20 Tragic Songs Because of What We Know Now
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today were looking at songs that became devastating following real-life tragedies.
Juicy (1994)
The Notorious B.I.G.
A classic tale of going from rags to riches, "Juicy" is a song of triumph. However, the Notorious B.I.G.s celebration of his rise to the top after a lifetime of struggle is forever altered by what happened just under three years later. On March 9, 1997, the rapper, born Christopher Wallace, was shot four times while a passenger in a car. He was pronounced dead shortly after, at age 24. In the time since his murder, Biggie has been rightfully regarded as one of the greatest rappers in history. And Juicy is arguably his signature song. But its joy is greatly impacted by what would eventually happen.
A Fond Farewell (2004)
Elliott Smith
Released posthumously after the singer-songwriters tragic death at age 34, Elliott Smiths final album, From a Basement on the Hill, is devastating. Like much of Smiths catalog, it addresses substance use disorder and mental health troubles in ways as poetic as they are painful. On this standout track, Smith reckons with the cost of trying to numb himself through life. But in the chorus, he stresses that his life is not actually his. And titling it A Fond Farewell" makes it especially gut-wrenching. While left our world more than 20 years ago, his craft and unapologetic honesty has kept him in our hearts.
Goodbye to Love (1972)
Carpenters
During their time, the Carpenters were dismissed by elitists as making music that was overly sentimental and insubstantial. But while siblings Karen and Richard Carpenter were promoted with a wholesome, uncomplicated public image, what was happening behind the scenes was far more serious. Karen's issues with her body and eating became clear by the mid-70s, with her gaunt appearance causing concern. More than a decade before she passed, the band recorded Goodbye to Love. While Karen didnt write the lyrics, her singular voice carries every word. Perhaps the most haunting moment of this song comes early when she laments about no one caring whether or not she lives. Though the song might not be directly about her struggles, it doesnt make it any less poignant.
Dreaming of You (1995)
Selena
"The Queen of Tejano Music," Selena Quintanilla-Pérez's legacy has not diminished. Just two years short of her tragic death, a biopic about the artist, starring Jennifer Lopez and made with the cooperation of her family, was released. In the film's closing moments, we hear her moving ballad "Dreaming of You". This is interrupted by news of her murder at the hands of Yolanda Saldívar, president of her fan club. The song continues playing over mourning and images of the real-life singer. Its a conclusion all but guaranteed to make you weep, one that made this track forever an emotional one.
Perfect Circle / God Speed (2015)
Mac Miller
Mac Millers struggles with substance use disorder wasnt a topic he shied away from addressing in his music. In this nearly 8-minute two-parter from his 2015 album, GO:OD AM, Miller talks about concerns over his well-being, including the possibility of his death via overdose. Sadly, thats what happened less than three years later. Beyond the foreboding lyrics, Perfect Circle / God Speed is also a remarkable showcase of Millers talents as an artist and performer. But knowing what was to come, its difficult to appreciate it as a piece of music and not a cry for help.
Rehab (2006)
Amy Winehouse
Another song about an artists struggle to fend off their demons, it was all but impossible to avoid Rehab after it dropped. And the more it was played, the more apparent it was that Amy Winehouse had gone through a lot. A soulful and endlessly catchy song about her refusal to get treatment, Rehab is a testament to Winehouses powerhouse presence. That she could tackle such a complicated subject with such conviction is exactly why she became a global sensation. And the song took home three Grammys, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Though Winehouse did eventually check into a rehab facility in 2008, her challenges persisted. She passed away from alcohol poisoning in 2011, at age 27.
Jeepster (1971)
T. Rex
The second single released from T. Rex's second album, "Jeepster" captures the glam rock legends in top-notch form. Its a hooky song in which frontman Marc Bolan likens himself and the object of his affection to vehicles. If you arent familiar with Bolans story, it might seem like a silly novelty and not much more. Despite the songs carefree vibe, Bolan feared dying in a car accident, and never tried for his license as a result. In 1977, Bolan was a passenger in a car driven by his romantic partner, singer Gloria Jones. She hit a fence post before colliding into a tree, resulting in Bolans death at age 29.
