Top 10 Saddest Rock Songs

Metallica

The word “sad” can mean a lot of things, as we’ll see throughout this list. In the case of Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters,” sadness is evoked in a way best called “contemplative.” The song’s open construction is of the barest-bones variety, utilizing an open string arpeggio that can basically be played by anyone. However, it’s how the arrangement flourishes as the song goes on that allows “Nothing Else Matters” to connect with its audience. The orchestral accompaniment by composer Michael Kamen underscores this song’s emotional core of yearning and desperation, while songwriter James Hetfield undertakes a rare outing on lead guitar. It’s subtle but wonderful stuff.

Alice Cooper

The world of 1970s arena rock was largely one of bravado, and not of emotionally available storytelling. This is partly why “Only Women Bleed” from Alice Cooper was such an outlier in its day. The shock rock legend tackles the difficult subject of marital strife in a manner that feels remarkably sensitive, particularly compared to Cooper’s peers. “Only Women Bleed” never shies away from discussing just how sad and depressing a life lived under these terms can be, for anyone. The song feels simultaneously like a confession and a warning, and Alice wouldn’t stop there with regard to writing emotionally resonant ballads. His 1991 song “Might As Well Be On Mars” also served as one of the early ‘90s finest lovelorn tunes, full stop.

Pearl Jam

It had been a while since a fatalistic song like “Last Kiss” had hit the airwaves, back in 1999 when Pearl Jam covered it. This 1961 tune from soul rocker Wayne Cochran was a crowning jewel from the “teenage tragedy” songs of its day, a la “Leader of the Pack.” Pearl Jam’s version retains this raw desperation of a car ride gone horribly, horribly wrong, particularly within the vocal delivery of lead singer, Eddie Vedder. The lyrical material may be morbid and depressing, but that is typical with this type of song, and Pearl Jam nails the sincerity required to make their take on “Last Kiss” feel enduring and vital.

R.E.M.

It’s a chorus that everyone knows, and to which all can relate. “Everybody Hurts” from R.E.M. was one of those songs from alternative rock’s halcyon era that felt like it was everywhere, and with good reason. The tune captures the ‘90s grunge and college rock crowd’s desire for musical sincerity, particularly in the wake of the comparatively vapid, emotionally nebulous power-ballads of the 1980s. “Everybody Hurts” just strikes a resonant chord within us, uniting listeners via its melodicism and poignant lyrics. It’s arguably the best known hit from R.E.M., and this definitely isn’t a bad thing.

Evanescence

It ultimately doesn’t really matter if you’re listening to the demo version of “My Immortal” by Evanescence that appeared on their debut album, “Fallen,” or the re-recorded band version: both tunes will make you cry. This is a foregone conclusion, and one that’s seemed to follow around “My Immortal” since it first hit air waves back in 2003. It’s the impassioned vocals of lead singer and songwriter Amy Lee that seem to connect with audiences. This is a feat at which Lee always excelled, and “My Immortal’s” rather stark arrangements allow the richness of her voice to shine through. Meanwhile, the band version rocks out near the end for a little emotional release, but both versions of “My Immortal” contain plenty of pathos.

Rainbow

The voice of Ronnie James Dio is much missed by the heavy metal community. This is thanks largely to this ability to alternate easily between power, passion and tenderness. “Rainbow Eyes” is perhaps Dio’s most poignantly fragile vocal performance and a highlight from his career with ‘70s rock legends Rainbow. The song possesses great guitar work from Ritchie Blackmore and some wonderful orchestration, but who are we kidding? This is the Dio show, full stop. The man’s tender singing lends some emotional heft to “Rainbow Eyes” and makes it stand out from so many other classic rock songs of the day. We just can’t make it through this one without some waterworks happening…and we’re okay with that.

Fleetwood Mac

This song just grabs and holds on to its listener, right from Lindsey Buckingham’s opening guitar work. Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” is one of those songs where the guitar playing is just magically melancholic, a folky roots-iness that feels at one with the earth, as well as our deepest emotions. The live version from 1995’s “The Dance” is honestly even better, perhaps because of emotional hindsight and age, but also due to the talent of both Buckingham and Stevie Nicks. The latter’s lyrical poignancy is palpable, while the song’s rhythmless arrangements never take away from just how powerful “Landslide” still feels, so many years later.

Nine Inch Nails

There’s no denying that Johnny Cash’s cover of “Hurt” from 2002 was a transformative, powerful version of this song from Nine Inch Nails. Yet, there’s a darkness at play within Trent Reznor’s original that remains unique. Reznor managed to make the Industrial music genre sound commercially viable, which was no mean feat. He did so through songs like “Hurt,” a grand and evocative ballad that sounds practically cinematic in scope. Reznor sounds intentionally vulnerable, while the creepy piano accompaniment lends “Hurt” a vibe all its own. There’s nothing fake about this one, and “Hurt” hits those raw notes within us all.

Queen

Queen demonstrated their emotional mettle with grand movie score ballads like “Who Wants to Live Forever?” and“The Show Must Go On” feels the most confessional. This was a song written and recorded near the end of Freddie Mercury’s life, and the band seems very aware of this fact. As a result, “The Show Must Go On” feels simultaneously celebratory, reflective and tragic. Mercury’s vocal in particular sounds ragged in the best possible way, a powerful performance from a dying man still very much in charge of his talents. It’s virtually impossible not to get choked up listening to “The Show Must Go On,” especially knowing the struggles through which Mercury was going during its recording.



Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

A 1970s Power Ballad & Prom Staple

A Haunting Progressive Powerhouse

A Weird Video for a Sad Song

The Tenderness of Phil Lynott on Full Display

David Coverdale’s Wistful, Bluesy Melancholy

Jeff Buckley

The bloom wasn’t yet off the rose for the seemingly endless covers of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” back in 1994 when Jeff Buckley released his definitive version. The song’s remarkable melancholy hadn’t yet been discovered by the masses at this point, and this makes Buckley’s performance feel, pardon the pun, like a secret. Of course, the real life tragedy of Buckley dying young makes his “Hallelujah” feel even more fatalistic, but we honestly wouldn’t still be talking about Jeff Buckley if he wasn’t great. Comparisons have been made between Buckley and another lost young talent, Nick Drake, and they’re easy to understand. That said, Jeff Buckley’s “Hallelujah” stands on its own two creative feet with strength, power and yes, sadness.





What sad song devastates you like no other? Let us know (if you feel comfortable doing so) in those comments below.

Marvin Berry
Audio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFVYbiJBMCI