Harry Chapin will make want to start drinking heavily if you listen to it for too long.
January 20th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
ANYTHING BY KATATONIA…most depressing band ever lol
January 20th, 2008 at 11:16 pm
Noelle: really? I love Catatonia! I guess I can see why some of their songs might seem depressing though
January 21st, 2008 at 1:22 am
I was wondering if I should put “I Miss You” by Blink 182 here. Earlier today I was humming and whistling it as I turned the radio on, and guess what was playing? “I Miss You” by Blink 182.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:16 pm
i would say that although it is nice to have a smiths song as number one, others like “asleep”, which is infinitely sad and includes lyrics like, ‘Sing me to sleep, Sing me to sleep, And then leave me alone. Don’t try to wake me in the morning, cause I will be gone.’
also, the elliott smith song “king’s crossing” is depressing because of a line his gf added into the mix as the song was released post death. after he says ‘give me one good reason not to do it’ she whispers, ‘because i love you’.
January 25th, 2008 at 4:14 am
I made a mistake in comment #187… “Iris” and “I won’t tell them your name” are two different Goo Goo Doll songs. Both could apply to the list.
[I'm scratching my head] One of those songs has a 2nd, unofficial name.?
January 25th, 2008 at 4:52 am
Yeah,Iris is really depressing,esp the in the Nicholas Cage,Meg Ryan movie,City of angels I think it was.But Mad World by Gary Jules is definately one of the most depressing i’ve heard
January 25th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
tears in heaven by eric clapton…about his young boy who was tragically killed (I believe he fell from a balcony)…
and American Pie by Don McLean, symbolic of the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper.
Great idea for an article.
January 25th, 2008 at 11:15 pm
juicy : yea he fell out of a window , that song is so sad =[
January 26th, 2008 at 8:00 am
You Know You’re Right by Nirvana is very depressing. It was the last song they recorded and it’s very much a swan song.
“Paaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaain”
January 27th, 2008 at 6:43 am
That is true. I recon that “Stairway to heavan” is a really depressing song to listen to- although it is very good still.
January 27th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
I’ve always favored There is a Light That Never Goes Out. I also cry when I hear anything by Karen Carpenter.
January 31st, 2008 at 5:44 am
Sylvia’s Mother.
But maybe only for me. At that time (1971) I was a 13 year old suffering from lost love. God does that song hurt.
February 4th, 2008 at 11:46 pm
Songs that gut me everytime:
Out On the Weekend and On the Beach by Neil Young.
And River by Joni Mitchell. Also Under the Bridge by the Chili Peppers makes me quite teary-eyed.
It’s interesting to note that with music people often place a band/song/artist’s merit according to their own taste. Hmmm.
So, nice list, considering!!
February 8th, 2008 at 2:54 am
Elton John’s “Daniel” and the cover of “Candle in the Wind” for Princess Di’s funeral get to me. I can listen to “Daniel” occasionally, but “Goodbye England’s Rose” I can’t listen to it makes me sad. I’m not a Di fanatic or anything, I just thought it was well written and you can’t help but think of other people gone before they should have.
February 12th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
‘tears in heaven’ by eric clapton and ‘who wants to live forever’ by queen simply had to have been on this list – partially because of the sad histories of those who sung them. and ‘at seventeen’ is pretty depressing too.
February 13th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
wheres guns n’ roses – don’t cry or november rain?
and what ever happened to scorpions – still loving you? or send me an angel??
how about dream theater – space dye vest?
pearl jam – black
bed of roses by bon jovi
led zeppelin – since i’ve been loving you?
led zeppelin – babe i’m gonna leave you
February 14th, 2008 at 10:12 am
the most unorthodox of lists -
Against Me! – Thrash unreal
Armor for Sleep – Car underwater
Avenged Sevenfold – Seize the day
BlessTheFall – Higinia
Blink 182 – Adam’s Song, Always
Bowling For Soup – When We Die
Chiodos – Lindsey Quiet Lollygagging
Finch – Letters to you
Gary Jules – Mad World
Goo Goo Dolls – Iris
Guns N Roses – Knockin on heavens door (or any version of it)
Hinder – Lips of an angel
Hollywood Undead – The loss, My black dahlia
Linkin Park – My December
Mayday Parade – Miserable at Best, I’d hate to be you when people find out what this song is about
My Chemical Romance – Helena, The Ghost of You, CANCER (that one is a must!)
Simon and Garfunkel – All I know
And a bunch more.
February 16th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
This is my list of song that personally pull on my heart strings:
Hear You Me – Jimmy Eat World
Always Be – Jimmy Eat World
Kryptonite – 3 Doors Down
Be Like That – 3 Doors Down
Adams Song – Blink182
Gone Away – The Offspring
Cannonball – Damien Rice
History – Funeral For A Friend
Sonny – Funeral For A Friend
Macy’s Day Parade – Green Day
Hurt – NIN
Blue And Yellow – The Used
Thats just a few. I hope I can help anyone who came across this website like i did, in search of sad songs to console a broken heart.
February 18th, 2008 at 2:36 am
oh and i forgot. ‘winter’ by joshua radin.
February 23rd, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Rape Me – Nirvana
February 25th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
nick cave and the bad seeds – into my arms
February 26th, 2008 at 10:01 am
Sides three and four of The Beatles White Album hold what is perhaps their all-time depressing string of hits:
Long, Long, Long by George Harrison
Mother Nature’s Son by McCartney
Cry baby Cry by Lennon
Good Night by Lennon and McCartney (sung by Ringo)
February 28th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Definately Muse- Con-Science should be up there, and possibly Ruled By Secrecy as well.
Radiohead choice is spot on, although putting it next to Treefingers on the album makes it even more depressing.
I agree with Mad World (Donnie Darko version), hella depressing.
What about Rufus Wainwright- Going To A Town or Damien Rice- Cheers Darlin’?
Can’t beat something from Tool or A Perfect Circle either. Is there a scariest song list? Because Tool’s Faaip De Oiad would top that easy.
March 1st, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Anybody ever hear of Beck’s “Jackass”
March 6th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
John Wayne Gacy, Jr. – Sufjan Stevens
March 15th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Trust me stick Therapy? on that will sort your problems if your pissed off. Most of there songs are aggresive and depressing. All of it is to be honest.
March 16th, 2008 at 5:16 am
I want to know why half of the artists are standing in front of a brick wall… Is there something sad about that?
March 19th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
I think that one of the saddest songs is Blurry by Puddle of Mudd. It is about the lead singer (Wes) and his song. Very sad. Also Glycerine by Bush. I cried the first time i heard it. Very powerful. And of course Forever by Papa Roach. Very depressing and sad. These are just some of my many songs though.
March 22nd, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Leonard Cohen. Avalanche
March 28th, 2008 at 1:48 am
“I Know It’s Over” The Smiths (mentioned already)
“Atmosphere” Joy Divison
“Pictures of You” The Cure
Can’t think of any other songs…
March 31st, 2008 at 4:10 pm
I think that Something in the Way by Nirvana and One by Metallica are pretty depressing songs
March 31st, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Hmmm…227 posts and not a single mention of “Sober” by Tool.
“I am just a worthless liar
I am just an imbecile
I will only complicate you
Trust in me and fall as well”
April 1st, 2008 at 2:07 pm
I’d say “Without You” by Badfinger is really depressing too, plus the story that follows with it
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Without_You
and a poor quality video of them performing it:
April 5th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
3 from Bob Dylan
Not Dark Yet
Things Have Changed
Most of the Time
and Black from pearl jam
April 18th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
TB Sheets – Van Morrison.
Runnin’ Scared, Love Hurts, Cryin’, It’s Over – Roy Orbison (I can;t help it if I’m old!)
Crying In The Rain – The Everley Brothers and lots of other by them
Sad Song – Joe Jackson.
Sad Song – ? some guy who used to be with Manfred Mann.
Waitin’ For The Movin’ Van To Come – David Ackles and others from the American Gothic album.
Weaver’s Answer – Family
Michelle’s Song – Elton John (Not really a sad song but it makes me sad)
I’ll finish with a couple of songs from A Hard Days Night by The Beatles If I Fell & I Love Her, Plus dozens more by the mop tops John, Paul George & Ringo.
The End by the Doors and now it’s time to go to bed and cry myself to sleep.
April 20th, 2008 at 1:06 am
Nice list. ^_^ I have a weird obsession with depressing music, or music written while depressed.. It always comes across as more heartfelt. Take Billy Corgan, the new Pumpkins music is undeniably fake and .. well, purely tuneless crap. And while he may have been an emotional wreck in the 90s, every album was melodically vibrant and .. puzzling, dark, poetic, real in a very surreal fashion. I word it that way because he wrote about himself, and his life, but in a confusing way so that you’d either not quite get it, or mistake it for storytelling.
Anyway, a couple of depressing songs that I think you should check out:
“This Time”, “I of the Mourning”, “Age of Innocence”, and anything from the Adore album by the Smashing Pumpkins. Particularly “For Martha”, my favorite song ever.
“Sentimental Guy” by Ben Folds is really good..
And “Woke from Dreaming”, “Keep On Breathing”, and “If This is a Plan” by The Delgados.
I know those are all fairly mainstream choices, but a lot of people have only heard the mainstream songs by those people, and miss out on a lot of gems like these.
April 26th, 2008 at 11:35 pm
the end of the world by skeeter davis from girl interrupted.
