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[Thread] Recommend me devastatingly sad songs? Please? (sopuli.xyz)

submitted 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

42 comments fedilink hide all child comments

So I've always noticed when I'm as down as I can get, I find comfort is music that most people find super depressing all the way to unbearably depressing. Like slit-your-wrists depressing. Songs you'd expect to find someone hanging from a noose in their home on repeat to. These kinds of songs bring comfort because they make me feel like, ok, I'm not so alone with this shit.

And for context, really happy songs just seem the saddest, most devastating songs that there are, because you don't have that, you don't have that happiness, love, support, that glimmer of light everyone's so happy about you know?

So gimme the saddest songs you can think of. I'm wearing Joy Division out.

Some other music/songs I've been listening to: Ren - Hi Ren (and some others of his), Elliott Smith, Micah P. Hinson, Portishead, Swans, Lykke Li - I Never Learn, Interpol, Chelsea Wolfe, Elton John - Rocketman, Matt Elliott, Savages - Adore

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[–] [email protected] 12 points 11 months ago (2 children)

Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails' song Hurt, as performed by Johnny Cash:

https://youtu.be/8AHCfZTRGiI

I think in order to get to the true depths of musical pain, you often need two people. One who has the creativity and expression to write it well, and another whose soul has been crushed by their own guilt enough to perform it well. These two people cannot be the same, because the soul crushing process kills your creativity at its most extreme levels. But that extreme level is where you can perform mournful songs the best.

So, it takes two people.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 11 months ago (1 children)

another whose soul has been crushed by their own guilt enough to perform it well

Sorry but did you just...not listen to the original? There is such a wide range of emotions and Trent Reznor CRUSHES it. There is so much depth compared to Johnny Cash's warbling old man voice. You hear a man hitting his breaking point as he gets louder and angrier at himself. Meanwhile there's no evolution in the cover, he sounds the same start to finish.

I just don't understand the massive praise of the cover. If it wasn't Johnny Cash singing it, it would have never hit the radio. I don't care if people like it but you're massively downplaying the amazing performance of the original

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Honestly, Reznor's rendition struck me as oddly theatrical. That's probably just me though, different people can hear different things in the same piece of music.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I hear heroin addiction and depression in the original and boredom in the cover. Not to mention the self-aggrandizing music video...I don't hear pain when he's singing someone else's story over clips of his successful, fulfilling life

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

Reznor heard his pain. Perhaps the fact that his successful, fulfilling life still ultimately failed him, is what he's trying to say. Also, he was an addict too.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago

Sometimes, yes, I absolutely agree, maybe even often. Not all songwriters, as great of a performer they might be for most of their songs, are the best performers for so many of their own songs. Good examples are Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen (Cohen after the first 3-4 albums wasn't IMO the best performer of his own songs) and Jeff Buckley's version; lots of Isaac Hayes' versions of other peoples' songs, most of all By the Time I Get to Phoenix

but the best example I can think of is A Song for You, written by Leon Russell, but Donny Hathaway takes it to a completely different fucking universe and makes it his own. That song is heartbreaking performed by him, Jesus.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (2 children)

have a nice life (all of deathconsciousness but specifically who would leave their son out in the sun)

a silver mt. zion (all of he has left us alone...)

amenra (a solitary reign)

planning for burial (all of below the house)

lingua ignota (anything)

uboa (anything)

ex:re (all of S/T)

mount eerie (all of a crow looked at me)

panchiko (cut)

sufjan stevens (should have known better)

fugazi (I'm so tired)

nine inch nails (hurt)

midwife (all of like author, like daughter)

psychonaut 4 (all of dipsomania)

the whole genre of dsbm comes to mind

[–] [email protected] 3 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

Was going to recommend Lingua Ignota. All Bitches Die is a great but very rough listen. Last track on it is sombre(?) and beautiful.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

Have a nice life is one of my favorite bands ever. On that note, Giles Corey by one of the guys in HANL is even more devastating I’d say.

