Top 50 Sad Songs From the 60s 70s

sad songs 60s 70s

When life gives you the blues, a good song can often lift your spirits. From R&B tearjerkers to 12-bar blues to indie rock bummer jams, these 50 songs offer comforting assurance that you are not alone and offer a sympathetic shoulder for crying on.

The Beatles may be best known for their upbeat pop songs, but they also had some truly poignant material to offer. Here are some of their most melancholic tracks.

1. The Beatles – With a Little Help From My Friends

The Beatles are one of the world’s most successful bands, with numerous hit singles that reached number one on Billboard Hot 100. While some of these songs have become iconic classics, there were other gems from The Beatles that didn’t chart but still resonate with audiences.

This song is an ideal example of that sentiment. It’s about finding a friend who will stand by you no matter what comes your way. With rich vocal harmonies and simple arrangements, the track has a warm and grounded feeling.

John Lennon and Paul McCartney composed Bad Finger Boogie specifically for Ringo Starr to sing. It was originally titled Bad Finger Boogie and served as the final composition the Beatles recorded for their Sgt Pepper album, released in March 1967.

On March 29th, 1967, Ringo Starr recorded “My World” at EMI Studio Two with guitarist George Harrison playing a tambourine and singing backing vocals. It was only after this session that Ringo could complete his lead vocal for the song which Lennon and McCartney had written several years prior.

Hunter Davies’ 1968 biography The Beatles’ Authorized Biography recounted the making of “Beatles’ Corner”, including how Lennon and McCartney created its lyrics with input from everyone around them – even Lennon’s first wife Cynthia!

On March 31st, 1967 George Martin, Geoff Emerick and Richard Lush created the mono mix for “Beatles’ song “Revolution” at EMI Studio Two after fifteen attempts before they were satisfied with the result.

2. Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here

Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here is a timeless classic in rock music, exploring themes such as death, loneliness and isolation. It was the title track from their 1975 album that cemented its place as one of rock music’s all-time greats.

Roger Waters and David Gilmour wrote their debut album together as a team, expressing their shared grief over Syd Barrett’s passing. While most songs featured just the songwriters individually, ‘Wish You Were Here’ marked an exception where both worked on music and lyrics together – with Gilmour providing the iconic opening guitar riff that became part of the timeless classic.

The opening chord progression, played on a 12-string acoustic guitar, is processed to sound as though it’s coming from a car stereo before the distant sound of another guitar enters the mix. This guitar has more dynamic range than its counterpart and echoes Syd Barrett’s presence within the band’s soundscape.

After this, vocals take a slow and steady tempo, almost behind the guitar’s pulse. A slide guitar rises and falls in pitch, conjuring up images of rock music from the sixties.

The instrumental interludes are captivating, featuring a nod to slide guitar – an influence which would be explored more frequently on future Pink Floyd albums. The song serves as an excellent example of how groups can craft powerful songs by adding different instruments in order to set the mood rather than simply relying on acoustic guitars alone.

3. Nirvana – Under the Bridge

On a bad day, having the right song can help lift your spirits. Nirvana’s classic “Black Album” is no exception and certainly fits that bill.

Nevermind, the band’s sophomore album, reigned for a time as it captured the emotions of human anxiety and depression. Kurt Cobain’s vocals varied from clean and smooth to rough and distorted, with lyrics that addressed both anger and grief.

Although many have since followed in its footsteps, The album remains one of the great rock albums ever. It is an intense declaration of human emotion that perfectly captured its time and continues to be revered even 20 years later.

This album is essential for fans of grunge and alternative rock, but it also boasts some superb pop songs – particularly “Under the Bridge,” which became a hit in its own right and helped launch Nirvana’s career.

This song was inspired by Cobain’s own life experiences and tells a tale about sleeping under a bridge. While this may or may not be accurate, Cobain has an incredible knack for painting vivid metaphors based on his own experiences.

Cobain’s vocals range from clean and smooth to rough and distorted, while his lyrics are sharp and direct yet vague and fragile. These contrasts created an unforgettable blend of music and emotion – one which continues to be influential today.

4. The Rolling Stones – Time Is on My Side

The Rolling Stones are one of rock & roll’s iconic acts, despite all the controversy they’ve faced throughout their career. Yet they continue to sell out shows worldwide and their music remains as captivating as ever.

This song is about a man who knows that time will eventually come. It’s an emotionally charged track, with lyrics like ‘i love you, i’ll marry you’ that we all hear so often; its unique approach makes it stand out among other love songs.

Mick Jagger wrote “Confident” as a song to express his confidence and plan for his future. It’s an incredibly inspiring tune that you’ll want to listen to over and over again.

In 1964, The Rolling Stones had just begun their US tour when they recorded a cover of Irma Thomas’ iconic song ‘Time Is On My Side’ which reached number six on the Billboard chart.

They remade the song into a completely different style than its original, and it went on to become their breakthrough hit. Unlike their early covers, this version was actually written by them and boasts more substance than most of their other works.

But this wasn’t their original take on the song; originally performed by jazz trombonist Kai Winding and his orchestra with Garnet Mimms’ Enchanters singing on it, though The Stones didn’t record that version.

As such, its history is quite intriguing. Originally released as a B-side that didn’t do particularly well, The Stones decided to rework it as a single and create their own rendition.

5. David Bowie – Lazarus

Bowie spent his final year crafting Lazarus, a musical adaptation of his 1976 sci-fi movie The Man Who Fell to Earth. Directed by Ivo van Hove, it features classic Bowie songs like “Changes,” “All the Young Dudes,” and “Heroes,” alongside several new compositions.

It’s also a musical that will leave some viewers feeling uneasy.

Bowie’s music is moody and experimental, yet still very much in his signature style. He blends rock, jazz and electronica for an intriguing combination.

Though this may sound peculiar, the music is quite captivating to listen to. Danny McCaslin’s saxophone adds a unique touch that really adds something special to this album.

This song contains some strange lyrics and the video also portrays some disturbing images. It’s an eerie and sad tune with plenty of meaning behind it, yet its purpose remains obscure.

This song was the last single David Bowie released before he passed away in January, and many believe that it served as his farewell to the world. Tragically, Bowie passed away on January 10th at 69 years of age.

Bowie had been fighting liver cancer throughout his life, yet he kept it a secret from everyone and did not let anyone know that he was near death. Diagnosed in 2014, Bowie only began showing symptoms two years later in 2016. While it is sad that Bowie has passed away, we can rejoice that this new single has been created to honor his legacy.