Sinead O’Connor’s performance captures tragedy through pop music.
Merle Haggard brings an edge of toughness to his sentimentality in this 1967 tune about a San Quentin death row inmate, thanks to his raspy vocals which help lend authenticity.
Townes Van Zandt
Townes Van Zandt was an independent country troubadour who forded his own path outside of Gram Parsons and Bob Dylan, creating beautiful ballads about heartbreak and regret that have since become classics. A darkly romantic figure who also enjoyed lighthearted pranks and being hopelessly idealistic, his unique voice and songwriting has earned him worldwide respect and cemented him as one of Texas’s premier songwriters of our time; his songs echo with feelings such as love and longing, freedom versus confinement, compassion versus anger that we all relate to at some level or another.
This album includes eight thrilling live recordings from a Berlin club performance and three studio sessions of Van Zandt at his best as an expressive singer and expert guitarist – an indisputable testament to his timeless talent.
“Marie,” a darkly beautiful folk song that mournfully addresses lost love, will remain in your head long after this record has ended playing. Also notable: “Lover’s Lullaby,” featuring its haunting melody and Booker T organ work; and “When the Room Is Quiet and Daylight is Gone,” featuring Van Zandt’s emotive slide guitar solo.
Jeanene Van Zandt was Townes’s wife until his death in 1997 and remains his ardent advocate for reissuing his work. She believes the success of O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack and Buena Vista Social Club show there is still an audience for eclectic music. Jeanene plans for releases to spread over years rather than months to ensure maximum exposure of his material; her ultimate goal being recouping any back royalties owed her by Tomato Records.
The Shangri-Las
The Shangri-Las were one of the earliest girl groups to truly dominate melodramatic teenage pop music in the early 1960s. Comprised of sisters Mary and Betty Weiss as well as identical twins Marge and Mary Ann Ganser, their hit songs explored parental rebellion, emotional turmoil, skin-tight leather outfits dancing onstage performances as they delivered heartbreaking tales of love lost and sorrow while projecting an image as tough-girl performers that set them apart from other girl group packs.
Leiber and Stoller signed them to their Red Bird record label while still minors in 1964, where they released several independent singles before drawing the notice of George “Shadow” Morton who requested that they record his song Remember (Walkin’ in the Sand). Its melancholy ballad combined cinematic sounds such as seagull cries and drumbeats with haunting piano chords reminiscent of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata as well as mournful lead vocals to convey an end of love affair; its release was an astounding success, peaking within five charts in America alone!
After their success, The Shangri-Las enjoyed additional hit singles before disbanding in the late 60s – yet their legacy lives on today: every girl group from Little Mix to Spice Girls have drawn inspiration from The Shangri-Las’ style; rockers such as Blondie and New York Dolls even named The Shangri-Las as an influence; while artists such as Lana Del Rey and Amy Winehouse have been inspired by The Shangri-Las’ distinctive look.
Otis Redding
Otis Redding (19 September 1941 – 10 December 1967) was one of the greatest soul stylists ever. He inspired numerous artists during his short life and is widely considered to be the father of modern soul music.
Redding was born and raised in Macon, Georgia and first made his name singing with Johnny Jenkins’ Pinetoppers, an influential regional band. Later he performed two of his original songs at a Stax recording session in Memphis – one called “These Arms of Mine” which helped launch his career and attract an executive and manager who believed in Redding’s talents.
Redding worked tirelessly to establish himself. He traveled widely and performed for both black and white audiences alike; always making an effort to connect on an intimate level with both. Redding’s efforts paid off, his performances becoming electrifying.
MASH contains this heartrending ballad about a woman leaving her lover to return to her family, which captures a powerful depiction of a relationship on its final leg. With lyrics like “Sorry seems to be the hardest word” evoking feelings of regret for wronging their partner, this song delivers an emotionally charged performance.
John Lennon wrote the melody and most of the lyrics while Bernie Taupin added finishing touches for this haunting ballad, telling a powerful tale about couples struggling to survive their broken relationship and experiencing loneliness, fear and vulnerability as they try to stay together. With its catchy chorus vocal hook and muted Booker T organ work from Booker T himself – this timeless classic remains relevant today.
Ol’ Dec
Slow rock ballads offered an air of melancholic nostalgia during this era, usually depicting heartbreak, loss or death and often performed by female vocalists with beautiful singing voices. These sad songs can help lift one’s spirits when feeling down; some tunes may even bring tears to one’s eyes.
The Cure, Manic Street Preachers and Slowdive have given this genre its signature sound with their slow emotional songs that feature poetic lyrics set to soothing music that are easy on the ears – yet catchy at the same time.
What were the saddest songs from the 1980s? Attempts at narrowing this list down to five were futile as so many great choices exist; nevertheless, here are a few notable candidates:
This emotive country tune from Joe Tex depicts a husband walking through an empty home after his wife has left, moaning and wailing in the background rendering it somber and heartbreaking. One of the saddest country songs of all time. Not simply about loneliness but being abandoned by someone you care for too – classic in every sense! You will never forget this song by Joe Tex; its heartbreaking lyrics will make you cry every time! This heartbreaking classic by numerous artists including Frank Sinatra has long been recorded and recorded several times; making its listeners weep each time! Joe Tex has created something very touching with “The Teardrop Song.” You won’t forget this classic! You will never forget its words making sure of it!
Wendy Rene
Few sad songs are as moving as this country ballad about an eternal love that ended tragically. The voice of its narrator echoes with sadness like that caused their demise, while its lyrics touch upon anyone who has experienced betrayal by love.
Rene is perhaps best-known from her dance-pop cover by Lykke Li in 1991; but others are discovering a deeper appreciation for its origins as originally recorded by Memphis soulstress Mary Frierson under the name Wendy Storm in 1964 at Memphis Soulstress Otis Redding protege Mary Frierson of Otis Redding protegee Otis Redding protege Mary Frierson before auditioning at Stax Records, singing as Wendy Rene. Covers by everyone from Lykke Li to Psychic TV have covered it many times over its history!
Sinead O’Connor’s version of this iconic song takes it one step further; her sublime vocal performance erupts with sorrow while layers of weeping synth strings create an almost unbearable soundscape – making this one of the most effective and heartfelt mournful songs to reach #1 on any chart in decades!