And for Sufjan, Casimir Pulaski Day always kills me.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 11 months ago

nick drake - parasite

angel olsen - only with you

blonde redhead - hated because of great qualities

broght eyes - something vague

starflyer 59 - fell in love at 22

smog - vessel in vain

cigarettes afters sex - sunsetz

[–] [email protected] 4 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

Can't believe no one has mentioned It's A Mad World yet:

https://youtu.be/4N3N1MlvVc4?si=-7kTHbNDPsNBHFuh

Also

Belly - Stay

Regina Spektor - Field Below

Tori Amos - Marianne, Twinkle, I'm Not In Love, Strange

Seether - Fine Again

PJ Harvey - To Bring You My Love

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago

The thing about Gary Jules' Mad World, is as hauntingly sad as it is, it also has this steady, subtle thread of defiance woven through it, that imo really elevates it to greatness. Makes it slightly less sad though, there's some steel in there, where the whole song is rebuking the world.

I've always really liked Alex Parks' slightly popier cover, she pushes that defiant tone a bit harder, reminiscent of a little Sinead imo:

https://youtu.be/ABFQOLZlfGU

[–] [email protected] 4 points 11 months ago

Casimir Pulaski Day by Sufjan Stevens. Turns out childhood cancer makes for a beautifully gut-wrenching song.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 11 months ago

Blue Valentines - Tom Waits

107 Steps - Björk (this one is best after watching the movie "Dancer in the Dark")

Gone Away - My Brightest Diamond

Gloomy Sunday - Billie Holiday Or Gloomy Sunday - Sinéad O'Connor No comparison vocally, but if you like Sinéad the second has a lot of emotion.

A Night Like This - The Cure

Traveling Light - Leonard Cohen

[–] [email protected] 3 points 11 months ago

I have been preparing my entire life for this moment!

Daughter - Shallows

Placebo - Follow The Cops Back Home

Lanterns on the Lake - Another Tale From Another English Town

Amanda Palmer - Trout Heart Replica

Joni Mitchell - The Magdelene Laundries (cw: abuse - if you're not looking for that sad try Come in From The Cold)

Secret Machines - 1000 Seconds

Silversun Pickups - Circadian Rhythm

Mogwai - Killing All The Flies

Porcupine Tree - Heart Attack in a Layby

Death Cab For Cutie - What Sarah Said

Iron & Wine - Passing Afternoon

Jimmy Eat World - Hear You Me

Tusks - Dissolve

The Flaming Lips - Mr Ambulance Driver

Tori Amos - Little Earthquakes

Manchester Orchestra - I Know How To Speak

The Midnight - Brooklyn (not to be confused with "Brooklyn. Friday. Love" which is the exact opposite end of the emotional spectrum)

[–] [email protected] 3 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

The album Hospice by the Antlers.

I'll just steal from wikipedia: Set in New York City's Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, which the second track is named after, Hospice tells the story of a relationship between a hospice worker and a female patient suffering from terminal bone cancer, their ensuing romance, and their slow downward spiral as a result of the woman's traumas, fears, and disease. The story of her deterioration also serves as a metaphor for an abusive relationship. Frontman Peter Silberman has been reluctant to divulge explicit details regarding the meaning of the record, and the extent to which it is autobiographical.

Love it.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago (1 children)

If you don' t mind not understanding the lyrics, try the album Kauan by the finnish band Tenhi.

While were at finnish bands: some Nightwish songs are really great sad music: Away, Sleeping Sun and Deep Silent Complete come to my mind.

Also have a listen to Songs by John Dowland. Baroque but magnificentky sad if well sung.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (2 children)

Lol, almost mentioned Tenhi in my OP, but I figured since they're Finnish no-one is gonna know them either way. One of my favorite bands.

