Saddest non-classical song?

[luda888]

what song puts u into tears?
i would say maybe "tears in heaven" by eric clapton.

[blindmouth]

since nobody here seems to recognize rap as music, ill just have to reference other songs.

hmm, id have to say either "the girl from ipanema" (english version) or "bang bang" (nancy sinatra version).

 

[ChristmasCarol]

Amazing Grace... no kidding.  Did you know that it was written by a former slave-trader?  You couldn't get me to sing any other hymn (too much church music growing up- never want to go there again).  But this one gets to me.

[Op. 1 No. 2]

Radiohead - How I Made My Millions

[superstar]

I could list millions at the mo , but if i had to list just one .. id say Nature Boy ..

[Daniel_piano]

If we hold on together - Diana Ross

Daniel

[Brian Healey]

Hey! I had posted a reply here and it's gone now. Did it get deleted somehow? That's odd........


Anyway, the song that brings tears to my eyes is "Big Country" by Bela Fleck. I wouldn't say it's a sad song exactly, but it's just so beautiful. It's majestic yet wistful.

[Glissando]

Hey! I had posted a reply here and it's gone now. Did it get deleted somehow? That's odd........

Yeah I'm dying with curiosity about what happened to our posts!

[Nina_too]

How about all those rock and roll classics about teenagers dying in car crashes?

Teen angel, can you hear me?
Teen angel, can you see me?
Are you somewhere up above,
and am I still your own true love?

Now that's sad!

[athykay]

Nina.   I hear feel your  sorrow.   No seriously, I think I first heard that song when I was five or so (I know - dating myself), but at that tender age, it just ripped a whole in my little heart.

[jodi]

"Somewhere" from West Side Story.

When I was filled with teenage hormones, and wanted to have a good sob, I'd put that record on.

Gads.

 

Jodi

[chickering9]

How about all those rock and roll classics about teenagers dying in car crashes?

Teen angel, can you hear me?
Teen angel, can you see me?
Are you somewhere up above,
and am I still your own true love?

Now that's sad!

If we're going there, I'd say "Last Kiss".

(originally by Wayne Cochran in 1962)

[Chorus: Oh where, oh where, can my baby be?
The Lord took her away from me.
She's gone to heaven so I've got to be good,
So I can see my baby when I leave this world.]
We were out on a date in my daddy's car,
We hadn't driven very far.
There in the road stood straight ahead,
A car was stalled, the engine was dead.
I couldn't stop, so I swerved to the right,
I'll never forget the sound that night.
The screaming tires, the busting glass,
The painful scream that I heard last.
[Chorus]
When I woke up, the rain was pouring down,
There were people standing all around.
Something warm flowing through my eyes,
But somehow I found my baby that night.
I lifted her head, she looked at me and said;
"Hold me darling just a little while."
I held her close I kissed her - our last kiss,
I found the love that I knew I would miss.
But now she's gone even though I hold her tight,
I lost my love--my life, that night.
[Chorus]

 

[chickering9]

Seriously, though, "Ocean Breeze" by Bijan Mortazavi.  Strictly instrumental with piano and violin in duet.  Gut-wrenching. 

[realitytest]

(Brilliant recall, Chick!  What WAS their fascination with death?  Guess it was pre-Goth and Columbine, after which other tragedies took their attention)

Tell Laura I love her
Tell Laura I neee-eeed her
Tell Laura not to cry
My love for her, will never die.

(don’t remember what this one was about at all)

***

Take a message to Mary, but don’t tell where I am
Take a message to Mary
But don’t tell her I’m in a jam.
You can tell her I went to Timbuktu
Tell her my ship set sail
You can tell her I met somebody new
But DON’T tell her I’m in jail
No, don’t tell her I-I’m  in jail.

***

It’s my party and I’ll cry if I wanta
Cry if I wanta
Cry if I wanta
You would cry too if it happened to-o-o  you-ou,

(am acquaintance of Leslie Gore! ).

rt

[chickering9]

...(am acquaintance of Leslie Gore! ).

Cool.  Those were the good old days (even if our hair and clothes were just awful.  )

[realitytest]

Actually I am a folk music afficionado, know songs in almost 20 languages (in most cases,  song, without the “s”).  At one time I even sang in coffee houses and one nightclub – incredible sound system (who knew THAT about me???). 

 There are many, many which pulverize me. Even the Child’s ballads almost all get to me.  Also Joan Baez, “Birmingham Sunday” – about the bombing of the black church which killed those little girls in their frilly dresses...

