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What Is The Saddest Song Ever Written?

12/11/06, 12:16 pm EST

What do you think your body does when you hear Robbie Williams’ “Angels”? Well, if you’re English, apparently your vital signs provide a scientifically recognized collection of readings that mean you’re feeling sad. But that sadness you’re feeling isn’t even the most intense version. According to British scientists (in collaboration with Nokia) “Angels” is only the second saddest song ever, missing the the Verve’s “The Drugs Don’t Work” by several thousand tears (see the full list after the jump). We allow for the fact that these scientists could suck. They might not have played Bob Dylan’s “If You See Her, Say Hello” or The Smith’s “I Know It’s Over” (to name a few) for their test subjects. Still, this wrong needs righting — Radiohead’s “Fake Plastic Trees” is not the tenth saddest song ever, is it? What track truly deserves the Number One spot?

1. The Verve - The Drugs Don’t Work
2. Robbie Williams - Angels
3. Elton John - Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
4. Whitney Houston - I Will Always Love You
5. Sinead O’Connor - Nothing Compares 2 U
6. Will Young - Leave Right Now
7. Elvis Presley - Are You Lonesome Tonight
8. Christina Aguilera - Beautiful
9. James Blunt - Goodbye My Lover
10. Radiohead - Fake Plastic Trees


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Cass | 6/19/2009, 11:13 pm EST

“Last Chance Texaco” - Ricky Lee Jones

Slim | 6/8/2009, 8:23 pm EST

I will pick songs that can actually make me depressed when I am not:

1.)”Videotape” — Radiohead
2.)”Boots of Spanish Leather” — Bob Dylan
3.)”The Eternal” — Joy Division
4.)”Katy Song” — Red House Painters
5.)”Running to Stand Still” — U2
6.)”The Wrong Child” — R.E.M.
7.)”Faith” — The Cure
8.)”My Father’s House” — Bruce Springsteen
9.)”Flowers In December” — Mazzy Star
10.)”I Will Follow You Into The Dark” — Death Cab For Cutie

frenchvanillas | 6/1/2009, 9:09 pm EST

Does anyone know what the lyrics to She Is Gone by Willie Nelson mean? Was it written for someone?

emma | 5/14/2009, 10:00 am EST

Not in any order, really.
Streets of Philidalphia - Bruce Springsteen
Fix You - Coldplay
Hallelujah - Jeff Buckley cover
From the Stars - White Lies
The Drugs Don’t Work - The Verve
How to Disappear Completely - Radiohead
Fake Plastic Trees - Radiohead
Iris - Goo Goo Dolls

…and Reckoner by Radiohead because it’s just so beautiful and I cry everytime!

C-Roc | 5/3/2009, 2:48 pm EST

The single saddest song on the face of the earth : Way To Fall- Starsailor

dickieboy | 4/26/2009, 9:07 am EST

“9 crimes” d. rice
“closer-eternal” joy division
“the plain song” the cure
“in the ghetto” the king

kelly | 4/15/2009, 1:57 pm EST

Dave Matthew’s Band : Grace is Gone

CatPower: Good Woman

Mark | 4/13/2009, 12:20 am EST

Casimir Pulaski Day, by Sufjan Stevens, is the saddest song ever written.

KKL | 4/12/2009, 12:53 pm EST

Baker Baker - Tori Amos
Evaporated - Ben Folds Five
You Had Time - Ani DiFranco
Hang - Matchox 20
I Will Follow You Into the Dark - Death Cab For Cutie
Your House - Alanis Morissette

modesthotel | 3/24/2009, 5:14 am EST

Why is the beatles: For No One, on any list

R. Arteaga | 3/13/2009, 10:02 pm EST

Does anyone listen to classical music anymore?

Samuel Barber’s “Adagio for Strings”
William Walton’s “Henry V: Passacaglia on the Death Of Falstaff”"

look them up, you won’t be disappointed

Nikura2001 | 3/5/2009, 10:34 pm EST

Sad songs are sad depending how you interpret them, here are some of the top for me.

Hate Me - Blue October
Leave out all the rest- Linkin Park
Tell Laura I love her-Ray Patterson
You Raised me up - Josh Groban
Emotions - Destiny’s Child

Leesus | 2/2/2009, 7:43 pm EST

1)Kathleen- Townes Van Zandt
2)Carmelita- Warren Zevon
3)He Stopped Loving Her Today- George Jones
4)Vincent- Don McLean
5)Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground- Willie Nelson

I challenge you to find a sadder song than kathleen

rohit | 1/30/2009, 1:56 pm EST

check the followings :

I Go To Sleep-The Pretenders
Everything I Own-bread
my lover’s gone-Dido

the_end | 1/18/2009, 12:44 pm EST

1. “Not an Addict” K’s Choice
2. “Bittersweet” Big Head Todd and the Monsters (or the entire Sister Sweetly Album)
3. “Head to the Ground” (entire album) Expanding Man
4. “Waste” Big Wreck
5. “Porcelain” Moby

Lori, | 1/13/2009, 6:30 pm EST

I decided too add a couple more to my list.

“Joshua radin-Only you”
“Joshua Radin-Sundrenched world” (not really a sad song, but pretty none the less).
“Micheal Buble`-Always on my mind”
“Coldplay-Fix you”
“Howie Day-When you and i collide”
“Hope-Bring me flowers”
“Elton John-I guess thats why they call it the blues”
“Brooke Fraser-Indelible”
“Damien Leith-Shine like the sun”
“James blunt-I really want you”
“James Blunt-Shine on”
“Snow Patrol-Set fire to the third bar”
“Snow Patrol-You could be happy”
“The killers-Smile like you mean it”
“Madonna-Frozen”
“The panics-Dont fight it”
And, my favorite because it really is such a cute song “MGMT-kids”

Jack | 1/3/2009, 1:38 pm EST

The Saddest song’s would have to be…
1. It never Rains In southern California- Albert Hammond
2. Everybody Hurt- R.E.M.
3. Arms Of the angel- Sarah Mclachlan
4. I’ll be there for you- The Rembrants- because it reminds me too much of my favorite show, “Friends”

Bess | 12/31/2008, 2:50 pm EST

Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings.
absolutely number one for me.

Anonymous | 12/25/2008, 7:42 pm EST

My Way-Frank Sanatra
Seasons In The Sun-Terry Jacks
Its Over-Roy Obison
Hurt(espeacialy the Johnny Cash version)
Brooklyn Roads-Neil Diamond
The End-The Doors

Skeletor | 12/23/2008, 9:16 pm EST

Don’t Take the Girl - Tim McGraw
Last Kiss - Pearl Jam
Holes in the Floor of Heaven - Collin Raye

A.Vegas | 12/17/2008, 12:15 pm EST

I have a HUGE list-

Motley crue: Brandon
Motley crue: the animal in me
Motley crue: You’re all I need
Skid row: 18 and life
Skid row: I remember you
Skid row: in a darkened room
Skid row: Quicksand jesus
Pink: Please don’t leave me
Pink: Sober
58: all of my heros are dead
Anathema: Are you there
Anathema: One last goodbye
GNR: Novemeber rain
GNR: Don’t cry
GNR: Their cover of “Yesterday”
GNR: Estranged
Carolina Liar: Coming to terms
Brandi carlile: fall apart again
Brandi carlile: The story
Buckcherry:Everything
Buckcherry: Dreams
Buckcherry: All of me
Buckcherry:Opened my eyes
Fisher: i will love you
Cinderella- Through the rain
Devin townsend- Deadhead
The distillers: The hunger
Evans Blue: Beg
Goo goo dolls: name
Goo goo dolls: Here is gone
Grant Lee Buffalo: Happiness
Hinder: better than me
Josh todd: lovely bones
L.A guns: vampire
Kristin hersh: me and my charms
Lennon murphy: main gravel road
Missy higgins: where i stood
Motley crue : driftaway
The nixons: sister
Novembre: Come pierrot
Pilot speed: alright
Pushing dasies: disagree
Queen: bohemian rhapsody
Rockstar supernova: cant bring myself to light this fuse
Sheryl crow: run baby run
Sia: breathe me
Tesla: Miles away

and tons more

Ken | 12/12/2008, 5:49 pm EST

Red Hot Chili Peppers - I Could Have Lied
Bob Schneider - King of the World
Counting Crows - Colorblind
Pearl Jam - Nothing Man
Jerry Jeff Walker - I feel Like Hank Williams Tonight & Mr. Bojangles
Frank Sinatra - Send in the Clowns
Pearl Jam - Footsteps, Nothing Man
INXS - Never Tear us Apart
Most anything Radiohead

Coleman | 12/10/2008, 11:36 pm EST

On The Outside by No Use For A Name

Lori, | 12/10/2008, 8:25 am EST

I like sad songs, not like im depressed or nothing. but, there beautiful to listen too.

“Man of the hour-Pearl Jam”
“What if you-Joshua Radin”
“Winter-Joshua Radin”
“Fallen-Sarah McLachlan”
“9 crimes-Damien Rice”
“Grazed Knees-Snow Patrol”
“ColourBlind-Counting Crows”
“Kelsey-Metro Station”
“Lost Cause-Beck”
“Ode to my family-The Cranberries”
“Wont give in-Finn Brothers”
“People just ain’t no good-Nick Cave and the bad seeds”
“Hallelujah-Imogen Heap” (When marissa dies at the end of the O.C, good song.)

“Somwhere over the rainbow/What a wonderful moon”-Israel Kamakawiwo’ole. (Sad sad song, beautiful but).

Elizabeth | 12/7/2008, 4:33 pm EST

I thought that I was the only one who considered many songs in rock to be sad. I think that music is from the heart, regardless how fast, thrashing or even slow and sad it is. I grew up in the middle/late 70’s/early 80’s so I remember all of these songs too well and the feelings they brought to me even then.
1)Seasons In The Sun
2)Without You
3)Cats In The Cradle
4)Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
5)The Air That I Breathe
6)Reflections Of My Life
7)Jealous Guy (John Lennon)
8)Shannon
9)Sylvia’s Mother
10)All By Myself
(These are in no order, I trully love these songs and each hold a special memory and place within my heart and life).

Ashleigh from NZ | 12/2/2008, 7:24 am EST

Stone Sour - Bother.

Jessica | 11/30/2008, 8:06 pm EST

“He Stopped Loving Her Today” by George Jones. That is THE saddest song I have ever heard and I’ve heard a lot. If you never have listened to it, you should and make sure you have a tissue.

Fiona Garret | 11/30/2008, 5:54 pm EST

The most heartbreaking saddest song ever, ever, ever is “SECOND AVENUE” by TIM MOORE. A lot of what’s here is just downbeat or depressing. SECOND AVENUE is actually SAD. It really makes me cry and has for decades. And you can’t even find it on i-Tunes. All you can find is Art Garfunkel’s lame version. But you can get it on CD, on the Tim Moore 20 cut compilation they sell on Amazon.

gezza | 11/30/2008, 7:30 am EST

you all missed this one.
How bout'’ one less bell to answer!! one less egg to fry ,

farsh | 11/30/2008, 3:18 am EST

“don’t forget me” -red hot chili peppers

Charismacat | 11/20/2008, 5:55 pm EST

Saddest songs

Don’t Give Up - Peter Gabriel/Kate Bush
Trouble - Coldplay
My Immortal - Evanescence
Shine On you Crazy Diamond - Pink Floyd
Jesus to a Child - George Michael
My First Night Alone without You - Bonnie Raitt
Fade into You - Mazzy Star
River - Joni Mitchell

crazylilboots | 10/31/2008, 2:38 pm EST

Natasha Bedingfield’s Soul Mate

CCH | 10/31/2008, 1:32 pm EST

Dance With My Father - Luther Vandross

Who You’d Be Today - Kenny Chesney

The End - The Doors

brad | 10/21/2008, 9:55 pm EST

He had an amazing show is Denver with Tim, he has been playing small intimate venues. He had the courage and balls to play a whole show of new material. Since the album is a continual sound he played 60 minutes from beginning to end of his album with no old material. During the show the kids started to mosh, which goes against what all the critics are saying, the critics are trying to corner this album as only R&B, when it actually has elements of all music and obviously his fans have responded. When the house lights went up and the show was over, there were about a 100 fans who would not leave and kept chanting for more, chris came back out and played his classic “reach down”

brad | 10/21/2008, 9:54 pm EST

He had an amazing show is Denver with Tim, he has been playing small intimate venues. He had the courage and balls to play a whole show of new material.

Matt Buchanan | 9/23/2008, 10:08 pm EST

Mazzy Star “Fade into you”?

Matt Buchanan | 9/23/2008, 9:50 pm EST

What about “Last Kiss” by Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers.

ncwoman | 9/17/2008, 4:17 pm EST

There are a lot of sad songs out there, but my faves are:

“You Can Let Go Now” by Crystal Shawanda.
I heard this for the first time recently, and after having lost my father last year, I almost dissolved in my own tears.

“Angel” by Sara McLachlan.
This is a sad song anyway, but whenever that commercial for the Humane Society featuring this song comes on tv, I have to change the channel.

“The Maker Makes” by Rufus Wainwright.
One of the saddest songs I’ve ever heard from one of the saddest movies I’ve ever seen. In fact, almost the entire soundtrack from “Brokeback Mountain” has a melancholy tone to it.

ncwoman | 9/17/2008, 4:11 pm EST

“You Can Let Go Now” by Crystal Shawanda.
I heard that recently and having lost my father last year, I almost dissolved in my own tears.

“Angel” by Sara McLachlan.
That is a sad song anyway, but every time the commercial for the Humane Society comes on featuring that song, I have to change the channel or I’ll cry a river.

Azrael | 8/26/2008, 10:36 pm EST

Saddest Ever
Bush- Out of this world (rediculously sad)
Foo Fighters- Everlong (acoustic version only)
Smashing Pumpkins-Landslide
Smashing Pumpkins-Disarm
3 Doors Down- Landing in London
Alice in Chains-Nutshell(especially MTV Unplugged version)

Pearl Jam or Aaron Lewis-Black (…I know some day youll have a beautiful life….I know you’ll be the sun…..In some body else’s sky but why….why….whhhhyyy cant it be, cant it be mine)

Breaking Benjamin-Evil Angel (Put me to sleep evil angel…..I dont want to breathe evil angel….)

