No, no, no...
This is so not the right list of sad songs. But you know how we love lists, so here I am linking. Please offer better suggestions in the comments. My personal sad, sad song -- the song I used to play when I was already sad and wanted an accompanying soundtrack for my sorrows -- is: "Fool To Cry."UPDATE: On a nonpersonal level, I should think "Gloomy Sunday" would take first place, given its reputation for inspiring suicide.ANOTHER UPDATE: Lots of great suggestions in the comments. Go in and add some! I thought of a long -- really long -- story song that gets me: "El Paso." I remember hearing the Grateful Dead do it, and recently I heard the brilliantly sung Marty Robbins version on the radio. Here's the cowboy's terrible end:Something is dreadfully wrong, for I feelA deep burning pain in my sideThough I am trying to stay in the saddleI'm getting weary, unable to rideBut my love for Felina is strong and I rise where I've fallenThough I am weary, I can't stop to restI see the white puff of smoke from the rifleI feel the bullet go deep in my chestFrom out of nowhere Felina has found meKissing my cheek as she kneels by my sideCradled by two loving arms that I'll die forOne little kiss, then Felina good-bye.
My vote would be for anything sad not on that horrific Guardian list. (Those songs -- many of them-- are sad for all the wrong reasons).Top picks:Sunday Morning Coming Down written by Kris Kristofferson and sung perfectly by Johnny Cash (and not so bad by Kris either)Also: "The Shadow of Your Smile" most versions, but I like Sinatra's best (Live at the Sands)"The Drowning Man" by U2 (War album) at least when I was in high school I thought so.Anything off of Springsteen's "Nebraska" is sad -- or at least depressing...
I come from a younger generation, but for me it would be "True Love Waits" by Radiohead and maybe "Reservations" by Wilco. I can send anyone live versions of each if they'd like.
And how could I forget "Love Will Tear Us Apart" by Joy Division ca. 1981?
twwren
I was all right for a while...Whatever the list, it must include Roy Orbison: "Crying'.
1. The Brides Have Hit Glass - Guided by Voices2. High and Dry - Radiohead
David Manus
"It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference" or "Lucky Guy" by Todd Rundgren
Finn Kristiansen
It seems like the author of the Guardian list was trying to pick the worst and most over the top sad songs: all drama and no soul. (Although I do quite like Bruce's "The River" for its minor chord melancholy.)My choices would be:"Save Me" by Aimee Mann, who used to sing in a band called Til Tuesday. Her music permeates the brilliant film Magnolia (and not to be confused with Steel Magnolias). "Come on and save me...from the ranks of the freaks," she begs.My second choice would be Keith Urban's "You'll Think of Me", where he wakes up early at 4 A.M thinking of his woman who left him for another guy. "Take your cat and leave my sweater," he says, while driving and trying to clear his head of emotions.Finally, I would add Peter Gabriel's "Mercy Street", which is like a sonic trance. The lyrics and song itself are somewhat related to dead poet Anne Sexton, who killed herself (using the kitchen appliance method, if I recall correctly, or not, but nevertheless out-Plathing Plath).
Save Me, I agree with, or Wise Up, but actually almost all Aimee's songs are sad :)I'm kind of an aficianado, I figured out and transcribed all her solo stuff here:Aimee Mann TabsI'd rate "Just Like AnyOne" as one of her very saddest though. Or "There Must Be A Word" or "Invisible Ink"
Kate Marie
I nominate:"There Will Never Be Another You" (the Nat King Cole version)"You and Me" (Frank Sinatra version)"Long, Long Time" (Linda Ronstadt)"Empty Chairs" (Don McLean)"The Dance" (Garth Brooks)
Well, the most overlooked songs in this category are of course,"I Just Can't Get Over You Dear, So You'll Have To Get Up And Answer the Phone Yourself" by Emmit Sounds, Unlimited, and "Cut Off Your Arms, Cut Off Your Legs, Let's Dance," by Nemie and the Nuts.
I vote for George Jones' "He Stopped Loving Her Today".
Yes to George Jones.Also, I am amazed that "Alone Again, Naturally" did not make it."Now looking back over the yearsAnd whatever else that appearsI remember I cried when my father diedNever wishing to hide the tearsAnd at sixty-five years oldMy mother, God rest her soul,Couldn’t understand why the only manShe had ever loved had been takenLeaving her to start with a heart so badly brokenDespite encouragement from meNo words were ever spokenAnd when she passed awayI cried and cried all dayAlone again, naturally".....*sob*!