April 27th, 2008 at 6:05 am
What a load of bourgeois pish,..
I agree with The Smiths and New Order..but what about CURRENT 93??? ALL their songs are the saddest!
or
SWANS?
or
Loudon Wainwright III
Actually my pick would be: “Cripple and the Starfish” – ANTONY AND THE JOHNSONS.
April 30th, 2008 at 1:03 am
what about aerosmith’s hole in my soul? Metallica’s sanitarium, dream theatre’s pull me under, and the legacy by Iron Maiden?
What about hey there delilah?
May 3rd, 2008 at 9:33 am
NOVEMBER RAIN GUNS N’ ROSES
May 5th, 2008 at 10:55 am
dunno i think that most songs should be able to change a bunch of people inorder to be good and well i agree they… they have changed so many lives but not mine and im still waiting for that one song…..
-Night
May 5th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
Placebo – pierrot the clown. one feel bad song.
May 6th, 2008 at 1:34 am
“Bittersweet Symphony” by The Verve ain’t exactly a happy tune.
“Hey Man, Nice Shot” by Filter
“Fine Again” by Seether
“Why I’m Here” by Oleander
“Hunger Strike” by Temple Of The Dog
“In The End” by Linkin Park
May 6th, 2008 at 2:41 am
“Bother” by Stone Sour
I pulled out 7 disks of music and CD-G karaoke disks that a friend downloaded (legally) for me in 2002. Four of them have somehow deteriorated. There’s alot of static and the karaoke ones are almost unreadable. Beware of homemade disks.
May 6th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
Fake Plastic Trees- Radiohead
More or less anything by Joy Division, especially in light of the circumstances, is far and away more depressing than anything by The Smiths (Atmosphere, Atrocity Exhibition, Isolation, New Dawn Fades…)
This Time Imperfect- AFI
The Freshmen- The Verve Pipe
Brothers on a Hotel Bed- Death Cab for Cutie
If I Ever Leave this World Alive- Flogging Molly
The Center of the World- Bright Eyes
My Sweet Prince- Placebo (There’s youtube footage of the singer more or less having somewhat of an emotional breakdown performing this song, to boot)
Mad World- From Donnie Darko
Pretty much any version of Hallelujah
Fast Car- Tracy Chapman
… But maybe thats just me. I know I seconded a lot of things that are already on here, but this is a damned depressing list of songs.
May 12th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Im sorry but i cant agree. Where is You know your right, the soong depicts all the depression in kurt cobains life. Joy division have many depressing songs and so do flogging molly, Far away boys. I agree with some selections but to me the decisions seem to be made by a person with little or no musical knowledge, there are many more songs that depress the soul better than metalica!
May 13th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Wow, i can’t believe no one has mentioned “the saddest song i’ve ever heard”(according to The King when he sang it at Aloha from Hawaii).
Hank Williams Sr – I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry.
Other depressing songs:
Bird on a Wire – Leonard Cohen
Take This Longing- Leonard Cohen
Nobody Loves Me But My Mother – B.B King
Ballad of a Thin Man – Bob Dylan
Man of Constant Sorrow – Bob Dylan’s Version
How Do You Thing It Feels – The Velvet Underground
Who Loves The Sun – The Velvet Underground
Nowhere Man- The Beatles
The Great Pretender – The Platters
Only in Dreams – Weezer
Wild Horses – The Rolling Stones
May 20th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Tears in Heaven-Eric Clapton.
I’m also surprised that no songs by Pink Floyd or The Cure are on here.
May 22nd, 2008 at 6:28 am
i would say november rain that always makes me cry.
May 26th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Korn- No One’s There,i swear this is a depressing song,got me
through alot aswell.
May 27th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Most of these songs are not sad but merely maudlin Oscar Wilde’s response to the death of Little Nell is the appropriate response.
May 28th, 2008 at 12:53 am
Nice list! I would add (if not already there):
“Nude” by Radiohead
“Come Undone” by Duran Duran
among others that were mentioned…definitely anything by Tool and Alice in Chains, as well.
May 30th, 2008 at 3:32 am
I bought the Stain’D album “Break The Cycle” then after playing it 2 or 3 times thought, “Geez, this whole disk is depressing.”
May 31st, 2008 at 10:53 am
This list is mostly generic. Most depressing song “How Soon is now?” I could name at least 5 Smiths songs more depressing than that.
For one, “Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want.”
May 31st, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Agalloch’s ‘…And The Great Cold Death Of The Earth’ is far, far, FAR more depressing than any of these songs.
May 31st, 2008 at 4:57 pm
The Smiths are from Salford not Manchester.
June 1st, 2008 at 5:01 am
if you want depressing then try listening to breathe no more, evanescence or bring me to life, evanescence
June 1st, 2008 at 1:18 pm
I would not agree with #4 or #7. they each feel dark yet some how also have a sense of victory.
June 5th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
wish you were here pink floyd
kite u2 (to me a song about a parents death)
one tree hill u2 (about a roadie who got killed)
Knocking on heavens door bob dylan
helpless neil young
still water–daniel lanois (watch it on youtube)
skyline pigeon elton john (this is being played at my funeral)
That sinead o connor song……what the f was the name of it i draw a blank…..U something or other
June 5th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Nothing Compares 2 U, written by Prince
June 5th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
i go to sleep-sia
famous blue raincoat-leonard cohen
never is a promise-fiona apple
i love you-sarah mclachlan
June 7th, 2008 at 12:55 am
I’m really surprised there’s no joy division on hear.
Lou Reed – Perfect Day
Velvet Underground – Heroin
Elliot Smith – Needle in the hay
GG Allin – When I Die (acoustic), he’s a jerkoff but this song man…
Johnny Thunders – You Can’t Put Your Arms Around A Memory
Theres many more, otherwise good list though
June 7th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
Yes, thank you Rushfan that was it. I drew a blank.
June 9th, 2008 at 4:06 am
Here’s that Agalloch song. I doubt many of will have heard of them.
June 9th, 2008 at 10:13 am
“prague” by Damien rice…beautiful,depressing,sad….
June 14th, 2008 at 12:44 am
dont think youve heard nick drake.
June 22nd, 2008 at 3:33 pm
I dont know if anyone has put this song up yet but if u actually listen to the song u can come up with many depressing theories on what the song is actually about.
The Black Crows: She Talks To Angels…the guitar melody is beautiful and the lyrics are quite sad.
Niceeee List guys keep it up
June 22nd, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Im not an addict:K’s choice
June 22nd, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Theres also an artist by the name of Damien Rice…everyone should def. check him out….some songs are
The blowers duaghter
Cannonball
cold water
June 22nd, 2008 at 3:39 pm
My favorite all time most depressing song would def have to be “Coming back again” By PEarlJam Great band Great band
June 22nd, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Diary of JAne
Artist: Breaking Benjamin
June 24th, 2008 at 3:35 am
Wow… there are so many suggestions in the comments I could spend a week listening to nothing but depressing music! I do think though, that if you are already depressed pretty much any song will sound depressing. I didn’t mind listening to “Last Kiss” by Pearl Jam, “Zoe Jane” by Staind, “Diary of Jane” by Breaking Benjamin, “Streets of London” by Ralph McTell, “The Drugs don’t Work” by The Verve and lots of others – but some of those songs ended up being associated in my head with sad times and now when I hear them they seem depressing. Still good songs, but depressing.
Eleanor Rigby, on the other hand, I’ve always associated with good times and string quartets so for me it’s not a depressing song at all. I know that Jess Buckley died prematurely and lots of people think “Hallelujah” is sad but I’ve always liked it, although I prefer Imogen Heap’s cover to his.
June 24th, 2008 at 3:57 am
My list would be
5. Marilyn Manson – Coma White
4. Type O Negative – Paranoid (Black Sabbath Cover)
3. The Cure – Primary
2. Joy Division – The Eternal
1. Joy Division – 24 hours
June 25th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
courtney is a dumb c*nt
This is a great list but not depressing enough.
I am putting a playlist together to kill myself to.
Thanks guys there is some great stuff in here.
I would say some of it sucks but that would just be my silly opinion.
xo
June 25th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
grotto of miracles-silkworm
very sad
June 26th, 2008 at 4:01 am
John Cales version of hallelujah is better than Buckleys, and sadder, just not as well known.
(though it was actually used in one of the Shreck films, much to my surprise)
June 26th, 2008 at 4:40 am
nowadays music is dead
June 26th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
DEATH IN JUNE: “All Pigs Must Die”
June 27th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
great list i agree with king’s crossing i don’t know whay but its very intense for me anyway i would add a few more to the list
1)Radiohead — Exit music for a film
2)The Beatles — While my guitar gently weeps (but the anthology 3 version the white album version is great but this seems more emotional to me)
3)The Verve — The drugs don’t work
4)The Beatles — In my life
June 30th, 2008 at 10:15 am
This list could have benefited from a lot of Opeth, like a lot from the Damnation album. Anyone know of any bands that play soft and dreary music like them.
June 30th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
#277.. like I said CURRENT 93!!!