A Perfect Circle-Orestes (…..One more medicated peaceful moment) (Gotta cut away, clear away, slip away and sever this….. umbilical residue….keeping me from killing you)

Cold- Bleed (If this song doesnt bring you down a notch you lack a heart and/or soul)

DoubleDrive- Million People
Theory of a Deadman- The Last Song
Goo Goo Dolls- Iris
Goo Goo Dolls- Name
Hoobastank- Running Away
Jet-Look What youve Done
Jimmy Eat World -Hear you Me (Hard to Listen to at times)
Jimmy Eat World - My Sundown
Linkin Park - My December

Matchbox 20- Hang
Nine Inch Nails- Right where it belongs
Sevendust -Hurt (NIN cover)
Oasis- Stop Crying your heart out
Our Lady Peace - Innocent
Our Lady Peace - Somewhere out there
Remy Zero - Shattered
Shinedown - Simple Man
STP- Plush (Acoustic)
Switchfoot- This Is Your Life
Systematic - Leaving Only Scars
Tantric -Mourning(acoustic)
Taproot- I
A Perfect Circle- The Noose (Not for the religeous)
Pearl Jam - Nothing as it seems

Thats a small taste of what I got so far

Alex | 8/19/2008, 6:29 pm EST

Roses for the Dead- Funeral for a Friend
History- Funeral for a Friend
Hallelujah- Paramore
I’m going slightly mad- Queen (particularly heartbreaking if you know that Freddie Mercury was incredibly sick when he recorded it, I think it was the last song he ever recorded before he died, could someone confirm this if they know for sure?)
Behind Blue Eyes- The Who

your mom | 8/14/2008, 11:54 pm EST

Run-snow patrol
brothers on a hotel bed-death cab for cutie
delicate-damien rice
hide and seek-imogen heap
smother me-the used
dreaming with a broken heart-john mayer

doug | 8/1/2008, 11:38 am EST

the saddest song ever has to be say hello to heaven by temple of the dog. Chris cornell is a musical genius. you look at the lyrics and hear him sing its amazing. The words came right out of his soul. wrote it after a friend of his just died. i find comfort in the song

phoebe | 7/31/2008, 2:02 am EST

here are some very sad songs

interpol : lighthouse

elliott smith : last call

beirut : rhineland (heartland)

iron & wine : such great heights

elliott smith : between the bars

bright eyes : difference in the shades

damien rice : the blower’s daughter

godspeed you! black emperor : the dead flag blues

modest mouse : the cold part

on another note pretty much every song on letting off the happiness by bright eyes is sad.

sukie310 | 7/9/2008, 6:21 pm EST

the entire Berlin album by Lou Reed but most of all The Kids(they’re taking her children away….), The Bed and Caroline Says II,

Strange Fruit by either Nina Simone or Billy Holiday

Once you Understand by Think… A truly horrible song from the early 70’s but very sad nonetheless

Me and little Andy by Dolly Parton
Jolene by Dolly Parton
Superstar-Carpenters version.
Wichita Lineman by Glen Campbell
In The Ghetto-Elvis Presley
Baby Blue-Badfinger
Nature’s Way-Spirit

The Kid | 6/7/2008, 12:42 am EST

Harry Chapin - “Cats In The Cradle”
Shinedown - “.45″
Johnny Cash - “Hurt,” “God’s Gonna Cut You Down.”
Our Lady Peace - ” 4 AM ”
Pearl Jam - “Black,”
Coven - “One Tin Soldier”
Bob Carlisle - “Butterfly Kisses”
[i forget by who] - “Christmas Shoes”
Rammstein - “Mutter,” “Morgenstern,” “Ein Leid,” “Stirb nicht vor mir.”
Nirvana - “Heartshaped Box”
Bowie - “Ground control to Major Tom”
Gordon Lightfoot - “Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.
Black Tape for a Blue GIrl - “Knock Three Times,” “Tarnished.”
Blue October - “Hate Me”
Wolfgang Parker - “Blood Red Water,” “Swing Baby Swing,” “Whisper Something German [In My Ear]”
Stone Sour - “Through the Glass”
Pink Floyd - “Comfortably Numb”
Red Hot Chili Peppers - “Under the Bridge”
Meatloaf - “Two outta Three Ain’t Bad”
R.E.M. - “Losing My Religion”
The Tossers - “Caladdagh” and “Not Alone”

T. Light | 5/28/2008, 2:21 pm EST

Try these out, i wont post he ones ive alrighty seen on the list but there may be a few repeats.

Stone Sour - “Bother”
Weezer - “Longtime Sunshine”
Brad Paisley - “Whiskey Lullaby”
Robert Johnson- “The Sky is Crying”
Greenday - “Good Riddance”
Jimi Hendrix- “The Wind Cries Mary”
Bush - “Glycerine”
Nirvana-”Half The Man I Used To Be”
Nirvana- “Where Did You Sleep Last Night”
Kid Rock - “Only God Knows Why”
Pink Floyd - “Wish You Were Here”
Moody Blues -”Dust in The Wind”
Radiohead - “Creep”
N.I.N. - “Head Like a Hole”
Tim Mcgraw -”If Your Reading This”
Shinedown - “45″
Shinedown - “Burning Bright”
Guns N Roses - “Patience”
Metallica - “One”
Beck - “Longtime Sunshine”
Willie Nelson - “Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain”
Lynyrd Skynyrd - “Tuesdays Gone”
Johnny Cash - “Folsom Prison Blues”
Our Lady Peace - ” 4 AM ”

And last but certianly not least, my favorite sad song by Soundgarden - “Black Hole Sun”

I know i left alot out, im not on my PC right now so i cant look at my collection but theres a good start.

T. Light | 5/28/2008, 2:21 pm EST

Try these out, i wont post he ones ive alrighty seen on the list but there may be a few repeats.

Stone Sour - “Bother”
Weezer - “Longtime Sunshine”
Brad Paisley - “Whiskey Lullaby”
Robert Johnson- “The Sky is Crying”
Greenday - “Good Riddance”
Jimi Hendrix- “The Wind Cries Mary”
Bush - “Glycerine”
Nirvana-”Half The Man I Used To Be”
Nirvana- “Where Did You Sleep Last Night”
Kid Rock - “Only God Knows Why”
Pink Floyd - “Wish You Were Here”
Moody Blues -”Dust in The Wind”
Radiohead - “Creep”
N.I.N. - “Head Like a Hole”
Tim Mcgraw -”If Your Reading This”
Shinedown - “45″
Shinedown - “Burning Bright”
Guns N Roses - “Patience”
Metallica - “One”
Beck - “Longtime Sunshine”
Willie Nelson - “Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain”
Lynyrd Skynyrd - “Tuesdays Gone”
Johnny Cash - “Folsom Prison Blues”
Our Lady Peace - ” 4 AM ”

And last but certianly not least, my favorite sad song by Soundgarden - “Black Hole Sun”

I know i left alot out, im not on my PC right now so i cant look at my collection but theres a good start.

Felipe | 5/25/2008, 3:41 am EST

About Today by The National. brings anyone who ever listens to it to tears.

Today you were far away
and I didn’t ask you why
What could I say
I was far away
You just walked away
and I just watched you
What could I say

How close am I to losing you

Tonight you just close your eyes
and I just watch you
slip away

How close am I to losing you

Hey, are you awake
Yeah I’m right here

Evan Daman | 5/16/2008, 2:30 pm EST

The Spill canvas- The Tide, All hail the heartbreaker, So much

better then me
we’re in heaven

theres alot of sad breakup songs, but id have to say the best one is

A Different Kind of Pain by Cold

kevin | 5/7/2008, 11:29 pm EST

1.) Nutshell By: Alice In Chains (The solo pulls you apart)
2.) Black By: Pearl Jam
3.) Shame In You By: Alice In Chains
4.) Wish You were Here By: Pink Flyod
5.) Nothing Else Matters By: Metallica

yah | 5/4/2008, 7:30 am EST

i think the saddest song ever is……..nothing..bcoz no 2 different person can relate to the depth of song chosen by the other..eg: for me the saddest song is “earth song” but maybe not even 1 of u agrees with me..hehehe…dnt know f u got my point..herheehehe

iggy | 5/3/2008, 8:26 pm EST

just cuz i didn’t see em listed here (though i didn’t check every one), i’ll say…

muse - hoodoo
nina simone - don’t smoke in bed

Leanza | 4/29/2008, 9:04 pm EST

Blue Roblins-Alyssa Lies
This song is so sad. I cried the first time i heard it. When you hear it, really listen to the lyrics, and you probley will too. This song deserves a place up there too.

SAD | 4/18/2008, 11:07 pm EST

Anything by Roy Orbison . . .

real deal | 4/16/2008, 2:33 pm EST

you never know - immortal technique

…mad legit

Jamie | 4/12/2008, 3:20 pm EST

Hear You Me- Jimmy Eat World

Konstantine- Something Corporate

Limousine- Brand New

100 Years- Five For Fighting

A Long December- Counting Crows

Dear Joan- Tabitha’s Secret

The Tide- The Spill Canvas

steve | 4/7/2008, 7:11 pm EST

how can there be the saddest songs ever list’s and not have Elliott smith and Nick Drake on it.

kat | 3/26/2008, 3:31 pm EST

“Don’t Follow” -Alice In Chains

“Round Here”-Counting Crows

“Sometimes it snows in April”-Prince

“Drawing Flies”-Soundgarden

The Cure and Pearl Jam definately deserve a spot on this list.

Steve w | 3/22/2008, 6:31 pm EST

All of these songs are sad, but if ya ask me “I just don’t think I’ll ever get over you” By Colin Hay And “The blowers daughter” By Damien Rice are the two saddest song I have ever heard. “Gimme Sunshine” By Ryan Adams is up there also, but for my own personal reasons

claude | 3/22/2008, 11:50 am EST

i like sad songs too!
my favorite one are:
Johnny Cash - Hurt
Terence Jay - One blood
Jimmy eat World - Hear you me
Taking back sunday - your own disaster
3 Doors down - Here without you
James Blunt - goodbye my lover
Blink 182 - Lost without you
Rise against - Swing life away
Radiohead/Korn - Creep

Jc. | 3/19/2008, 3:03 pm EST

In The Aeroplane Over The Sea - Neutral Milk Hotel

No Surprises - Radiohead

Some Day - Shinedown

Time Of Your Life - Greenday

All That I’ve Got - The Used

Greatest Love Of All - George Benson

Let It Be - The Beatles

sc0rge | 3/16/2008, 5:16 pm EST

Out of this world by Marrillion
Hurt by Jonny Cash

josh | 3/12/2008, 11:12 pm EST

Halleluljah- jeff buckley
omg i just cannot get over how depressed this makes me feel its so sad and it just says it all. great song

9 crimes - damien rice
i can tell exactly what they’re saying, it made me cry the first time i heard it.

Portia | 2/27/2008, 3:40 pm EST

Hallelujah - Jeff Buckley
Tears In Heaven - Eric Clapton
The Drugs Don’t Work - The Verve
The Rest Of My Life - Less Than Jake
Fix You - Coldplay
Raining In Baltimore - Counting Crows
The Song “Sometimes” by Ash isn’t very melodically sad but lyrically it talks about accepting the end of a long term love and it’s quite upsetting. In the same way, “It Ends Tonight” - The All American Rejects.
Also,
It’s Cool, We Can Still Be Friends - Bright Eyes
This song is actually extremely hard to listen to, just due to the sheer pain, passion and sincerity in Conor O’Berst’s voice. You can really feel that he means every word, especially at the end.
Also, A Perfect Sonnet - Bright Eyes. There are lots of very sad Bright Eyes songs, and every single one is passionate and heartfelt. I think he’s an underappreciated songwriter.

Luke | 2/19/2008, 7:06 pm EST

Superstar by The Carpenters

closely followed by…

The Winner Takes It All by ABBA

Abe | 2/16/2008, 5:17 am EST

“Winter” by Josh Radin

Bob | 2/10/2008, 9:07 am EST

Anything by nick cave, where the wild roses grow and the weeping song are my favourites

Bob | 2/10/2008, 9:07 am EST

Anything by nick cave, where the wild roses grow and the weeping song are my favourites

x-x | 2/9/2008, 1:13 am EST

hey i like a lot of punk music, so here are a couple new songs that i didnt see listed.

No, It Isn’t- +44
BLINK 182-
Story of a Lonely Guy
I Miss You
Adam’s Song
Asthenia
Down
Lost Without You

LINKIN PARK-
Shadow of the Day
In Pieces
Valentine’s Day

Never Too Late-Three Days Grace

also,
Your Guardian Angel- Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

how could you miss that! very very sad song

love them all!

ned nerd | 2/8/2008, 4:07 pm EST

A few, I would put in there,

Donna Donna: A haunting melody with clear Holocaust metaphor, cheery it ain’t

Don’t Smoke in Bed, Nina Simone: Breaking up is hard to do, listening to this reminds one of exactly what it feels like.

A Miner’s Life, Tommy Gilfellon: “We knows what your crying for,…, we knows whats in store for yee” Break, Hopeless…

CoolBReeze | 12/31/2007, 12:51 am EST

“Shannon”-Henry Gross (about the Beach Boys dog)
“All By Myself”-Eric Carmen
“Seasons in the Sun”-Terry Jacks
“Run Joey Run”-David Geddes
“One Tin Soldier”-Coven
“In the Ghetto”/”Don’t Cry Daddy”-Elvis
“Tears in Heaven”-Eric Clapton
“Last Kiss,” J.Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers
“He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother”-The Hollies
“Diary”-Bread
“Think of Laura”-Christopher Cross
“Victoria”-Jason Scheff(Chicago)http://www.sche ff.com/darin/
“Keep Me In Your Heart”-Warren Zevon
“Goodbye English Rose-Elton John
“Dear Mr.Jesus”-Sharon http://www.racheljoyscott.net/ lisa_steinberg/
“Hell is for Children”(Acoustic)-Pat Benatar
“Teen Angel”-Mark Dinning
“My Fathers Chair”-Rick Springfield
“Little Girl”-Journey
“Woman In Chains”-Tears for Fears & Oleta Adams
“In The Arms Of Angels”-Sara McLachlan
“Somewhere Over the Rainbow”-Katherine McPhee
“Could’ve Been”-Tiffany
“Can’t Find My Way Home”-
“Billy,Don’t Be A Hero”-Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods
“Christmas Shoes”-Newsong
“Cry”-Godley & Creme
“Concrete Angel”- Martina Mcbride
“She Doesn’t Need Me Anymore”-Peter Cetera
“Roses for Mama”-Red Sovine
“Hold Me Now”-John Wetton(Asia)
“The Right Moment”-Olivia Newton John
“Oh Life(There Must Be More)”-Alan Parsons Project feat.David Pack(Ambrosia)
“Has Anyone Ever Written Anything for You?”-Stevie Nicks
“Carrie”-Europe
“Rain” -Prism
“My Heart Will Go On”- Celine Dion
“Same Old Lang Syne” - Dan Fogelberg
“Why”-Annie Lennox
“Since I Don’t Have You”-The Skyliners
“Perfect World”-Jamie Walters
“Unchained Melody”-The Righteous Brothers
“Make Believe it’s the Your First Time”Karen Carpenter
“The Little Girl”-John Michael Montgomery & Alison Krauss
“Desperado”-The Eagles
“I Don’t Want To Live WIthout Your Love”/”Explain it to My Heart”- Chicago
“Don’t Walk Away”-E.L.O.
“Wildfire”-Micha el Martin Murphy
“Just When I Needed You Most”-Randy Vanwarmer
“I Can’t Make You Love Me”- Bonnie Raitt
“Forever Young”-The Pretenders
“Cat’s In the Cradle”-Harry Chapin
“Waiting for a Miracle”-Leanord Cohen
“Is Your Love Strong Enough?”-Bryan Ferry(Roxy Music)
“Tell Laura I Love Her” Ray Peterson
“She’s Gone”-Hall & Oates
“Don’t Call My Name”-King of Hearts
“Ain’t No Sunshine”-Bill Withers
“Goodbye”-Warren Wiebe
“Butterfly Kisses”- Bob Carlisle
“I Will Always Love You”-Whitney Houston
“My Eyes Adored You”-Frankie Valli
“I Can’t Live(If Living is Without You)”-Harry Nilsson
“She’s Out of My Life” -Micheal Jackson
“Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word”-Elton John
“Hymn to Love”-Corey Hart
“Who Wants to Live Forever?”-Queen

miguel c | 12/23/2007, 6:28 am EST

ooo and maxwell/katie -womans work

miguel c | 12/23/2007, 6:24 am EST

eva cassidy fields of gold +time after time + i knw you by heart+ wonderful world love all of them
jeff buckley Hallelujah

yoyoyoyoyo | 12/21/2007, 8:39 pm EST

This Modern Love by Bloc Party

J_A | 12/17/2007, 1:22 am EST

Coldplay - The scientist

the video helps too.

