The search for the most depressing song ever

Tomi on 30/6/2010 at 12:19

Here are some of mine. They may not be the most depressing songs ever, but they're ones that popped into my mind first and something that I would voluntarily listen to.

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2C7rASPXEY8) Elliott Smith - Fond Farewell
This one really is depressing, but it's also a great song, one of my favourites. Knowing what happened to Elliott Smith just makes it even more heartbreaking. He committed suicide (apparently) by stabbing himself in the chest, and this song was only released after his death. I just wonder what was going on inside his head when he was writing this one.

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtBcWl-O5b4) Kingston Wall - Shine on Me
This masterpiece always sends shivers down my back. The word "epic" is so overused nowadays, but I would definitely tag this song with the "epic" title.

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdrFpPJgxC4) Blur - Sing
There's something creepy and depressing about this song. It also reminds me of the dead baby scene in Trainspotting.

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaLsOgWe5O4) Primal Scream - (I'm Gonna) Cry Myself Blind
"Have you ever woke up screaming, cos' you're so lonely you could die?"

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdhRmFnajiY) Hanoi Rocks - Million Miles Away
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBAujZTTV3o) Johnny Thunders - You Can't Put Your Arms Around A Memory
These two remind me of a good friend of mine who passed away years ago... They're both also great songs.

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAZyjARWKzM) Deep Purple - When A Blind Man Cries
I could list a hundred songs, but I've already listed too many. However, I just couldn't leave this song out.

hopper on 30/6/2010 at 14:25

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGIP4NpH3yg) My Dying Bride - The Cry of Mankind is just about the only doom metal song I like, and appropriately depressive.

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDjQRgoOcpk) Bruce Springsteen - The River makes me think of '70s movies about people living in trailer park homes in the shadow of smokestacks somewhere damp and foggy.

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXV71xzDdJE) Ween - Spinal Meningitis (Got Me Down). Songs about kids with terminal diseases are as depressing as it gets.

Kuuso on 30/6/2010 at 15:01

Some breakcore from the more extreme end can be simply devastating. Otto Von Schirach, Xanopticon...

The most depressing stuff is made with solo piano though. Countless works to choose from, especially minimalist stuff. Piano works so well as a way to express sorrow and melancholy.

Queue on 30/6/2010 at 17:08

This may be the most depressing song ever, considering what Warren was going through at the time, and knew the end was coming:

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECa_tzoUeIQ) Keep Me In Your Heart, by Warren Zevon

Quote:

Shadows are falling and I'm running out of breath
Keep me in your heart for awhile

If I leave you it doesn't mean I love you any less
Keep me in your heart for awhile

When you get up in the morning and you see that crazy sun
Keep me in your heart for awhile

There's a train leaving nightly called when all is said and done
Keep me in your heart for awhile

Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la-li-li-lo
Keep me in your heart for awhile

Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la-li-li-lo
Keep me in your heart for awhile

Sometimes when you're doing simple things around the house
Maybe you'll think of me and smile

You know I'm tied to you like the buttons on your blouse
Keep me in your heart for awhile

Hold me in your thoughts, take me to your dreams
Touch me as I fall into view
When the winter comes keep the fires lit
And I will be right next to you

Engine driver's headed north to Pleasant Stream
Keep me in your heart for awhile

These wheels keep turning but they're running out of steam
Keep me in your heart for awhile

Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la-li-li-lo
Keep me in your heart for awhile

Sha-la-la-la-la-la-la-li-li-lo
Keep me in your heart for awhile

Keep me in your heart for awhile

...struck close to home, this one did. The duality of "keep me in your hear for awhile" was tearing jerking, that "remember me, but don't pine for me and let me go" message.

demagogue on 30/6/2010 at 18:12

Cesaria Evora's (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFuRb7Fr5bQ) Sodade. Sad and sweet. Simple message if you want to know what she's saying; I miss home.

I'm probably more touched by instrumental music that evokes the ineffable.

Explosions in the Sky - (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3ix-WmtbaA) So Long, Lonesome.
Squarepusher's (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGHYRfDId6k) Tommib - The scene from Lost in Translation I thought was transcendent with this music, despite all the flaws of that movie.
Grieg's (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxjw6ZsHjNU) Death of Aase from Peer Gynt.

Morte on 2/7/2010 at 12:36

I've always found Portishead's (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vg1jyL3cr60) Roads to be heartbreaking, expecially the live version.

Risquit on 2/7/2010 at 22:16

Quote Posted by Kuuso

The most depressing stuff is made with solo piano though. Countless works to choose from, especially minimalist stuff. Piano works so well as a way to express sorrow and melancholy.

So do strings. You ever listen to Ulver's Shadows of the Sun? Particularly, "EOS" and "Funebrae". The whole album consists of laments for the dead, with some truly haunting cello passages.

june gloom on 2/7/2010 at 22:45

Shadows of the Sun makes Sigur Ros look like a grindcore band. Album of the year 2007.

Ulukai on 10/7/2010 at 14:03

UNKLE's Rabbit In Your Headlights

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Surreal, melancholy and kind of awesome at the same time.