LAME-OH

I read an article this morning about a scientist in England who researched and found out the saddest songs ever.

Using a shortlist compiled by the Official UK Charts Company, he measured their “tune trigger quotient” measuring heart rate, respiratory response and skin temperature to find the saddest, happiest and most exhilarating tracks.

Well, not surprisingly to me, he found that The Verve’s “The Drugs Don’t Work” as the saddest of all songs. Apparently this song is not about drug use, but about the singer’s dying father. Damn! Now it’s almost unlistenable! This song was a atom bomb of sadness before, but now…

So I thought I would come up with a quick list of songs, that for whatever magical reason and combination of chords and gut-wrenching lyrics, are my favorite sad songs. Luckily, my heartbroken days are a thing of the past (knock wood), but I still love a sad song.

1. Walking on a Wire - Richard and Linda Thompson
This one has the twist of being written, recorded and performed while their actual marriage was falling apart.

2. Lost Cause - Beck
Another sad relationship-ending song. What a terrible thing to have to decide someone’s a lost cause. We’ve all done it.

3. Drugs Don’t Work - The Verve
Pain! Real pain!

4. Persuasion - Richard Thompson
Maybe just saying “I don’t know what to do” a lot helps you feel sad. Also the evil-beautiful guitar melody.

5. She Smiled Sweetly - The Rolling Stones
Don’t all these songs have a similar melodical quality? I wish a musicologist would figure it out for me. The chord progression of devastaion!

6. Dimming of the Day by Richard and Linda Thompson
Drowning in tears, being left alone, needing, longing. You know, the usual.

7. So Cruel by U2
I think I like the sad songs where people get called out. You, you’re cruel! And I wrote a song about it.

8. I’m a Dreamer and Who Knows Where the Time Goes? by Sandy Denny
A famously drepressed lady.

9. Strange Affair by Linda Thompson
This one uses the phrase, “They’re prisoners of death now, and taken far from me.” Jeez.

10. This is to Mother You by Sinead O’Connor
She calls the person “sweet bird” !

12. Wild Horses sung by The Sundays
For some reason, this version is more touching to me.

13. Kathy’s Song by Paul Simon.
Written in super-depresso mode. “I know that I’m like the rain.” and “I don’t know why I spend my time writing songs I can’t believe.” wow. Gorgeous song, the melodrama works.

14. No Time To Cry by Iris Dement
My mom once told me this song was exactly how she felt when her dad died. I can think of that and the song and burst into tears instantly.

Whew, it’s nothing like a good cry over a sad song. But, if you’re as bummed out as I am now from these songs, you’ll need this to perk you back up! Maybe tomorrow, i’ll do my favorite happy songs.

1. Feist - Mushaboom
Mushaboom is a town in Canada. You gotta read the lyrics. Also, see the video here.

2. Let the Mystery Be - Iris Dement
Buncha carrots and little sweet peas.