Sarah | 12/16/2007, 6:52 pm EST

“The Tide” by the Spill Canvas
is pretty damn sad.

But I think the most saddest song ever is “Hurt” by Johnny Cash

And anything from Death Cab for Cutie

JP | 12/9/2007, 3:48 pm EST

“How’s The World Treating You”
by James Taylor and Alison Krauss

George | 11/24/2007, 9:36 pm EST

Try-

Biffy Clyro- Machines
Biffy Clyro- Folding Stars
Biffy Clyro- All the way down
Korn- Daddy
Evanesence- Good Enough
Less Than Jake- Rest of my life(seriously)

Incomplete | 11/14/2007, 2:13 am EST

No saddest song ever list is complete without Tchaikovsky’s suicide song, Pathetique, even though this is Rolling Stone and they don’t consider non-singing and playing type songs.

Non of the songs on the list in the article deserve anywhere near the saddest in my opinion. We we say sad, I want it to be Van Gogh on the brink of madness sad, devestating, heart ripping, hope crushing, borne of true despair, no food or shelter sad.

Kelly.M | 10/24/2007, 8:49 pm EST

i cannot believe they weren’t mentioned but….
Brand New- Play Crack The Sky
some other favorites of mine are:
Ben Folds Five- Brick
Bright Eyes- Lua and It’s Cool, We Can Still Be Friends
Justin Timberlake- Never again and Still On My Brain
Damien Rice- The Blower’s Daughter and I Remember
Daniel Bedingfield- If You’re Not The One
Elliot Smith and Jeff Buckley songs..so sad
Landon Pigg- Can’t Let Go
Rachael Yamagata- Quiet
The Verve- The Drugs Don’t Work
Travis- Re-Offender
but the saddest song ever for me would have to be The Early November- Everything’s Too Cold…But You’re So Hot.

kindred vampyre | 10/21/2007, 11:07 pm EST

FLY - Celine Dion

From Falling Into You album. Written By: Jean-Jacques Goldman and Phil Galdston.

best of the best. without a doubt. Written for Celine Dion’s niece, Karine, who died in May 1993 due to cystic fibrosis.

mr.pitt | 10/19/2007, 2:51 am EST

diana krall- why should i care?

Carina | 10/11/2007, 9:03 pm EST

Carina’s favorite sad songs (in no particular order):

“Monday, Monday” - The Mamas and the Papas

“Scarborough Fair” - Simon and Garfunkel

“America” - Simon and Garfunkel

“Blowin ‘ in the Wind” - Bob Dylan or Peter Paul & Mary

“Asleep” - The Smiths

“Daydream” - Smashing Pumpkins

“Today” - Smashing Pumpkins

“Let it Be” - The Beatles

“Stand By Me” - Ben E. King

“Blackbird” - Lennon & McCartney
….just off the top of my head.

Logan | 9/30/2007, 6:30 pm EST

Christmas shoes

Logan | 9/30/2007, 6:29 pm EST

Christmas shoes

Logan | 9/30/2007, 6:29 pm EST

Christmas shoes

dean | 8/29/2007, 9:01 pm EST

momma by elo

chester | 8/28/2007, 4:15 pm EST

i know most of don’t know/care for any these bands, but for the those who have never heard these songs, and might want to listen to them…

BRIGHT EYES - lua, landlocked blues, act of contrition, when the curious girl realizes she is under the glass

ELLIOTT SMITH - needle in the hay

DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE - i will follow you into the dark, a lack of color, transatlanticism, title and registration

RILO KILEY - ripchord

THE SHINS - new slang, a comet appears, gone for good

DAMIEN RICE - nine crimes, the blower’s daughter

IRON AND WINE - each coming night, jezebel

REGINA SPEKTOR - samson

THE ALBUM LEAF - twenty-two fourteen

GREAT LAKE SWIMMERS - moving pictures, silent films

Nc | 8/20/2007, 7:51 am EST

Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me” brings me to tears every time I listen to it. Bread’s “If” as sappy as it is, also does it to me.

Fareeman | 8/18/2007, 12:29 pm EST

Billie Holiday- Gloomy Sunday
R.E.M- Everybody’s Hurt
Smashing Pumpkin- Crestfallen
Lou Reed- Caroline Says II
Billy Joel- Honesty
U2- In A Little While
Muse- Unintended
The Velvet Underground- Perfect Day
Radiohead- Exit Music (For A Film)

chalky | 8/6/2007, 7:30 am EST

it has to be billie holiday’s Gloomy Sunday - 66 years on and the BBC still won’t play it due to its ‘crushing hopelessness and bitter despair’ I also vote for Janis Joplin’s ‘Cry Baby’ because I always do.

lil. | 7/23/2007, 11:29 pm EST

Under Pressure by David Bowie and Freddie Mercury.

Annnnd-the song Nothing Came Out by the Moldy Peaches is sooo sad.
D: haha

willie | 7/21/2007, 8:32 am EST

kid rock-abortion
kid rock-black chick,white guy
kid rock-single father
kid rock-only god knows why
kid rock-my oedipus complex
eric clapton-tears in heaven
alice n chains-down in a hole
johnny cash-hurt
metallica-nothing else matters
pink floyd-wish you were here
nirvania-all apalogies
7Dust-Angels Son
Staind-Pick A Song Their All Sad
STP-Creep

shanana | 7/12/2007, 2:53 am EST

the song “Yellow butterfly” by Meg and Dia is really sad.

shanana | 7/12/2007, 2:53 am EST

the song “Yellow butterfly” by Meg and Dia is really sad.

eric | 6/22/2007, 2:47 am EST

Queen: Let me live (listening to Freddy Mercury’s weakening voice plead for life gets me every time), Who Wants to Live Forever?
Sting: Most of the songs from Soul Cages, Children’s Crusade, Fragile, They Dance Alone
Eric Clapton: Tears in Heaven
Beatles: Eleanor Rigby, Julia
Elvis Costello: Shipbuilding

JEEM | 6/10/2007, 12:16 am EST

yellowcard - only one
akaline trio - radio
finch - ender (acoustic)
coldplay - the scientist

Lil | 6/6/2007, 6:48 am EST

Overcome - Live; only song to bring me to tears.

reya | 6/3/2007, 3:19 pm EST

sweet old world lucinda williams
new favorite alison krauss
i made a lovers prayer gillian welch
lilac wine jeff buckley
barcelona rufus wainwright
for no one emmylou harris
silent all these years tori amos
hold on sarah mclachlan
te extrano luis miguel
kangaroo big star
which will nick drake
estranged guns and roses
hurt nine inch nails

Jack D | 5/9/2007, 4:25 am EST

In no particular order, here are a few

Hear You Me - JEW
Hurt - Johnny Cash
Slipped Away - Avril Lavigne
Golden Age - Beck
Atlantic City - Bruce Springsteen
The Scientist - Coldplay
Tears in Heaven - Eric Clapton
Iris - Goo Goo Dolls
Foolish Games - Jewel
Angel - Sarah Mclachlan
Hallelujah - Rufus Wainwright
With or Without You - U2

RSham | 5/5/2007, 9:03 pm EST

My two are:

1)You’re A Big Girl Now - Bob Dylan
2)Helplessly Hoping - Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

mxa | 4/15/2007, 10:06 am EST

stereophonics- i’m alright

jet- shine on

ryan adams- political scientists

lifehouse- everything

Kellie | 4/6/2007, 3:27 pm EST

Oh and Konstantine by Something Corporate

Kellie | 4/6/2007, 3:25 pm EST

Here’s just a few I could think of off the top of my head …

Wynonna Judd - Is it over yet
James Blunt - So long Jimmy
Counting Crows - Raining in Baltimore
Vertical Horizion- Best I ever had
BJ Thomas - Billy and Sue
David Bowie - Ground control to Major Tom
Blink 182 - Adam’s Song
Tim McGraw - My old Friend
Blue October - Hate Me
Johnny Cash- God will cut you down
Stone Sour - Through the glass
Augustana - Boston
Eminem - When I’m gone
The Beatles - In my life

Lucozer | 3/24/2007, 5:37 am EST

here’s a few…

Roy Orbison ‘It’s Over’
Elliott Smith ‘Waltz #1′
Neil Young ‘Philadelphia’
Crowded House ‘All I Ask’
John Cale ‘I Keep A Close Watch’

mw | 3/11/2007, 8:55 am EST

waylon jennings “the hunger” and “grey eyes you know”

Bob | 3/3/2007, 2:51 pm EST

Almost anything by Jim Croce and Harry Chapin. We Just Disagree by Dave Mason. I used to be a king, and Simple man by Graham Nash.

big daddy boat | 3/2/2007, 5:51 am EST

Ryan Adams “Harder Now That’s Ovr

Danieb Jurado “What were the Chances”

Pink Floyd “Wish you Were HEre”

Elliot Smith “Everything Reminds me of her”

E. Rattenbury | 2/20/2007, 9:50 pm EST

Sullivan Street - the Counting Crows

the only pop song that ever drew out my tears

LB | 2/14/2007, 8:31 pm EST

1.Lover You Should Have Come Over-Jeff Buckley

probably the most instense song he wrote

Anonymous | 2/14/2007, 5:39 pm EST

Boulder to Birmingham - Emmylou Harris
Also, pretty much anything Ryan Adams ever wrote. Don’t know why he doesn’t get more love on here.

grory | 2/13/2007, 11:50 pm EST

Strange Fruit got mentioned a few times, but it is Nina Simone’s version that will kill you.

TimG | 2/12/2007, 5:49 pm EST

there are alot of great song listed on this site. Here are a few to think about
little rosa or Teddy bear by Red
Sovine
Honey Bobby Goldsboro
Dont cry daddy by Elvis
These arms of mine Ottis Reading

Hash | 1/24/2007, 8:00 pm EST

The saddest song

1)Hurt- Christina Aguilera
2)We belong together- Mariah Carey
3)Be without you- Mary J Blige

Shaun | 1/19/2007, 4:35 pm EST

alterbridge- in loving memory
very surprised this wasnt listed

Jason C. | 1/7/2007, 2:45 pm EST

more:

j. Every Rose Has its Thorn - Poison
k. Sister - The Nixons
l. 6th Avenue Heartache - The Wallflowers
m. Purple Rain - Prince
n. Without You - Harry Nielson & Mariah Carrey
o. Mother(and many others) - Pink Floyd
p. Ira Hayes (and so many others) - Johnny Cash

Jason C. | 1/7/2007, 2:14 pm EST

Off of the top of my head, here are some sad songs, mentioned here previously or not:

a. Time After Time - Cyndi Lauper
b. Hurt - NIN & also J. Cash
c. The Lady in Red
d. Happy Christmas & Imagine - John Lennon
e. Do They Know It’s Christmas - (Feed the World?)
f. Look Away & Will You Still Love Me - Chicago
g. Don’t Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone) * Heartbreak Station - Cinderella
h. I Remember You - Skid Row
i. Leavin’ on a Jet Plane - John Denver

so many others

Charlie | 1/5/2007, 11:36 pm EST

Saddest song of all time is DEFINATELY

“Bleed” by Cold

Sketch | 12/29/2006, 11:03 pm EST

Clarification: “Untitled” by Simple Plan - while the video clearly depicts the tragedy of drinking and driving, the lyrics themselves are actually themed around despair and personal anquish for one’s own actions; I know lots of people see a video and think of it as what the song is about, but often I see vids that have little to do with the lyrics, and therefore interpret the lyrics solely. Still, the song is a very sad addition to the list.

Sketch | 12/29/2006, 10:39 pm EST

Sad songs (no particular order):

1. Untitled [Simple Plan] - about despair & suicide

2. I Sing For You [Daniel Letterle] - about infinite love lost

3. When The Children Cry [White Lion] - about cycle of hate

4. Luka [Suzzane Vega] - about child abuse

5. The Last Song [Elton John] - about AIDS sufferer estranged from family

weepy | 12/21/2006, 7:19 pm EST

Not necessarily the biggest heart breakers, but hauntingly sad and beautiful songs I haven’t seen mentioned:

“Ohio” Over the Rhine
“Ventura” Lucinda Williams
“Red Dirt Girl” Emmylou Harris
“Boulder to Birmingham” Emmylou Harris
“Northern Star” Hole

timmie | 12/21/2006, 4:27 am EST

“Hello Again” by Neil Diamond, and of course “Telephone Line” by ELO are just two that spring to mind…

dersh | 12/14/2006, 11:02 pm EST

1. Hallelujah- Jeff Buckley

2. Hurt- Johnny Cash

3. Something in the Way- Nirvana

4. Pearl jam- Black

5. Mad World- Gary Jules

6. Cancer- My Chemical Romance ( im not a fan i just think this song is so fucking sad )

7. Everybody Hurts- R.E.M

8. While my Guitar Gently Weeps- The Beatles

9. My Hero- Foo Fighters

10.Bother- Stone Sour

JJJ | 12/13/2006, 12:13 pm EST

and guaranteed to bring you right down…
Elton John - “Godbye”
Joni Mitchell - “River”
Karla Bonoff - “Lose Again”
New Order - “Leave Me Alone”
The Replacements - “Sadly Beautiful”
Neil Young - “Only Love Can Break Your Heart”
Frank Sinatra - the entire “Sinatra Sings For Only The Lonely” album

Ouroboros | 12/13/2006, 11:26 am EST

I have to agree with “Top 10 Saddest Songs Ever”, The Eternal is not only the saddest Joy Division song, but the saddest song ever.

