Top 10 Most Depressing Rock Songs
Published on November 5, 2007 - 245 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
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1. MojoRisin - 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.
2. Dunfire - November 5th, 2007 at 3:53 am
I agree, Johnny Cash’s version of Hurt is far better than NIN.
3. Late O’Day - November 5th, 2007 at 4:17 am
Nazareth - Love Hurts
4. Morgaine - 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 :P)
As for spanish songs, I suggest
“Despídete”- by “Ella Baila Sola” and “La chispa adecuada”-by “Héroes del Silencio”
5. jfrater - November 5th, 2007 at 4:54 am
wow - great additions guys - thanks
Another omission would be Seventeen by Janis Ian
6. DarkJesus - 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.
7. Hobolad - 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.
8. Christopher Joseph Borne - November 5th, 2007 at 5:40 am
Two words: Jugband Blues.
9. Morgaine - 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.
10. Hobolad - 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 :()
11. ChuChu353 - November 5th, 2007 at 6:18 am
“Reflections of My Life” by Marmalade. The most depressing regretful 3 minutes of music ever recorded.
12. DiscHuker - 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.
13. bucslim - November 5th, 2007 at 6:35 am
Need something from ‘The Wall’ - gaurenteed to ruin your day.
14. Morgaine - 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”?
15. dazednconfused - 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.
16. Yarr - 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…
17. StewWriter - 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!
18. steve - November 5th, 2007 at 7:51 am
some of these arent depressing enough-
i want to see the list after a few more iterations
19. Clues - November 5th, 2007 at 8:01 am
Blue October - Hate Me
James Blunt - Goodbye My Lover
Both make me softly weep.
20. Bananas - November 5th, 2007 at 8:17 am
So sad. i love elenor Rigby though. Sad, but beautiful.
21. jlatore - November 5th, 2007 at 8:23 am
“Tears in Heaven” is scientifically proven to be the saddest song in the world.
22. jfrater - 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
23. Fil - 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.
24. Kelsi - 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.
25. jfrater - November 5th, 2007 at 8:49 am
Kelsi: I love Dashboard Confessional - a very worthy mention.
26. Juggz - 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
27. Jackie - November 5th, 2007 at 8:58 am
The Freshmen by The Verve Pipe!!!!! Just listen closely to the lyrics, it’s quite sad.
28. evan - 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.
29. jfrater - 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!
30. Brian B - 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.
31. Heiko - 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.
32. Adey B - 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.
33. JUSTINW - November 5th, 2007 at 10:06 am
your music lists are horrible!!
34. EAL - 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.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IjCoCXbFcY
35. Crystal - 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.
36. RockChalk - November 5th, 2007 at 10:31 am
Seasons in the Sun is by Terry Jacks
37. JX - November 5th, 2007 at 10:44 am
Everybody Hurts - REM
38. creep - November 5th, 2007 at 10:46 am
Not one Type O Negative song… lame bias lists…
39. jfrater - 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.
40. nas - November 5th, 2007 at 10:51 am
“The Kids” from Lou Reed’s album Berlin. Unmatched.
41. wowzer - 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.
42. StewWriter - 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:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7b2BzZySARo
The video is so much different that the song, I kinda wonder why they chose it. Oh well.
43. deedee0323 - November 5th, 2007 at 11:34 am
Great list!
Another song I think is depressing is “Brick” by Ben Folds Five
44. FekketCantenel - 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)
45. evan - 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
46. jfrater - 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
47. Ravyn - 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)
48. steve - 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
49. elyse - 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.
50. evan - November 5th, 2007 at 12:08 pm
Bruce Springstein came out with some songs about 9/11 that were pretty darn depressing
51. Mathilda - November 5th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
I agree, evan. Or I’d include The River or Fade Away or Gypsy Biker by Springsteen.
52. akKris - November 5th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
Not really rock but “Sound of Silence” by Simon and Garfunkle.
53. Borg - 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.
54. rp - November 5th, 2007 at 12:28 pm
Look up the lyrics to Pink Floyd’s “Two Suns in the Sunset”.
55. Christopher Joseph Borne - November 5th, 2007 at 12:40 pm
or Dark Globe, from Syd Barrett’s first solo album, The Madcap Laughs.
56. Mike - November 5th, 2007 at 12:43 pm
Should be some Muse… uhh… pretty much any song
57. B.S. - 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!)
58. Hotler - November 5th, 2007 at 12:58 pm
Id have to go with The Cure “The Same Deep Water As you”
59. Noah - 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.
60. Hobolad - 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”
61. Black Lutefisk - 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?
62. Prozacsoldier - 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…
63. trebek - 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.
64. AnotherEngine - 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.
65. Patrask - 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
66. Hobolad - 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.
67. T - 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.
68. dan231 - 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.