July 5th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Ferry Cross the Mersey has the most melancholy music , consequently I find it depressing no matter the words to the song. Walk Away Renee is a melancholy song that doesn’t depress me. John Lennon’s Mother is depressing and disturbing
July 6th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
Here is a list of songs I think are pretty sad..(Not in any other, also not all rock)
1. Jamie All over – Mayday Parade
2. Where are all my good friends? – Jet
3. Time Of Your Life – Greenday (Sure To Get Tears At A Prom)
4. Graduation Song (Friends Forever) – Vitamin C
5. Walk In The Sun – Mcfly
6. I’m Just A Kid – Simple Plan
7. Prefect – Simple Plan
8. Cancer – My Chemical Romance (the vid is super sad)
9. Bubble Wrap – Mcfly
10. Mad World – Michael Andrews feat. Gary Jules
(I’ll probably add more later)
July 6th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
The Greatest Fall (Of all Time)-Matchbook Romance
Bother-Seether
July 7th, 2008 at 7:12 am
The song High Hopes by Pink Floyd for me is the most depressing, it just reminds me of that one night i remember with all my friends sitting round like a bunch of hippies on the grass, but the grass was greener and all our dreams didnt seem so far away, we really thought we could do anything. Anyone remember the guitar solo in this song???…..still gives me goosebumps everytime “Forever and ever……”
July 8th, 2008 at 7:31 am
The saddest song ever, hands down, (well, sofar…) has to be “It’s all over” by The God Machine..
July 8th, 2008 at 11:46 am
…or perhaps the complete works of Kenny G.
(…shudder)
July 9th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Some of the saddest songs I’ve heard Elvis Presley-Old Shep, Bobby Goldsburgh-Honey and REMs Everybody hurts although I think the version by The Corrs is fantastic. And lets not forget The Beatles classic While my guitar gently weeps.
July 10th, 2008 at 6:47 am
Don’t Let it Bring you Down, Neil Young
July 11th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Here are some depressing songs that the list author didn’t mention, whether they’re rock or not:
EVANESCENCE, My Immortal – from the album Fallen (2003)
SARAH MACLACHLAN, When Somebody Loved Me – from the film Toy Story 2 (1999); and I Will Remember You
MATCHBOX TWENTY, Back 2 Good – from the album Yourself or Someone Like You (1996)
VAN MORRISON, Madame George – from the album Astral Weeks (1968)
M2M, The Day You Went Away – from the album Shades of Purple (2000)
RADIOHEAD, Creep
THE ROLLING STONES, You Can’t Always Get What You Want – from the album Let it Bleed (1969)
JAMES TAYLOR, Our Town – from the film Cars (2006)
July 11th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
I Know by Jude (from the City of Angels soundtrack)
Blasphemous Rumours & Somebody by Depeche Mode
July 12th, 2008 at 4:55 am
I’d like to add the following songs also:
Famous Monsters & Holdin On by Saliva
Cure My Tragedy (A Letter to God) & A Different Kind of Pain by Cold
Never Too Late by Three Days Grace
Unforgiven by Metallica
Save Me by Shinedown
July 14th, 2008 at 9:08 am
Special Two by Missy Higgins. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2ga9dyjzJ4 Actually the whole of the Sound Of White album is pretty depressing. Seriously, you’ll be crying by the end…
July 15th, 2008 at 4:01 am
The Smiths – Asleep, I Know It’s Over, loads more
The Cure – Faith, The Same Deep Water As You, more
Everything ever done by SWANS (or Gira or Jarboe solo)
Joy Division – Atmosphere, New Dawn Fades, The Eternal, more
Pink Floyd – The Final Cut (song), loads more
Nick Drake – A Place To Be, Things Behind The Sun, more
Marcy Playground – One More Suicide
New Order – The first album when they still sounded like JD
Clapton – Tears In Heaven. Probably has to be the top.
The Eagles – The Last Resort. Gets me every time.
Various songs by Elliot Smith, Morphine, Lou Reed, Nico, David Bowie, The Verve, Leonard Cohen, John Lennon… Eh, I could write a book about depressing songs, they’re all I listen to.
Didn’t mention any off the original list, which are all pretty good picks. Nice to see The Smiths get the top spot
July 17th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
I would also like to add following, randomly sorted
Bright eyes – Haligh, Haligh, a Lie, Haligh
Pearl Jam – Black
Radiohead – Street Spirit (Fade Out)
Snow Patrol – Run
Gary Jules – Mad World
Dry Kill Logic – Goodnight
Jimmy Eat World – Hear You me
Pink Floyd – Comfortably Numb
The Doors – The End
Judas Priest – Angel
Depeche Mode – The Bottom Line
Iron Maiden – Wasting Love
Metallica – To Live is to Die
Megadeth – A Tout Le Monde
Anathema – Deep
Manowar – Bridge of Death
Arvanitaki – Tzivaeri (Greek)
Mavi Sakal – Iki Yol (Turkish)
Mor ve Otesi – Bir Derdim Var (Turkish)
July 17th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
the price ~ twisted sister. that was my first tape when i was a kid. i loved that song.
July 27th, 2008 at 10:53 am
‘Pissing in a River’ by Patti Smith – she sounds so tormented
“Should I pursue a path so twisted ?
Should I crawl defeated and gifted ?”
July 29th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Eric Clapton’s song Circus, about the last time he was with his son Coner is even sadder than Tears.
Saddest song ever is Harry Chapin’s the Shortest Story – baby’s born, baby starves, baby dies. I have to skip it on the CD!
July 31st, 2008 at 9:08 am
Walk-by Blind Melon always kinda depresses me, but I guess you have to understand where shannon was coming from.
August 8th, 2008 at 3:19 am
I do love “Eleanor Rigby” It’s probably up there in my favorite Beatles songs.
I’m kind of surprised “The End” isn’t on this list.
August 8th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
why always beatls why not three days grace they have really depressing songs well my moms calling me bye i guess.
August 11th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
How about the 60’s hit by Bobby Goldsboro “Honey”…………saddest song about young wife who passed away; he sings of her love of flowers, etc…
August 12th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
I have always felt The Background by Third Eye Blind is an extremely sad and powerful song. The electric guitar when he sings “cuz i felt you long after we were through” always tears me up.
August 14th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Muse-Megalomaniac
Radiohead-Lucky
The Dreaming Tree-Dave Matthews Band
August 15th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
Awesome list. Another song that could of made it here is “Dont Worry(I’ll Catch You) by The Get Up Kids.
August 17th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Good one Atinna – Megalomaniac and Lucky are great. Lucky manages to draw tears whenever I listen to it. I could kill myself to that song, and I’m serious about that. If I ever do it will probably go down that way.
August 17th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
I forgot Radiohead – Exit Music (for a film) is also ridiculous. Nothing like a good double suicide song.
August 18th, 2008 at 4:31 am
Strange Fruit – Billie Holiday
Every Body Hurts – REM
Mad World – Tears For Fears (I could be wrong about the band on that one.)
Time Will Pass – Sick Puppies
Suicidal Dream – Silverchair
On My Own – The Used
Gloomy Sunday – Billie Holiday (as apposed to Bjork’s version).
They’re just a few others I thought maybe should be concidered…but that just might be me who find them sad haha.
August 18th, 2008 at 4:32 am
And I would just like to say I’m awear Billie Holiday wasn’t rock…but she was a pioner in a style influencial to rock. :]
August 18th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
Although not rock songs I always feel a little sad when I hear,
Killing Me Softly – Roberta Flack
Sitting on the Dock of the Bay – Otis Redding
August 20th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Hello by Evanescence
The Only One by Evanescence
Dead Boy’s Poem by Nightwish
August 20th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
That’s a great list but I would have definitly put ”catch the rainbow” by rainbow… It’s a great song but it’s so depressing!
August 21st, 2008 at 4:38 am
wheres Joy Division??
Definitely one of the bands with the most depressing songs ever!!
August 26th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Woah, I just listened to Frankie Teardrop for the first time…
I don’t feel well. I’m actually shaking. I haven’t been this disturbed by a song since I first heard Slug Bait by Throbbing Gristle. >_
August 26th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Hey EM0B0LEYNGIRL
You like SUICIDE and THROBBING GRISTLE huh?
Go listen to CURRENT 93 you will feel even more SICK and DISTURBED! Listen to Hey Ho The Noddy Oh, Fields Of Rape, I Have A Special Plan For This World.. et al. There’s plenty to listen to. They’ve been around for 23 odd years!!! (and Tibet was involved with Throbbing Gristle somewhere along the line)
David Tibet is the nodding god!
August 28th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
you added kings crossing A+++++
August 30th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
I’m gonna go ahead and say something I’ll probably be criticized for.
NIN’s version of Hurt is much better than Cash’s. Why? For one, Reznor sings it with much more emotion than Cash. And also, Trent’s version just has much better guitar, etc. It’s much more detailed.
Hurt is the final song of the concept album, The Downward Spiral. One of Trent Reznor’s (aka Nine Inch Nails’) masterpieces. I find it very similar to Pink Floyd’s The Wall.
The Downward Spiral is a story of a man, who has a voice in his head that tries to persuade him to do bad, and that man’s struggles throughout his life. He goes through hate, anger, addiction, etc. and the entire album is about his “Downward Spiral.”
The album is extremely detailed, at some points having 15+ musical progressions playing at once. (Yes, all this music comes from one man.) Also, the lyrics are extremely well written, the album has character names and is told as a story. At some points the music ACTUALLY GOES ALONG with the lyrics. Not in mood alone, but in representation. Here’s an example. The song “Reptile” is about the man visiting a prostitute. (You’ll know why if you listen to the whole album.) The beat of the song is made of machine noises. It has a very dark, mechanical feel to it. The machine noises represent that he is nothing special to her and that she has been with a thousand other men before; it’s just a mechanised reaction to her. One more crank of the machine, just like everyone else, that’s all he is.