Floating in the Forth (2008)
Frightened Rabbit
As the frontman and primary songwriter of the Scottish indie rock band Frightened Rabbit, Scott Hutchison crafted lyrics so personal and evocative that listening feels like reading someones very private diary. In this intense song from the bands second album, Hutchison talks about contemplating taking his own life, with the title referring to Scotlands River Forth. Tragically, in 2018, Hutchison disappeared and his body was found on the banks of the Firth of Forth, an estuary that the River Forth flowed into. His family later confirmed he had taken his own life, and this song in particular took on even heavier significance.
Wake Me Up (2013)
Avicii
The lyrics and vocals from this global EDM smash come from singer Aloe Blacc, whos uncredited. But even if Swedish DJ Aviciis voice isnt heard during Wake Me Up, his 2018 death added a new layer of depth to this propulsive song. Blacc sings pleadingly to be woken up on an unspecified future date when hes older and better able to handle lifes challenges. Avicii grappled with mental health struggles, and he ended up taking his own life at 28. While listening to Wake Me Up now may bring back memories of Summer 2013, its also a painful reminder of an incredible talent gone too soon.
Whatever (2002)
Our Lady Peace
There's no apparent tragedy associated with this song and the members of Canadian alt-rock outfit, Our Lady Peace. But it has still taken on some very disturbing connotations. A non-album song, Whatever was the entrance song of WWE wrestler Chris Benoit. In 2007, Benoit killed his wife and son before taking his own life, in one of the darkest sagas in the history of pro wrestling. Our Lady Peace hadn't regularly performed the song in the years leading up to this tragedy and even claimed they'd never again perform it. Though they did bring it back into rotation for their 2025 tour, we cant blame anyone for not being able to handle listening to this song.
Blackstar (2015)
David Bowie
The Starman himself shocked the world by announcing Blackstar, his first studio album since 2013s The Next Day, but in typical Bowie fashion, the biggest twist was yet to come. Blackstar, the album, was released on January 8, 2016 and Bowie died on January 10, merely two days later. Having kept his battle with liver cancer a secret known only to those closest to him, Blackstars title song hits differently now that we know the circumstances of the singers death. Pay particular attention to its cryptic, morbid lyrics, which seemingly allude to Bowie finding peace and tranquility in his final days. This calls to mind Leonard Cohens You Want It Darker, also recorded shortly before the beloved Canadian singer-songwriters 2016 death.
Scared of the Dark (2018)
Ty Dolla $ign & Lil Wayne feat. XXXTentacion
Commissioned for the soundtrack to Sony Pictures Oscar-winning Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Grammy winner Dwayne Lil Wayne Carter teased a special guest on Scared of the Dark, his collaboration with Ty Dolla $ign. That guest, upon the films release, was revealed to be late rapper XXXTentacion. Born Jahseh Onfroy, the controversial artist lost his life in 2018 after a botched robbery attempt. Originally intended for the Bhad Bhabie song Trust Me, Onfroys verse combines typical hip hop bravado with the dark vulnerability he was known for in his lifetime. This verse, combined with the songs empowering chorus, now makes for difficult listening.
Im Not Gonna Miss You (2014)
Glen Campbell & The Wrecking Crew
Legendary country singer Campbell, who was open about his worsening Alzheimers disease in his final years, made it clear that he wouldnt die without a fight ahead of his 2017 passing. Im Not Gonna Miss You is emblematic of the icons refusal to give in, recorded for and appearing prominently in the 2014 documentary Glen Campbell: I'll Be Me. Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song, and winning the Grammy for Best Country Song, this cinematic, John Lennon-esque ballad finds Campbell coming to terms with his impending death. The last song Campbell ever recorded, Im Not Gonna Miss You is a simple, gorgeous, and heartbreaking send-off to a long and storied career.
Grace (1994)
Jeff Buckley
Some of the greatest artists of all time, like Vincent Van Gogh or Buckleys fellow troubadour Nick Drake, went underappreciated in their lifetimes. It seems fair to say that Buckley falls into this category of artists as well. Buckley once referred to the titular song from his 1994 album Grace, the only album he released during his life, as being about not feeling so bad about your own mortality when you have true love. The multi-talented musicians plainly-spoken acceptance of his mortality and his seeming lack of fear or apprehension about exiting this mortal coil read very differently after his 1997 drowning, aged only 30, leaving mourning listeners to wonder what could have been.