 Last night of Hannukah, Tuesday, we were playing an old Theodore Bikel record of Yiddish classics including a bunch of sad Hassidic songs.  Recurrent themes:  shtetl Jews day-dreaming about the golden age of the Messiah to make their miserable lives more bearable, students of Miracle rabbis bemoaning the coming age of the Enlightenment when Jews abandoned their faith for science. They were bragging about their rabbi’s powers – what do you know, you ”philosopher”?  I sang along, stopping to translate. Typical kid reaction  - how do you know Yiddish, Mom?  Well, I do, dudes.  “Haven’t you been paying attention?”

realitytest

[chickering9]

Actually I am a folk music afficionado, know songs in almost 20 languages (in most cases,  song, without the “s”).  At one time I even sang in coffee houses and one nightclub – incredible sound system (who knew THAT about me???)...

Having come from a home where my mother sang constantly and seldom repeated herself, I miss hearing such rare songs.  As children, we often swore she had to be making some of them up on the spot, but that was never true.

I can't keep even 3 languages straight.

[Floristan]

"In My Life," John Lennon

There are places I'll remember
All my life, though some have changed
Some forever, not for better
Some have gone and some remain
All these places had their moments
With lovers and friends, I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life, I've loved them all

But of all these friends and lovers
There is no one compares with you
And these memories lose their meaning
When I think of love as something new
Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life, I'll love you more

Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life, I'll love you more

[etudes]

X-Japan Endless Rain,Tears

[Amoreena]

American Triangle

Seen him playing in his backyard
Young boy just starting out
So much history in this landscape
So much confusion, so much doubt

Been there drinking on that front porch
Angry kids, mean and dumb
Looks like a painting, that blue skyline
God hates fags where we come from

'Western skies' don't make it right
'Home of the brave' don't make no sense
I've seen a scarecrow wrapped in wire
Left to die on a high ridge fence
It's a cold, cold wind
It's a cold, cold wind
It's a cold wind blowing, Wyoming

See two coyotes run down a deer
Hate what we don't understand
You pioneers give us your children
But it's your blood that stains their hands

Somewhere that road forks up ahead
To ignorance and innocence
Three lives drift on different winds
Two lives ruined, one life spent

------------------------------------------------

Music by Elton John
Lyrics by Bernie Taupin

© 2001 Happenstance

-----------------------------------------------

It's about Matthew Shepard. Always brings me to tears. I'm out to basically everyone I know, but am mindful how 'out' I am in public. BTW - In My Life makes me cry too, as well as Imagine.

[Egon von Sprocket]

God by John Lennon

God is a concept
By which we measure
Our pain
I’ll say it again
God is a concept
By which we measure
Our pain
I don’t believe in magic
I don’t believe in i-ching
I don’t believe in bible
I don’t believe in tarot
I don’t believe in hitler
I don’t believe in jesus
I don’t believe in kennedy
I don’t believe in buddha
I don’t believe in mantra
I don’t believe in gita
I don’t believe in yoga
I don’t believe in kings
I don’t believe in elvis
I don’t believe in zimmerman
I don’t believe in beatles
I just believe in me
Yoko and me
And that’s reality

The dream is over
What can I say?
The dream is over
Yesterday
I was the dreamweaver
But now I’m reborn
I was the walrus
But now I’m john
And so dear friends
You’ll just have to carry on
The dream is over.

[Bluethroat]

One by Harry Nilsson


One is the loneliest number
That you’ll ever do.
Two can be as bad as one
It’s the loneliest number since the number one.
No is the saddest experience   
You’ll ever know.
Yes, it’s the saddest experience   
You’ll ever know.   
Because one is the loneliest number   
That’ll you’ll ever do.   
One is the loneliest number   
That you’ll ever know.

It’s just no good anymore
Since you went away.
Now I spend my time
Just making rhymes
Of yesterday.

Because one is the loneliest number   
That you’ll ever do.   
One is the loneliest number   
That you’ll ever know.
One is the loneliest number
One is the loneliest number   
One is the loneliest number   
That you’ll ever do.   
One is the loneliest number   
Much much worse than two.
One is a number divided by two.
One......

[Egon von Sprocket]

One by Harry Nilsson

I would think one's reaction to a song like that depends on your marital status.  If you were married long enough, "One" might be something of a blessing.   

[Floristan]

God by John Lennon

Yes, for sure one of the saddest...in so many ways.

[Egon von Sprocket]

Yes, for sure one of the saddest...in so many ways.

All the genius in the world isn't worth the desperation and the loss of faith that went into writing a song like that.

[Floristan]

Agreed, but incredible he wrote so well about it.  Hhe may have come out the other side had he lived.  We all have dark nights of the soul.  Sometimes they last for years.  Sometimes we never get over them.  But some of us come out on the other side with different but stronger faith.  I'd like to think he would have been one.