Hurt is the final song of this album and it is the character looking back at his life after his death from beyond the grave. He recognises all his foolish mistakes and wishes he could go back but it is far too late.
If I could start again
A million miles away
I would keep myself
I would find a way
I have listened to this album over fifty times and I have found new things, whether musical (Reznor is extremely detailed) or conceptual. This album is fantastic although I do not think it is his best work.
Highly recommended. Please do not just listen to Hurt. That,in a way, takes away its power. Listen to the album. Only then can you truly appreciate this song. It might even take a few listens of the album before you really appreciate it; it did for me.
P.S. Johnny Cash fans, please don’t bash me. I love his version; the video brings tears to my eyes. I just personally feel the original is better.
September 4th, 2008 at 8:11 am
Neil Young – Needle and the Damage Done
Joy Division – Love Will Tear Us Apart
David Bowie – Running Gun Blues
The The – Infected
Rolling Stones – Paint It Black
Specials – Ghost Town
Elvis Costello – Shipbuilding
Birthday Party (Nick Cave’s first band) – Suicide
Bronski Beat – Small Town Boy
Sinead O’Connor – Nothing Compares 2 U
Iggy Pop – No Fun
Grandmaster Flash – The Message
Kinks – Dead End Street
Gary Jules – Mad World
Randy Newman – I Think It’s Going To Rain Today
Laura Nyro – Upstairs by a Chinese Lamp
REM – The One That I Love
Righteous Brothers – You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling
Lou Reed – Caroline Says
Dusty Springfield – Goin’ Home
September 7th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Most Depressing Songs… EASY!!!
Metallica – The Unforgivens
– Unforgiven I
– Unforgiven II
– Unforgiven III
– Fade To Black
Nirvana
– Something In The Way
– Where Did You Sleep Last Night
– Pennyroyal Tea
Gunshy
– Waiting To Die
SlipKnot
– Vermillion Pt.1 + Pt. 2
KoRn
– Here To Stay
– Falling Away From Me
(Metal heads!!! Check these out xDD )
September 7th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
“Life is that makes all of us cry,
Life as it is depressing why to live,
when there is a better way to leave,
Fight is no way out so commit suicide.”
Cannot complain there are lot to cry over than a old song. We all are sorry for what we are one way or the other but, still we have to live.
September 7th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
If I had to add I would add
1.”The drugs don’t work”- the verve
2.”Love Hurts”- Nazareth
3.”November rain”-GNR
4.”Live and Let die”
5.”If tomorrow never comes”-Garth Brooks
I depends when you listen even romantic songs sometimes depresses me.
September 7th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
calm under the waves by maria mena. that song will ALWAYS make me cry. ALWAYS.
September 13th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
Just stumbled here … good topic
We forgot:
When a blind man cries – Deep Purple
Epitaph – King Crimson
I talk to the wind – King Crimson
People rockin’ in a free world – Neil Young
September 14th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Some really good (as in depressing songs in here)…glad that mad world got in there. I think another one would be The Hill from the movie “Once” soundtrack. i guess it’s not really rock but…
September 15th, 2008 at 3:35 am
How Soon Is Now is not the most depressing Smiths song
There Is A Light That Never Goes Out is a hell of a lot more depressing
“and if a double decker bus crashes into us
to die by your side
sucha heavenly way to die”
much?
September 15th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
Ash Ash Ash…
What about UNLOVABLE (http://www.lyricsmania.com/lyrics/smiths_the_lyrics_333/louder_than_bombs_lyrics_5089/unlovable_lyrics_60590.html) or LAST NIGHT I DREAMT THAT SOMEBODY LOVED ME (http://www.lyricsmania.com/lyrics/smiths_the_lyrics_333/the_very_best_of_lyrics_5095/last_night_i_dreamt_that_somebody_loved_me_lyrics_60710.html). Smiths songs that are better in a depressing way.
But guys… listen to CURRENT 93 and SWANS – seriously!
CURRENT 93: http://www.brainwashed.com/c93/ SWANS: http://www.swans.pair.com/
September 15th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
sorry that should that isn’t aesthetically pleasing is it!
UNLOVABLE: http://www.lyricsmania.com/lyrics/smiths_the_lyrics_333/louder_than_bombs_lyrics_5089/unlovable_lyrics_60590.html
or
LAST NIGHT I DREAMT THAT SOMEBODY LOVED ME: http://www.lyricsmania.com/lyrics/smiths_the_lyrics_333/the_very_best_of_lyrics_5095/last_night_i_dreamt_that_somebody_loved_me_lyrics_60710.html
CURRENT 93: http://www.brainwashed.com/c93/ SWANS: http://www.swans.pair.com/
September 17th, 2008 at 6:24 am
“Seasons in the sun” is by Jacques Brel and was written after he had been diagnosed with cancer. Many of his songs are considered depressing. Try “Amsterdam” (covered by Bowie) or “Next”.
September 21st, 2008 at 12:36 pm
some suggestions:
new dawn fades by joy division
a gothic love song (for n) by current 93
i love you in your tragic beauty by the legendary pink dots
half jack by the dresden dolls
oh comely by neutral milk hotel
diamonds and rust by joan baez
in a manner of speaking by tuxedomoon
anything by cat power (great expectations is a good one)
darklands by the jesus and mary chain
summertime by janis joplin
anything by nick cave (shit, that man has issues)
true faith by new order
and pretty much half of the NIN output, especially hurt, the fragile, and all that could have been, the great below, something i can never have, right where it belongs, lights in the sky… i could go on forever.
September 21st, 2008 at 6:17 pm
Hey CAT…
Have to disagree.. A GOthic Love SOng is one of the most hilarious songs ever! (but a lot of CURRENT 93’s other output is higly disturbing and unsettling)/
Words like ’shan’t’ and ‘moreover’ and ‘So you opened your books, And you opened your legs, And so opened your heart” or “Your eyes tried so hard to glitter” are very funny lines indeed.
On the other hand in “Alone” there’s: “Even death is better
than this useless life”.
September 22nd, 2008 at 8:49 am
1) There Is A Light That Never Goes Out – The Smiths
2) Alison – Slowdive
3) The Only Living Boy In New York – Simon and Garfunkel
4) Superstar – Sonic Youth
5) Holocaust – Big Star
Everyone who posts Evanescence is a moron and deserves a swift kick to the genitals
September 29th, 2008 at 9:38 am
Yes, Bright Eyes should be on here. They are perhaps the most depressing band out there. Superstar- Sonic Youth is pretty downing too.
October 12th, 2008 at 1:14 am
Has no one here ever listened to W.A.S.P.? Keep Holding On, Hold On To My Heart, The Crimson Idol, The Great Misconceptions Of Me, I Can’t, Cries In The Night, What I’ll Never Find, The Titanic Overture, Forever Free. They’re one of the heaviest bands around but Blackie Lawless is a lyrical genius. His ballads are the saddest I’ve ever heard. Another missing song is I Never Cry by Alice Cooper.
October 12th, 2008 at 3:39 am
yes, you shoud put one of queen”s song, maybe these are days of our lifes or least mother love, they are 2 most sadest songs
October 17th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
U2 – New Years Day is quite depressing rock song IMHO
October 24th, 2008 at 3:10 am
Behind Blue Eyes by the who or limp bizkut cover
The Who’s version will keep you from getting to depressed because there is a good rock solo.
But this is the saddest song hands down.
October 24th, 2008 at 6:55 am
mzb82 what?? “the saddest song hands down”??
Have you ever listened to CURRENT 93 or SWANS?? How can you say Limp Wrist’s is ‘hands down’?
You’ll change your mind after you’ve given your ears a good dose of “Failure”, “Turned To Stone”, “Blind”, “Raping A Slave”, “Time Tryeth Truth”, “Alone”, “Since Yesterday” et al. !!!
October 30th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
You people! Watching Over Me by Iced Earth… you’ve got to listen to it…
October 30th, 2008 at 7:39 pm
1. Estranged – G N’R
2. Spellbound – AC/DC
3. Soma – Smashing Pumpkins
4. A Tout Le Monde – Megadeth
5. How Soon Is Now – Smiths
6. Hurt – Johnny Cash / NIN
7. Mad World – Gary Jules
8. Comfortably Numb – Pink Floyd
9. Down In A Hole – Alice In Chains
10. Coma – G N’ R
November 3rd, 2008 at 2:50 pm
“In a Lonely Place” by Joy Division/New Order
MOST. DEPRESSING. SONG. EVER.
“Decades” by Joy Division is a close second.
November 8th, 2008 at 10:48 am
well,i think GREEN DAY-Wake me up when september ends is fantastic,and also some EVANESCENCE songs,like YOUR STAR;MY IMMORTAL,than THE SMITHS-How soon is now is veeeeeeeeeery depresive…Oh yea of course,PINK FLOYD-HIGH HOPES(you can`t hate that song…),than MOBY-WHY DOES MY HEATR FEELS SO BAD…LISTEN TO ALL THESE SONGS,YOU´LL THANK ME LATER…=)SERIOUSLY,THEY ARE ALL GREAT…J.S.
November 10th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
How come you leavee out Dylan’s Desolation Row, easily the most depressing song ever????
November 10th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
‘In a rut’ by the Ruts. The lead singer Malcolm Owen died from a heroin overdose. Contains the lyric “Don’t take that ride, this suicide, you cut your wrist, you try it and miss”.
