I completely missed the Emo Train. Don't get me wrong, I am up for reliving the early oughts with some Jimmy Eat World now and then, but I can count on one hand the number of times I can remember sitting and crying with real sorrow while listening to a sad song on purpose. I do consider myself a romantic, but usually when I am really sad I'm not thinking about turning on my stereo: I can wallow in silence just fine.
One time that does come to mind was when I lost the election for Secretary in seventh grade, and I went home after the Election Dance to listen to "Disappointment" by the Cranberries. I would have put it on repeat if this had been modern times, but it was a tape, so I just rewound it and played it, several times in a row.
Regardless of my lack of experience in this field--especially given the fact that I am completely out of touch with music made after about 2006--a month or two ago I made a short Sad Playlist for your perusal. Theo went through a brief John Mayer phase earlier this year (something we all could stand to do) and I was thinking about how sad "Dreaming with a Broken Heart" is. I can't think of anything more sad than losing someone you love, then waking up in the morning each day and having to remember once again that he or she is gone. "Do I have to fall asleep with roses in my hand? / Would you get them if I did? / No, you won't."
Anyway so that got me thinking about more sad songs. Here are a few. You might need to grab a box of tissues--don't say I didn't warn you. OK, maybe some might actually make you laugh if you are cold-hearted or music-snobby but trust me, "Neon Moon" and "She's Out of My Life" are SAD.
What are your favorite sad songs?
Next up: Happy Playlist!
"What if I'd been born 50 years before you..." gets me every time. I mean it's a good romantic song but it also makes me sad. And it was your wedding song, right? Good (emo) times.
ReplyDeleteFor some reason "Forever Young" by Alphaville. Maybe it's just because I am finally realizing that I might be getting older?
ReplyDeleteAlso "Last Tears" by Indigo Gilrs and "Mystery". Okay- maybe most of Indigo Girls. I'm sure I'll think of more.
"Chance Are' by Bob Seger and Martina McBride.
I think I could go on and on. I'll bet Kellyry has a few good ones. We had quite a collection back in H.S.
I listened to "For No One" on repeat when Robbie broke up with me. And lots of ABBA, especially "One of Us." Haha, and there's this one song called "Meaningless" by The Magnetic Fields that I enjoyed torturing myself with.
ReplyDeleteOkay now this just sounds like a list of break up songs but those are always sad. "Meaningless" is kiiind of funny though. And look! Now I'm married. Lucky me.
Oh yeah and Megan and I did one time make a playlist of very very sad songs... "Tunnels" by The Arcade Fire was on there. That's a sad song. Esp. when the singer does the "ooh"-ing at the end. I think you know what I'm talking about. That whole album is sad.
Okay I'm done now. Good list.
Oh gosh and I forgot about "Chances Are." Thanks Ph. Thanks 1998.
ReplyDeletelizer, this playlist hurts so good
ReplyDelete"Tunnels," you're so right. SAD! And Ben Folds is pretty much just oozing with sadness in most of his best songs.
ReplyDeleteSo many country songs would fit in here. Even cheesy 90s ones. "One More Day" by Diamond Rio. :( "I'm Not Ready to Make Nice" by the Dixie Chicks is supposed to be more angry than sad but it makes me sad. Also "You Were Mine" by the Dixie Chicks. Also lots of Johnny Cash songs...More non-country to add, "Yesterday" by the Beatles, "Everybody's Talkin'" by Harry Nilsson. I keep coming up with new ones.
"Late" and "Sentimental Guy" by Ben Folds are some more really sad ones.
ReplyDeleteOK and last thing. Funny--I never thought that "Chances Are" was that sad. Except now that I am thinking about the lyrics, it is terribly sad.
ReplyDeleteAnd I forgot to say about ABBA. ABBA! "One of Us," "The Winner Takes it All," "Knowing Me, Knowing You." "Our Last Summer" is sad also.
And I forgot to contribute a sad J.E.W. one: "Hear You Me." Maybe a little bit overplayed but I still like it.
At first glance, I was pretty sure I didn't know any of the songs - except the Joni Mitchell one and the one from West Side Story.
ReplyDeleteBut surprisingly I recognized quite a few of them.
I remember sad times - but don't associate any of them with music.
Maybe that is generational?
"Yesterday" by the Beatles is very sad. I cried during Love when they did that song. It was right after "Blackbird" so it was a bit emotional.
ReplyDelete"The Scientist" is very sad, as well as "Warning Signs". I also think "Fix You" is sad but it's one of my favorites of theirs.
"Beautiful Boy" is the only non-hymn song I can think of that can bring a lump to my throat.
ReplyDeleteAnd that was even before "Mr. Holland's Opus."
I never really thought about "Chances Are" being a sad song either. The Hope Floats soundtrack is still one of my favorite albums.
ReplyDeleteMagnetic Fields "Come Back from San Francisco" is also a fave... I guess more yearning than sad though.
I do love sad songs, actually, now that I think about it.
Oh and also the Dar Williams song Family, which I did not realize was about someone dying until having listened to it many, many times.
ReplyDeleteOh wow, I love this. I love sad songs too. I used to have a playlist of probably 100 songs that I'd listen to, usually after dating some idiot or something. Then a couple years ago I decided I would stop being such a baby and I deleted it, but I remember some songs. "Hello Again" by Neil Diamond, "I Love You" by Sarah McLachlan, "Nothing Compares 2 U" of course, half the Dixie Chicks catalog. Some that might be less well-known:
ReplyDelete"Oh My Sweet Carolina," Ryan Adams
"Left and Leaving," The Weakerthans
"Clean Getaway," Maria Taylor
Sorry, I just got really into this!
Oh and I love your playlist and especially "And So It Goes." Definitely one of the saddest I can think of.
ReplyDeleteI remembered a list I made long ago of breakup songs: Feel Good about the Breakup Songs
ReplyDelete(Quel 2003)(did I use "quel" right?)
Of course-Nothing Compares 2 U! Could that video be any sadder with the constant close up of Sinead?
ReplyDeleteIf I'm sad I ALWAYS turn to music. When I'm at my worst I actually start scouring I-Tunes to find a song that will make me happy. I actually don't usually listen to sad songs unless I'm happy. Am I twisted?
ReplyDeleteOh, and great playlist. I'm really enjoying listening to it as I get some work done tonight.
ReplyDeleteThere I go again. Enjoying SAD songs!? I do, don't judge me.
ReplyDeleteBen Folds. I saw him here in D.C. when I was 19. Probably the best concert ever!! The luckiest is one of my all time faves. P.S. you can blame me for Matt getting home late last night. I was a half hour late for my hair appointment (due to the torrential downpour) and therefore delayed Matt's hair appointment to 9. You can beat me if you'd like. I know how precious husband time is. Thanks for the play list. I'll be listening for a while now.
ReplyDelete