Sherry | 12/13/2006, 11:13 am EST

I tear up every time I hear Dylans’ “You’re a Big Girl Now” and actually, almost anything from Blood on the Tracks is sad.
Also; “We Just Disagree” by (I can’t think of his damn name!)

Derek Ayyyyyytch. | 12/13/2006, 11:10 am EST

Hmmmm, how bout’ “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” by Gordon Lightfoot ?

m. wright | 12/13/2006, 10:05 am EST

can’t believe “The Way We Were” by Barbra Streisand didn’t make the list.

And “Time after Time” both the Cyndi Lauper and Cassandra Wilson versions.

“Not Gon’ Cry” by Mary J. Blige brings me to tears every time…

dh | 12/13/2006, 9:03 am EST

“Time in a Bottle”-Jim Croce
“Lua”-Bright Eyes
“I Don’t Care What You Call Me”-David Ford

D Cheddie | 12/13/2006, 9:02 am EST

Without spending too much time thinking;
Joni Mitchell - River
Jackson Browne - Sky Blue & Black
Counting Crows - Raining in Baltimore
Beach Boys - Caroline No
Tom Waits - San Diego Serenade

Doronit | 12/13/2006, 8:59 am EST

“Superstar,” by The Carpenters anything by Radiohead
“Blue,” by Joni
“Time,” or about a million others by Tom Waits
“Borrowed Tune,” by Neil Young
“I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times,” by the Beach Boys
“Streets of Philadelphia,” by Bruce
“Expecting to Fly,” by Buffalo Springfield

Kevin | 12/13/2006, 4:30 am EST

“In My Life”-The Beatles
“Tears In Heaven”-Eric Clapton
“With Or Without You”-U2
“Never Tear Us Apart”-INXS
“Only God Knows Why”-Kid Rock
“I’ll Be Missing You”-Diddy
“Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word”-Elton John
“Empty Gardens (Hey Hey Johny)”-Elton John
“Hurt”-Johny Cash
“Julia”-The Beatles

nwark | 12/13/2006, 4:25 am EST

Bulletproof… I Wish I Was - Radiohead. It just doesnt get any sadder. hereby a fact.

CT | 12/13/2006, 3:26 am EST

how about the following

“mad world”- gary jules version
“tears in heaven”- eric clapton
“black”- pearl jam
“hurt”- johnny cash version

those are some that i thought of immediately. i think those are some good examples, whoops. forgot one more

“last kiss”- pearl jam

K | 12/13/2006, 1:16 am EST

YOU ALL HAVE TO BOW TO THIS

“GLOOMY SUNDAY” BY SARAH MCLACHLAN

because it’s translated from the famous Hungarian “killer” song. Many have commited suicide after listening to that song

pmaggie | 12/13/2006, 1:03 am EST

Everybody’s Gotta Learn Sometimes - Beck

Why - Annie Lennox

A Long Time Comin’ - Sam Cooke

Island of Souls - Sting

Leith | 12/13/2006, 1:00 am EST

“Hear You Me” - Jimmy Eat World
“Bad as it seems” - Hayden

cathy p. | 12/12/2006, 11:37 pm EST

The Heart of the Matter-Don Henley
Jungleland-Bruce Springsteen
In My Life-The Beatles
I Hope I Don’t Fall In Love With You-Tom Waits
Strange Fruit-Billie Holiday
Darkness On the Edge Of Town-Bruce Springsteen
Tears In Heaven-Eric Clapton

incaroads | 12/12/2006, 10:52 pm EST

Leonard Cohen - Dress Rehearsal Rag

Top 5 Sad Songs | 12/12/2006, 10:26 pm EST

1. Sometime You Can’t Make It On Your Own - U2
2. Daddy - Korn
3. Something In The Way (Nevermind version) - Nirvana
4. In This River - Black Label Society
5. Wake Me Up When September Ends - Green Day

Wampa | 12/12/2006, 10:24 pm EST

Beck - The Golden Age
Buffalo Springfield - For What Its Worth
U2 - New Years Day
Pink Floyd - The Great Gig in the Sky (don’t know what it’s about, but that doesn’t stop me from tearing up when I hear it)
Velvet Underground - Heroin
The Strokes - Barely Legal
Sonic Youth - Tunic

Al | 12/12/2006, 10:18 pm EST

I’d say James Taylor “Fire and Rain”, U2 “Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”, Pink Floyd “Wish You Were Here”, Peter Gabriel “In Your Eyes”, The Doors “The End”, and - in a twisted way - Black Sabbath “Paranoid”.

dannyboyhops | 12/12/2006, 9:50 pm EST

“Long Black Veil” - The Band
“Let it Be” - The Beatles
“Streets of Philadelphia” - Bruce Springsteen
“Fix You” - Coldplay
“Raining in Baltimore” - Counting Crows
“Can’t You See” - Marshall Tucker Band
“Borrowed Tune” - Neil Young
“These Days” - Nico
“Long Road” - Pearl Jam
“Wish You Were Here” - Pink Floyd
“Song for the Asking” - Simon and Garfunkel
“By Starlight” - Smashing Pumpkins
“Too Early” - Son Volt
“Echo” - Tom Petty
“Crawling Back to You” - Tom Petty
“Still be Around” - Uncle Tupelo
“Invisible City” - Wallflowers
“I’m Lonely (But I Ain’t That Lonely Yet)” - The White Stripes
“Imagine a Man” - The Who
“At Least That’s What You Said” - Wilco

navid. | 12/12/2006, 9:26 pm EST

cat power’s “names.” or “wild is the wind,” “sweedeedee,” or “troubled water.”

nina simon’s “lilac wine.”

or bjork’s “i have seen it all” with thom yorke.

songs: ohia’s “lioness” always makes me cry too.

oh god, i almost forgot “the chalet lines” by belle and sebastian.

cry or admit it: you’re a robot.

Sophie | 12/12/2006, 8:27 pm EST

Thank you Pat Griffin for mentioning Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here”, it is such a sad song, and im surprised that no one else has mentioned it yet.
All of Beck’s “Sea Change” is pretty sad too, along with almost everything Radiohead has done.

Lou D | 12/12/2006, 8:23 pm EST

Neil Young- Borrowed Tune & Birds
Elton John- Talking Old Soldiers
Bruce Springsteen- State Trooper
Ryan Adams- To Be the One
Nick Drake- Hanging On A Star
Beth Orton- The Sweetest Decline
Wilco- Jesus Etc.
Lucinda Williams- Which Will
Gillian Welch- Morphine

craig | 12/12/2006, 6:40 pm EST

what became of the likely lads OR cant stand me now - libertines

Cain | 12/12/2006, 6:36 pm EST

Cash’s version of “Hurt,” hands down. Nothing can compare to the timing of it, or the pain in that man’s voice, or the sincerity of the whole thing.

Can throw “September” by Ryan Adams & The Cardinals out there for the list too.

And Joseph Arthur’s “In The Sun.” That song kicks my ass every time.

jeff | 12/12/2006, 6:33 pm EST

damn… there are some good ones on this list but some I didn’t see(sorry if I’m repeating any):

Eels - it’s a motherf****r
Eels - Flower
Peter Gabriel - Here Comes the Flood
John Vanderslice - Dead Slate Pacific
The Cure - Apart
Nada Surf - Your Legs Will Grow
Elliott Smith - Neddle in the Hay
Danny Elfman - Death (A Simple Plan Score)

johnny | 12/12/2006, 6:16 pm EST

while fake plastic treesis a good song, ist actually not that sad. but there are some radiohead songs that are

my list
10.radio- alkaline trio
9.compliments- bloc party
8.life in a glasshouse- radiohead
7.rubber & soul- ane brun
6.maps- yeah yeah yeahs
5.every day is exacly the same- NIN
4.absolute beginners- new roman times (put that on your best myspace bands list)
3.motion picture soundtrack- radiohead
2.gone to the movies- semisonic
1.baby blue sedan- modest mouse

Fray | 12/12/2006, 6:12 pm EST

“Black” Pearl Jam

Julius | 12/12/2006, 5:59 pm EST

“Promise to Try” - Madonna
“Why” - Annie Lennox (the version played in the Live Aid last year)
“The first time I ever saw your face” - Roberta Flack (lyrically is not sad but it almost made me cry)
“My Immortal” - Evanescence (the best song in the Fallen album)
“Tears in heaven” - Eric Clapton
“Where the wild roses grow” - Nick Cave & Kylie Minogue (the last verse is really creepy)
“Gollum’s Song” - The Lord Of The Rings OST (absolutely hopeless and desperate)
“No” - Shakira (this one is in spanish but it’s really sad)

Bokchoybritt | 12/12/2006, 5:50 pm EST

I think the sadest song is Dan Fogelberg’s song, “Same Old Lang Syne”.

aga | 12/12/2006, 5:42 pm EST

fiona apple’a “angel”

Randon | 12/12/2006, 5:13 pm EST

Nothingman-Pearl Jam

Friend of a Friend- Foo Fighters

Adam’s Song-Blink 182

any emo song, cuz thats what every single one is about.

barrel | 12/12/2006, 5:04 pm EST

heart shaped box is too sorta

barrel | 12/12/2006, 5:03 pm EST

something in the way by nirvana

their unplugged album was sad too

tee | 12/12/2006, 4:43 pm EST

flame - Cheap Trick
parting ways (live acoustic) - Pearl Jam
love hurts - Nazareth
hometown - Springsteen

Seamus Donnelly | 12/12/2006, 4:29 pm EST

nin-hurt. duh!

Tustin | 12/12/2006, 4:15 pm EST

“Soul One” by Blind Melon

musicJUNKIE | 12/12/2006, 4:13 pm EST

still can’t believe no one came with “Hotel California”!

Gumpy Rick | 12/12/2006, 4:01 pm EST

Dying - Hole

musicJUNKIE | 12/12/2006, 3:46 pm EST

just about any Chili Pepper ballad:
“This is the Place”
“Under the Bridge”
“Otherside”
“Knock Me Down”
“My Friends”
“Soul To Squeeze”
etc etc etc…but their ballads are some of my fav songs so i hope they don’t quit

mrs. pickles | 12/12/2006, 3:32 pm EST

“Sally’s Song” - Nightmare Before Christmas

Ryan | 12/12/2006, 3:27 pm EST

It’s not one of the most famous sad songs by Bob Dylan but I think it’s the saddest:

Sara - Bob Dylan.

It’s probably the closest any song has gotten me to tears (as of yet, none have).

Ewan | 12/12/2006, 3:17 pm EST

I’m surprised only two others have mentioned Lou Reed. Upon its release, Lou Reed’s “Berlin” was voted the saddest, most depressing album of all time. I challenge any one of you to listen to “The Bed”, “The Kids” or “Caroline Says II” and not agree. I claim no responsibility for the suicidal tendencies which may follow…

brasherinoc | 12/12/2006, 2:44 pm EST

Only The Lonely by Sinatra, Gone by Ferlin Husky

jacob fairweather | 12/12/2006, 2:43 pm EST

how about surfs up form the beachboys off of smile?(” beyond belief a broken man too tough to cry…”). a fond farewell to a friend from elliott smith, soup from blind melon,the single not the album (check the woodstock 94 live version),i think suicide is painless was a nick drake song . how bout this double whammy of saddnes, jeff buckley doing a live split version of hallelujah/i know its over,…………..got a tissue?

nurserock1 | 12/12/2006, 1:38 pm EST

Sometimes you can’t make it on your own-U2…my infant daughter was dying at the time that song came out…it still kills me…

Harmony-Elton John
I wish I was (bulletproof)-Radiohead
Girl from the north country (any version but I like Pete Townshend’s)
Once in a while-Bob Dylan

Dee | 12/12/2006, 1:35 pm EST

Everybody hurts..REM and Mothers of the Disappeared by U2

shannon1989 | 12/12/2006, 1:15 pm EST

I’ll throw some out I didn’t see:

Long December-Counting Crows
The Best of You-Foo Fighters
Lover’s Cross-Jim Croce
I Guess That’s Why They Call it the Blues-Elton John
Severed Garden and The End-The Doors

I agree about Pearl Jam “Off he Goes” and “Black.” Also spotted U2-”One”, Pink Floyd “Wish You Were Here”, Led Zeppelin “Tangerine” The Cure-”Love Song.” Some can have sad sounds even when the words are kinda positve.

my2cents | 12/12/2006, 12:38 pm EST

“Black” -Okkervil River

mikesboy | 12/12/2006, 12:07 pm EST

gotta agree with ‘no distance left to run’. that’s when i knew alburn was an artist, not just a pop star. ‘famous blue raincoat’ is phenomenally sad, even for cohen. the smiths pretty much have everyone beat by their sheer volume of slit-your-wrist songs, but ‘this night has opened my eyes’ and ’suffer little children’ are pretty brutal.

‘hello in there’ by john prine
‘atmosphere’ by joy division (chilling)
‘try not to breathe’ and ’sweetness follows’ by r.e.m.
‘how’s it gonna be’ by third eye blind
‘all her favorite fruit’ by camper van beethoven
‘pierrot the clown’ by placebo
‘black’ by pearl jam
‘don’t take the girl’ by tim mcgraw (yeah, i said it)
‘hold on’ by sarah mcwhatsherface

Mike | 12/12/2006, 12:05 pm EST

Burger Queen, Placebo

GSim1 | 12/12/2006, 11:12 am EST

“1916″ by Motorhead.

rockrules | 12/12/2006, 10:25 am EST

Are you serious
How has no one listed
Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley?
It’s probably the saddest song ever just listen to him he sounds like hes about to break down in front of you and you feel thatt pain in his voice
Also Mother by John Lennon
He sounds like hes been broken not for those loss of his 2 week girlfriend but because his mother abandonned him and he never got to say goodbye
thats pain and thats when it hurts

Julia | 12/12/2006, 10:20 am EST

I forgot about ‘No Distance Left to Run’ and Blur is one of my favorite bands, actually the whole ‘13′ album is pretty depressing. What about ‘Last Goodbye’ by Jeff Buckley? or ‘Street Spirit’ by Radiohead? thsoe are pretty upsetting.