November 11th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
How could nothing from Smashing Pumpkins or Alice in Chains or Nirvana be on here?
Come on people Layne Staley, Kurt Cobain and Billy Corgan led some of the most depressing lives imaginable and gave out equally dark and depressing songs and lyrics. Billy Corgan was a victim of child abuse and was homeless for period of his life, Layne Staley had a terrible heroine addiction and ended up staying in his home for weeks at a time with out leaving and died with a weight of like 85 lbs and Kurt doesn’t even need to be questioned, he committed suicide god sake.
1.) Angry Chair (Alice In Chains)
2.) Pennyroyal Tea (Nirvana)
3.) Zero (Smashing Pumpkins)
4.) Goodbye Blue Sky (Pink Floyd)
5.) Mad World (Michael Andrews and Gary Jules)
November 14th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Hm dashboard confessional has some seriously depressing songs, you could be happy-snow patrol, taking back sunday always makes me cry, um bright eyes, stay by karmina, cant remembr more
November 18th, 2008 at 1:51 am
all i need-radiohead
the maker makes-rufus wainwright..
NIN rules my world
November 19th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
I have to add this one: “Heart of Black” by Anders Manga.
I’d never heard of him until I ran across this song a year or two ago.
I guess the list criteria don’t include “well-known”, so I think a hidden gem like this is worthy of mentioning. It’s not my usual kind of music (I think the genre is known as “darkwave”), but the sound is so pretty, the lyrics so gut-wrenching, and the video a bit disturbing. I hope people check it out.
Video is at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfmofE-NvPk
Read the lyrics at: http://www.seeklyrics.com/lyrics/Anders-Manga/Heart-Of-Black.html
November 21st, 2008 at 7:30 am
requiem for a dream soundtrack-lux aeterna..
thats depressing boys
November 21st, 2008 at 1:56 pm
radio head sucks.
November 26th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Where’s Nirvana’s something in the way or Pennyroyal Tea? those songs are brilliant!!! And you are completely ignorant whoever said that Johnny Cash’s version was better than NIN’s. If it wasn’t for Trent Reznor there wouldn’t be any Hurt so quite comparing them they’re both good but what has more emotion and is better the person who wrote and felt what they were going when creating that song or a cover? This goes for most songs.
RIP Kurt and Johnny!
November 28th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Good list. I think the song “Touched” by Vast is a very depressing song also.
December 2nd, 2008 at 6:01 am
wat bout desperado-eagles, never fails…
also… how to save a life-the fray..
December 3rd, 2008 at 7:33 pm
top 5 of all time….
5) miss you – blink 182
4) hurt – nine inch nails
3) nutshell – alice in chains
2) vermillion pt 2 – slipknot
1) outside acoustic version – aaron lewis
December 5th, 2008 at 11:48 am
hurt-falls apart
December 5th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
two words…listen to it and you will feel bad for about a month, so dont, DONT!, listen to it, after the holidays..
Daddy…Korn.
December 10th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
1. Screaming Trees- No One Knows 2. Led Zeppelin- Ten Years Gone 3. Grey Daze- Morei Sky 4. Dry Cell- Body Crumbles 5. 13th Floor Elevators- May The Circle Remain Unbroken. Note: this song is actually more trippy, but its still good. 6. Scars of Life- Silent Words 7. Linkin Park- In Pieces 8. Soundgarden- Fresh Tendrils 9. Screaming Trees- Closer 10. Screaming Trees- Grey Diamond Desert. hope u guys like. most of these bands are underground. i hate mainstream.
December 12th, 2008 at 4:04 am
Hey, great list.
I’d like to add:
“All hail the heartbreaker” – The spill canvas.
“Never Alone” – Barlow Girl.
“In The End” – Linkin Park. *already mentioned*
“Suicidal Dreams” – Silverchair. *i think it’s already mentioned*
“Lover I don’t have to love” – Bright Eyes.
“Leave out all the rest” – Linkin Park.
“A farewell to a friendship” – A change of Pace.
“I hate everything about you” – Three Days Grace.
“A few Small Bruises” – Maria Mena.
“All again for you” – We the Kings.
“All the same” – Sick puppies.
“Battles” – The spill canvas.
“Until the day i die” – Story of the Year.
I’m not an Evanescence fan but “Even in death” is pretty depressing.
I guess that’s it…
December 13th, 2008 at 11:01 am
Mawwww!
The ‘Evanesence/Green Day/Simple Plan-are-the-most-depressive-band-in-my-life-people are so cute.
December 14th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
You’re not listening are you?!
Those songs that people keep posting are lame and are only ‘depressing’ to the bourgeois kiddies.
Like I said, listen to SWANS, CURRENT 93 or DEATH IN JUNE.
December 23rd, 2008 at 4:48 pm
the best one is fade to black
December 29th, 2008 at 7:41 am
boat on the river by styx
January 2nd, 2009 at 2:05 am
great songs!
how about George Jones’ “He Stopped Loving Her Today”
January 6th, 2009 at 10:28 pm
you people all have the shittiest taste
January 7th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
So many songs mentioned in the comments, but curious that most are very recent and popular songs, which proves you’re not really paying atention when really interesting stuff comes out.
But hey, we like what we like and it’s no one’s business but our own.
Radiohead has many more depressive songs, and though ‘How to disapear completely’ is sad, the haunting guitars of ‘Lucky’ ACHE when you listen to the song. And the lyrics at first glance are quite optimistic, in contrast to the completely devastating emotion you get from the melody.
Someone also mentioned Tool, ‘Aenema’ – what about ‘Wings for Marie – Part 2′? If you have a mother – and most of us do, even if she’s not even a relative – the words just destroy you, especially if you know the story behind the song.
Now all this complaining about Cash’s ‘Hurt’ being considered better than the original NIN’s version – Oh, cram it! No one’s complaining about ‘Hallelujah’, and it’s not Jeff Buckley’s either. If it’s better than the original version, it only means the song was good to begin with. Cash had a background Trent Reznor doesn’t and the interpretaion by Cash when you take his life into consideration is what makes his take on the song so unique.
Period.
January 11th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
Tears in heaven is sadder then how soon is now
even though i LOVE the smiths and eric clapton
January 11th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
And All That Could Have Been – NIN
(There are a LOT of NIN songs that are extremely depressing. But that’s one that came into my head first)
January 12th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
Hmmm…what about
I Don’t Know Why – the Rolling Stones
Angie – the Rolling Stones
Uninvited – Alanis Morrisette
Don’t Dream it’s Over – Crowded House
Promises – Badly Drawn Boy
Needle and the Damage Done – Neil Young
Piece of my Heart – Janis Joplin
January 12th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Oh, and
Heroes – David Bowie
January 14th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
I am bloody glad “How to Dissappear Completely” has got the recognition it deserves! It one amazing song which even moat Radiohead fans look over but it is simply one of their best, Just from the first seocnd to the last “Oohh” simple amazing.
January 15th, 2009 at 10:28 am
Metallica?
Yeah, that IS depressing.
Every Metallica song depresses me because these talentless, self-absorbed hacks still exist.
I wish they would follow their own advice and Fade to STFU
January 15th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
I love the list, I would only change one song and that is Eleanor Rugby. In its place I would have the Cure’s prayers for rain out of the disintegration album.
January 16th, 2009 at 7:21 am
“watching me slip” and “empty” are really depressing
January 16th, 2009 at 7:22 am
o and those are by unloco
January 27th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
Maybe it’s a generational thing, but only 2 or 3 or those songs would make my list.
A few that should be there:
The Smashing Pumpkins: Thirty-Three, Shame, Soot and Stars, Mayonnaise, Disarm
The Cure: Piggy in the Mirror for sheer self loathing and Kyoto Song for the sense of disconnectedness
Goo Goo Dolls: Name
Blink 182: Adam’s Song
Oh yeah, Johnny Cash’s version was inferior to the original.
January 29th, 2009 at 10:14 pm
WHY ISENT ASLEEP BY THE SMITHS IN HERE!!!! lol I cry for a good hour every time i listen to it.
February 1st, 2009 at 1:14 pm
My Depressing Songs List, (in no particular order). They remind me of my boyfriend’s suicide.
The Smiths:- Asleep, There Is A Light That Never Goes Out.
Joy Division:- The Eternal, Love Will Tear Us Apart.
The Killers:- Tidal Wave, Goodnight, Travel Well.
Bauhaus:- Crowds.
Nine Inch Nails:- A Warm Place.
The Jesus And Mary Chain:- Darklands, Happy When It Rains, Just Like Honey.
Evanescense:- My Immortal.
The Cure:- Funeral Party.
The Doors:- The End.
My Chemical Romance:- Welcome To The Black Parade.
(There are more to this list, but these I think are the main ones.)
February 3rd, 2009 at 5:06 pm
The most depressing song of all time is The Verve’s The drugs dont work
February 3rd, 2009 at 10:46 pm
The saddest most depressing song ever is “Last Kiss: by Pearl Jam.
And even though its not Rock, “I’ll wait for you” By Joe Nichols.
“I’m Scared” by Duffy.
February 4th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Hands down, the MOST depressing and sad song of ALL time…I’m not in Love, by 10 c.c. @nd on the list, Blue Monday as sung by Sinead O’Connor. Listen and cry.
February 5th, 2009 at 1:37 am
Have you people gone out and listend to CURRENT 93 and SWANS yet???
