Sad Songs

[worddork]

Seeing as how there are a lot of music lovers here, :wave: I have a question. What is the saddest song ever written?

I have been taking voice lesson for almost 2 years now and have been trying to one-up my teacher in the sad song depamrtment.

It all started when she brought in "I Dreamed a Dream" from Le Mis. A song that the character sings just before dying. I countered with "When Love is Gone" from A Muppets' Christmas Carlo, the song Belle signs to tell Scrooge the engagement's over.

She retaliated with "Candle on the Water" from Pete's Dragon. So I brought in "The Ballad of Bobby and June" from the soundtrack to A Mighty Wind. It's a song about two lovers torn apart by the war between the States.

She then brought in "As Long As He Needs Me" from Oliver, not really sad in lyrics but in the way the character waits for the man even though he ignores her most of the time. I fought back with "Baby Mine" from Dumbo, what my family called a low blow as know can hear that song without tearing up.


Just give me the title and will find the sheet music. Thank you to all who help out.
So my teacher came back at me with "A Little Fall of Rain" again fro Le Mis. in this song the character dies in the middle of singing it.

So I need help from those here to find a song sadder than any of these. I was thinking "Danny Boy" but is that really that sad?

I would really like a song so sad that when we have a recital (sp?), the audience is in tears by the end of the song. I'm talking tears on the scale of the scene where Dumbo's mom being draged out in chains.

Just give me the title and I will track down the sheet music. Thank you to all who help out. :D

[Parrothead]

"God's will" and "concrete angel" by Martina McBride
"the Little Girl" John Michael Montgomery
"Close every door to me" from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, maybe...

[worddork]

"God's will" and "concrete angel" by Martina McBride
"the Little Girl" John Michael Montgomery

Tried those, however the sheet music publishers changed the key so the song don't sound right.


"Close every door to me" from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, maybe...

I will have to look in to this one, thank you.

[AnaKhouri]

"Fish & Bird" by Tom Waits.
"Danny Boy" is pretty damn sad. Our store seems to play every Celtic album that comes out and they ALL do "Danny Boy". I think it should be illegal for Celtic artists to sing that song.
"Sixteen, Maybe Less" by Calexico/Iron and Wine

[worddork]

"Fish & Bird" by Tom Waits.
"Danny Boy" is pretty damn sad. Our store seems to play every Celtic album that comes out and they ALL do "Danny Boy". I think it should be illegal for Celtic artists to sing that song.

Especially since it was written by a British man, not a Irish man :D

"Fish & Bird" by Tom Waits. ...
snip
"Sixteen, Maybe Less" by Calexico/Iron and Wine

Will look these up. Thank you

[RayvenQ]

May I throw this in

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmS41_JdVLg

Sarah Brightman & Andrea Bochelli - Time to say Goodbye.

[lupo pazzesco]

"Our Farewell", by Within Temptation

I, personally, tear up whenever I hear it.

Also, "She Misses Him" by Tim Rushlow,
"Tears in Heaven" Eric Clapton,
"Don't Take the Girl", Tim McGraw,
"Colorblind" Counting Crows (I loves the piano part, personally)
"Broken Vow" Josh Groban (I just love his voice!!)

Er...I think I've babbled enough...

[worddork]

Thank you for the recs, keep them coming, I need all the ammo I can get.

My voice teacher will never know what hit her. :devil:


I mean :angel: look, look at the halo, I'm a good girl, I am.

[jayel]

'Sorry to a Friend', by Edwin McCain. It's very melancholy.

Also, if you're willing to do Christian/ religious, 'I Will be Here' by Stephen Curtis Chapman makes me bawl every time.

[tacohuman]

"dearly departed" by devotchka gets me every time

[AdminAssistant]

Well, in the realm of musical theatre (and not knowing your range):

Anything from Miss Saigon (same guys who wrote Les Mis)

"Someone Like You" - Jekyll and Hyde
"Race You to the Top of the Morning", "Lily's Eyes", and "How Could I Ever Know" - The Secret Garden
"Not While I'm Around" - Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
"One Song Glory", "Will I?", "Without You", "I'll Cover You (reprise)" - RENT
"Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" - The Phantom of the Opera
"Being Alive" - Company
"With One Look" or "As If We Never Said Goodbye" - Sunset Boulevard

um, I think I'll stop now :p

[Bella_Vixen]

I fought back with "Baby Mine" from Dumbo, what my family called a low blow as know can hear that song without tearing up.