69. jfrater - 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
70. heavybison - 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.....U&NR=1
Here an RHCP cover..(bonus :-))
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OSOJMQSUmA
71. jfrater - November 5th, 2007 at 2:47 pm
Prozacsoldier: hey - I forgot about Tracey Chapman - that is a great song! Thanks for mentioning it.
72. ponyweather - November 5th, 2007 at 2:51 pm
“Somebody” by Depeche Mode has to be one of the most depressing song ever!
73. heavybison - 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..
74. Christopher Joseph Borne - November 5th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
Rainy Days and Mondays, by The Carpenters.
75. jfrater - 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!
76. B.S. - 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.
77. rp - 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.
78. Spence - 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
79. Troy - 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.
80. Hobolad - 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.
81. Tosca - 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. =]
82. Darren - 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!
83. Drew - 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
84. dvhann - 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.
85. trebek - November 5th, 2007 at 5:57 pm
Something in the Way - Nirvana
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Drv45pxauc0
Wow.
86. Fe - 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.
87. StewWriter - 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
88. Stonewall, LA - November 5th, 2007 at 6:26 pm
How is 45 by Shinedown not up here?
89. Noj10 - 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
90. Noj10 - 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
91. jmh - November 5th, 2007 at 7:37 pm
how about needle in the hay by elliott smith? played during the suicide attempt in royal tenenbaums.
92. Monkey - 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.
93. TH3W1R3D - 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.”
94. cassie - 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
95. 20Fan20 - 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.
96. Robert - 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
97. tmc - 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.
98. yozo - 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.
99. ATO - 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.
100. Fe - 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.
101. berrymans - November 5th, 2007 at 11:05 pm
Jumper - 3rd Eye Blind
That is a song i cant listen to
102. tony - November 5th, 2007 at 11:49 pm
blink 182 - adam’s song
i love this song and blink 2
103. pulsic144 - November 6th, 2007 at 4:15 am
coldplay- scientist
104. Frenki - November 6th, 2007 at 4:23 am
how come there are nothing from joy division on that list ???
105. Drogo - 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
106. mark - 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.
107. scott - November 6th, 2007 at 5:41 am
a must
Some Slender Rest by Two Gallants
tells a sad sad story
108. scott - November 6th, 2007 at 5:42 am
please listen to that song, its amazing
109. jfrater - 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
110. Drogo - 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.
111. Chris - 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
112. Ed - 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.
113. pam - November 6th, 2007 at 7:40 am
What about Last Kiss by Pearl Jam????
114. Ben - 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.
115. Chris - 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
116. nikola55 - 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…
117. Samiam - 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.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXdNnw99-Ic
118. originalseven - November 6th, 2007 at 4:03 pm
at the top of this list, or very near to it:
Roger Waters - Three Wishes
119. Drogo - 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.
120. Balles - 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:
121. Dread Pirate Bob - 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
122. arsah27 - 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
123. Toni - 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.
124. Randall - 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…
125. andy - November 7th, 2007 at 10:49 am
holocaust by big star is a downer, yet great. anything by Bon Jovi depresses me big time.
126. rp - November 7th, 2007 at 10:54 am
Yeah, Randall, I think Into Dust would be a worthy addition.
127. uh_clem - 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.
128. scott - November 7th, 2007 at 3:33 pm
i say again. some slender rest by two gallants, also waves of grain by two gallants.
129. Martin L - 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.
130. Vicky - 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.
131. Andrew - November 8th, 2007 at 3:17 am
nick drakes ’suicide is painless’. that stuff is a downer
132. andy - 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
133. LePetiteMort - 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.
134. captain spalding - 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
135. Skylep - 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.
136. Jorgegrl - 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.
137. dvhann - 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.
138. Kadee - 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.
139. dolfanuk - 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
140. Lefrog - 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.
141. SarahTTTTT - 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!!!!!!
142. Masquera - 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”
143. NSEW - 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.
144. natedawg - 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.
145. Suicide_Tears_13 - 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?
146. Arkz_Archduke_of_Geeks - November 23rd, 2007 at 8:17 pm
the river by the boss, aka bruce springstein hope i spelled it right
147. Stephan - November 25th, 2007 at 2:03 am
Pictures of You by The Cure is really depressing too.
148. jbjr - 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.
149. Courtney - November 25th, 2007 at 10:15 pm
Johnny Cash sucks. He did a cover of an amazing song. Then he died. Wow.
150. sdggrant - 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.