E: Also have to point out, they have "official" translations for their lyrics on their website all the way up to the previous to last album, done by the band themselves afaik. They're not entirely a 100% accurate and they've taken some fairly big creative liberties in translating them, but close enough and since they're official I give them a pass. Cool to see they get appreciated abroad, they're not very well known over here back home.

Love John Dowland as well.

E2: Just in case anyone is interested:

Tenhi - Varpuspäivä/Sparrow Day,

Salain,

Vastakaiun

Varis Eloinen

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago

Fuck, two Tenhi fans in one place (make that three now). Not something to be expected. Glad to see it though.

@BraveSentry @brewbellyblueberry

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

Nice coincidence. Though it makes sense that someone asking for sad songs might know and like Tenhi. Kuolesi jokeen, Etäisyyksien Taa and Saapuminen are my favourites. Now that I listened some memories arose and now I have to listen to the newer stuff they made. Thanks for reminding me Tenhi exist!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago

Pearl Jam - Last Kiss

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago

Lots of good stuff in this thread. This one immediately sprung to mind

https://youtu.be/d_GSS6i0gWc?si=Ih5toP2r-Q32RigG

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

Charles Bradly - Changes

Johnny Cash - Give My Love To Rose

Marty O'Reilly & the Old Soul Orchestra - Cinnamon Tree

Dave Van Ronk - Hang Me, Oh Hang Me

Richard Thompson - 1952 Vincent Black Lightning

John Prine - Hello in There

Could probably go forever

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

Leviathan - At the door of the tenth sub-level of suicide

Here, try some doom black metal

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

Dido's Lament as performed by Simone Kermes from Henry Purcell's Dido and Aenaes

Clann Zu - One Bedroom Apartment

Death - Voice of the Soul

Austere - Just for a Moment

Eikenskaden - Then I'll Erase Myself Forever

Warning - Watching From a Distance

Brahams' Ein Deutsches Requiem - First Movement

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago

Heard the Friends theme song in minor?

I'd never really listened to the song before, but was struck with how melancholic the lyrics are.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

Alter Bridge - Blackbird

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

The whole album, Asking for Flowers by Kathleen Edwards, but especially the song Alicia Ross, after you read the story behind it. That's weapons-grade sadness.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

Rehab - It Don't Matter

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

Give the album A Crow Looked at Me by Mount Eerie a listen if you haven't heard it yet.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

Fleetwood Mac, Man of the World. “But I just wish that I'd never been born”. That one line alone does it for me.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

"Sometimes It Snows in April" by Prince

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

lush - when I die

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

Dawn Penn - You Don't Love Me

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

Bryan John Appleby - Honey Jars

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

Dance with the Devil by Immortal Technique. A song about an up-and-coming gangster being tricked into raping and killing his own mother. It's the most brutal, soul-crushing song I've ever heard.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

Lots of loss in my family in the last 10 years or so. As a result things like this are the most devastating for me. These two in particular are just gutting.

Warren Zevon - Keep Me in Your Heart

Harvey Danger - Jack the Lion

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

The Cure - The Same Deep Water as You

Or just listen to Disintegration all the way through

The entire album The Final Cut by Pink Floyd

Yesterday When I Was Young (Roy Clark version, Glenn Campbell did this one too)

Tom Waits - Soldier's Things or Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis, or just throw on any Waits album and you'll find something unbearably sad among the bangers. Same with Nick Cave

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

My favorite genre! I see you've already got Elliott Smith, so in the vein of hauntingly beautiful:

Greg Laswell - Your Ghost (A lot of his music is like this)
The National - I need my girl
Sun Kil Moon - Carry me Ohio

Other favorites
Local Natives - Heavy Feet
Boy & Bear - Wicked Game
Hurt - Alone with the Sea

Similar feel, but a little happier
Dope Lemon - Marinade

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

You should look into Eels. "Electro shock blues" is so sad and it starts with a down note on "Elizabeth on the bathroom floor".

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

Alice in Chains - Down in a Hole