Curmudgeon | 12/12/2006, 9:39 am EST

Elvis -Old Shep-

Kliffee | 12/12/2006, 9:07 am EST

The Rose - Bette Midler
Mahogany - Diana Ross
Beth - KISS

kuper | 12/12/2006, 8:35 am EST

elliott smith-no name no. 5

kuper | 12/12/2006, 8:27 am EST

Love-Always see your face

Max | 12/12/2006, 8:05 am EST

Snakes On A Plane - Cobra Starship

Touch Me - The Doors

Sugar Pie Honey Bunch - Some Motown Group

Build Me Up Buttercup - The Foundations (Or the Paul G. Version)

The F*CK Song - ICP

Who Let The Dogs Out - Baha Men

The Bad Touch - The Bloodhound Gang

Banana Splits Theme Song - The Banana Splits

Bananaphone - Raffi

Suicide Is Painless - Johnny Mandel
(i’m actually serious here)

We Like To Party - Andrew W.K.

Jingle Bells - umm…..

If I Had A Million Dollars - BNL

I’ve Got A Lovely Bunch Of Coconuts - Monty Python

Mike74 | 12/12/2006, 4:01 am EST

And “With this tear” Celine DIon (Written by Prince).

Mike74 | 12/12/2006, 3:58 am EST

Me and a gun - Tori Amos

Patrick | 12/12/2006, 3:45 am EST

and “Cage the Songbird” - Elton John

Patrick | 12/12/2006, 3:43 am EST

“Sometimes it Snows in April” - Prince

“These are the Days of our Lives” - Queen

Mr. Tim | 12/12/2006, 3:40 am EST

oops, forgot:

“Stay With Me” — Erasure

Mr. Tim | 12/12/2006, 3:37 am EST

I envy the Wind — Lucinda Williams

Blue Moon with Heartache — Roseanne Cash

Verdi Cries — 10,000 Maniacs

Two outta Three Ain’t Bad — Meatloaf

Blue Moon — Cowboy Junkies version

Ben — Michael Jackson

Will Fearless | 12/12/2006, 3:11 am EST

1. “The Day I Tried To Live” -Soundgarden
2. “Bullet Proof (I Wish I Was” -Radiohead
3. “The Bed” -Lou Reed
4. “No Distance Left To Run” -Blur

Bill | 12/12/2006, 3:09 am EST

“Purple Rain” - Prince
“Hasten Down the Wind” - Warren Zevon
“Ballad of Spider John” - Jimmy Buffett
“One” - U2
“For You” - Bruce Springsteen ( live, solo w/piano off Hammersmith Odeon CD)
“River” - Joni Mitchell
“Case of You” - Joni Mitchell
“Love is Blindness” - U2
“Lost Horizons” - Gin Blossoms

PjMacD | 12/12/2006, 2:56 am EST

‘Amazing Grace’ always gets to me. For a perhaps lesser known version check out, Ron Wood’s live instrumental version from his records, ‘SLIDE ON THIS - LIVE.’ A bit more recently there’s AllSaints take on it called ‘Never Ever.’

Will | 12/12/2006, 2:06 am EST

one more:
Hurt-NIN or Johnny Cash

Will | 12/12/2006, 2:05 am EST

not in any particular order:
Walk Away-Ben Harper
The Drugs Don’t Work-The Verve
Eleanor Rigby-The Beatles
Tears in Heaven-Eric Clapton
Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door and It’s All Over Now Baby Blue-Bob Dylan
Losing My Religion-R.E.M.
Waiting in Vain-Bob Marley
All Apologies-Nirvana
1979-S mashi ng Pumpkins
Heroine-Velvet Underground
and that really depressing song from Donny Darko for anybody who knows what Im talking about

chris | 12/12/2006, 1:22 am EST

“angel” sarah mclachlan
“the saddest song” annie lennox
“skeletons” ricki lee jones

JLI | 12/12/2006, 1:00 am EST

Whispering Pines - The Band
It Makes No Difference - The Band
Don’t Think Twice - Bob Dylan
If You See Her Say Hello - Bob Dylan
Caroline, No - The Beach Boys
River - Joni Mitchell
Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word - Elton John
Looks Like Rain - Bob Weir
Work Me, Lord - Janis Joplin
Little Girl Blue - Janis Joplin
Thorn Tree in The Garden - Derek and The Dominos

reese | 12/12/2006, 12:55 am EST

Souvenirs by John Prine

fordmaxwell | 12/12/2006, 12:44 am EST

Gary Allan - “Smoke Rings in the Dark”
Johnny Cash’s cover of Gordon Lightfoot’s “If You Could Read My Mind” - that is the sound of a broken heart, right there.

Kevin A | 12/12/2006, 12:15 am EST

“John Doe No. 24″ by Mary Chapin Carpenter.

“Johnny Met June” by Shelby Lynne.

The grubby one | 12/12/2006, 12:05 am EST

“I Guess I just wasn’t made for these times” or “Caroline no” or “in the back of my mind” by the beach boys. Try singing beach boys songs, it’s like crying…or maybe I’m just weird.

Anonymous | 12/11/2006, 11:56 pm EST

“Iris” by Goo Goo Dolls

Cole M. | 12/11/2006, 11:52 pm EST

“Where The Wild Roses Grow” by Nick Cave and Kylie Minogue

“Fallen” by Sarah McLachlan

“I Win” by Abra Moore

R Smith | 12/11/2006, 11:48 pm EST

Either Too Far Down by Husker Du or ” House of Pain” by Faster Pussycat

B-Hon | 12/11/2006, 11:09 pm EST

Eddie Vedder and Beck’s version of “Sleepless Nights”

Rudy | 12/11/2006, 10:29 pm EST

Tears in Heaven is a piece of shit song. It’s heartfelt, but that doesn’t mean that it’s good.

My list would include:

Here- Pavement
A Wolf At The Door- Radiohead
Ana- Pixies (it isn’t lyrically depressing, but it can pull a few tears)
Joy Division’s Closer in its entirity
Eyepennies- Sparklehorse

peteroneil | 12/11/2006, 10:25 pm EST

why has like noo ne said nick drake?????????? he’s gotta be like at the top songs like

Riverman

Man in the shed

come on, and definitly sublimes poolshark, that gives me goosebumps

Nick B. | 12/11/2006, 10:19 pm EST

“Tonight’s The Night” by Neil Young

Anonymous | 12/11/2006, 10:05 pm EST

“The Last Hour” - Elliott Smith
“Lua” - Bright Eyes
“Tears in Heaven” - Eric Clapton
“Yesterday” - Beatles
“Man of the Hour” - Pearl Jam

RedSG | 12/11/2006, 10:01 pm EST

Cause We’ve Ended As Lovers-Jeff Beck
Tangerine-Led Zeppelin
Elegie-Patti Smith
Tears-Rush
Nobody Home-Pink Floyd
Echo-Tom Petty
Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own-U2
Running Dry(Requiem for the Rockets)-Neil Young
The Long and Winding Road-The Beatles

Anonymous | 12/11/2006, 9:51 pm EST

correction to “am i alone”-Chevelle, it’s actually called “one lonely visitor”

Anonymous | 12/11/2006, 9:50 pm EST

“Walk Away”- Ben Harper
“Blower’s Daughter”-Damien Rice
“Last Kiss”-Pearl Jam
“Hurt”-Johnny Cash
“Am I Alone”-Chevelle

Gofrito | 12/11/2006, 9:37 pm EST

Um…no its not. Its a rock opera. Its about dying, yeah, but not about him.
Rest of your list was ok though.

Johng | 12/11/2006, 9:32 pm EST

Lemme break it down for you.

“Losing My Religion”-REM .Think about it.
“Tears In Heaven”- Eric Clapton. Props tp everyone who mentioned it.
“Brothers In Arms”- Dire Straits
“Desolation Row”- Bob Dylan
and most importantly
“Bohemian Rhapsody”- Queen. Its about Freddy Mercury DYING from AIDS, everyone misses that somehow.

Dark Shades | 12/11/2006, 9:15 pm EST

I like and agree with most of your choices. However, I am extremely surprised and disappointed that no one has mentioned Roy Orbison. He wrote ton of great sad songs.

That list by the British scientist is a joke. I wouldn’t be surprise if it was a hoax. Come on! Robbie Williams. Christina Aguilera’s lament about being beautiful no matter what they say.

I want to add a few more songs to the list:

Willie Nelson - She Is Gone
Ryan Adams - Jesus (Don’t Touch My Baby)
Cheap Trick - Shelter
Barenaked Ladies - War On Drugs
Rosanne Cash & Johnny Cash - September When It Comes
Bruce Springsteen - You’re Missing
George Jones - The Grand Tour

Thompel | 12/11/2006, 9:01 pm EST

Nothing Man - Pearl Jam

Jimmy Jazz | 12/11/2006, 8:26 pm EST

“Here Comes A Regular”- The Replacements

“Little Bonnie”- Drive-By Truckers

“Hurt”- Johnny Cash’s version

“So Much Wine”- The Handsome Family

“Thousands Are Sailing”- The Pogues (an odd choice maybe, but it always makes me sentimental)

“Otherside”- Rancid

Geoff | 12/11/2006, 8:17 pm EST

“Waterloo Sunset” - The Kinks

“Little Martha” - The Allman Brothers Band…it’s like hearing Duane Allman’s final words

Bon Scott | 12/11/2006, 7:49 pm EST

“Big Balls” by AC/DC always makes me reach for the hanky.

Chris W. | 12/11/2006, 7:48 pm EST

My Immortal - Evanescence
Its So Hard So Hard To Say Goodbye to Yesterday - Boyz II Men
Barfly - Ray LaMontagne
Harder Now That It’s Over - Ryan Adams
Avalanche - Ryan Adams
The Shadowlands - Ryan Adams
The Walk - Sawyer Brown
Bother - Stone Sour
Day After Tommorrow - Tom Waits
If I Didn’t Know Any Better - Alison Krauss
In The Deep - Bird York
All By Myself - Eric Carmen
Without You - Harry Nilsson
We Both Go Down Together - The Decemberists
I Love You - Sarah Mclachlan
What Sarah Said - Death Cab For Cutie
Fast Car - Tracy Chapman

Patty Griffin is the best heartbreak songwriter of all time.
The saddest songs ever written are:

When It Don’t Come Easy, Mother Of God, Forgiveness, Nobody’s Crying, Not Alone
- Patty Griffin

surforia | 12/11/2006, 7:38 pm EST

“We Want Fun” by Andrew W.K.

trivial_tony | 12/11/2006, 7:36 pm EST

Once compiled a list for Amazon of sad songs which said so much, but any list of weepers should include these:

“For No One,” Beatles
“Don’t Cry Daddy,” Elvis Presley
“River” - Joni Mitchell
“Cycles,” “Only The Lonely,” Frank Sinatra
“Kiss Me Baby,” Beach Boys
“For the Good Times” Ray Price
“Thorn Tree in the Garden” - Derek & The Dominoes

Franciso Valdes | 12/11/2006, 7:29 pm EST

“Coney Island Baby” By Lou Reed
“Time” By Tom Waits
“Atmosphere” By Joy Division
“Running To Stand Still” By U2
“Not Dark yet” By Bob Dylan
“Borrowed Tune” By Neil Young
“You Cant Put Your Arms Round A Memory” By Johnny Thunders

Casey | 12/11/2006, 7:22 pm EST

“Sleepy California” by Her Space Holiday

Joe | 12/11/2006, 6:51 pm EST

I Love You-Sara Mclaughlin
A Love That Will Never Grow Old-Emmylou Harris(from “Brokeback Mountain”)
Streets Of Heaven-Sherri Austin
Til I Can Make It On My Own-Tammy Wynette
Candle In the Wind (both Versions)-Elton John

nervouswreck | 12/11/2006, 6:45 pm EST

“The Green Fields of France” by the Dropkick Murphys. And I have to also agree on the general consensus: “hallelujah.” ;_;

Rob9480 | 12/11/2006, 6:18 pm EST

Beck - Lost Cause
Bob Dylan- If You See Her Say Hello
Neil Young - Expecting To Fly
Mark Lanegan - The River Rise

Top 10 Saddest Songs Ever | 12/11/2006, 6:14 pm EST

all different artists only

1) Joy Division - The Eternal
2) The Cure - Faith
3) My Dying Bride - For My Fallen Angel
4) Pearl Jam - Immortality
5) Bob Dylan - It Aint Me Babe
6) Alice in Chains - Nutshell
7) The Beatles - Don’t Pass Me By
8) Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
9) Leonard Cohen - So Long Marianne
10) Radiohead - Let Down

This is the official list from someone who’s heard everything.

Jack | 12/11/2006, 6:00 pm EST

Just a few more tears to add to the pool:

Downbound Train-Bruce Springsteen
Immortality-Pearl Jam
Good Woman-Cat Power
Cortez the Killer-Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Mother-John Lennon
The Wrong Child-R.E.M.
A Quarter to Three-Sleater Kinney
I Didn’t Understand-Elliott Smith
Drown-Smashing Pumpkins

God do I hate James Blunt | 12/11/2006, 5:47 pm EST

“You’re Beautiful definitely brings tears to my eyes…kind of like a wet fart

DrJ | 12/11/2006, 5:46 pm EST

also, though it may not count as a “song” just about any slow Miles Davis solo captures loneliness like nothing else…

A.J. | 12/11/2006, 5:46 pm EST

and “River” Joni Mitchell

A.J. | 12/11/2006, 5:45 pm EST

one more

“Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands” Bob Dylan

DrJ | 12/11/2006, 5:44 pm EST

“Side of the Road” by Lucinda Williams’
Anything on Billie Holiday’s “Lady in Satin”
“In the Wee Small Hours” Frank Sinatra
“The River” Bruce Springsteen
“The Last Time I Saw Richard” and “Songs to Aging Children Come” Joni Mitchell
“Tank Park Salute” Billy Bragg
“I Still Miss Someone” Johnny Cash
“Our Town” Iris DeMent
“Helpless” Neil Young
“You’re a Big Girl, Now” Bob Dylan
“Once In a Very Blue Moon” Chris Smither
John Coltrane’s version of “My Favorite Things”
“Celebrated Summer” Husker Du

ben | 12/11/2006, 5:44 pm EST

never is a promise (f.apple)
pyramid song (radiohead)
know (nick drake)

Janie Jones | 12/11/2006, 5:43 pm EST

“I Hope THat I Don’t Fall In Love With You” - Tom Waits

“Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright” - Bob Dylan

“I Know It’s Over” - the Smiths

“Hallelujah” - Jeff Buckley version

Any version of “What a Wonderful World” ever recorded. Especially if the singer was just about to die. The Joey Ramone version is my favorite.