VIGGGO those songs aren’t “hands down” the most depressing.. and to the others NO…
Listen to SWANS “God Damn The Sun”, “Failure”, “Turn To Stone”, “Stupid Child”, “Raping A Slave” et al…
and…
CURRENT 93: “Earth Covers Earth”, “Time Tryeth Truth”, “Alone”, “A Sad Sadness Song”, “Sad Go Round”,”Falling Back in Fields of Rape” etc..
Listen to what people say about CURRENT 93:
“Imperium” is unfathomably depressive and gorgeous. If I am not mistaken, the album was recorded during a period of illness in David Tibet’s life. It is a DARK release, moving from a whisper to a scream (literally)”
On Of Ruine or Some Blazing Starre: “My favorite Current 93 album. Extremely cohesive and depressing. Cashmore has composed some masterpieces here.”
On Earth Cover Earth (album):”All of Current 93’s work is sad, depressing (especially their folk orientated stuff), but this is the saddest and best.”
“Oh, yeah, anyone heard the live versions on the Nature Unveiled Cd rerelease. They’re entitled “Maldoror Rising” and “Maldoror Falling” and are quite unnerving. I see why George Starostin says that early Current 93 can make you physically ill..”
“I’ll be honest with you: I have not been able to sit through all of the eighty-four minutes in one sitting, not ever. There is music I like, and there is music I dislike, and then there is stuff that physically makes me ill after a while. I do have a high temperance level, I suppose – neither Captain Beefheart nor the Incredible String Band nor even Yoko Ono can push me off just like that. But David Tibet can”
I DARE YOU TO LISTEN.
February 7th, 2009 at 8:33 am
american pie by don mclan best heard while watching thsi video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYiL74l8lPI
February 8th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Scrolled down through and I didn’t see it -
Dust in the Wind – Kansas
February 8th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
I know she’s not “rock” but Tori Amos has some depressing songs- I’m suprised that Me & a Gun or Crucify weren’t mentioned.
I guess that is the price of the I’m-mad-at-mommy-and-daddy emo bullshit that chokes the airwaves nowadays
February 10th, 2009 at 8:24 am
I didn’t search all the posts but incase it wasn’t said
Placebo-Because I want you acoustic version
February 10th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
10 depressing songs?
1. Hurt- NIN
2. epiphany- Staind
3. A diffrent kind of pain-cold
4. Landing in London-3 doors down
5 color blind-counting crows
6. Someday-Nickelback
7. Until I Find You Again-Richard Marx
8. When You Love Someone-Bryan Adams
9. Whiskey Lullaby – Brad Paisly, Allison Krauss
10. Bother- Stoned Sour
February 13th, 2009 at 7:44 am
Grubbanax appears to be quite the darkwave snob. Having to share the earth with 6.5 billion musical illiterates must grieve you plenty, no?
That said, doom metal, in particular the NOLA bands like Eyehategod and Crowbar seem to have been overlooked. Probably because the catatonic pacing and whale-song guitar tuning is as ludicrous as it is depressing. And because no-one’s ever heard of Eyehategod or Crowbar.
February 14th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
Yet another great list… very happy to see The Smiths up there, “How Soon Is Now?” is one of my all time favourites.
How about:
Joy Division “Love Will Tear Us Apart”
Leonard Cohen “Famous Blue Raincoat”
The Beautiful South “Old Red Eyes Is Back”
Neil Young “The Needle And The Damage Done”
James Taylor “Fire And Rain”……
…and to all of those who mentioned Evanescence, pfffft… they are only depressing because they are so pathetic.
February 14th, 2009 at 11:59 pm
Nay, the neo-folk snob! Especially the apocalyptic folk of David Tibet’s CURRENT 93.. (although he denies it’s apocalyptic pigeon-holing).
I’ve heard of eyehategod.. they try too hard to be depressing, too self-conscious, navel-gazing etc.
I will find “tiny tears” and have a listen. I like the ambiguity of the title.
February 17th, 2009 at 7:00 am
Grubbanax: That, and the singer of Eyehategod sounds like a tantrum throwing toddler.
February 18th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
the wrestler by bruce sprinsteen
February 20th, 2009 at 2:21 am
Noone mentioned cat power-werewolf, i become suicidal when i hear this song
February 20th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
Just a little bit of GREAT SONGS with SAD WORDS:
Pledging My Love – Johnny Ace (1955)
Closing My Eyes – Fleetwood Mac (1969)
Julia – Pavlov’s Dog (1974)
Darklands – Jesus & Mary Chain (1987)
Rotten Apple – Alice In Chains (1994)
One Of Us Is Dead – The Earlies (2004)
March 7th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
heyy i think some pretty depressing songs are Hello and Like You and maybe Your Star.. maybe even Tournequit but these are great choices also the song I’m Not Alright by Sanctus Real… oh well great choices again
March 7th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
10 depressing songs for you-
creep – radiohead
outside – staind
modern myth – 30 seconds to mars
4am forever – lost prophets
curses – bullet for my valentine
music box – thrice
obstacle one – interpol
was it a dream – 30 seconds to mars
lonely day – system of a down
adams song – blink 182
March 12th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Wow I could post a thousand songs, but my definite favorite is “Deep” by Anathema. The guitars alone are enough to get me “depressed”.
And by the way, this is me first time commenting, but not my first time on this site. Listverse simply rules! xD
March 13th, 2009 at 6:52 am
this mortal coil
the cd
blood.
March 13th, 2009 at 6:57 am
tom waits
nick cave
i have a huge list
and growing
March 14th, 2009 at 3:58 am
Well,I think:
Green Day: Boulevard of broken dreams
Good Charlotte:My bloody valentine
Good Charlotte: Hold on
Hinder: Without you
Papa Roach: Forever
3 Days Grace: I hate everything about you
3 Days Grace: Gone forever
Yellowcard: Only one
Simple Plan: Your love is a lie
Simple Plan: No love
March 14th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Lou Reed, Smiths, Radiohead,… all very nice
But eels really needs a place in the list aswell. Eels really gets to me
March 14th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
i think that elliot smiths song between the bars should be number one. it will make u feel depressed the rest of the day and if anyone puts you down ull want to kill urself. in my opinion. his song makes suicide so appealing listen to his lyrics its amazing. i would never be able to make this list cuz im sure there are many depressing songs that ive never heard. modest mouse- dramamine and brand new – jesus christ
those are two other really sad songs. i dont really noe tht many other songs im only 15 so wouldnt noe. but i think that all of radio heads songs are saddening
March 21st, 2009 at 1:28 am
this list….well…sucks i looked this up cuz i thought id finally find more depressing songs but ive heard way more depressing songs than this that are rock/metal….this is weak nothing good to say about it…..no good bands….no good songs except maybe hurt…..not very depressing (also eleanor rigby was prety good but…too me personally it didnt seem depressing)
March 22nd, 2009 at 7:03 pm
I really liked the list!
These are some other songs that came to mind in no particular order…
Perfect – Smashing Pumpkins
I know It’s over – The Smiths
Everybody Hurts – REM
Gloomy Sunday – (I like Björk´s version)
Lost – The Cure
The Art of Suicide – Emilie Autumn
Yesterday – The Beatles
Look what you’ve done – Jet
Time of Your Life – Green Day
White Flag – Dido
Fix You – Coldplay
What Went Wrong – Blink 182
Open Your Eyes – Snow Patrol
Missing – Evanescence
March 24th, 2009 at 6:31 am
Also, Heroes by David Bowie and I Won’t Share You by The Smiths.
March 25th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
Sentenced – The Luxury of a Grave…
On day zero my mother was expecting… the worst
And out of my father’s ass I was born, feet first
“Oh, no”
The most horrendous piece of feces ever forced
To be disposed of is what I was created for
Oh, no… (I’m sorry that I was born) …so wrong!
When death releases you from me
Just dump my foul remains on some near-by field
- I don’t deserve a grave
When you finally get rid of me
Just let my corpse decay …unburied
- I do NOT deserve the luxury of a grave
My worthlessness is something there is no doubt of:
- I am a waste of the filth I was made out of
How low… (I’m sorry I’m still alive) …can I go!?
When death releases you from me
Just dump my foul remains on some near-by field
- I don’t deserve a grave
When you finally get rid of me
Just let my corpse decay …unburied
- I do NOT deserve the luxury of…
Oh, no… a coffin would be way too nice
Oh, no… a see-through plastic bag will do just fine
When death releases you from me
Just dump my foul remains on some near-by field
- I don’t deserve a grave
When you finally get rid of me
Just let my corpse decay …unburied
- I do NOT deserve the luxury of a grave
March 29th, 2009 at 8:08 am
I was only 19 – by Redgum.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Urtiyp-G6jY
I feel it belongs on the list.. well.. amongst it.
March 29th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
Pain of Salvation – Iter Impius from their epic concept album ‘Be’ Makes alot more sense in context. Album worth listening to if you’re into interpreting/linking the ideas in the lyrics.. quite deep and some great music throughout.
March 29th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
“Chainsling” is another depressing song from album “Remedy Lane” also quite good live in “12_5″
it has a kind of blunt deliberation though. an acquired taste
March 29th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
i think there’s a fine line between depressing and masochistical… some of these aforementioned gothic bands are quite sadistic in my opinion… they surpass the heartfelt soulful expression of tragic loss and enter a realm of disgusting satanic deliberate.. trash, really. The best songs are about the unavoidable pain and sorrow in life, rather than the relished deliberate inclusion of it, or of hell.
