Do you have any songs that make you sad when listening to them? I would love to read about the music that affect you in that way... for me it is a true sign of art if music can make your feelings boil...

The first 3 songs that came to my mind when thinking about music that makes me sad was:

Radiohead "Creep" - brings tears to my eyes when I think about all the people that feel bad about being different, when they should be proud of being special.

The Moody Blues - "Nights In White Satin" - I don't know why this song always makes me sad... maybe it is just the chord progression...the melody...´

Billie Holiday - "Strange Fruit" - Oh, I hope I don't have to explain why this song sometimes can make me cry...

Will

My "sad" button are certain songs about getting older - The Dutchman really hit me this way, because it is about 2 people that love each other getting older.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAMtkbz7i8U

I don't have too much trouble feeling sad - I think I need the same post about happy and "can do" songs : )

This one brings a tear to my eye because it is so true:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldQrapQ4d0Y

That was cute. Brought a smile to my face. Thanks.

I am such a sap...



and if sad is based on bringing tears to ones eye this is a winner.

Definitely agree with Radiohead in the original post, though some of their other songs I'd argue are more sad.

Some Elliott Smith tunes definitely come to mind. As do some Simon & Garfunkel songs. I'm really interested to see some posts here - I'm a sucker for a good sad song.

He stopped loving her today by George Jones

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VExw77xJsBQ

Chiseled in stone by. Vern Gosdin

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CvSsjBTu4c4

Super oldie Honey by Bobby Goldsboro

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rZiEY3O-FWk

I know I’m a relic

Oh one more Y’all might know

I don’t care if the moon comes out! Our very own Floyd Jane!

Most people say "Any song YOU sing on"......

I find it is really not the song itself that makes me sad but the memory attached to the song if it was a sad memory. With that said it could be a really upbeat tune that carries a sad memory that could trigger a tear. Yes even tough guys like me tear up, not very often, but we do.

PS: Almost forgot . . . and any song Eddie sings.

Later,

Will,

Big thumbs up!!! "Creep" is one of my all-time favorite recordings. To me it's a work of art. Best part for me: the discordant asynchronous guitar licks as the "creep" is coming apart.


Rob,

One of my all-time favorite recordings. IMO, the song and George Jones performance are works of art.

BTW, if the songs you posted make you a "relic", where do I join the "relic" club?

"Creep" and "He Stopped Loving Her Today" are both really well known. But, in a thread full of great songs, if there is ANYONE who has not heard these two, do yourself a BIG favor and listen.

Rob included the link for "He Stopped Loving Her Today".

Here's the link for "Creep":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFkzRNyygfk


Here are 3 from me:

"Papa" Paul Anka

I think this is one of Anka's finest songs. Autobiographical, but applicable to most everyone. When he gets to the lines about children, I lose it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAxQWc3c5dw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unE8E581RMc (a live version, faster, but powerful nonetheless)


"Morningside" Neil Diamond

Unknown to me until this decade. Now it has become my 2nd favorite Neil Diamond song and record (in each case narrowly to "Soolaimon"), Though this recording tears me up when he gets to the crushing last verse, the musician in me has to listen again and again. This arrangement is brilliant. Don't know how this will sound to you in mp3 form (lots of "air" in the original recording), but on a top notch system, the original recording's strings sound about as good as I have ever heard. In particular, the string coda is ethereal.

Also, often, "truth is sad".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91gNHLC8fao


"Just When I Needed You Most" Randy Vanwarmer

I love this recording too. I think the "sound" (vibe) is great and that the instrumental break is beautiful and and beautifully done.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBOQgL731Ac

Here's a few more for you:

St. James Infirmary:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzcpUdBw7gs

Hurt:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AHCfZTRGiI

Hello in There:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVhA01J0Zsg

Thanks a lot for all the good posts and answers! Unfortunately there are many of the songs that I was unable to watch/listen to because the Danish PRO-organization KODA is in a conflict with Google and YouTube which means that I cannot watch any videos that any KODA-members are a part of... (and that is many more videos than I would have imagined).

Will

We generally don't anticipated the loss. Sadness is generally about some loss real or perceived that we just did not expect and can not come to grips with.

Good songs generally have a strong emotional context. This one is a prototype for sadness and a really good country song at every level.

Yes, I Drive Your Truck is a sad country classic IMHO.

The saddest song I've heard is a rap song (surprise, especially to me)
In contrast to the Planobilly post above; what if you DID know the loss was coming and it was your end?



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MC_Breed

I have the "Everyday I Wait" tracks (and the rest of these sessions), as I was asked to be a participating engineer, though I'm certainly not worthy of a mention in the article.

The reasons behind why nobody can ever hear this song are sadder than the song itself (record company greed).
TBH it's actually kind of an inspiring song, though sad when the context is considered.
He knew this was his last hurrah.
He was released from the hospital to go enjoy his last few days.
He went home and recorded Every Day I Wait

Man I wish I could share this song.
This thread caused me to go type out those lyrics
(Is it getting dusty in here? My eyes are watering ..)


/sorry .. apologize for the absurdity of this post
//apparently some of the best music can never be heard
///thanks for starting the thread! it made me remember this song

One song I should have mentioned in my original post is of course this one (which not long ago went above 1 billion views on YouTube):



It is impossible not to get sad when listening and watching this... especially if you know the story behind (about the 2 children who meaningless got killed).
Will

Protest song about kids getting killed is always sad. The video adds to the emotional context. I think this may be more meaningful to people who live in England and lived through the horror of the IRA bombings in Warrington and "the troubles" in general.

Hi
My top 5 sad songs .

Everybody hurts, REM

Honey, Bobby Goldsboro

He Stopped Loving Her Today, George Jones

Nobody’s Child, Various Artist Hank Snow, Karen Young, Billy Fury

7 Spanish Angles, Willie Nelson

Mike

This one gets to me every-time I hear it, but again I am thinking it is because I watched the documentary of Glenn's last tour. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8TsAh-zYFI

It says it all about Alzheimers IMHO.

Later,