[Egon von Sprocket]

Agreed, but incredible he wrote so well about it.  Hhe may have come out the other side had he lived.  We all have dark nights of the soul.  Sometimes they last for years.  Sometimes we never get over them.  But some of us come out on the other side with different but stronger faith.  I'd like to think he would have been one.

I kind of hope that he did come out on the other side before he died.  My point was that I would gladly have much less talent and much less pain in my life.  (The much less talent, seems to have been a no brainer for me.  )

Don't know about your personal "journey," but I wish you well with it.

Tom (yea, like my real name's Egon!  )

[annabell]

In a little while from now
If I'm not feeling any less sour
I promise myself to treat myself
And visit a nearby tower
And climbing to the top will throw myself off
In an effort to make it clear to whoever
What it's like when you're shattered
Left standing in the lurch at a church
Where people saying: "My God, that's tough"
"She stood him up"
"No point in us remaining"
"We may as well go home"
As I did on my own
Alone again, naturally

To think that only yesterday
I was cheerful, bright and gay
Looking forward to, who wouldn't do?
The role I was about to play?
But as if to knock me down
Reality came around
And without so much as a mere touch
Cut me into little pieces
Leaving me to doubt
Talk about God in His mercy
Who, if He really does exist,
Why did He desert me?
In my hour of need
I truly am indeed
Alone again, naturally

It seems to me that there are more hearts
Broken in the world that can't be mended
Left unattended
What do we do? What do we do?

Alone again, naturally

Looking back over the years
And whatever else that appears
I remember I cried when my father died
Never wishing to hide the tears
And at sixty-five years old
My mother, God rest her soul
Couldn't understand why the only man
She had ever loved had been taken
Leaving her to start with a heart so badly broken
Despite encouragement from me
No words were ever spoken
And when she passed away
I cried and cried all day
Alone again, naturally
Alone again, naturally

[Egon von Sprocket]

Annabell!:

You are one star going on two stars
Baby, it's time to think
Better beware, be canny and careful
Baby, you're on the brink

You are one stars going on two stars
Fellows will fall in line
Eager young lads and roues and cads
Offer you food and wine

Totally unprepared are you to face a world of stars
Timid and shy and scared are you
Of things beyond your ken

You'll need someone older and wiser
Telling you what to do,
I am two stars going on three stars
I'll take care of you!

You are one star going on two stars
You know that you're naive
Fellows you meet may tell me you're sweet
And willingly you'll believe

You are one star going on two stars
Innocent as a rose
Bachelor dandies, drinkers of brandies
What do you know of those?

Totally unprepared are you to face a world of stars
Timid and shy and scared are you
Of things beyond your ken

You need someone older and wiser
Telling you what to do,
I am two stars going on three stars
Please depend on me!

[m1469]

THE PROMISE

[/color]

Tracy Chapman

"New Beginning"

(just one of the saddest of course)

[Floristan]

My point was that I would gladly have much less talent and much less pain in my life. (The much less talent, seems to have been a no brainer for me. )

Yeah, same for me, Tom; massive talent is not one of my worries -- just a modest piano talent that is making me very happy right now.  I'm glad I didn't have the huge talent to contend with, as I don't think I would have handled it well when younger.  If I could have it now, well that would be just great! 

Strange how massive talent often accompanies massive spiritual pain.  Hendrix and Joplin particularly come to mind, along with Lennon, George Gershwin maybe.  Beethoven, bigtime.  Of course then there's Bach.  And Handel and Haydn -- maybe Cole Porter.  Huge talent, small in the angst department, from what I recall.  And on the other side (little talent, massive pain) Courtney Love comes to mind, Sid Vicious, and a host of others I don't recall because that's what happens, we just don't recall those who suffered for mediocre art.  But that's all another story, another thread. 

[phykell]

Street Spirit - Radiohead

[luda888]

eminem- hailie's song and mockingbird

[sharon_f]

Seasons In The Sun

(Lyrics by Terry Jacks)



Goodbye to you, my trusted friend.
We've known each other since we're nine or ten.
Together we climbed hills or trees.
Learned of love and ABC's,
skinned our hearts and skinned our knees.
Goodbye my friend, it's hard to die,
when all the birds are singing in the sky,
Now that the spring is in the air.
Pretty girls are everywhere.
When you see them I'll be there.
We had joy, we had fun, we had seasons in the sun.
But the hills that we climbed
were just seasons out of time.
Goodbye, Papa, please pray for me,
I was the black sheep of the family.
You tried to teach me right from wrong.
Too much wine and too much song,
wonder how I get along.
Goodbye, Papa, it's hard to die
when all the birds are singing in the sky,
Now that the spring is in the air.
Little children everywhere.
When you see them I'll be there.
We had joy, we had fun, we had seasons in the sun.
But the wine and the song,
like the seasons, all have gone.
Goodbye, Michelle, my little one.
You gave me love and helped me find the sun.
And every time that I was down
you would always come around
and get my feet back on the ground.
Goodbye, Michelle, it's hard to die
when all the bird are singing in the sky,
Now that the spring is in the air.
With the flowers ev'rywhere.
I whish that we could both be there.
We had joy, we had fun, we had seasons in the sun.
But the stars we could reach
were just starfishs on the beach.

