what are the most saddest songs you have ever heard?

Some great choices so far, especially 'Not Dark Yet' and 'He stopped lover her today'. But i'm going to go with 'color blind' by the Counting Crows. That Melody is haunting.

No mention of "Somber Reptiles" by Brian Eno? They're REALLY somber.

I tip my hat to you, sir.

I am enjoying reading this thread, because music speaks to each of us differently, depending on our age and stage of life, what we are exposed to in our current environment, and what we have gone through (or in this case, struggled with) in our own lives. So here's a few to add to the mix, mostly from the Country genre, that usually tear me up a bit.

* Concrete Angel - Martina McBride

* Whiskey Lullaby - Brad Paisley, Alison Krauss

* Ghost in This House - Alison Krauss

* Top of the World - Dixie Chicks

* Travelin' Soldier - Dixie Chicks

* A Place to Fall Apart - Merle Haggard

* Daddy, Don't You Walk So Fast - Wayne Newton

* A Good Year for the Roses - George Jones/Alan Jackson

* So Lonesome I Could Cry - Hank Williams, Sr.

I agree with many of the previous choices as well, this is just adding to the mix.

I don't know if I'd call it the saddest, but I don't think "Tears in Heaven" by Eric Clapton has been mentioned yet, and it's pretty much obligatory for this, given its context.

Other than that:

"Adagio in G Minor" -- Albinoni/Giazotto

"My Father's House" -- Bruce Springsteen (most of Nebraska could qualify, really)

Springsteen --Streets of Philadelphia. Makes my throat get tight when i hear it.

"Ice ice baby".

Jackie Brown by John Mellencamp.

Is this your life, Jackie Brown?

Poorly educated and forced to live

on the poor side of town.

Is this your daughter, Jackie Brown?

This pretty little girl

In the worn out clothes

That have been hand-me down.

Is this your wife, Jackie Brown?

With sad blue eyes, walking on eggshells

so you don't see her frown.

Is this your family, Jackie Brown?

Dream of vacationing on a mountain stream

And giving the world more than it gave you.

What ugly truths freedom brings

And it hasn't been very kind to you.

Is this your life, Jackie Brown?

Is this your meal, Jackie Brown?

Barely enough, I've seen people throw

away more than this out.

Is this your home, Jackie Brown?

This three room shack

With no running water

And the bathroom out back.

Is this your grave, Jackie Brown?

This little piece of limestone that

says another desperate man took

himself out.

Is this your dream, Jackie Brown?

Going nowhere and nowhere fast

We shame ourselves to watch people like this live.

But who gives a damn about Jackie Brown?

Just another lazy man who couldn't take what was his.

One helluva life Jackie Brown.

Forevermore, Jackie Brown

Amen and amen - Jackie Brown?

When I'm gone at my grave you'll stand

God called home his ramblin man.

black - pearl jam.

"Dance with My Father" Luther Vandross

i love bison burgers wrote:

Harry Chapin- Cat in the Cradle

SONDAD wrote:

Yes. This is the first one that popped into my mind. Other songs may be sad, but there is something really depressing about the realistic factor, and the fact that they were never really close, that their relationship was a lifelong thing wasted in a way. Ugh. Amazing song though.

What about this one?

"What's Become of the Broken Hearted" - Jimmy Ruffin

Met my old lover in the grocery store

The snow was falling christmas eve

I stole behind her in the frozen foods

And I touched her on the sleeve

She didnt recognize the face at first

But then her eyes flew open wide

She went to hug me and she spilled her purse

And we laughed until we cried.

We took her groceries to the checkout stand

The food was totalled up and bagged

We stood there lost in our embarrassment

As the conversation dragged.

We went to have ourselves a drink or two

But couldnt find an open bar

We bought a six-pack at the liquor store

And we drank it in her car.

We drank a toast to innocence

We drank a toast to now

And tried to reach beyond the emptiness

But neither one knew how.

She said shed married her an architect

Who kept her warm and safe and dry

She would have liked to say she loved the man

But she didnt like to lie.

I said the years had been a friend to her

And that her eyes were still as blue

But in those eyes I wasnt sure if I saw

Doubt or gratitude.

She said she saw me in the record stores

And that I must be doing well

I said the audience was heavenly

But the traveling was hell.

We drank a toast to innocence

We drank a toast to now

And tried to reach beyond the emptiness

But neither one knew how.

We drank a toast to innocence

We drank a toast to time

Reliving in our eloquence

Another auld lang syne...

The beer was empty and our tongues were tired

And running out of things to say

She gave a kiss to me as I got out

And I watched her drive away.

Just for a moment I was back at school

And felt that old familiar pain

And as I turned to make my way back home

The snow turned into rain --

Gillian Welch - Annabelle

Patty Griffin - Making Pies

Lara's Theme, DR ZHIVAGO

:)

Pretty much any Joy Division song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrzGpVOPcTI&feature=related

If we're gonna mention "Streets of Philadelphia" by Springsteen, we have to mention "Philadelphia" by Neil Young from the same movie, which is a far more emotionally devastating song.

Dirty Old Town - Pogues