Nutshell (1994)
Alice in Chains
When asked which song most reminded him of late Alice in Chains frontman Layne Staley, the bands bassist, Mike Starr, responded with Nutshell, citing its poetic, vulnerable lyrics as the reason. Listening to the song, it becomes obvious as to why Starr, who passed away himself in 2011, made this particular selection. This mellow grunge tune, written by Staley, details the singers battle with his darkest feelings; Staley later died in 2002 following years of extreme substance use issues. Its no surprise, then, that Jerry Cantrell, the bands guitarist and alternate lead singer, now dedicates live performances of Nutshell to both of his fallen bandmates.
Free Bird (1973)
Lynyrd Skynyrd
It must be remembered that this nearly-ten-minute Southern rock epic, despite its hard-charging sound and legendary guitar solos, is, at its heart, a heart-wrenching ballad about being unable to conform to life and its expectations. Written by Allen Collins and Ronnie Van Zant, the bands guitarist and lead singer, respectively, Free Birds lyrics tell the first-person story of a nomad who simply cant overcome his unchanging nature though certainly not without regrets and reservations. While Free Bird is sad enough on its own, already dedicated by the band to the late Duane Allman, it became a retroactive tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd band members (including singer Van Zant) who died in the 1977 plane crash that temporarily ended the band.
Like a Stone (2003)
Audioslave
Chris Cornell, Audioslaves lead singer, was, and still is, widely regarded by fans and critics alike as one of rock musics greatest, most iconic voices. Despite this, Cornell was reportedly haunted by struggles with depression, drugs, and drink for the majority of his life, dating back to as early as his teen years. These struggles came to an end in May 2017, when the Soundgarden frontman was found lifeless following a concert in Detroit. While fans will point out that Cornell was no stranger to incorporating dark, highly personal themes into his music, Like a Stone stands out in his discography in terms of how plainly it expresses those themes.
Morphine (1997)
Michael Jackson
One of the King of Pops darkest, rawest, and heaviest tunes, the Nine Inch Nails-esque Morphine finds Jackson incorporating heavy guitars and distorted drums into his sound. Fittingly enough, too Morphine is a bitter, angry, no-holds-barred account of Jacksons feelings regarding his fame and media speculation about his controversial personal life. The songs bridge and refrain detail Jacksons resorting to drug use as a means of numbing those feelings. The singer died in 2009 of acute propofol intoxication in what was later ruled an accidental homicide by Conrad Murray, Jacksons personal doctor. Listening in retrospect allows listeners a tragically prescient glimpse into Jacksons fragile mental state.
The Show Must Go On
Queen
It goes without saying that Freddie Mercury was a rock star until the very end. Released just over a month before Mercurys untimely death from complications of HIV/AIDS, The Show Must Go On, in the bands characteristically bombastic style, is a gloriously defiant screw you to the Grim Reaper. Written by Queen guitarist Brian May, the song does a magnificent job of capturing Mercurys indomitable spirit and interstellar charisma. His body ravaged by the disease even then, Mercurys bandmates were initially pessimistic that he would be able to pull off the vocal gymnastics it called for. In response, the rock god downed a shot of vodka and, according to May, immediately nailed it. Who else but Freddie?
Leave Out All the Rest (2007)
Linkin Park
A staple of the early 2000s nu metal scene, it can be argued that Linkin Parks success outside of that genre was due in large part to lead singer Chester Benningtons soul-baring, unflinching songwriting, as well as his powerhouse vocals. Phoenix, Arizona native Bennington took his own life in July 2017, two months after Chris Cornells death the two were reportedly close friends. Knowing that makes it difficult, then, to listen to Leave Out All the Rest, from the bands 2007 album Minutes to Midnight, without a teary eye by the end. A plaintive, heartfelt rock ballad, Leave Out All the Rest implores listeners to, as hard as it can feel, remember the good times.
How does real-life tragedy affect how you hear certain songs? Let us know in the comments .