A.J. | 12/11/2006, 5:41 pm EST

I agree with everybody on
“Twilight,” & “Between the Bars” by Elliot Smith
“Hallelujah” by Jeff Buckley

some other thoughts that may not have been mentioned:
“Walk Away,” & “Another Lonely Day” by Ben Harper
“A Long December” by Counting Crows
“I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times” by the Beach Boys
“Time of Your Life” Greenday
“Staralfur” Sigur Ros
“Motorcycle Drive By” Third Eye Blind
“Sylvia Plath” by Ryan Adams
and i think Ben Harper’s version of “Another Lonely Day” is superior to the Verve’s, but i give them credit for writing such an outstanding song

David F | 12/11/2006, 5:31 pm EST

“Twilight” by Elliott Smith is the saddest song especially in relation to his untimely death. A close second would have to be “Lover, You Should Have Come Over” by Jeff Buckley. The odd thing is I would also put these two songs at the top of a list for the most beautiful songs ever written.

JxSxPx | 12/11/2006, 5:29 pm EST

that top ten seems to be missing a few songs…
“Tears in Heaven”
“Love Will Tear Us Apart”
“Candy Says”
“Hurt” (Johnny Cash version)
“Landslide” (Fleetwood Mac version)

those songs are all pretty depressing/sad. and all of them are infinitely better than “Angels.” honestly, what’s the appeal of that song? i don’t get it.

J | 12/11/2006, 5:25 pm EST

Death Cab For Cutie - What Sarah Said
Goo Goo Dolls - Acoustic #3
Oasis - Stop Crying Your Heart Out
Jet - Look What You’ve Done

Miss X | 12/11/2006, 5:19 pm EST

Basically, “Girl From North Country” and “Boots of Spanish Leather” are equally sad. Because they’re pretty much the same song.

Coldplay “Trouble”
Moody Blues “Nights In White Satin”
Decemberists “Cocoon”
Tim Buckley “Once I Was”
Air “Playground Love (Instrumental)”
Nico “These Days”
Velvet Underground “Candy Says”
Pavement “Secret Knowledge Of Backroads”
Cranberries “Put Me Down”
Cat Power “Good Woman”

Fred | 12/11/2006, 5:18 pm EST

Mike & The Mechanics “The Living Years.” I can’t listen to this song without getting choked up.

the dommer | 12/11/2006, 5:14 pm EST

rainy day women by dylan. it reminds me about the time in college when my RA flushed our stuff down the toilet.

jim-bob | 12/11/2006, 5:11 pm EST

the price by twisted sister. it was played at my friend’s funeral who died at 19. so sad. anytime i hear the price by twisted sister on the radio, i always remember that moment and cry.

Mark M in Texas | 12/11/2006, 5:08 pm EST

Here Comes the Sun was played at my brother in law’s memorial (died at age 34). It was so sad, yet so uplifting all in one. I think everyone has a song or 2 that makes them sad, or reflect on a moment in their lives. I know I can relate just about any song to a moment in my own life.

chris | 12/11/2006, 4:59 pm EST

wake me up before you go-go by wham OR anything by don johnson of ‘miami vice’ fame. it just makes me cry thinking about how anyone could let them record music at all. so sad…. :(

Pez | 12/11/2006, 4:57 pm EST

Here Comes the Sun (beatles) is not sad! It’s a song about happiness coming after a sad time. It’s completely focused on the happiness coming.

Lars | 12/11/2006, 4:56 pm EST

I you see her say hello-Dylan
It makes no differnce-the band

stud67 | 12/11/2006, 4:55 pm EST

bother or through the glass by stone sour are pretty sad, also broken and the gift by seether, what its like by everlast, dust in the wind by kansas, behind blue eyes by the who, these walls by nappy roots(you have to listen to the whole song and hear the ending to understand completely), time after time by cyndi lauper(i like the acoustic rob thomas version better), i think all ove those are also pretty god damn sad

ryan sjostrom | 12/11/2006, 4:43 pm EST

show the meaning of being lonely by Backstreet boys

Mike | 12/11/2006, 4:43 pm EST

Keep Me In Your Heart by Warren Zevon is devastating. As is Joey Ramone’s version of What a Wonderful World.

stud67 | 12/11/2006, 4:41 pm EST

how about the freshmen by the verve pipe? could possibly be one of the saddest most depressing songs i’ve heard

A. AAAAAAA | 12/11/2006, 4:35 pm EST

under the bridge - chili peppers

Alan | 12/11/2006, 4:33 pm EST

A Soldier’s Things- Tom Waits
also
Eva Cassidy’s live performance of
“What a Wonderful World” shortly before she passed away knowing she was terminally ill.

Mike | 12/11/2006, 4:32 pm EST

“Shannon” by Henry Gross:

SHANNON IS GONE I HOPE SHE’S DRIFTING OUT TO SEA
SHE ALWAYS LOVED TO SWIM AWAY
MAYBE SHE’LL FIND AN ISLAND WITH A SHADY TREE
JUST LIKE THE ONE IN OUR BACKYARD

It’s about a lost puppy, people! What’s sadder than that?

Neds Fat Sister | 12/11/2006, 4:30 pm EST

Snowbird - Anne Murray

Andrea | 12/11/2006, 4:30 pm EST

“The Sound of” or anything that is on the rest of that album by Jann Arden

Sanchez | 12/11/2006, 4:25 pm EST

Plainclothes Man - Heatmiser/Elliott Smith

For Martha - Smashing Pumpkins

Kenn Boy | 12/11/2006, 4:22 pm EST

Great Suggestions my tear jerker:
Sarah McLachlan - Angel

Julia | 12/11/2006, 4:14 pm EST

This list is lacking, it could have been better thought out. I really don’t think that ‘Angels’ is a sad song, at all.

Some Options..
Rilo Kiley ‘Better Son/Daughter’
Gilbert O’Sullivan ‘Alone Again (Naturally)’
The Beatles ‘Julia’
Belle And Sebastian ‘Beautiful’
Franz Ferdinand ‘Missing You’
Pulp ‘Happy Endings’

Le Folle | 12/11/2006, 4:10 pm EST

Scrub Grace, meant to say Hallelujah!

jim | 12/11/2006, 4:10 pm EST

country feedback- R.E.M.
Its all in your mind- Beck
(nice Dream) or videotape-Radiohead

Le Folle | 12/11/2006, 4:09 pm EST

Grace; Jeff Buckley version
With or Without you; U2
Don’t Cry; GN’R
While My Guitar Gently Weeps; The Beatles

MIke | 12/11/2006, 4:08 pm EST

Give Me Another Chance - Big Star

Caroline, No - Beach Boys

Alan | 12/11/2006, 4:08 pm EST

Love Hurts- Graham Parsons
End of the World- Skeeter Davis
You’re a Big Girl Now- Bob Dylan

Chuck | 12/11/2006, 4:08 pm EST

The Flaming Lips’ “Fight Test” gets me everytime.

Tom Waits’s “Closing Time” (the song) is one of the most beautiful and heartbreaking instrumental tunes I’ve ever heard.

Also, Elliott Smith’s “Somebody That I Used to Know” is about as sad as it gets.

Jared | 12/11/2006, 4:06 pm EST

Joni Mitchell - A Case of You
Bob Dylan - It Ain’t Me, Babe
Ron Sexsmith - Imaginary Friends
Lucinda Williams - Lonely Girls
Rilo Kiley - A Man/Me/Then Jim
Ben Folds - Fred Jones, Pt. 2
Wilco - Lonely 1

Sarah | 12/11/2006, 4:06 pm EST

OK Christina Aguilera’s “Beautifull” IS NOT SAD - Coldplay’s “The Scientist” is by far one of the saddest songs.

Lee | 12/11/2006, 4:02 pm EST

Anything by Coldplay is sad.

Chris Price | 12/11/2006, 3:59 pm EST

Damn, man. Some dude named Jack called out Judee Sill. That guy is awesome. But I don’t think The Kiss is a really sad song. Lopin Along Thru The Cosmos is sadder. So is that unreleased song Till Dreams Come True.

But Mickey Newbury writes the saddest songs ever. And that song Feelings is genuinely sad when you hear Nina Simone sing it.

TheLawyer | 12/11/2006, 3:57 pm EST

Come on people, you all know very well that the saddest song ever written is the Theme from Air Wolf

Mark M in Texas | 12/11/2006, 3:57 pm EST

hate Dixie Chicks, but have to agree on Travelin’ Soldier. Great song.

Steve | 12/11/2006, 3:56 pm EST

Black by Pearl Jam

Anonymous | 12/11/2006, 3:54 pm EST

Wings for Marie/10,000 Days - Tool
The Downward Spiral (yes, the entire album; BTW the original NIN version of Hurt is better than Cash’s, great though his version is) - Nine Inch Nails

Mark M in Texas | 12/11/2006, 3:53 pm EST

Jimmy LaFave - Never is a moment
(check him out if you have never heard of him)
Wilco - Jesus, Etc.

U2 - Sometimes you can’t make it

Sevendust - Angel’s Son

Tim McGraw - Live Like you were Dying

The Beatles - Here Comes the Sun

Neil Young - It’s a Dream

love Robbie Williams (he has talent unlike Britney and her pals), but Angels is not sad. Nan’s Song is his saddest.

Anonymous | 12/11/2006, 3:49 pm EST

I normally hate country, but the Dixie Chicks’ “Travelin’ Soldier” always gets me. And how about the Beatles’ “In My Life”? or Rooney’s “That Girl has Love”?

Doronit | 12/11/2006, 3:48 pm EST

“Blue,” by Joni Mitchell
“Time” or “Take it with Me,” or a million others, by Tom Waits
“Borrowed Tune” or “Mellow My Mind,” by Neil Young
Anything by Morrissey/The Smiths is depressing.
“Waltz #2,” by Elliot Smith
“Let Down,” or anything, by Radiohead.

Jack | 12/11/2006, 3:48 pm EST

Judee Sill - The Kiss

Danny | 12/11/2006, 3:46 pm EST

Hurt - The Jhonny Cash Cover
That song that Pearl Jam covers, “Last Kiss”, forget who its originally by
A few on Nirvana’s unplugged in NY come to mind

Bruce R. | 12/11/2006, 3:43 pm EST

Oops… I forgot “Candle in the Wind” by Elton John.

skerr | 12/11/2006, 3:42 pm EST

I know it’s been said before, but “Tears in Heaven” really needs to be there. Maybe, probably, at number 1.

Anonymous | 12/11/2006, 3:42 pm EST

“November Rain” GNR

Bruce R. | 12/11/2006, 3:35 pm EST

I have to agree with “Tears in Heaven”. That should have made the list.

What about?:

“Watching You” - Melissa Etheridge
“Wish You Away” - Esthero
“Come Away From It”, “Adam and Eve”, “Joyful Girl”, and “Untouchable Face” - Ani DiFranco

Tio Pitz | 12/11/2006, 3:34 pm EST

I Grieve by Peter Gabriel.

Lil' Dukey | 12/11/2006, 3:34 pm EST

“I Miss My Homies” - Master P

Bill Brasky | 12/11/2006, 3:32 pm EST

“I Like Dudes” by The Dudes

martino | 12/11/2006, 3:29 pm EST

“Tears in Heaven”

chuck_walrus | 12/11/2006, 3:27 pm EST

‘Nothing Better’ by The Postal Service is a sad song… Also, ‘Luka’ by Suzanne Vega has a sad sentiment :(

oh, Tori Amos’ version of ‘Dont Like Mondays’, used so expertly in the West Wing…

Mr. Punchy | 12/11/2006, 3:25 pm EST

You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go / Bob Dylan

Lay Down Burden / Brian Wilson

Death of a Nation / Ian Hunter

Marie / Townes van Zant

It Isn’t Gonna Be That Way / Steve Forbert

eVERYtHING yOU hATE | 12/11/2006, 3:23 pm EST

Eulogy for Lenny Bruce” by Nico.
I’d vote for that as well.

Nicolas | 12/11/2006, 3:22 pm EST

Winter, by Tori Amos.
To cut my veins.

orson | 12/11/2006, 3:22 pm EST

Vincent by Don McLean
Sam Stone by John Prine
Same boy you’ve always known by the white stripes

eVERYtHING yOU hATE | 12/11/2006, 3:19 pm EST

candy says - vu
oh me - meat puppets
zurich is stained - pavement

Evan | 12/11/2006, 3:18 pm EST

I agree with Timo. Definitely Elliott Smith. I’d say either “Between The Bars”, “King’s Crossing” or the Either/Or Alt version of “Pretty Mary K”

eVERYtHING yOU hATE | 12/11/2006, 3:17 pm EST

Catherine - PJ Harvey

Dan | 12/11/2006, 3:16 pm EST

Perfect Blue Buildings - Counting Crows

Anything by Jeff Buckley

Running to Stand Still - U2

You’re Missing - Springsteen

CAB | 12/11/2006, 3:15 pm EST

How about “Don’t Speak” No Doubt

Timo | 12/11/2006, 3:11 pm EST

Votes for Hallelujah, Tears In Heaven, and Exit Music are on target… but the saddest song of all-time has to be something from Elliott Smith. “Between The Bars” comes to mind….

Aric | 12/11/2006, 3:02 pm EST

Dave Matthews “Grace is Gone”

p | 12/11/2006, 2:59 pm EST

pictures of you by the cure
one november by morresy
with or with out you by u2
country feed back by r.e.m

Matt | 12/11/2006, 2:53 pm EST

Back again. James Blunt? Xtina? This list sucks a fat one.

Matt | 12/11/2006, 2:51 pm EST

Love Will Tear Us Apart. End of discussion. Also, the entire Closer album is essentially a suicide note, and that’s pretty sad, right?

