9 sad songs that say so much

[writing while nelly furtado's all good things come to an end, jackson browne's call it a loan and fiona apple's across the universe complete the overall mood]

foreword: while i recognize the works of established songwriters whose music are lauded all over the world, i have to emphasize that this is a personal list. and given that music is an evolving art form, there is just no way for me to pick nine songs from the millions of albums that are released, the billions of recording artists and musicians that are signed up, and the infinite number of musical compositions that play on the radio and amplify our moods and affect our lives. (notwithstanding the ones i haven’t even heard; i ask the indulgence of my readers for any obviously, universally-and -beyond-well crafted music that i may have missed)

thus, i created four different categories, (each of which contain nine songs) now posted for your scrutiny and criticism.

now let the debates begin.

a. “the sopranos” --- (un)arguably the best of the best, grammy winners, classic favorites.

1. tears in heaven (eric clapton)
2. everybody hurts (rem)
3. wish you were here (pink floyd)
4. heaven knows i’m miserable now (the smiths)
5. with or without you (u2)
6. as tears go by (the rolling stones)
7. american pie [the day the music died] (don mclean)
8. the lonesome death of hattie carroll (bob dylan)
9. layla (eric clapton)


b. the popular -- ever-present in blogs and discussions. lyrically satisfactory. however, most of the songs in this section are characterized by fast tempo that seems to distract my tears. or there are lots of drums and less guitar and/or less piano. or the voice just doesn’t convince me enough of the heartbreak.

1. hurt (nine inch nails)
2. isolation, atmosphere (joy division)
3. gloomy sunday (billie holiday) this one however, gears towards, suicidal.
4. last kiss (pearl jam)
5. come as you are, where did you sleep last night(nirvana)
6. konstantine (something corporate)
7. disintegration (the cure)
8. somebody that i used to know (elliott smith)
9. the drugs don’t work (the verve)


c. "next in line" --the honorable mention; what i call “the next set of 9,” the runners-up

1. it’s cool, we can still be friends (bright eyes)
2. i need a heart to come home to (shelby lynn)
3. je n’peux pas te plaire (jonatha brooke) loosely translated as you cannot like me
4. the freshman (the verve pipe)
5. sexed up (robbie williams)
6. desperado (the eagles)
7. fake plastic trees (radiohead)
8. the scientist (coldplay)
9. it’s not going to stop (aimee mann)


d. personal picks - the ones that get me on a contemplative mood and prompt me to google, “meaning of [insert song title here.]” they’re rich in tone, refined and very distinguished in melody and the lyrics breathe poetry.

1. 9 crimes (damien rice) -- never, since eric clapton’s layla, have i heard a piano cry.

killer lines: it’s a small crime, and i got no excuse.... is that alright? give my gun away when it’s loaded... is that alright? if you don’t shoot it, how am i supposed to hold it?

2. you won’t find me there (10,000 maniacs) -- the story of an imminent break-up and the mature way of dealing with it.

killer lines: i’d like to know what makes you stay, while your eyes still search for escape. you think that i don’t feel the cold but i wait while confessions unfold... look into your heart and you won’t find me there.

3. empty chairs (don mclean) -- the song that offers a sneak preview to my father’s sad, dead heart; dedicated to my mom.

killer lines: ... a sympathy bouquet left with the love that’s dead.. and i wonder if you know that i never understood.. that although you said you’d go, until you did, i never thought you would.

4. emily (jewel) -- the soundtrack of my life while i nursed myself from my first heartbreak.

killer lines: woke up to find i lost my mind...i take my cigarettes, i give ‘em a smoke, oh god my heart feels froze... i wanna call names... i wanna throw things around.. but no bar can buy forgiveness.. another round...

5. alone again, naturally (gilbert o’ sullivan) -- the synonym of absolute tragedy in the music dictionary, this is about a guy who's going to kill himself by jumping off from a tower after being left in the altar and his parents dying.

killer lines: climbing to the top to throw myself off, in an effort to make it clear to whoever what it’s like when you’re shattered....where people are saying, “my god, that’s tough she stood him up...” leaving me to doubt all about god and his mercy for if he really does exist why did he desert me?

6. at seventeen (janis ian) -- i didn’t even experience the rejection that is described in this song, but i still feel depressed. a bittersweet commentary about alienation and antiestablishment, janis ian got me at her first line.

killer lines: i learned the truth at seventeen, that love was meant for beauty queens... and those of us with ravaged faces lacking in the social graces, desperately remained at home, inventing lovers on the phone... remember those who win the game, lose the love they sought to gain.

7. brick (ben folds five) -- a narrative about a guy accompanying his girlfriend to get an abortion, this song “hits a note.”

killer lines: now that i have found someone, i’m feeling more alone than i ever have before....she’s a brick and i’m drowning slowly off the coast and i’m headed nowhere... driving home to her apartment, for a moment we’re alone.. she’s alone, i’m alone... now i know it..

8. on my own (eponine) -- the song that made les miserables more accessible to people, since it probably became a hit faster than the novel ever did. victor hugo would be proud.

killer lines: i love him but everyday i’m lonely.. all my life, i’ve only been pretending... without me, his world will go on turning....

9. the river (bruce springsteen) -- i always need my cigarettes when i listen to this song. carefully researched down to the most minute details such as the changes in the verb tense, this song is my national anthem that i have to play every morning. i keep my earphones pressed to my ear to relish the grief of springsteen’s quixotic attempts to overcome hardships and revive his failing marriage. a sad tale about youthful aspirations, loss, and the death of all hope, the word haunting doesn’t even come close.

killer lines: the entire lyrics.