I thought this question might lead to some interesting discussion and recommendations. My choice: The ending bit of the song, when John Lennon is practically flaying his throat screaming, is harrowing. It seems pretty rare for any artist to write something so direct and emotionally raw. I would like more well known artists to do something similar. I'm a little tired of the unpleasant emotions being so buried and coded in mainstream songs. It's like that ridiculous societal taboo against getting too "heavy" in social situations applies to music too and I love songs that say, "Fuck that. I'm going to give this depressing shit to you straight." Also, the way he's going in on the vocals is something special. A lot of artists seem to hold back the vocal, as if they're afraid of it hitting to close to the bone. Lennon lets it rip in this song, which is what makes him one of the all time greatest rock vocalists. McCartney might have superior range and pitch, but he never recorded a vocal as impactful as the one is this song.
For some reason this one has always pierced right through me. I used to just lie there and let this wash over me, somehow that ethereal vocal and that coo for a chorus made me feel like I actually belonged in the world for a few minutes Similarly there's this, which I think for me has always been one of the strongest songwriting moments I've ever known.
Songs about grieving a mother are always a tearjerker for me, and these two get to me in particular. It's a lot because of the delivery.
Gravity is an absolute masterpiece. One of my favourite songs of all time. My nomination for saddest song ever, though, is this:
Some off the top of my head I'll hit the bottom and escape Beautiful composition. Especially the outro is gut-wrenching, alluding to constantly hitting rock bottom and the frailest state of mind, but getting on with your life with false hopes that one day it'll get better. and I don't want to have to share our love I try, but I get overwhelmed and surely I could put my arms around every boy I see But they'd only remind me of you
My favourite pop song, and the Saddest song I've ever heard is, The Day Before You Came by ABBA. There are several interpretations of the song and only one of them is NOT sad!
Sorry, can't pick one: Alanis really speaks to my insecure self When the last thing you say to your friend 'goodnight, travel well' before he dies in a car crash... it just cuts me An unreacheable dream? Settling with the opposite of what you dreamt about... More Lana songs are fitting but this just is the saddest for me: On the nose lyrics doesn't make it less sad
This thread is incomplete while my girl Natasha hasn't made an appearance. Surfjam Sassafras too but he's got far too many depression bangers to get into. This is a bit off-kilter and not exactly a song but damn if Trenzalore isn't a track carrying the weight of centuries of loss and regret (until the last 25 seconds)
The moment that turned me on to Maria McKee (and incidentally led me to the Dixie Chicks' first album when they covered it) Not necessarily the saddest but certainly the angstiest expression of unrequited love by a forum fave Spiritual sadness
I'm sure we're taller in another dimension You say we're small and not worth the mention The way the second lyric reacts like the slightest possibility of hope snuffed out immediately wrecks me every single time.