[Siberian Husky]

the saddest song...and puts me to tears...there are a few..but i'll save the long list and just name a couple

Cash Money-Bling Bling
P diddy-mo' money mo' problems
Lil Flip-gettin' tipsy


they are sad in the fact that such a beautiful art (hip hop) has been torn/defaced/and vandelized by such artists...sad and pathetic..puts me in tears....really..what a shame

[Egon von Sprocket]

Here's the saddest song:

 Shannon

Written and Sung by: Henry Gross


Another day is at end
Mama says she's tired again
No one can even begin to tell her
I hardly know what to say
But maybe it's better that way
Id papa were here?

I'm sure he'd tell her
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
Mama tried hard to pretend
things would get better again
Somehow she's keeping
It all inside her
But finally the tears fill our eyes
And I know that somewhere tonight
She knows how much we really miss her

It's about a dead dog that someone threw in the ocean and the singer is hopeing that the dead dog washes ashore on an island.   
 

[Bacfokievrahms]

I think the saddest song is the one we sing every day whilst our sorrows hast befallen us?

[Bacfokievrahms]

huh?

[willcowskitz]

Only one that has brought me into tears that I can think of would be Renaissance's Mother Russia.



Pays the price, works the seasons through
Frozen days, he thinks of you
Cold as ice but he burns for you
Mother russia, can’t you hear him too?

Mother’s son, freedom’s overdue
Lonely man, he thinks of you
He isn’t done, only lives for you
Mother russia, can’t you hear him too?

Punished for his written thoughts
Starving for his fame
Working blindly, building blocks
Number for a name, his blood flows frozen to the snow

Red blood, white snow
He knows frozen rivers won’t flow
So cold, so true
Mother russia--he cries for you

Ooh ooh ...
Bah dah dah dah ...

Punished for his written thoughts
Starving for his fame
Working blindly, building blocks
Number for a name his blood flows frozen to the snow

Red blood, white snow
He knows frozen rivers won’t flow
So cold, so true
Mother russia--he cries for you

[Asho]

For some reason Don't Forget Me by The Red Hot Chili Pepper is very depressing for me, no idea why.

Last Kiss by Pearl Jam is a tearjerker, as is some of U2s stuff.  One, and With or Without I think. So Far Away by Dire Straits always get me going too: Oh forget it, i'll get a list.

To Her Door:Paul Kelly
Up & Down & Back Again: Powderfinger
Finding Myself: Smile Lost Soul

and a few others

[MTS_JSOT]

This song called Patches made me shed a tear or two. But I have no clue who sings it!

[puma]

Fire and Rain by James Taylor comes to mind.  When Did You Sleep Last Night (cover by NIrvana - traditional song) is also another one.
Ain't no Sunshine when she's gone - Al Green

[ted]

I am usually saddened by the popular songs of the early twentieth century, especially those of the first and second world wars. They have some association for me with the frailty and transience of humanity in general. My parents and grandparents went through these times and experiences and survived, but so many of equal sincerity and goodness of purpose did not - obliterated on the Somme or at Casino or in any of dozens of horrible places.

It's probably just me, as I don't know anyone else in whom these reactions are evoked.

[Prophetic]

*contemplates*

As Long As He Needs Me from Oliver or Bless Them All, the old war song.

[lenny]

vincent by don mclean

dunno if anyone has mentioned it, but the words and simple melody move me alot

[annabell]

Annabell!:

You are one star going on two stars
Baby, it's time to think
Better beware, be canny and careful
Baby, you're on the brink

You are one stars going on two stars
Fellows will fall in line
Eager young lads and roues and cads
Offer you food and wine

Totally unprepared are you to face a world of stars
Timid and shy and scared are you
Of things beyond your ken

You'll need someone older and wiser
Telling you what to do,
I am two stars going on three stars
I'll take care of you!

You are one star going on two stars
You know that you're naive
Fellows you meet may tell me you're sweet
And willingly you'll believe

You are one star going on two stars
Innocent as a rose
Bachelor dandies, drinkers of brandies
What do you know of those?

Totally unprepared are you to face a world of stars
Timid and shy and scared are you
Of things beyond your ken

You need someone older and wiser
Telling you what to do,
I am two stars going on three stars
Please depend on me!