Guilty Pleasures: Sad Songs Say So Much

Don't worry, I'm not bumming today (except for that Senate vote, grrrr). It's just that we were talking about music at work today, and somehow the Gilbert O'Sullivan song, Alone Again (Naturally) came up.

If you are unfamiliar with the tune, it's probably the single most depressing song ever released. When a song opens with a guy who's so depressed that he might go kill himself later if he feels better, you've hit the sad song jackpot. It was nonetheless a huge hit in the 70s, though many probably weren't listening very closely to the lyrics.

It got me to thinking about sad songs, and what others might be saying about them online. Surprisingly, I couldn't find my vote in any of the lists! I couldn't find the other grand champion, Bonnie Raitt's I Can't Make You Love Me either, and that's a song that could make a sunny optimist open a vein. Here are my votes for saddest songs, along with the tune that provides the title of this post. Get your hankies out. . .





#1 - Alone Again (Naturally) - Gilbert O'Sullivan - Wallowing in self-pity never sounded so 70s smooth.

#2 - I Can't Make You Love Me - Bonnie Raitt - If you've ever been so desperate for love that you'd beg someone who's "not that into you" to pretend for just one night, this is your song.

#3 - Kissing a Fool - George Michael - George's voice was never more flawless, his music so pure as in this song. But it's desperately sad.

#4 - Sad Songs Say So Much - Elton John - Sir Elton explains exactly why we listen to tear-jearker songs in the first place.

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