151. Courtney - November 26th, 2007 at 5:57 pm
Die
152. jfrater - 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
153. Arkz_Archduke_of_Geeks - 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
154. sdggrant - November 27th, 2007 at 1:05 am
What an eloquent reply =/
155. Bad News - 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.
156. Brad - 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
157. Barb - 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.
158. you its your boy - December 4th, 2007 at 9:41 pm
Eric Clapton - Tears in Heaven
without this song this list is utter crap
159. Jennifer - December 5th, 2007 at 8:23 am
Tears in Heaven is in this list-duh!
160. swampsnake - 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.
161. Shadow - 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.
162. Miss Destiny - 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.
163. swampsnake - December 10th, 2007 at 1:19 pm
“i am rock” by simon and garfunkle ,damn, just messes me up when i hear it.
164. AndyB123 - 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.
165. Dee - 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…
166. suzi - 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!
167. jfrater - December 11th, 2007 at 1:16 am
suzi: you are right about Brothers in Arms - it is a great song - thanks for mentioning it
168. crimmas - 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
169. jfrater - 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?
170. tuffstuff - 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!
171. Xandersaurus - 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.
172. Ryon Ownbey - December 12th, 2007 at 1:32 am
Smashing Pumpkins: Night Mare
173. Dawn Bearer - 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
174. L - 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
175. Dawn Bearer - 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
176. Slammerworm - 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!
177. fantjessie - December 18th, 2007 at 1:04 pm
“Me & a Gun” by Tori Amos.
178. Kobe - December 23rd, 2007 at 10:32 pm
How Soon is Now
is an awesome song and yah i guess its kinda of depressing lol
179. Azmerelda - 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??
180. me - 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…..)
181. Lee - 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
182. Stormy - 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
183. romerozombie - 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’.
184. romerozombie - December 30th, 2007 at 12:52 pm
pearl jam - ‘black’
heavens - ‘leave’
grandaddy - pretty the whole of their album ‘the sophtware slump’
185. Bridgebuilder - 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.
186. DiscHuker - 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.
187. Drogo - 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.
188. Dsotm - 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
189. littleboots - 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..
190. lumihiutale - January 13th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
“Last Kiss” by J. Frank Wilson always brings me to tears.
191. IAMZIM - January 14th, 2008 at 3:03 am
“Last Kiss” by Pearl Jam kills me every time
192. Drogo - January 14th, 2008 at 4:28 am
“I Try” by Macy Gray might fit the list.
193. steve - January 14th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
The Ballad by Millencolin is very depressing and Adams song by Blink 182 is sad too
194. Meesha - January 17th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
River of Tears
Eric Clapton
End of story
195. steve - January 17th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Whisky Lullaby by Brad Paisley and Allsion Krause
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYub1neLZmA
196. eggrolls - 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.
197. Noelle - January 20th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
ANYTHING BY KATATONIA…most depressing band ever lol
198. jfrater - 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
199. Drogo - 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.
200. slub - 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’.
201. Drogo - 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.?
202. sue - 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
203. juicy - 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.
204. Dylan - January 25th, 2008 at 11:15 pm
juicy : yea he fell out of a window , that song is so sad =[
205. jerh - 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”
206. albert0 - 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.
207. nappy - 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.
208. Brian - 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.
209. Thelonious - 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!!
210. GingerLee - 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.
211. doz - 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.
212. Mina - 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
213. devilishgrin66 - 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.
214. Falcor - 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.
215. devilishgrin66 - February 18th, 2008 at 2:36 am
oh and i forgot. ‘winter’ by joshua radin.
216. Jayhawk - February 23rd, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Rape Me - Nirvana
217. zsasz - February 25th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
nick cave and the bad seeds - into my arms
218. 44depressed - 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)
219. Mark17 - 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.
220. Dave18 - March 1st, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Anybody ever hear of Beck’s “Jackass”
221. Charlotte - March 6th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
John Wayne Gacy, Jr. - Sufjan Stevens
222. Ric87 - 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.
223. Ventura - 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?
224. Rock Chalk - 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.
225. Eland - March 22nd, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Leonard Cohen. Avalanche
226. Jacob - 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…
227. Endless_Nameless - March 31st, 2008 at 4:10 pm
I think that Something in the Way by Nirvana and One by Metallica are pretty depressing songs
228. Archer - 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”
229. DiamondDragon121 - 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:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0Ty8R8tlo4
230. craigscomputer - 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
231. SoggyPee - 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.
232. Bi Hour Wreck Chords - 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.
233. luna - April 26th, 2008 at 11:35 pm
the end of the world by skeeter davis from girl interrupted.
234. Grubbanax - 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.
235. aisha fazal - 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?
236. WHOa - May 3rd, 2008 at 9:33 am
NOVEMBER RAIN GUNS N’ ROSES
237. Night1703 - 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
238. Holla - May 5th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
Placebo - pierrot the clown. one feel bad song.
239. Drogo - 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
240. Drogo - 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.
241. Ghostie - 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.