March 29th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
“rock” may be a loose term, but i don’t think it quite stretches to death metal.. if there was a list for most-depressing gothic metal songs it would go on forever.. maybe most brutal and horrific metal songs would be more fitting
March 31st, 2009 at 1:31 am
howdy, longtime reader, new poster, i have a playlist of depressing songs for days when i need to hear a sad song. most have been mentioned but here goes.
Hope you all enjoy!
bell bottom blues – derek and the dominoes
i looked away – also from the same album by derek and the dominoes
hey you – pink floyd waters sounds like he’s almost crying in the last pleading line (don’t tell me there’s no hope at all!)
goodbye cruel world – pink floyd, right up there too
mad world – from gary jules
starry night – don mcclean
don’t let it bring you down – neil young (dont think one has been mentioned yet but if u havent heard it, u should hear it.
under the bridge – red hot chili peppers
the man who sold the world – the live nirvana version. the lyrics are just sad and it always gets me. reminds me of cobain himself tho he obviously didnt write it.
don’t walk away – Electric light orchestra i know a bold choice but i’m one of 2 people who love xanadu.
without you – Harry Nilson
Hurt – NIN I used to like cash’s version but appreciate rezner more now. it felt sad to hear an old man say it almost like his own eulogy though…
grey – ani difranco. i know you haven’t heard it. you should i promise… you wont regret it.
cats in the cradle – harry chapin
fire and rain – james taylor
piece of my heart – janis joplin
europa – santana
mother – john lennon
tuesday’s gone – lynard skynard
can’t you see – marshall tucker band
i am a rock – simon and garfunkle
sally’s song – nightmare before xmas
didn’t wanna put too many but i think these will help some posters make their own depressing lists!
April 2nd, 2009 at 10:18 pm
Na! CURRENT 93 and SWANS burns them all musically and lyrically!
seeqpod.com – check some out.
April 2nd, 2009 at 10:21 pm
Hey lookiepoo… Harry Chapin’s “The Shortest Story” is for more depressing than “cat’s in the cradle”!!!
and “Dogtown” is disturbing especially this verse with it’s last line:
‘I’m standing on this craggy cliff,
my eyes fixed on the sea.
Six months past, when his ship was due,
I’m a widow to be.
For liking this half living with the lonely and the fog,
You need the bastard of the mating of a woman and a dog.’
WTF?
April 8th, 2009 at 1:07 am
Well..here’s my list..
“Bohemian Rhapsody” – Queen.
“Breathe Me” – Sia.
“Rush of blood to the head” – Coldplay.
“Mad World” – Gary Jules.
And many more!
April 8th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
Quite a good list – thanks for picking songs from varied genres and going for “it’s depressing because it’s meant to be sad and it’s very well done” rather than the typical “it makes you cry because it’s dreadfully bad, not just a sad song”.
But I’ll have to go with everybody else who said that How Soon Is Now isn’t the most depressing Smiths song; it’s not even close, in my opinion. It’s even remotely optimistic. I find I Know It’s Over infinitely more depressing, to the point of even making most of their other songs seem cheery in comparison (with the exception of Still Ill and some others that have already been mentioned here). It still makes me sob every time I listen to it.
April 10th, 2009 at 4:56 am
Few songs that i didn’t see on any list.Heather Nova version of GLOOMY SUNDAY,Elvis Costello’s PSYCHO and Iggy’s I’M SICK OF FEW.
April 10th, 2009 at 5:31 am
that’s Iggy Pop I’M SICK OF YOU..sorry Jim
April 13th, 2009 at 1:11 am
Two I haven’t seen listed so far:
Ordinary World by Duran Duran
The Scientist by Coldplay
April 17th, 2009 at 5:19 am
I like the original list but i think you should’ve included(and it’s really strange that no one has mentioned) Sinead O Connor – Nothing Compares To You
April 23rd, 2009 at 2:49 am
Anything by Antony and the Johnsons will haunt and shake you to the core of depression and remorse…all the while make you smile with beauty in sadness…strange? YES…but if I can have you listen to just one song titled “Hope There’s Someone” then you will by far see that this song alone almost and completely destroys all other “sad” songs…
April 25th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Kings Crossing-Elliott Smith
Disintegration-The Cure
On My Way to Work-Bright Eyes
You Know You’re Right-Nirvana
Down in a Hole-Alice In Chains
Last Night I Dreamt Somebody Loved Me-The Smiths
Dress Rehearsal Rag-Leonard Cohen
Chelsea Hotel #2-Leonard Cohen (a song about his affair with Janis Joplin)
And just about every song from Janis Joplin is pretty depressing, especially if you know about her history of consuming loneliness and self loathing….
April 30th, 2009 at 2:35 am
Whiskey Lullaby, but that’s country. nevertheless, it’s one of the most depressing songs…trust me.
sober by kelly clarkson…oh wait, you said rock.
my immortal, i have to agree on that one.
never too late by three days grace, yup yup.
last request by paulo nutini and pieces don’t fit anymore by james morrison.
goodbye my lover by james blunt.
not rock? oh well.
May 6th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
Oh good gawd.
I think I’m going to go crawl under a rock after listening to Frankie Teardrop…
May 7th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Creep by Radiohead, and Torturous by Turnerjoy.
If you’ve not heard them both you’re probably happy.
May 10th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
I’d have to say Ozzy’s version of ‘My Life’ is rather depressing, not necessarily the lyrics themselves but just the tempo and how he sings it. ‘Dreamer’ is pretty good also.
May 14th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
“It’s all over” by The God Machine, nothing beats that…
May 14th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
Sorry Chubmeister.. have you ever listened to SWANS or CURRENT 93??? Try out TURN TO STONE, FAILURE, FIELDS OF RAPE, In Menstrual Night, Earth Covers Earth et al…. It does beat God Machine.. Shit!, David Tibet IS the god machine!!!
May 15th, 2009 at 9:21 am
@ Grubbanax
.
Well, I’ll have a go at those then
I have to say that sad music almost never really gets to me, I just think it’s either very boring OR very beautiful. God Machine is the latter…
May 16th, 2009 at 12:15 am
Chubby…
Well, sad songs usually make feel better.. but the other day I listened to TINDERSTICKS for hours and it made me downy.. first time sad songs actually made me sad.
There’s different types of sadness though.. and then there’s songs like Take Me Home by Phil Collins that played in a supermarket and I felt like jumping from the 3rd floor to the bottom – made me suicidal.
May 16th, 2009 at 7:51 am
yeah, I know what you mean, it seems like the things that are SUPPOSED to make you happy bug me out the most. Not just music. Take clowns, for instance. They keep tripping, everybody laughs and I wanna shoot myself in the face..
May 16th, 2009 at 7:54 am
btw, Tindersticks I can relate to, I used to listen to Curtains non-stop..
May 22nd, 2009 at 7:16 pm
The most depressing song i’ve ever heard is wake me up when september ends by green day. Its video is even more depressing
May 25th, 2009 at 9:43 pm
there has been some controversy on never too late by 3 days grace… it IS a song about suicide, just from a diff. point of view. i attempted suicide and went 2 the hospital. when i got bk my friend sang that song 2 me… damn right its about suicide. it makes me cry now… whether its the song or the experience of my friend singing it 2 me… it makes me weep openly
May 26th, 2009 at 2:57 am
what about gloomy sunday?
Or “one man drinking game by mayday parade?”
Radio Head’s black star and Street spirit are also sad songs….
Some other:
Too Late – Familiar 48
Miserable at Best – Mayday parade
We are Broken – Paramore
Suicide is painless – Marylin Manson (scary depressing song) =))
May 26th, 2009 at 4:39 am
and also…i dont know about you guys but theres something about Friends Will Be Friends by Queen, that makes me feel so sad even though i’m sure Queen didnt have depressing in mind when they wrote that song. I think it could be the melody.
live on
May 26th, 2009 at 11:16 am
“Atmosphere” by Joy Division
“Man who sold the world” by David Bowie
“Tog Orm Mo Phiob” Gaelic song
“Golden Path” by Chemical Brothers/Flaming Lips
“Butterfly” by Tapping the Vein
“Miserere Mei Deus” Gregorio Allegri
May 26th, 2009 at 11:17 am
Opps several are not rock songs. My bad. I got caught up on the depressing aspect and forgot the rock aspect.
May 26th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Radiohead- Karma Police
Run- Snow Patrol
May 31st, 2009 at 8:18 am
1. Mother by John Lennon
2. DOA by Bloodrock
June 2nd, 2009 at 5:21 pm
fuck u all!
June 12th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
i never thought of hallulujah as a depressing song exactley. but i listened to it again and i guess it is.
honestley, the most depressing song i can think of is road trippin by the RHCP. i remeber i had the album playing in my room and i started feeling soooo depressed it was horrible, i didn’t even realize for a while that it was because of the song i was listening to. i was quick to switch songs i can tell you.
June 21st, 2009 at 11:58 pm
the connels – 74′ 75′
July 30th, 2009 at 4:31 am
doesnt my name suggest it ?