ABE | 12/11/2006, 2:51 pm EST

Honey : Bobby Goldsboro
Seasons in the Sun :Terry Jacks
Alone Again Naturally : Gilbert O’sullivan

the brutal noodle | 12/11/2006, 2:51 pm EST

love leaves it’s abuser-songs:ohia
twilight-el liott smith
standing in the doorway-bob dylan

Mike | 12/11/2006, 2:50 pm EST

“Bob Dylan’s Dream” off The Free Wheelin’ Bob Dylan

Adam | 12/11/2006, 2:49 pm EST

I’ve gotta add:
Ben Folds Five-Magic
Sublime-Pool Shark
The Smiths-This Night Has Opened My Eyes
Coldplay-The Scientist
Fiona Apple-The Child Is Gone

Alex | 12/11/2006, 2:49 pm EST

Summer in the City - Regina Spektor

Bob's Knob | 12/11/2006, 2:49 pm EST

Tool - “Wings for Marie(pt 1)” & “10,000 Days (Wings pt 2)”

PastyJournalist | 12/11/2006, 2:48 pm EST

“Mining for Gold” - Cowboy Junkies
“I Wish I Was the Moon” - Neko Case
“Velvet Morning” - The Verve
“Ex Factor” - Lauryn Hill
“She’s Out of My Life” - Micahel Jackson

Brendan | 12/11/2006, 2:47 pm EST

Sun Kil Moon - Carry Me Ohio

Arcade Fire - Cold Wind
Ben Harper - Walk Away
Bruce Springsteen - Paradise
Counting Crows - Catapult
Death Cab for Cutie - Transatlanticism
Foo Fighters - Over and Out
Matt Nathanson - Bent
Pink Floyd - The Final Cut
Queen - These are the Days of Our Lives
REM - Strange Currencies
Ryan Adams - Meadowlake Street
The Shins - Pink Bullets

also any Tool song about Maynard’s mom

J.B. | 12/11/2006, 2:45 pm EST

“Beautiful Child” - Fleetwood Mac

Kyle | 12/11/2006, 2:45 pm EST

I’ll throw in some more country, how about “The Dance” by Garth Brooks? That one always gets to me.

D | 12/11/2006, 2:44 pm EST

Ben Harper - Another Lonely Day

ROBB | 12/11/2006, 2:44 pm EST

Desperation is a tender trap. It gets you every time. You put your lips to her lips to stop the lies. So Cruel by U2. Man thats a sad song

Blackwood | 12/11/2006, 2:42 pm EST

“Cancer” - My Chemical Romance

“Look what you’ve done” - Jet

“And love said no” - HIM

“Creep” - Radiohead

“November rain” - Guns ‘N’ Roses

ROBB | 12/11/2006, 2:41 pm EST

So Cruel by U2

MMW | 12/11/2006, 2:40 pm EST

That’s the way- led zep
at dawn- my morning jacket
main street - bob seger

Mike | 12/11/2006, 2:40 pm EST

Here are the songs I’d add:

“Vincent” - Don McLean
“Here’s Where the Story Ends” - The Sundays
“Praying for Time” - George Michael
“The Wrong Man Was Convicted” - Barenaked Ladies
“By the Time I Get To Phoenix” - Glen Campbell

readytorock | 12/11/2006, 2:37 pm EST

Hallelujah-Jeff Buckley
Stay (faraway,so close!)- U2
New York Minute-Eagles
Dont Cry- GN’R
Motorcycle Driveby- Third Eye Blind

Jeremy | 12/11/2006, 2:34 pm EST

Goddamn Lonely Love - Drive-By Truckers

danny gans | 12/11/2006, 2:32 pm EST

Anything by Elliott Smith: IE:
Between the bars
Rose Parade
Alameda
Anything on his last album too

'face | 12/11/2006, 2:32 pm EST

“eleanor rigby”–the beatles
“needle in the hay”–elliott smith

rhubarb | 12/11/2006, 2:30 pm EST

“The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carrol” by Bob Dylan
“Plane Wreck at Los Gatos (Deportee)” by Woody Guthrie, made famous by Pete Seeger
“Strange Fruit” by Lewis Allan, made famous by Billie Holiday

DUNPH1 | 12/11/2006, 2:28 pm EST

Pretty well the whole Plastic Ono Band solo album by Lennon..especially “Mother” and “My Mommy’s Dead” pretty close to songs to slit your wrists to…”Jealous Guy” by Lennon as well, Yeah, “Tears in Heaven” is quite sad…

Blighty | 12/11/2006, 2:27 pm EST

James Blunt’s career needs to die. Very, very quickly.

Saddest song I can think of is “Day After Tomorrow” by Tom Waits

Banjo | 12/11/2006, 2:25 pm EST

“Hurt” and “I Hung my head” - Johnny Cash
“Power of the Gospel” - Ben Harper
“Unfaithful Servant” - The Band
“A Fond Farewell” - Elliott Smith

jason | 12/11/2006, 2:22 pm EST

“sittin’ in my darkroom” by john lee hooker
“look on down from the bridge” by mazzy star
“many rivers to cross” by jimmy cliff

C U in Hell | 12/11/2006, 2:20 pm EST

“Sunday Morning Coming Down” by Johnny Cash

Doronit | 12/11/2006, 2:19 pm EST

Neil Young’s “Borrowed Tune” or “Mellow My Mind”
Joni Mitchell’s “Blue”
Elliot Smith’s “Waltz #2″
Tom Waits’ “Time,” and about a million others by him.
Aimee Mann’s “Wise Up”
Anything that Morrissey sings sounds depressing.

bryan | 12/11/2006, 2:18 pm EST

“goddamn the sun” by the swans

Anonymous | 12/11/2006, 2:17 pm EST

The beatles - Yesterday

danny gans | 12/11/2006, 2:17 pm EST

“Don’t think Twice” Bob Dylan
Should be in the top five saddest and greatest songs ever

Drunk and Obese | 12/11/2006, 2:16 pm EST

Louisiana Rain - Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers

John | 12/11/2006, 2:15 pm EST

Plenty of good choices but nothing beats Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton

Rev | 12/11/2006, 2:14 pm EST

I agree that “The Drugs Don’t Work” and “Fake Plastic Trees” are good calls. And Lizzy Goodman is right in honoring “I Know It’s Over,” which might have to be number one. “I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Bonnie Raitt should be on there, plus “Birds” by Neil Young.

JR | 12/11/2006, 2:14 pm EST

“Gloomy Sunday” by Billie Holiday… I think it’s the only song that has ever been banned because it was so depressing that it supposedly caused people to kill themselves. I don’t know how it didn’t top the list.

Eddie Vedder | 12/11/2006, 2:13 pm EST

Eric Clapton - “Tears In Heaven”
Lynard Skynard - “Freebird”
Blink 182 - “Adam Song”(don’t deny the song even if you hate the band)
Oasis - “Stop Crying Your Heart Out”
The Beatles - “Let It Be”

Benson | 12/11/2006, 2:12 pm EST

Diamonds and Rust by Joan Baez
Sara by Bob Dylan

Buck Fush | 12/11/2006, 2:11 pm EST

“Last Kiss” by Pearl Jam

butlerbear | 12/11/2006, 2:11 pm EST

“Angel from Montgomery” by Bonnie Raitt

Thank you John Prine.

CAPacelli | 12/11/2006, 2:11 pm EST

color theory’s ‘ponytail girl’ gets me every time

Trance | 12/11/2006, 2:09 pm EST

“How To Disappear Completely” Radiohead
“Hummingbird” Wilco
Thom Yorke’s cover of “After The Goldrush”

Fedoko | 12/11/2006, 2:07 pm EST

Change - Blind Melon
(”I don’t feel the sun’s gettin’ out today)

Donald | 12/11/2006, 2:06 pm EST

Ruby’s Arms - Tom Waits

Last Thing I Needed First Thing This Morning - Willie Nelson

Keep Me In Your Heart - Warren Zevon

She Wants To Play Hearts - Ryan Adams

I Want You To Hurt Like I Do - Randy Newman

What Am I Gonna Do (With The Rest Of My Life) - Merle Haggard

Blue - Lucinda Williams

dpr | 12/11/2006, 2:06 pm EST

There are some good suggestions on this list. Definitely will steal a few and add my own:

REM - Everybody Hurts
Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah
Ben Folds Five - Brick
Eric Clapton - Tears in Heaven
Filter - Take a Picture
Richard Marx - Right Here Waiting For You
Colin Hay - I Just Don’t Think I’ll Ever Get Over You
Gary Jules - Mad World (Yes Tears for Fears wrote it, but it wasn’t as sad)
Something Corporate - Globes and Maps
Nickel Creek - When You Come Back Down

Definitely agree with The Verve’s “Drugs Don’t Work” and Radiohead’s “Fake Plastic Trees”.

Joe | 12/11/2006, 2:05 pm EST

Eric Clapton-Tears in Heaven
Madonna-Promise To Try
Loretta Lynn-Miss Being Mrs.
Dixie Chicks-Not Ready To Make Nice
The Dance-Garth Brooks

Katie Henry | 12/11/2006, 2:05 pm EST

“A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall” (No Direction Home Version) - Dylan
“That’s The Way” and “Going to California” - Zeppelin
“Yellow Ledbetter” - Pearl Jam
“Jesus Doesn’t Want Me For a Sunbeam” - Nirvana
and Ween’s “Spinal Meningitis” both depresses me and creeps me out at the same time w/ that kid or midget voice…

Alex | 12/11/2006, 2:03 pm EST

Hasn’t anyone ever heard “Lua” by Bright Eyes? THAT is the saddest song ever. Watch the Coachella DVD with the live version. YOU WILL CRY.

Patricio | 12/11/2006, 2:03 pm EST

Here’s a few that make life a bit more miserable!

Come Sail Your Ships - Nick Cave
Wake Me When I’m Sane - deadboy and the Elephantmen
Dead Girl - Acid Bath
Ol’ 55 - Tom Waits
I Shall Be Released - Nina Simone
To Live Is To Die - Metallica
Last Goodbye - Jeff Buckley
Strange Currency - R.E.M.
The Fear - Pulp
On The Edge Of - Low

Scotty C | 12/11/2006, 2:02 pm EST

Johnny Ace - Pledging My Love

main_offender | 12/11/2006, 2:02 pm EST

how bout creep & high and dry by radiohead.

I guess if there will be a saddest band survey RADIOHEAD will be the winner, no doubt.

StarCarlton the 3rd | 12/11/2006, 2:01 pm EST

Seals version of “Who wants to live forever” (Queen)

http://www.employee dirt.com

Anonymous | 12/11/2006, 2:00 pm EST

“A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall” (No Direction Home version) - Dylan
“Going to California” and “That’s the Way” - Zeppelin
“Overs” - S & G
“Yellow Ledbetter” - PJ
and Ween’s “Spinal Meningitis” depresses me and creeps me out at the same time with that creepy kid or midget voice…

TheMarlboroMan | 12/11/2006, 1:59 pm EST

“Unbreakable Heart” - Carlene Carter..a very sad song….also “Sound Of Lies” by the Jayhawks- sniff sniff….

nelson | 12/11/2006, 1:59 pm EST

1. somersault score - decoder ring
2. don’t dream its over - neil finn
3. loyal - dave dobbyn
4. the long and winding road - the beatles
5. stay - lisa loeb

by the way - wasn’t “the drugs don’t work” written by keith richards? and wasn’t “i will always love you” written by dolly parton? and the only reason “angels” is sad is because robbie williams is singing it, his singing is worse than his dancing.

Fedoko | 12/11/2006, 1:58 pm EST

The entire “Grace” disc by Jeff Buckley is terrible, a prelude to his death. “Lover you should’ve come over” the saddest.

Scotty C | 12/11/2006, 1:57 pm EST

Morphine - Cure for Pain
Neil Young - Ambulance Blues

Aric | 12/11/2006, 1:56 pm EST

John Lennon’s “Mother” ,”Life begins at 40″ because of the sad irony, “Beautiful Boy”
Actually any of Lennon’s solo work

tool is #1 | 12/11/2006, 1:56 pm EST

radiohead - fake plastic trees
nin -hurt
pearl jam - man of the hour
rem - everybody hurts

Marco Rodriguez- FW, TX | 12/11/2006, 1:55 pm EST

1. Down in a Hole-AIC
2. The Loudest Sound-The Cure
3. Used to be a sweet boy-Morrissey.
4. History-The Verve.
5. Book of Days-The Psychedelic Furs.
And yes I agree with a lot of peolpe here Jeff Buckley’s version og Hallelujah

JLowe | 12/11/2006, 1:54 pm EST

My #1 would be “Oh Lonesome Me,” which Neil Young covered on After the Goldrush. Elliott Smith’s “Everything Means Nothing” would be up there as well.

Scott | 12/11/2006, 1:53 pm EST

The Band-Whispering Pines
Bob Dylan-Nettie Moore
Nancy Griffith-Good Night New York
REM-Everybody Hurts
Willie Nelson-Getting Over You
Robbie Robertson-Broken Arrow
Little Willie John-Need Your Love So Bad
Tom Rush-No Regrets

Merrr | 12/11/2006, 1:52 pm EST

I’ve always thought Death Cab for Cutie’s “What Sara Said” was pretty sad.

D. Morley | 12/11/2006, 1:51 pm EST

“Brick” - Ben Folds
“Round Here” - Counting Crows
“The Last Resort” - The Eagles
“Black” - Pearl Jam
“Tears In Heaven” - Eric Clapton

Rich | 12/11/2006, 1:48 pm EST

“Once You Understand” (Things get a little easier once you understand) — Think

Mr Cook, [Dad]Yes
[Police officer]
Do you have a son named Robin, Robin Cook age 17
[Dad]Yes
[Police officer]I’m sorry Mr Cook, you better come down to the station house. Your son is dead[Dad]Dead? How
[Police officer]He died of a overdose
[Dad]Oh my god [crying]

Boo Hoo!!

Rilton | 12/11/2006, 1:47 pm EST

Some of my favorite sad songs Work me Lord - Janis Joplin
No Need to Argue - The Cranberries
The Blower´s Daughter - Damien Rice
Creep - Radiohead
The Gunners Dream - Pink Floyd
Rock ‘N’ Roll Suicide - David Bowie

paul | 12/11/2006, 1:46 pm EST

I’m so Lonesome I could cry,from Elvis Aloha concert.. Rain by Prism From it’s Album” Small Change”

Mike | 12/11/2006, 1:45 pm EST

“Last Goodbye”- Jeff Buckley
“Hide & Seek”- Imogen Heap

MANO J. BLACK | 12/11/2006, 1:45 pm EST

Lou Reed´s “Caroline Says II”.

mike | 12/11/2006, 1:44 pm EST

Also voting for “Tears from Heaven.” I was singing to my son when he was a baby, and that song came on the radio. I began singing it to him, and I lost it completely, causing him to start crying as well. Nice move, eh?

