Many people enjoy listening to sad songs. Sad tunes help reduce stress and anxiety while providing an outlet to express oneself through reflection on emotions such as ‘Bheegi Bheegi Song’ from Modern Hindi or classics from Lataji can all bring out those warm, fuzzy feelings in you.
Iris by The Goo Goo Dolls
Iris by Goo Goo Dolls has long been one of their signature songs. Written for the 1998 movie City of Angels, the song explores themes of love and sacrifice with its timeless feel that transcends genre and continues to resonate with listeners of all ages and backgrounds – be it as Nicolas Cage’s theme from City of Angels or John Rzeznik’s personal journey reflected within it, it should definitely make its way onto every music lover’s playlist!
The song was composed in April 1998 for inclusion on their sixth album Dizzy Up the Girl and quickly became a massive success, topping Billboard Hot 100 airplay chart for 18 weeks while also reaching #1 on Modern Rock Tracks and Adult Top 40 charts. Furthermore, it received Grammy nominations for Record and Song of Year respectively (both awards went to Celine Dion’s My Heart Will Go On).
Rzeznik didn’t initially think the film was very good, but was moved by Nicolas Cage’s performance as an angel who gives up immortality for love. Furthermore, the movie stirred deep emotions within him that inspired him to write beautiful music compositions.
Rzeznik wanted the song to stand out from others by using his own guitar tuning method – which involves altering each string until they are almost entirely flat – as well as an unconventional harmonic structure which resulted in haunting, melancholy notes. His choice of name “Iris” comes from Greek mythological figure Iris who is often depicted as a rainbow messenger who symbolises hope and connection; her name perfectly sums up how emotionally vulnerable this song can be.
Sad! by XXXTENTACION
Whether it’s your rough day, or grieving for someone dear, music can provide much-needed comfort. From Tellier’s haunting piano keys to the bass lines from Mark Bedford (ska bassist), there are numerous ways of experiencing its emotions in this song – whether that’s dealing with heartbreak from recent relationships, or remembering those we have lost through death; this tune will have you reaching for tissues!
Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy, more commonly known by his professional moniker XXXtentacion in Florida-based rap music circles as XXXtentacion was an artist renowned for their controversial private life and subsequent rise to stardom despite the scandal surrounding their private lives. Dropping out of high school after just 10th grade and raising himself with his grandmother after domestic violence incidents and drug use resulted in arrests throughout his early life were hallmarks of success for this prolific rap artist’s rise to stardom despite controversy surrounding his personal life and various personal issues surrounding him – an unlikely success given their early life was marked by domestic violence incidents such as domestic abuse by his ex-partner as well as domestic abuse from her former lover at some time during their youth.
Music by Depeche Mode explored themes of depression, betrayal, and mental anguish. His musical style was distinctive, with emotive delivery and introspective lyrics which resonated with listeners worldwide. Depeche Mode also became a social activist speaking out against mistreatment of minorities.
This song’s original rendition is an emotionally charged tearjerker that captures perfectly the devastation and despondence associated with heartbreak. Cover versions by various artists – Natalie Imbruglia, The Corrs and Psychic TV are just a few that have covered it – have proven its popularity; its melancholic piano chords and sad vocals make this a timeless sad music classic and should form part of every sad music playlist.
I Can’t Breathe by Bob Dylan
No song more famously addresses death than this one from Dylan, an anthem of loss. The lyrics offer a dizzying array of images and ideas from dusty outlaw landscapes in Sam Peckinpah movies to a water moccasin symbolizing lifelong commitment – making for a profound yet dark song full of hopelessness, despair and resilience that has endured through decades. Few songwriters can match Dylan’s unparalleled word power.
Legend has it that during his Blood on the Tracks sessions in New York, Bob Dylan left with an almost finished master that needed just some additional touches before playing it for some trusted confidants who persuaded him that it needed an entire band behind it – resulting in songs with unrivaled depth, fury and mystery on it.
Dylan has written songs addressing every emotion and state of being, including political outrage, spiritual devotion, erotic love, existential ennui and playfulness – to name but a few. However, his ability to illuminate anger remains his most consistently powerful tool – these lyrics from an iconic album capture this feeling perfectly: anger of someone hurt and betrayed by love.
The Bootleg Series shows how much Dylan struggled to find the ideal version of this song. He alternates between rapid strums and flat vocals in search of that special blend of bravado, tenderness, and resigned sorrow – yet his live version in Nara, Japan in 1994 stands out as stunning; giving the song its dramatic swell and ebb it required. Listen as Robbie Robertson (one of the great structural guitarists of his day) demonstrates fills that add texture to overall sound.
Enjoy the Silence by Basildon
The 1990s may have been marked by cheesy Britpop and American rap, but it also produced some truly great singles – such as Depeche Mode’s Enjoy the Silence from 1990. Still popular today and often considered one of the greatest synthpop hits ever written!
This song’s lyrics capture the feeling of isolation associated with depression, while its chorus features a piano with dark chord progressions to create an overall atmosphere of longing and sadness. Therefore, this piece would make an excellent gift to anyone experiencing symptoms of depression or who simply feels isolated in life.
Violator, Depeche Mode’s landmark album from 1991, is widely considered one of its greatest works ever. This record thrust Depeche Mode into prominence within both synthpop and industrial dance music scenes while also mainstreaming alternative sounds into popular consciousness. Furthermore, this single marked an evolution within their sound from Vince Clarke’s New Romantic-influenced approach seen on previous records such as Yazoo and Erasure to darker melancholic themes with singer Dave Gahan taking centre stage.
Anton Corbijn of Netherlands fame was hired to direct their video for this single. Corbijn created an exceptional film featuring Gahan dressed as The Little Prince from Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s 1943 children’s novel of the same name while walking around various countries with a deck chair in hand – beautifully and mesmerising. Additionally, this video offers four remixes; Quad Final Mix and Hands and Feet Mix are worth checking out as well.
Those Spanish Boots by Otis Redding
Otis Ray Redding, known by many as Otis Redding, died at age 26 in a plane crash and was quickly recognized as one of the greatest soul singers of his era. Melody Maker magazine ranked him number one worldwide for live performances; Redding’s performance skills made him stand out, as his renditions could transform an R&B ballad into full-on soul music frenzy! His reach extended far beyond black theatres and Southern night clubs to reach album rock audiences that were shaping popular culture in America; additionally he was one of few rhythm and blues artists able to reach white audiences – something Melody Maker noted when rating Redding number one worldwide for live performances!
He had an exceptional gift for writing songs and was also an exceptional drummer, drawing upon personal experiences to craft emotional-filled tunes that often made the charts. In England, his version of Sam Cooke’s “Respect” became an instantaneous hit; and at Monterey Pop Festival he performed to packed houses.
Redding was married to Zelma Atwood, whom he met while visiting a beauty parlor in Macon. They shared three children together and Redding took great pride in his Macon roots and culture. Additionally, Redding was active in civil rights advocacy – recently receiving recognition by the NAACP in Los Angeles.
Redding was a pioneer for African-American singers who defied taboos of overtly sexualized entertainment among white audiences. His rendition of Rolling Stones’ “Satisfaction” became a massive Pop and R&B hit and cemented his fame. Tragically, Redding died too young; yet his legacy lives on through several albums of singles and unreleased tracks released posthumously.