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Sad Songs

September 16, 2008 12:00 AM

ne of my favorite iTunes features is the smart playlist function. Not only do I try to rate all of my songs, I also try to label all of them according to general feel. The result is that if I want a bunch of good, hard songs, I can just put on one list and know that I'm going to get what I'm looking for.

I think my most-played list is "Mellow," which has a lot of acoustic and mid-tempo stuff on it. I play it a lot because it's good to listen to in the background while I'm reading or cooking or whatever the fuck else I do. I generally avoid the "Depressing" list because, well, it's depressing. But I have not been avoiding that list at all lately, so I thought I'd share my thoughts on the most depressing songs out there. In no particular order:

Moonlight Mile - The Rolling Stones
I have no idea what this song is actually about. It's probably about cocaine or fucking some dude or something. Mick Jagger's fucking crazy. But whatever it's actually about, it's fucking depressing and it always makes me feel fucking lonely as shit: "I am just living to be lying by your side, but I'm just about a moonlight mile on down the road."

A Long December - The Counting Crows
This one's so cliche I almost didn't put it up, but the fact of the matter is that it's one of the most ridiculously depressing introspective songs out there. It's tinged with regret and sorrow and the feeling that the whole past year was a fucking failure. And sometimes I absolutely feel that way.

Such Great Heights - Iron & Wine
I don't even like to listen to this song because it makes me so fucking sad. And not just because of the fact that it reminds me of one of the loneliest times of my life, but also because it's just a sad little ballad about, well, missing someone that you think is perfect.

To Forgive - The Smashing Pumpkins
If I'm listening to Mellon Collie and I don't want to be depressed, I skip this song. For me, it's too close to home not to make me sad no matter what else is going on in my life. "And I remember my birthdays, empty party afternoons." I've been there, man.

Yesterday - Boyz II Men
Yeah, ok, I went there. The original is clearly awesome, but I really like the Boyz II Men version, too. Remember how much I love vocal harmony? This is just an amazing a cappella arrangement. It's somber, the harmonies are awesome, and the sense of loss is palpable. It's fucking awesome. Except the screaming part at the end--that just seems forced.

The Wind - Cat Stevens
This is another song where I'm not really sure what it means, but it just sounds sad. And, of course, it's associated with Rushmore, which I associate with fall, which is, of course, the saddest of the seasons.

Wishlist - Pearl Jam
I wish all those things, too.

Maybe that's enough for now. Anyway, yeah.



9 Comments


Anonymous said:

you have got to be kidding me. how could you leave "how to disappear completely" by radiohead off of that list? how bout "street spirit"? man, i like to rock those when im happy to get me in a bad mood, they're great.

September 16, 2008 6:58 AM



tRJ said:

Interesting that these songs are more depressing lyrically, than melodically.

But "A Long December" is a good call. "If you think you might come to california, I think you should" is one of the most heart-wrenching lines ever written/sung.

September 16, 2008 9:01 AM



Ismael Tapia II said:

Anonymouse,
Yeah, obviously "Street Spirit" is one of the most ridiculously depressing songs ever, and I didn't put it on the list for that exact reason: everyone knows that. I suppose you could say the same about "A Long December," but whatever.

tRJ,
I mean, those songs are also fairly sad soundind, I think, but you're right--it's moslty the lyrics that do it for me.

I can't help of think of the line "It's been a long time since I've seen the ocean, I think I should" everytime I visit my parents in California.

September 16, 2008 11:11 AM



Lauren said:

Kudos to owning up to Boyz II Men's Yesterday. I played it so much, the cd wore out.
And don't forget about the songs without words...Adagio for Strings still makes me cry every time I hear it.

September 16, 2008 1:20 PM



Vice said:

Seeing this list made me think back, because I was absolutely certain you had already posted a list of the most depressing songs ever made. Sure enough, I was right -

http://www.thisishereisnowhy.net/2007/08/everything_in_its_right_place.html

What's amazing is that none of the songs on the former list are on today's list. Seems to me you either a) listen to too much depressing music, or b) have too many depressing events in your life that lead you to seek out depressing music. Either way, I urge you to keep on truckin'.

September 16, 2008 8:54 PM



Vice said:

Ah, my mistake. I didn't realize that the songs on the previous post had a common thread - not necessarily depressing in general, but depressing to you specifically because of a certain person. Anyway, I'll go back to not speaking.

September 16, 2008 8:58 PM



Justine Henin said:

'Moonlight Mile'--great song--on my recent favorites mixed CD--but depressing? I don't see it. Clearly great road trip music. (like, makes you wanna dive across new mexico at night under a full moon.)

Also, this is no serious criticism, but I'm embarrassed to be posting somewhere where Boyz II Men is seriously discussed. Come on.

September 18, 2008 9:51 PM



Justine Henin said:

I mean really, typing "Boyz II Men" makes me want to cut off my johnson.

September 18, 2008 9:54 PM



Ismael Tapia II said:

Oh, come on! Boyz II Men isn't that bad. I mean, they're really fairly talented.

September 18, 2008 11:58 PM



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