Band Madness!
Some More Sad Songs
Slightly more comprehensive than my Top 5 Saddest Songs list (but slightly less correct, con sarnit!) is this just-published list from Spinner of the 25 Most Exquisitely Sad Songs in the Whole World. The notables:
11. Ben Folds - “Brick” As I said before, sad, obviously, but it was all over the radio and it’s possible to play in concert without bumming out the crowd. Plus he never actually *says* “we had an abortion on Christmas,” so how sad could it really be?
10. Roy Orbison - “In the Real World”
9. Martina McBride - “Concrete Angel”
8. Luther Vandross - “Dance With My Father”
7. Jeff Buckley - “Hallelujah” I strongly considered putting this one on my list; the lyrics are sort of cryptic, it’s not as straight-up sad as a prisoner committing suicide, but, on the other hand, Jeff Buckley did die, so that’s worth like 20 points. Either way, I enjoy this song too much to be saddened by it.
6. George Jones - “He Stopped Loving Her Today”
5. The Smiths - “I Know It’s Over” This was #5 on my list too!!! We agree that “I Know It’s Over” is exactly the fifth saddest song ever written! Spinner and I should hang out. We’d be so happy!
4. Johnny Cash - “Hurt” No argument here. You’re gonna have a Cash on these lists, I just picked a different one.
3. The Beatles - “Eleanor Rigby” Really? This song was a freakin’ number one hit - regardless of how lonely the title character’s life was, the song entertained the crap out of people. If you’re gonna put a Beatles song on this list, it’s got to be either “For No One” or “She’s Leaving Home,” and even then, they’re negatively-tinged pop ballads, nothing that’ll crush your life, and definitely not the third saddest song ever. You’re allowed to make a Top Somethingerothers list without including The Beatles. I should know - I work for VH1.
2. Billie Holiday - “Gloomy Sunday”
1. Pernice - “Chicken Wire” Um, ok? Was “Raining In Baltimore” by Counting Crows taken or something?
Overall, though, pretty solid list, I’m very happy I spent time reading it. Then why am I so bummed out right now?
7 May 2007 at 11:32 pm Eastern [ quote ]
hallelujah is a leonard cohen song (only know this because I just saw I’m Your Man yesterday).
also, johnny cash wrote hurt 50 years ago on his way to church. little known fact…
8 May 2007 at 12:48 am Eastern [ quote ]
We are aware, Alex. The Jeff Buckley version is much sadder and more memorable, though, hence its inclusion.
Also, you know that Who song’s not called “Teenage Wasteland”?
8 May 2007 at 10:00 am Eastern [ quote ]
It’s called Bon Bon O’Reilly. We covered this in the ice cream challenge.
11 May 2007 at 5:44 am Eastern [ quote ]
I thought Hurt was a Nine Inch Nails song… how wrong was I… Johnny Cash sure was a genius.
15 May 2007 at 6:40 pm Eastern [ quote ]
I’m still trying to parse that “Raining in Baltimore” reference…are you actually trying to equate the Counting Crows and the Pernice Brothers? If so, then you either haven’t heard enough Pernice Brothers or simply have a misguided musical compass. “Chicken Wire” isn’t their best–or even saddest, in my opinion–song, but it’s certainly better than anything the dreaded Adam Duritz might hack out.