MANO J. BLACK | 12/11/2006, 1:44 pm EST

Can´t believe no one has mentioned “Caroline Says II” by Lou Reed. I am into “Berlin” right now and can´t conceive of anything more depressing than that (besides death metal songs I used to listen to when I was a teen, but then, only the lyrics were sad, not the songs per se)

Jes | 12/11/2006, 1:43 pm EST

JOHNNY CASH’S VERSION OF HURT!
Music When the Lights Go Out-The Libertines
I Wish I Was The Moon- Neko Case
Samson- Regina Spektor
Despair in the Departure Lounge- Arctic Monkeys (beautiful, underrated B-side)
Run- Snow Patrol (cheesy, I know, but it really does tug those heartstrings)
and I agree, anything off of Beck’s Sea Change

Aric | 12/11/2006, 1:42 pm EST

As if there weren’t enough Radiohead, “True Love Waits”

x | 12/11/2006, 1:42 pm EST

Twilight by Elliott Smith

Tony Spilotro | 12/11/2006, 1:42 pm EST

The Samples—”Nothing Lasts For Long”

mike | 12/11/2006, 1:42 pm EST

“Hello in there,” “Sam Stone” by Jiohn Prine

Dusty | 12/11/2006, 1:41 pm EST

“Daddy” - Korn

Disturbing and sad!

rob | 12/11/2006, 1:38 pm EST

Tom Waits - Hang down your head
REM- country feedback

J.S. Wildhack | 12/11/2006, 1:37 pm EST

Asleep by The Smiths.

scott | 12/11/2006, 1:37 pm EST

“I Know It’s Over”- The Smiths
“Darcy Farrow”- John Denver
“No Surprises”- Radiohead
“Tears In Heaven”- Eric Clapton
“If You See Her, Say Hello”- Bob Dylan
“Pennyroyal Tea”- Nirvana
“Sara”- Bob Dylan
“Man Out of Time”- Elvis Costello

overall, I’d say “I Know It’s Over” is the saddest…especially the last minute or so.

olepink | 12/11/2006, 1:36 pm EST

how about harry chapin’s ‘cats in the cradle’…. great representation of the price you pay for keeping up with the joneses

Pope Judas I | 12/11/2006, 1:36 pm EST

The entire “Tonight’s the Night” album by Neil Young, “It makes no difference” by the Band, “Sara” by Bob Dylan

rustyshackleford | 12/11/2006, 1:35 pm EST

Off He Goes - Pearl Jam
Black - Pearl Jam
Boots of Spanish Leather - Bob Dylan
Girl From the North Country - Bob Dylan
Hurt - NIN

J-Riz | 12/11/2006, 1:35 pm EST

Yea for me i would have to say “What Sarah Said” or “I will follow you into the dark” by death cab for cutie gives me the chills and almost brings on the tears
But I definitly agree with ben folds band Brick that song is a kiler

jhupp | 12/11/2006, 1:34 pm EST

Sticking to stuff that hasn’t been said yet…

If we’re going by “song most likely to make me cry,” as the so-called scientists were, I’d have to go with Pedro the Lion’s “Bad Things to Such Good People.” Now THAT is a fucking devastating song.

Other goodies:
Jimmy Cliff, “Many Rivers to Cross”
Lucinda Williams, “Lonely Girls”
Bill Withers, “Ain’t No Sunshine”
My Morning Jacket, “I Will Be There When You Die”
Sufjan Stevens, “Romulus”
Smog, “All Your Women Things”
Brian Jonestown Massacre, “(David Bowie I Love You) Since I Was Six”
Tom Waits, “Georgia Lee”
Jackson Browne, “These Days”
The Beatles, “Yesterday”
And almost anything by Elliott Smith

Also, Chopin’s Funeral March, but that might be cheating; are we counting classical music? And as for covers, there are two that definitely need attention: Eva Cassidy’s “Time After Time” and Johnny Cash’s “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” (recorded just after June died, I believe).

Chris W. | 12/11/2006, 1:31 pm EST

Off He Goes - Pearl Jam
The Boy Done Wrong Again - Belle And Sebastian
A Fond Farewell - Elliot Smith
Sodom, South Georgia - Iron & Wine
John Wayne Gacy, Jr. - Sufjan Stevens
We Both Go Down Together - The Decemberists
Lua - Bright Eyes
Brothers on a Hotel Bed - Death Cab For Cutie

Aric | 12/11/2006, 1:30 pm EST

I totally agree with this list, however I must add:

Iron & Wine “Naked as we came”
Blind Melon “Walk”
George Harrison “All things must pass”
Johnny Cash “Hurt”
Bob Dylan “Girl from the North Country”

Gippetto | 12/11/2006, 1:29 pm EST

Mr. Bungle - Squeeze Me Macaroni

zach | 12/11/2006, 1:29 pm EST

As far as I’m concerned, John Prine has this market cornered. “Angel From Montgomery,” “Christmas in Prison,” and “All the Best” are heart-wrenchers.

Honorable mentions: “Boots of Spanish Leather” by Bob Dylan, “She’s Too Good For Me” by Warren Zevon, and “Mercy Now” by Mary Gauthier.

Roger Toonoot | 12/11/2006, 1:28 pm EST

Jackson Browne–Late For The Sky

uncle dank | 12/11/2006, 1:25 pm EST

anything by jennifer lopez is pretty sad…

jill hives | 12/11/2006, 1:23 pm EST

’standing in the door way’ off dylan’s time out of mind, ‘lost cause’ from beck’s sea change, & peter gabriel’s ‘biko’ always leaves me feeling kind of sad as well.

wray | 12/11/2006, 1:22 pm EST

Ben Harpers version of “The drugs don’t work”
“Rabbit in your headlights”by UNKLE
“Golden Age”by Beck
“how to disappear completely”by Radiohead
“Hurt”by Nine Inch Nails or Johnny Cash

Van | 12/11/2006, 1:22 pm EST

This Mortal Coil’s cover of You and Your Sister

Ouroboros | 12/11/2006, 1:18 pm EST

Elton John’s “Empty Garden” is infinitely more sad than “Sorry Seems…”. I find “Fake Plastic Trees” to be very beautiful, not sad. Out of the same album (The Bends) I’d say “Street Spirit (Fade Out)” is the saddest.

From the huge list of Smiths/Morrissey sad songs, I’ll go for Morrissey’s version of “Moonriver”. I’m leaving off Joy Division’s catalog because that’s another thing.

Oh, and of course k.d.lang’s solo version of “Crying”.

HA! | 12/11/2006, 1:17 pm EST

“god only knows” -beach boys

michael | 12/11/2006, 1:16 pm EST

Whiskey Lullabye - Brad Paisley Ft. Allison Krauss
Please Remember Me - Tim McGraw
Tears In Heaven - Eric Clapton
Brick - Ben Folds
How Do I Live Without You - Lee Ann Rimes

Anonymous | 12/11/2006, 1:16 pm EST

oh yeah, and hallelujah. either the nick drake or jeff buckley version.

Rhiannon | 12/11/2006, 1:15 pm EST

Hallelujah - Jeff Buckley version
Tears in Heaven - Eric Clapton

dwayne SMITH | 12/11/2006, 1:15 pm EST

Brian Wilson/ Beach Boys: “till I die” very sad as if accepting death and being pulled towards it by the elements.

www.myspace.com/d waynesmithmusic

Adi Singh | 12/11/2006, 1:14 pm EST

how about the obvious REM`s Everybody hurts, coldplay`s the scientist,

dlc | 12/11/2006, 1:13 pm EST

“mad world” - roland orzabal
“fake plastic trees”, “motion picture soundtrack”, “karma police” - radiohead
all of sea change - beck
“maps” - yeah yeah yeahs
“let it be”, “blackbird” - the beatles

Gwen | 12/11/2006, 1:13 pm EST

Brenda’s got a baby - Tupac makes me a bit depressed, just like Come as you are - Nivana. Not only because of the depressed/dark/sad lyrics, but also because Tupac and Kurt Cobain died not so long after that

kxtian | 12/11/2006, 1:10 pm EST

“I’m so Lonesome I could cry” - Hank Williams

Scotty Checkbooks | 12/11/2006, 1:10 pm EST

The drugs don’t work - definitely #1, but a close second has to be, “I Still Miss Someone” by Johnny Cash. -Can’t forget “Running to Stand Still” by U2… I still think “Superstar” by The Carpenters is pretty fookin sad..
Keith Richards just did a pretty sad one off A Bigger Bang, called “This Place is Empty”..
That should do ‘er…..

Ronaldo | 12/11/2006, 1:09 pm EST

Bruce Springsteen - The River
Bob Dylan - Sara
Nirvana - Do Re Mi (off the boxset, basically because it was never finished)
Radiohead - Exit Music

Reuben | 12/11/2006, 1:08 pm EST

“And So It Goes”-by Billy Joel. Gets me every time.

tom wieler | 12/11/2006, 1:06 pm EST

“Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want” by the Smiths makes me want to cry. actually, pretty much anything by the Smiths will rid you of your good mood faster than you can say “change the CD, please”

Banjo | 12/11/2006, 1:03 pm EST

I wrote a one-act play in college inspired by, and soundtracked by, motion picture soundtrack by Radiohead. it was about death and rebirth. so that’s definitely a sad song for me, but beautiful.

hey tbone, who cares if Sinead didn’t write nothing compares…? no one would ever associate that song with any other singer.

john | 12/11/2006, 1:02 pm EST

blame it on the tetons- modest mouse

matt M | 12/11/2006, 1:02 pm EST

Right, anything on “Sea Change” by Beck, except maybe “diamond dogs”…

TiminLondon | 12/11/2006, 1:01 pm EST

“Anchorage” by Michelle Shocked - encapsulates the pain of growing apart from an old friend and leading different lives

Pat Griffin | 12/11/2006, 1:00 pm EST

“I Just Don’t Think I’ll Ever Get Over You” by Colin Hay
“Streets of Philadelphia” by The Boss
“Charlene” by Anthong Hamilton
“Nutshell” by Alice in Chains
“Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd
“Little Wing” (beautiful, but very sad) by Jimi Hendrix
“Comfortable” by John Mayer

D. Murray | 12/11/2006, 1:00 pm EST

Let It Be- The Beatles

Banjo | 12/11/2006, 1:00 pm EST

SRV’s cover of Little Wing
The Beatles - Long Long Long
Led Zeppelin - Since I’ve Been Loving You
Leonard Cohen - Hallelujah
Bob Dylan - Sara
Neil Young - A Man Needs a Maid

I agree with the list “nothing compares 2 u”

jordan | 12/11/2006, 12:59 pm EST

Mad World - gary jules

abandonedstation | 12/11/2006, 12:59 pm EST

Since I’ve Been Loving You - Led Zep
Motion Picture Soundtrack - Radiohead
Wild Horses - The Rolling Stones
Forever For Her is Over For Me - The White Stripes
Famous Blue Raincoat - Leonard Cohen
For No One - The Beatles

tbone | 12/11/2006, 12:59 pm EST

Agree with Dave T on Tears in Heaven. Anyone with a child would recognize this.

Sinead did not write “Nothing Compares 2 U.” Prince or Christopher Tracy or Jamie Starr or some other iteration of him did.

David | 12/11/2006, 12:55 pm EST

“Still Life” - Suede (from “Dog Man Star”)

dave t | 12/11/2006, 12:55 pm EST

Sublime- Pool Shark

Jeff Buckley- Hallelujah

Modest Mouse- Baby Blue Sedan

Eric Clapton- Tears in Heaven

Israel Kamakawiwo’ole- Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Dave Grohl | 12/11/2006, 12:55 pm EST

Any time a Pearl Jam song comes on the radio I start crying (tears of boredom)… why in the hell are they so popular?

Ryan | 12/11/2006, 12:53 pm EST

Eric Clapton - tears in heaven

written for his son that died….that’s number 1 no doubt about it

Led Zepp Mom | 12/11/2006, 12:52 pm EST

“Babe I’m Gonna Leave You.” You know who it’s by

marnr67 | 12/11/2006, 12:52 pm EST

I think the only time “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” even meant anything to anyone was when Warren Zevon recorded it.

“In The Backseat” Arcade Fire

“Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright” Bob Dylan

“Bridge Over Troubled Water” SnG… but then again that gets my vote for greatest song ever made.

“Landslide” the only non-Peter Green Fleetwood Mac song i like

“Here” Pavement

“Stan” Eminem… it made me depressed at 13 years old when i first heard it, i couldnt believe how fucked up life could be for some ppl.

“Atlantic City” Bruce Springsteen

Drunk and Obese | 12/11/2006, 12:51 pm EST

Danny Boy -my grandmother

T.C. | 12/11/2006, 12:51 pm EST

almost anything by George Jones but if i had to pick one hands down it would be “He stopped loving her today”….p.s. how can you have a list of sad songs and not one country song in the top ten

J.Quinn | 12/11/2006, 12:50 pm EST

“Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright” Bob Dylan
“Hallelujah” Jeff Buckley
“Little Wing” Hendrix

ZenJenn | 12/11/2006, 12:49 pm EST

“Hallelujah” by Jeff Buckley
“Mad World” by Gary Jules

Donny | 12/11/2006, 12:49 pm EST

Pearl Jam’s Come Back and Black are sad but the pain in Eddie’s voice during the hidden track on Lost Dogs is heartbreaking.

Rrowr | 12/11/2006, 12:46 pm EST

Beck’s “The Golden Age” is pretty damn sad, as Kyle said.

How about “Country Feedback” by REM? Not a single, but still total sadness. “Its crazy what you could’ve had…”

Pat | 12/11/2006, 12:44 pm EST

joy division love will tear us apart. again.

Mr. Dart | 12/11/2006, 12:44 pm EST

“Gloomy Sunday” Billie Holiday/ Sarah McLachlan
“Between The Bars” Elliott Smith

Brian | 12/11/2006, 12:41 pm EST

Come Back by Pearl Jam is pretty damn sad. “How to Disappear…” by Radiohead is pretty damn sad. Good list though

JudasConstant | 12/11/2006, 12:40 pm EST

The saddest song is without a doubt

“Eulogy for Lenny Bruce” by Nico.

No contest.

Your Mom | 12/11/2006, 12:40 pm EST

UM… “Half a Person” by The Smiths??? hel-LO???

Also: “Eleanor Rigby,” “Rainy Days and Mondays,” “Tears in Heaven,” “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” “Give My Love To Rose,” “Fast Car,” “Money Don’t Matter 2 Night,” by Prince, “Lilac Wine” by Jeff Buckley, and the entire “Lost in Space” album by Aimee Mann

And considering the alternate definition of “sad”: “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)” by Toby Keith

Suzy Homewrecker | 12/11/2006, 12:39 pm EST

Oh, and

The Cure “Love Song”
Moody Blues “Nights In White Satin.” Times 55,856,948,374.

Kyle | 12/11/2006, 12:37 pm EST

Pearl Jam’s “Black” deserves a spot…and how about Beck’s “The Golden Age”?

andrew | 12/11/2006, 12:36 pm EST

recently—sometimes you cant make it on your own u2

L. Cohen | 12/11/2006, 12:33 pm EST

“Hallelujah”

Something by Tom Waits or Nick Cave should make the cut too.

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