Music has long been used to evoke various feelings, and sad music is no exception. From classical instrumental pieces and pop tunes with emotional lyrics to movie scores that depict sorrowful scenes, some of the most unforgettable music has a sad tone that makes its mark in our minds and hearts.
Researchers conducted an experiment that used 10-second clips of both happy and sad music, in order to observe their effect on participants’ brain activity. Their results revealed higher centralization within the Deep Memory Network for sad music than for happy music.
Elgar’s Enigma Variations
Elgar’s Enigma Variations have long set a standard of orchestral elegance, yet their music becomes even more profound when considered through its deeper context of what the composer meant by depicting mysterious “friends within.” Andrew Moodie has deciphered one variation, Nimrod (depicting a powerful hunter), to refer specifically to August Jaeger who worked at Elgar’s publisher’s office during times of depression – it could also represent Dorabella who could represent Elgar’s stepmother Dorabella or even more generalized “Rule Britannia”.
On first hearing this piece, you might mistakenly perceive it as a series of musical portraits rather than hidden messages. The sway of string phrases and how they blend with the theme sets an immediate mood; its first variation especially, where harpsichord’s poise creates an aura of grandeur and nobility.
Elgar famously cautioned others not to deviate too far from his score when performing it, yet took considerable liberties in terms of tempos himself. Sir Mark Elder’s live recording with the Halle Orchestra from 2002 is an outstanding benchmark performance of this work; it blends nobility, sensitivity and an impressive clarity perfectly while showing great precision with regards to tempo adjustments in variations I, III, VIII & X as well as avoiding any potential congestion during its dense finale.
Oliver Stone’s Platoon
Oliver Stone’s 1986 war film Platoon won him an Academy Award as Best Picture, marking a turning point in his filmmaking career and giving rise to one of his major works: semi-autobiographic, drawing upon Stone’s personal experiences during Vietnam. While difficult and heartbreaking at times, Platoon also captures the extraordinary upsurge in community spirit that followed the terrorist attacks of September 11.
Charlie Sheen (portrayed by Tom Cruise ) is the protagonist of this movie who struggles to balance his love for his family with his desire to become a movie star. Enlisting in the military out of strong patriotic sentiment and also as a means of rebelling against an uptight family life was part of his plan; and providing an important rite-of-passage experience through military service.
This film is an intense Freudian Family Romance about men, with each father figure representing an opposing lifestyle choice for Sheen’s character to choose between: Elias’ pot-smoking, immoral approach (which attempts to temper violence when possible) or Harris’ strict and uptight ways of keeping his men safe.
Puccini’s La Boheme
Puccini’s La Boheme is a riveting melodrama about bohemian life in Paris that brings audiences on an exhilarating musical rollercoaster ride. His genius as an composer is evident as he skillfully blends Verdi drama with Debussy impressionism while simultaneously maintaining a distinctively Puccini identity; especially Mimi and Rodolfo’s arias offer passionate romanticism while hinting at exoticism that would become prevalent later on in his later operas.
Puccini was heavily influenced by Henri Murger’s Scenes from Real Life in Bohemia, yet its true source lies with him personally. The plot and characters draw upon his experiences while studying in Milan with future composer Pietro Mascagni as his roommate.
Rodolfo and Mimi, two young poets who fall deeply in love but must face an unfortunate destiny, form one of opera’s enduring works, while their iconic arias Si, mi chiamano Mimi and Che gelida manina remain part of modern romantic songs.
As such, the opera has become an essential element of operatic repertoire and regularly featured at major opera houses around the world. Furthermore, its influence extends far beyond the stage – its boy meets girl plot was an inspiration for Jonathan Larson’s Broadway musical Rent. Overall, Rent is an opera worth seeing for any music lover!
Bob Dylan’s Spanish Boots
Dylan’s “Boots of Spanish Leather” captures sadness with poetry and profound emotions like few songs have before it. This haunting ballad enumerates her broken heart in heartbreaking lyrics; one of the most emotive tracks about breakups ever composed in popular music history. Sinead O’Connor brought her signature soaring vocals to this rendition to bring it all home for listeners.
The song opens with a woman writing to her lover asking what he wants and receiving a melancholic reply that all he requires is for her safe return. However, as the song progresses she becomes increasingly concerned for her safety until writing that she may never return at all – eventually asking him to keep some of her boots for when she does return – ultimately receiving only his sad reply “Boots of Spanish Leather.”
This gorgeously sad song captured my interest with its repeating acoustic guitar rhythm and poetic device known as masculine rhyme, adding depth and dimension to Dylan’s lyrics. It marked his transition into his folk troubadour phase after writing such protest songs as ‘Times Are A-Changin’ and ‘Another Side.’ Additionally, its use is noteworthy as an early instance of Dylan using this poetic device to add greater dimension and complexity to his lyrics.
Tom Waits’ Small Change
Tom Waits’ Small Change paints an ominous picture of skid row, filled with stories of broken dreams and characters who find themselves lost in darkness. It features songs about drug addiction, alcoholism and depression – an album which will linger with listeners long after listening.
On this album, Tom Waits is joined by an exceptional jazz trio consisting of tenor saxophonist Lew Tabackin, bassist Jim Hughart and drummer Shelly Manne. Tom’s distinctive sound can be found here; his voice possesses both whiskey- and cigarette-stained tones while his singing style draws heavily upon Louis Armstrong-inspired techniques – creating his distinctive signature sound.
While much of the music on this record is dark, there are several songs with an amusing twist, like Pasties & A G-string which features humorous lines from Waits about burlesque dancers (Crawling on her belly/Shaking like jelly/I’m getting harder then Chinese algebra).
This album by Tom Waits marks a fantastic work by an artist at risk of succumbing to humanity’s depravities, before transitioning towards more sophisticated minimalism on later releases. A must-listen for all Tom Waits fans!
Otis Redding’s “Fatalism”
Stax Legend Otis Redding’s heartrending song from 1969 epitomizes all sad music; its mournful melody conveys acceptance of life’s hardship. A simple acoustic arrangement complemented with muted Booker T organ and mournful vocal hook is enough to bring tears. Cover versions have included Natalie Imbruglia and Wu-Tang Clan among others.
As most songs on our list are songs of sorrow and resignation, it seems fitting to include one from Tchaikovsky’s La Boheme fourth movement as the epitome. Recounting Mimi’s tragic end when she is murdered before Rodolfo, this orchestral work captures regret, sadness, and resignation – an ideal representation of young love’s tragic end.
Damon Albarn is an expert at depicting human emotion through music, and in this stripped-back country ballad he masterfully captures the agonisingly slow process of ending a relationship. With powerful vocals and lyrics such as ‘acid, booze and ass, needles guns and grass’ – one of the most emotive songs ever written about loss ever.