I'm talking tears on the scale of the scene where Dumbo's mom being draged out in chains.




I don't think there is anything to beat this one.

[BrassCowboy]

"Brick" by Ben Folds. Gets to me every time.

[worddork]

Well, in the realm of musical theatre (and not knowing your range):



I was labeled an alto in high school choir, but since working with my teacher I have become a lower soprano.

"Someone Like You" - Jekyll and Hyde

This is one of the songs she recently gave me. I really like it and am hoping this is one of the one I 'll do during the recital (sp?), when we actually set a date for it.

[Jaden]

I have a hypothesis that I haven't gotten around to testing: Approximately 65% of Tom Waits' entire catalogue will cause every single human being on the planet to start crying upon hearing them. So, just go find some Tom Waits songs and you should be good to go for that whole "sad song" thing.

[AnaKhouri]

Particularly his album "Alice". The entire album has a very melancholy atmosphere; "Fish & Bird" comes from that CD.

[McGoddess09]

These songs make me want to cry whenever I hear them:

Somewhere by Within Temptation
Remember Me by Josh Groban
You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban
Last Kiss (either version works)
Teen Angel (I dunno who it's by)
I Loved Her First by Heartland

Yeah.

[BroSCFischer]

Love, Me by Collin Raye (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ND7Q6DOdsAY)

SC

[ThePhoneGoddess]

Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone by Bill Withers
Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen
The River by Bruce Springsteen
Space Oddity by David Bowie
My Mom by Chocolate Genius
Naked As We Came by Iron And Wine
He Stopped Loving Her Today by George Jones
Strange Fruit by Billie Holiday
Gloomy Sunday by Billei Holiday
I Will Remember You by Sarah Maclachlan
At Seventeen by Janis Ian
Don't Smoke In Bed by Nina Simone
Plain Gold Ring by Nina Simone
E Lucevan le Stelle, from Puccini's Tosca
Black Coffee by Peggy Lee
Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out by Bessie Smith
When David Heard by Eric Whitacre
Bang Bang My Baby Shot Me Down by Nancy Sinatra
Is That All There Is? by Peggy Lee

[Caveat Emptor]

I've always thought "It Was a Very Good Year" by Sinatra was sad. Makes you think of your own mortality and friends / relatives long gone. I first heard it as part of a touching video tribute to a GA and (now passed) GU from their children on their 50th. My GA cried, and now I'm starting to tear, dammit. :o:cry:

"How Can I Help You Say Goodbye" by Patty Loveless

"Everybody Hurts" by REM

"Whiskey Lullaby" by Allison Krauss and Brad Paisley

[sportsmom]

"Bobby" by Reba McEntire. The video's crap, but the song's beautiful. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvgpyjCBPEk)

[CaroPhoenix]

"The Greatest Man I never knew" by Reba McEntire.

"Ruby" by Reba too :)

"She thinks his name was John" also by Reba

A video of "The Greatest Man I Never Knew" and "She Thinks His Name Was John" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USyRBASTaTY&feature=related)

[Carolaaine]

The Wind That Shakes the Barley by Robert Dwyer Joyce

[the_std]

"Two Beds and a Coffee Machine" by Savage Garden (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHXZ_peJe9c) and "Are You Sad?" by Our Lady Peace (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPe2Xn3emcs) never fail to make me cry. (Neither of the links are to official videos. Couldn't find 'em.)

[worddork]

I had a lesson yesterday (it was a make-up day due to next week's lesson falling on Turkey Day) I brought in "Danny Boy" and "Ile of Insifree"(sp?) both are sad in their own right but together they pack a powerful punch.

But keep the recommendations coming. As I was leaving my teacher said she would bring in a new peice for me. Which means I will need another sad song to top whatever she brings in. This battle must not end, until we run out of sad songs and move on to "The Happiest Song Ever" :devil: :devil:

I mean :angel: :angel: look, look at the halo, I'm a good girl I am.

