Studies conducted by researchers have indicated that those experiencing depression often prefer sadder music. The 1970s offered a wealth of emotional ballads featuring intricate lyrics with powerful narratives.
Written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, this song portrays a love on the brink of dissolution, with its iconic line “Sorry seems to be the hardest word” reflecting feelings of loss and regret.
Nothing Compares 2 U by Sinead O’Connor
One tear, slowly rolling down singer Sinead O’Connor’s face – that small moment was the catalyst of an extraordinary music video created by director John Maybury that mesmerised millions when released early 1990. Maybury’s video features almost exclusively close-up shots on O’Connor shaven head and shoulders shot against black. What made Maybury’s video such an effective vehicle was its simplicity: an almost unnerved close-up on O’Connor shot against black was the key ingredient.
Universal Mother, she released a single that’s hard to pin down as its subject: does it refer to love lost, abuse experienced as a child or simply growing older? Uncertainty lies at its core – part of its enduring beauty.
Johnny Mandel – who composed The Who’s MASH theme song – also penned this spine-tingling ballad. Boasting an atmospheric and unnerving background provided by several synthesisers and emotive, yet introverted crooning from Johnny himself, it addresses loss of youthful innocence as a heartbreaker; whether that means separation or simply mourning personal losses it hits hard and stays with us all.
Shivers by Nick Cave
This classic song from the 1980s is an exquisite representation of loss. Although never explicitly discussing tragedy, its lyrics nonetheless hint at feelings of isolation and loneliness. Additionally, its emotive melodic structure allows listeners to interpret it according to their personal experiences with heartbreak.
Rowland S Howard first composed Shivers when he was only sixteen, intending it as an amusing song. But after The Boys Next Door recorded and performed it live with Nick Cave singing lead vocals, the original comical lyrics became melancholic ballad lyrics instead.
Shivers has become one of Australia’s beloved cult songs. Since its original release, this tune has been covered by many artists – such as Screaming Jets and Julia Jacklin – delivering its powerful message of sorrow and longing through its guitar chords, soft piano melody, lyrics that convey regret, guilt, regrettance, sadness. Shivers is truly one of Australia’s enduring anthems from the 1980s!
‘Holocaust’ by Big Star
A classic example of heartbreak, loss and depression songs, this tune from David Gilmour features relatable lyrics and melancholic melodies that have made it an audience favourite for millions. His poetry captures his state of mind while his vocals sing their sorrow eloquently through every note played on saxophone solo and with David Gilmour’s voice filling the room with sorrowful lamentations.
Big Star’s melancholic track “Heartbreakingly Beautiful” is an emotionally moving ballad about unrequited love and lost innocence, featuring catchy melodies and haunting vocals to make the song an instant classic among power-pop and melodic rock fans alike. Featured on popular television series Such ’70s Show and covered by many artists.
Big Star was an American rock band established in 1971 in Memphis by guitarist/vocalist Chris Bell, bassist Andy Hummel and drummer Jody Stephens. Although managed by Stax Records, their first two albums did not achieve much commercial success due to negative reviews; lead singer Alex Chilton died shortly before Radio City’s release.
‘Past Present and Future’ by The Shangri-Las
The Shangri-Las were among the best girl groups at expressing sixties female teen angst. Their repertoire is an endless source of doomed love, heartbreak and motorbike crashes; no song stirred my emotions more than “Past Present and Future,” an achingly sad ballad about a man clinging onto a woman he loves even as she throws herself away on another. Mary Weiss made this tragedy all too real through her subtle vocal crooning.
Country song of death and longing from one of its finest songwriters. You cannot fail to feel an overwhelming sadness every time you listen, which explains why Johnny Cash included it among his top five sad country songs. Yet its music remains breathtaking; an aching acoustic guitar and John Prine’s signature raspy voice add an authentic atmosphere.
‘Enjoy the Silence’ by Basildon
Tom Waits’ sublime piano motif combined with his dulcet voice make this song an instant tearjerker; further compounding its emotional intensity as it serves as a breakup ballad.
Synthpop superstars Depeche Mode often tread a fine line between sleaze and sadness in their iconic album Violator; this cut from that record does just that. But behind its tranquil ballad of satisfaction is an intricate narrative: words may be harsh but often offer us only way of expressing what’s hurting inside ourselves.
This song has become so iconic that there are entire discussion forums dedicated to its bassline alone. Furthermore, this was Martin Gore’s first real guitar song since Depeche Mode were predominantly known for their synth arrangements at that time. Perhaps this is due to its theme being about mourning the loss of a close friend while also remembering to maintain one’s individual identity; such is its significance as an emotive reminder about friendship and identity preservation.
‘Falklands’ by Ol’ Dec
Ol’ Dec released this bleak piano ballad about the Falklands War at an unlikely moment, yet his stunning vocal perfectly captured their desperation as they lay dying. Paired with bass that sounds like lumbering timber hulls, the resultant tune proved very powerful indeed.
Glen Campbell’s rendition of Jimmy Webb’s heartbreak ballad remains the definitive take. Filled with heartache and despair, the song captures perfectly how much lost love there can be throughout a lifetime – something covered by artists from Natalie Imbruglia to The Corrs and Psychic TV alike.
Townes Van Zandt was one of the premier country sad singers of the ’70s, known for writing an impressive body of heartbreaking ballads such as this early effort by Townes. A poignant tale of drug dependency, loss and heartache – it stands as Townes’ most emotive song ever. Later featured in Oscar-winning documentary Heartworn Highways as an anthem for lives that have gone wrong.
‘Misery’ by Wendy Rene
Few songs have captured the power of heartbreak and longing like this one by Nilsson, featuring her emotive vocals that can elicit tears even from those most unaffected, with an instrumental featuring an arresting piano motif that recalls Parisian streets, broken hearts, and the knowledge that she’ll never come back again.
Townes Van Zandt was known for writing some of country’s most emotive heartbreak ballads, from outlaw tragedy ‘Pancho and Lefty’ to folksy melodrama of ‘Tecumseh Valley.’ None were more powerfully emotive than this piece he first composed – its impact still evident today.
Mary Frierson (later changed to Wendy Rene) began her singing career as part of The Drapels, an eight-member gospel quartet led by her brother Johnnie and featuring Wilbur Mondie and Marion Brittenum. Stax Records dismantled them but Wendy Rene continued recording with Booker T and the MG’s; two singles released including this ballad that became a local hit in Memphis were released later on; unfortunately none charted commercially before she retired shortly afterwards.
‘Wish You Were Here’ by Pink Floyd
Wish You Were Here was released as the opening track on their ninth studio album as a tribute to former band member Syd Barrett who had become an unrecognizable shell at that time due to weight issues preventing him from fitting into the studio and his inability to connect with people around him, contributing heavily to his mental breakdown and eventual departure seven years earlier from the group.
“Pink Floyd fans may have long loved “This Beautiful World,” but its melancholy depths appeal to more than just them. Dance-pop troupe Saint Etienne made it even more poignant by covering it jauntier in 1991 while The Corrs and Psychic TV also covered it as well as many others who have gone through heartbreak.” Regardless, its timeless lyrics remain relevant today and continue to touch many lives who’ve experienced loss or hurt themselves in some way.
No matter the circumstances surrounding their breakup, loss, or career failure – this song’s powerful messages will likely resonated with people all over the globe.