Melodic misery

The new book "I hate myself and want to die : the 52 most depressing songs you've ever heard" by Tom Reynolds, details what Tom considers songs 'I don't want to remember, but am unable to forget'. The book has already evoked argument here, on what is a depressing song (The 'Edmund Fitzgerald' gets another run).


I agree with some:
At seventeen - Janis Ian includes her explanation of the song
The river - Bruce Springsteen though I consider "Glory Days" sad too, to say nothing for "The streets of Philadelphia"
The Rose - Bette Midler is sad while the crosses on the video more so, the words are even written on a gravestone in Horsham cemetery
In the year 2525 - Zager & Evans
Comfortably numb - Pink Floyd a gloomy and gross filmclip.

But what about these ten not making the list -
Ballad of Lucy Jordan - Marianne Faithfull sad for Lucy and Marianne both
Hallelujah - Jeff Buckley more poignant because he drowned aged 31 a couple of years after this.
Brothers in arms - Dire Straits
I don't like Mondays - Boomtown Rats
Tears in heaven - Eric Clapton or this Choirboys version
Don't know why - Norah Jones any soulful jazz/blues tune really
Everybody hurts - REM the filmclip doesn't help
Funeral for a friend/Love lies bleeding - Elton John, or "Song for Guy"
Never tear us apart - INXS for Michael Hutchence, and Prague & the gravestones.
A tale they won't believe - Weddings Parties Anything looked for "Infanticide of Marie Farrar" but couldn't find it, but cannibalism isn't much better.
Ooopps make that 11 there's Where the wild roses grow - Nick Cave & Kylie

Before any suicidal tendencies emerge listen to Always look on the bright side of life - Monty Python it's not all bad!

Will endeavour to find some happy music next.