[derangedperson]

I have a hypothesis that I haven't gotten around to testing: Approximately 65% of Tom Waits' entire catalogue will cause every single human being on the planet to start crying upon hearing them. So, just go find some Tom Waits songs and you should be good to go for that whole "sad song" thing.

Ruby's Arms.
Georgia Lee.
House Where Nobody Lives.
Fish & Bird.
Christmas Card From A Hooker In Minneapolis.
Time.
Black Wings.
Bottom Of The World.
The Fall Of Troy.

And that's just the start. If anyone can rip your heart out and stomp all over it, it's Tom Waits.

[irateguy]

doa by bloodrock
anything by the shags ( Not really sad but they are so butt awful they will make you cry)

[Jaden]

And that's just the start. If anyone can rip your heart out and stomp all over it, it's Tom Waits.

Indeed. Here's some more if you want them:

Martha
I Hope That I Don't Fall In Love With You
Grapefruit Moon
Alice
Dirt In The Ground
Little Rain
Train Song
San Diego Serenade
Shiver Me Timbers
Home I'll Never Be

If you want any of these or any of the songs derangedperson mentioned for your contest, since there aren't any good links to Tom Waits songs, youtube or otherwise, just PM me and let me know, I can send you some via e-mail. I have most of his albums.

[Jester]

I know diddle about musical theater, so mine are going to be more in the realm of pop music. Don't know if you can use them, but thought I'd give it a go.

"Fly to the Angels" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ec2k5rw5V2I) by Slaughter.
"Wild Horses" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AREdXmuhvQs) by the Rolling Stones.
"Far Behind" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSp-cSJNGdQ) by Candlebox.
"Behind Blue Eyes" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJrR66_nOLo) by The Who.
"In Your Eyes" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDNn_FlM6No) by Peter Gabriel.
"Kaleigh" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U25ZtizsFuI) by Marillion.
"The Living Years" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOSrKNVF2VI) by Mike and the Mechanics. Anyone who's lost a father will understand.
"Wish You Were Here" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXdNnw99-Ic) by Pink Floyd.
In its own way, "Mother" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdvIUHw31js) by Pink Floyd.
Of course, "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJ1Dqq0RjdE) by Pink Floyd.
"Picture" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hZo-hOJ0aI) by Sheryl Crow and Kid Rock.
"Leaving on a Jet Plane" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkUleDwr5no) by Chantal Kreviazuk.

Not normally necessarily sad songs, but if sung right, both "Amazing Grace" and "Someone to Watch Over Me" can be real tearjerkers.

[DGoddessChardonnay]

My personal list would include:

A Bottle of Wine and Patsy Cline - Marsha Thornton
She Thinks That She'll Marry - Judy Rodman
The Dance - Garth Brooks
I'll Take The Memories - Lorrie Morgan
Letting Go - Suzy Boggus (makes me tear up when I hear this one)
Touch Me In The Morning - Diana Ross
My Heart Belongs To Me - Barbra Streisand
Cry Me A River - Julie London
The Song Is Over (But the Melody Goes On) - Dinah Washington (?)
He Stopped Loving Her Today - George Jones (somebody else mentioned that one)
The Serenade That We Played - Tanya Tucker (a longtime fave of mine)

Thanks, Jester, for mentioning "The Living Years" - I literally can't stand to listen to that one without crying (and my dad is still living.)

Another one I tear up listening to: "You Raise Me Up" . . . this song plays on the CD we received a couple of years ago of a slidshow made after Mom's friend Rose (aka Butt) passed away. It was shown at the funeral home the night before her funeral and we just both teared up something awful.

I still do when I hear her playing that CD and that song repeats throughout because I know how much she still misses her Butt. I guess we always will :cry:

[AnaKhouri]

And that's just the start. If anyone can rip your heart out and stomp all over it, it's Tom Waits

You guys missed "No One Knows I'm Gone". :cry:

[monolayth]

"how to dissappear completely"- radiohead

and i second "gloomy sunday"

[jedimaster91]

There are a few songs that get me due to some experiences I've had.

