Posted in: Musicouching by Videomark on February 5, 2010 | 14 Comments
There have been quite a few sad songs throughout history. What separates these from the rest is the touching lyrics and deliberate slow pace of the song. Here are the saddest songs ever recorded. I would not recommend these for your wedding.
Alone Again Naturally
Gilbert O’Sullivan
1972
The Granddaddy of all sad songs. It spent 6 weeks at number one in the United States This song was so gut wrenching that many people thought that it was a based on actual events. Not recommended for a party.
Cover of Eric Carmen
All By Myself
Eric Carmen
1975
When Eric Carmen went solo, he made a couple of sad songs and this was his most famous. The full version lasts 7:13 although the more famous single version is only 4:33. His follow-up was the equally depressing “Never Gonna Fall In Love Again”.
Crying
Roy Orbison
1961
Roy Orbison had a knack for singing sad songs and this was his best. His duet with K.D Lang almost 30 years later is eerie in the way their voices almost merge as one.
picuture by Wikipedia
Everybody Hurts
REM
1993
This song was written by the drummer, even though he does not play on the song. As sad as this song is, the video is even more of a tear jerker. It was filmed in San Antonio, Texas. A remake of the song was made to help the Haiti earthquake victims.
How Can You Mend A Broken Heart
BeeGees
1971
This was before the BeeGees went disco. The song is so slowed paced that it can make you sad without even listening to the words. The BeeGees had a few sad songs during this period. Another song of theirs, “I Started A Joke”, almost made the list.
Never Never
Assembly
1983
This relatively unknown song managed to rise to number 4 on the British charts in 1983. The song tells of personal failure in love.
picture by Wikipedia
Nothing Compares 2 U
Sinead O Connor
1990
A number one song in many countries. The spelling of the title makes it obvious that this song was written by Prince. The video almost exclusively shows her singing in closeup. The bold gamble paid off as O’ Connor conveyed the sad expressions very well.
picture by Wikipedia
The End Of The World
Skeeter Davis
1962
This song about lost love was a big hit in 1963. It has been covered by more than 20 different artists since it’s release.
Guy Hogan February 5th, 2010 at 4:02 am
I know and remember all these songs. They are beautiful in their sadness.
diamondpoet February 5th, 2010 at 5:58 am
Nice post thanks for sharing.
Mushtaq February 5th, 2010 at 6:39 am
Goos info to share. Thanks
sambhafusia February 5th, 2010 at 7:15 am
nice share..
Starpisces February 5th, 2010 at 10:41 am
wow they are very old sad songs.
This article is very well done.
albert1jemi February 5th, 2010 at 11:32 am
great write
8Shei8 February 5th, 2010 at 1:54 pm
All by myself…one of my family favorite karaoke songs
AlmaG February 5th, 2010 at 8:44 pm
What a great compilation.
Roger Howard February 6th, 2010 at 5:53 pm
I remember seeing the video for REM’s Everybody hurts the first time on itv 1’s ‘ The Chart Show.
With all those people held up on the motoarway;it’s as if time stands’s still while Michael Stripe sings that song.
Probably next to Michael Jackson’s Earth song and Heal the world Videos/song tracks it is possibly one of the most Humanstic images to a song in History.
The Video to Sinead O Conner is also very memroable for her crying in the video,remembering a line that To Sinead, depicted her Mother.
This was the line that made her cry in the video.
The only other music video I have come across of an artiste crying in a video (really) is Duffy on the track Warick Avenue.
It just show’s the art of doing a really good Humanstic video isn’t just about mimeing;it’s also very much about acting.
qasimdharamsy February 7th, 2010 at 7:03 am
very nice one…
mkd1788 February 7th, 2010 at 1:05 pm
very special songs…good list..
Sharif Ishnin February 10th, 2010 at 12:43 am
Great compilation. Brings back good memories.
Dejan Prokic February 10th, 2010 at 11:48 am
Your selection is interesting but i only really agree that the Sinead O Connor\’s song, Nothing Compares 2 U, is the only truly sad song on this list. I think we are just years apart! I do like the idea of this article and ive chosen 10 songs i consider some of the saddest songs recorded in the english language. That said i dont think the songs in the english language are the \’saddest songs ever recorded\’ , not by a long shot! great article nevertheless, time to quickly type mine up.
zoeyclark February 16th, 2010 at 10:48 am
I can add some I think:
- Bon Jovi: “as my guitar lies bleeding in my arms”
and
“(it’s) hard letting you go”
Sad, depressive but really good. Trust me, you will like them even
if you happen to hate Bon Jovi