August 2nd, 2009 at 12:13 am
It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue by Bob Dylan
Easily one of the most poetic songs I have ever heard
Dylan has such a somber voice almost all of his songs are somber,especially with his weeping harmonica
August 3rd, 2009 at 10:57 am
PJ Harvey – You come through
Alice in Chains – Get born again
Joy Division – 24 hours
Mark Lanegan – The river rise
R.E.M. & Patti Smith – E-bow the letter
August 4th, 2009 at 9:15 am
3 Doors Down – She Don’t Want The World
Seriously, I listen to that song and cry and cry…
August 4th, 2009 at 9:20 am
And…
Sweet Jane, by Cowboy Junkies
August 4th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
- Steven Wilsons cover of “thank you”, originally sang by alanis morissette. Its epic.
-Book of love – Magnetic Fields
-Remember – Disturbed
- shiny toy guns – stripped.
Few of my favourites, not saying there the best. Prefer NIN “Hurt” made the job easy for cash because that song cant be beaten, however as far as depressing music goes he sang it from the heart, wether they were his words or not.
August 15th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
Anything by Matthew Good
pink floyd
Ben Folds Brick
August 17th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
Doubt any of these could be classified as “rock”, but:
What Sarah Said – Death Cab for Cutie
Set the Fire to the Third Bar – Snow Patrol
World Spins Madly On – The Weepies
Streetlights – Kanye West
Skinny Love – Bon Iver
We Both Go Down Together – The Decemberists
Upward Over the Mountain – Iron & Wine
For the Widows in Paradise, for the Fatherless in Ypsilanti – Sufjan Stevens
August 21st, 2009 at 12:22 pm
All good stuff, but what about:
ELO – Ticket to the Moon
Pink Floyd – Time
Bon Jovi – While my Guitar Lies Bleeding in my Arms
and finally…. from the awesome, sadly no longer with us, Jeff Healey …. I Tried
September 7th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
nirvana – something in the way
alice in chains – down in a hole
September 7th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
September 7th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
September 7th, 2009 at 7:56 pm
any song on stainds albun break the cycle..actually that is the most depressing rock album ever created..trust me
September 7th, 2009 at 7:57 pm
September 7th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3wH7tYkyvM
this wins all…
September 7th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
September 16th, 2009 at 3:06 am
Im happy radiohead was number two…black star is also another sad tune from them.
September 24th, 2009 at 12:15 am
Here are some more soul distroying songs
“slow Song”- hell is for heros
“so like a rose” garbage
“run” snow petrol
“i miss you” blink 182
“Whatever happened” the strokes
“colorblind” Counting crows
“Coma black” / “Coma white”‘ Marilyn manson
September 26th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
Zero by the Smashing Pumpkins is not even depressing at all.
Placebo’s cover of “Holocaust” is extremely sad.
Also, some songs by the Smashing Pumpkins would have to be “To Forgive”, “I Fall”, or “In the Arms of Sleep”
September 26th, 2009 at 11:33 pm
@valerie (304):
THANK YOU for mentioning Strange Fruit! Even though it isn’t rock, this is by far the most depressing song ever. I’m getting all teary eyed thinking about it.
Also “Videotape” by Radiohead. And if I had to pick a Beatles song, I’d go with “Julia”
September 27th, 2009 at 4:02 am
http://www.soundclick.com/members/default.cfm?member=garison+edwards
You can download it for free if you want to.
October 15th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
anything by James Blunt is depressing!
October 19th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
what, no Nirvana ?
October 27th, 2009 at 11:45 pm
Yeah this list has only one or two songs that I’d (potentially) agree with. Making a depressing song is more than *just* the lyrics. The overall sound of the music should be sad, hopeless, emptying. It usually excludes punk for me, which can have sad lyrics but upbeat music. Personal meaning is also a great effect in choosing your saddest songs.
Here’s my list:
10. Fade to Black by Metallica
9. Epiphany by Staind
8. Hello by Evanescence
7. Hurt by Nine Inch Nails
6. Suicide is Painless by Marylin Manson
5. The Burning Red by Machine Head
4. Down in a Hole by Alice in Chains
3. Bother by Stone Sour
2. For My Fallen Angel by My Dying Bride
1. Casmir Pulaski Day by Sufjan Stevens
Maybe, I have a whole depressed playlist, at: http://www.playlist.com/playlist/14383875339
October 28th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
Schindler’s List Theme Song. It’s beautiful, humbling, and depressing in a whole new way.
November 2nd, 2009 at 11:03 pm
Listmaker is a turd sandwich! I am 25 and I don’t listen to rock much (I’m a metalhead), but frack! “Since I’ve Been Loving You” by Led Zeppelin BELONGS on this list. What century were you born in?!
November 2nd, 2009 at 11:33 pm
(After having listened and relistened to every song on the list 4-5 times)
Oh, I’m sorry, this must be the metrosexual list.
November 3rd, 2009 at 12:15 pm
I am soooo glad you included Jeff Buckley. What he did for music the short time he was here to play it – WOW. And Radiohead, you can never go wrong with a Radiohead song on any list.
I have to throw another one in here. Just like everyone else has done. Can’t help it.
“Cheers Darlin” by Damien Rice. It gets to me really bad, especially the wailing sadness at the end.
November 6th, 2009 at 11:18 pm
Definately Hero of War by Rise Against, I cant tell if its a slap in face or not, but it’s terribly depressing.
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:51 am
Tear Away – Drowning Pool
Vermillion – Slipknot
Fall to Pieces – Velvet Revolver
Fade to Black – Mazy Star
November 24th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
Sam Malone by City and Colour should be on here. Even though no one’s heard it. In fact, the entire Sometimes CD should be on here.
December 2nd, 2009 at 4:46 am
Cool – lots of Neil Young mentions in this post. So much depth to his music, he can make anything sound “sad”. I nominate “Borrowed Tune” or “Pardon My Heart” for this category. Or one that always hits me right in the gut, “Heroin” by Velvet Underground. wow.
December 14th, 2009 at 11:18 am
Rezso Seress – Gloomy Sunday extremelly depressing song, caused a lot of people suicide, but at the same time very beautifull
December 18th, 2009 at 6:00 am
1. Anyone – Lonely People
2. Anyone – Don’t Wake Me
3. Static X – Anything But This
4. Bring Me The Horizon – Suicide Season
5. Mudvayne – IMN
6. Mudvayne – Dull Boy
7. Cradle Of Filth – Suicide And Other Comforts
8. Cradle Of Filth – Nymphetamine Fix
9. KoRn – B.B.K.
10. KoRn – No Way
December 19th, 2009 at 10:32 pm
The author said that The Smiths are one of the most notorious bands of that era. I don’t know where the fuck the author has been for the last 3 decades but they are actually one of the most loved bands of that era. Maybe not during the actual years they were together, but The Smiths are loved by many now and were then. Notorious, wtf? Marilyn Manson and 50 Cent are notorious, not The Smiths.
December 19th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
464: And you must be looking for the homosexual list?
December 20th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
1.joy division-love will tear us apart
2.sigur ros-andvari
3.the smiths-asleep
4,elliot smith-needle in the hay
5.radiohead-fake platic trees
6.just jack-stars in there eyes
7.the beatles-a day in the life
8.the verve-drugs dont work
9.nick drake-time has told me
10.blur-sing
December 21st, 2009 at 11:20 am
haha! I love the lists, and I love the lists in the comments.
I agree. U2 would make me slit my wrists. lol ahaha
I dig the Radiohead song, How to disappear completely. That is what I was looking for when I did a google search on depressing songs.
But sometimes in order to prevent suicide, you have to feel the depressing moment. Your list might have saved my life today. Thank you.
TO contribute one song to this list.
Waiting for the Night – Depeche Mode
December 24th, 2009 at 11:01 am
I love Radiohead song,
you should also add
“Hear you me” by Jimmy Eat World, it’s so great.
I alos LOVE “How to save a life ” by “the frey”
January 8th, 2010 at 5:40 pm
I don’t think anyone has mentioned ‘Deadhead’ by Devin Townsend so far. The song is so saturated with emotion that it hits you like a wave. If you want depressing, I would HIGHLY recommend anyone to give this song a couple of listens and see how you feel afterwards.
January 14th, 2010 at 7:35 pm
“Adam’s Song” by Blink 182 is sad, although in the song, everything works out okay and the kid doesn’t kill himself.
Other songs:
“I Can Feel Your Pain” -Manchester Orchestra
“Lightning Crashes” -Live
“Whiskey Lullaby” -Allison Krauss and Brad Paisley
“Riding With Private Malone” -David Ball
“The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” -Gordon Lightfoot
“Adagio in G Minor” -Albinoni
“Ave Maria” -Strauss
“Macy’s Day Parade” -Green Day
“Graduation” -Vitamin C
January 22nd, 2010 at 9:52 pm
Blue and Yellow by The Used
My Heroine by Silverstein
Intensity In Ten Cities by Chiodos
Miss You by Blink-182
On My Own by The Used
Creep by The Stone Temple Pilots
Misery Loves Its Company by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
Estranged by Guns N’ Roses
While My Guitar Gently Weeps by The Beatles
February 6th, 2010 at 7:45 am
@Grubbanax
Jesus man, CURRENT 93 are soo shit. Get over it, you only need to post once. If someone makes the same mistake that I did and listens to their shit music then that is their own decision.
No one deserves to listen to that crap you are spamming on this forum. So piss off and take your gay music with you.
For everyone else, try ‘Levi Stubbs Tears’ by Billy Bragg.
February 9th, 2010 at 8:47 am
Huh.
Personally, I prefer t.A.T.u’s cover of ‘How Soon is Now?’, but that’s just me I suppose.