Probably Wouldn't Be This Way by Leann Rhimes
Valentine's Day by Linkin Park
One More Day by Diamond Rio
So Close by Jon McLaughlin
Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again from Phantom of the Opera
Heaven's Not Enough by Steve Conte
Tear by Tear by Sister Hazel
Against All Odds by Phil Collins
Monday Mornin Church by Allan Jackson
Rainin You by Brad Paisley
A Lot of Things Different by Kenny Chesney
I Do (Cherish You) by Mark Wills (ok, not a sad song in and of itself, but it makes me think of someone no long with us)

[Gawdzillers]

Sam Stone by John Prine.

"There's a hole in daddy's arm where all the money goes
Jesus Christ died for nothin', I suppose
Little pictures have big ears
Don't stop to count the years
Sweet songs never last too long on
Broken radios, mmm..."

[Jester]

Thanks, Jester, for mentioning "The Living Years" - I literally can't stand to listen to that one without crying (and my dad is still living.)

Try listening to it when your father died when you were 10.

Yeah. It's very......close to the mark, shall we say.

But please, I want no one's pity....Dad died in 1981, for goodness sake. I've had more than enough time to deal with it. :D (I get far more upset by the fact that the Iranian President bears a bizarrely close resemblance to Dad than I do by that song.)

[Mr. Rager!]

"Fond Farewell" Elliott Smith
"Delivery" Babyshambles
"Seasons in the Sun" Terry Jacks (classic sad song.)
"Weight of the World" Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
"The Engine Driver" The Decemberists
"I Knew You Before" Dustin Kensrue
"Home" Bobaflex
"Overdose" Hurt
"Falls Apart" Hurt
"The Power of Goodbye" Madonna
"Coma Black" Marilyn Manson
"Instead Laugh" Onesidezero
"Books from Boxes" Maximo Park
"Mosquito Song" Queens of the Stone Age
"Fine Again" Seether
"Still Searching" Senses Fail
"Giving In" Adema
"Fragile" Sentenced
"Angel's Son" Sevendust
"It's Been a While" Staind
"Outside" Staind
"For You" Staind
"I" Taproot
"Becoming I" Unloco
"Texas" Unloco
"On and On and On" Wilco
"Rain" 40Below Summer
"Monday Song" 40Below Summer
"Close Yet Far" Camp Kill Yourself (CKY)
"Everyone" Adema
"Bleed" Cold
"No One" Cold
"Wasted Years" Cold

[jedimaster91]

Forgot about "The Little Girl" by John Michael Montgomery.

[CaroPhoenix]

"Patches" by Larry Stephenson

It's from the 1960s and it's a Romeo & Juliet type of song. Patches is the poor girl from the wrong side of the tracks. The guy singing the song is the rich boy. They're supposed to run away together. The rich boy's parents find out, forbid him to see her again, and a few days later, his neighbor tells his father about how a girl named Patches was found in the river, drowned. And then the boy resolves to do the same thing that very night. I cry every time I hear it.

Oh, yes, and because Christmas season is coming up:

"The Christmas Shoes" by New Song. My Grandmother died of cancer 3 days after Christmas 2000. I cried when I heard it the first time and every time I play it, I cry all over again.

[worddork]

I took a long list of some of the songs ya'll gave me to my local music shop and had trouble finding the sheet music for them. I'll try another shop next week. However I did find the sheet music for "Tear is in Heaven" by Eric Clapton(sp?).

What do you guy and gals think? Will this do? I'm thinking of bring it to class after the new year.

[Caveat Emptor]

Taxi by Harry Chapin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5dwksSbD34

[persephone]

"If I Go Before You" by Sinead Lohan
"Better Place to Be" by Harry Chapin
"By Starlight" by Smashing Pumpkins
"Song for a Winters' Night" by Sarah McLaughlin and Emily Sailers
"Full of Grace" by Sarah McLaughlin
"Angel" by Sarah McLaughlin
"For Good" from Wicked
"Somewhere" from West Side Story
"Could We Start Again Please" from Jesus Christ Superstar
"On My Own" from Les Mis
"Judas' Death" from Jesus Christ Superstar
"Gethsemane (I Only Want to Say" from Jesus Christ Superstar

That's what I can come up with right now.