Emmylou Harris wrote two of my tearjerker songs. Both amazing and so sad.
Red Dirt Girl, and Boulder to Birmingham.
Deference for Darkness - Halo 3 ODST Soundtrack
Marrow by 36 Crazyfists
Mad World - specifically the Gary Jules version. Even Tears For Fears like what he did with it.
The Gary Jules cover of Mad World, for the Donnie Darko soundtrack.
Similarly, the original song by Tears for Fears sounds really upbeat and happy, but you’d never know it was a sad song unless you paid attention to the lyrics. I love both versions!
Agreed, in a similar vein I am reminded of Dear God by XTC.
Hurt by Johnny Cash.
As much as I admire and respect Johnny Cash, I prefer the original bij Nine Inch Nails . Paging /c/unpopularopinion
The different renditions tell slightly different stories IMO. There’s also a very fine bardcore version by Hildegard von Blingin’ that changes it to the story of a regretful immortal by only altering maybe 20% of the lines. I like all three versions for different reasons.
The National - About Today
Radiohead - Pyramid Song
Sufjan Stevens - Carrie & Lowell (album)
Jolene as covered by Jack White. Dolly Parton singing it is also great, but to me it comes off as just another country song about infidelity. When Jack White covers it, it seems to take on a whole other perspective, but I guess that also depends on the listener too and what they project onto it.
"Somewhere Out There " from American Tail
Blonde Redhead, “For the Damaged”
“Last Kiss” the Pearl Jam version
And honorable mention to:
“The Last Remaining Light” by Audioslave
Amanda Palmer’s The Bed Song (YT link)
Lately I get got by Rise Against’s People Live Here (YT link)
There are a lot. I have a long playlist called “mope” But the first song that came to mind is:
“Blue Valentine” by Tom Waits. https://youtu.be/wsw0aWXufqM
Oldie but Goldie & the saddest song I’ve ever heard: Gilbert O’Sullivan - Alone Again (Naturally)
Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day
