Top 10 Saddest TV Cartoon Songs EVER
#10: “What Might Have Been”
Top10 Saddest TV Cartoon Songs
“Phineas and Ferb” (2007-15) In a special look into the future, Isabella is off to college, and has finally given up her romantic pursuit of Phineas… just as Phineas FINALLY starts returning those feelings. As they head off in their respective directions, the two would-be lovers sing out a pop ballad – Isabella remembering all their summers together, and Phineas wondering how he could’ve missed all the obvious signals –and we do mean OBVIOUS. All the while, both teens can’t help but dejectedly picture what could’ve been if they HAD gotten together… and feeling like it’s too late. It says a lot when a comedy can create a song that adds this much emotional depth to a childhood crush.
#9: “To Tell You the Truth”
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“Littlest Pet Shop” (2012-16) After a petty argument, the pets engage in a gender war, and neither party is willing to talk it out. Meanwhile, Blythe fears that she may lose her ability to talk with the pets for good this time –like her late mother apparently did. The two stories end up blending together in a slow, emotional musical number with very creative imagery –as Daniel Ingram’s song work is known to do. While each scenario is VERY different, they both hit the right notes about the same concerns – finding it difficult to communicate, and worrying if things will ever be the same if they can’t talk it out …and the possible end to a once-strong friendship.
#8: “Ren’s Pecs”
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“The Ren & Stimpy Show” (1991-95) Who knew you could write such a tear-jerking ballad about such silly subject matter? Ren finally got his pectoral implants, and has moved on to Hollywood… leaving Stimpy all alone. Stimpy wants to be happy and supportive of his best friend… but it’s hard to move on. You’d never expect a show as insane as Ren & Stimpy to make such a slow, emotional ballad… but they pull it off without a hitch! The slow, melancholy piano playing, the lonely lyrics, and just the idea of the iconic Nickelodeon duo actually splitting up - it’s all too much! And the music video only adds to the emotional punch with clips of their friendship.
#7: “When I Was His Alien”
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“American Dad” (2005-) The unthinkable seems to have arrived – Steve doesn’t want to hang out with Roger anymore. Hurt and alone, Roger grieves with a downbeat ballad –featuring a melody inspired by Les Misérables' “A Little Fall of Rain”. The song begins with when they first met, and progresses from there – showcasing their friendship, before arriving at the present where Steve just leaves Roger in the dust –feeling useless and forgotten. Roger may take advantage of Steve from time-to-time, but the two were practically brothers – a bond that Roger fears has fallen apart. It only gets worse later on, when the lonely alien’s heartbreak leads him into an abusive relationship.
#6: “Remember You”
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“Adventure Time” (2010-18) Marceline is reluctantly helping Ice King write a song… but only because of their history together. She finds a note written by him when she was a little girl – warning her about him losing his mind, and wanting her forgiveness. The hurt vampire queen tries to help the crazed king remember the note… but as far as he knows, it’s just a set of really hot song lyrics. With a beat on the keyboard, Ice King on drums, and Marceline on her guitar, the two perform a duet as they read the message –Marceline shedding tears knowing that her old friend is too far gone, and may never remember what they once had.
#5: “My Little Ones”
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“The Amazing World of Gumball” (2011-) Depressed that Gumball and Darwin don’t seem to respect him, Richard locks himself in the shed –looking at memories of the old days. Richard’s normally loud and goofy voice is reduced to soft and hurt, and the guitar strumming makes the sadness feel all too real. The lyrics are equally as heart-wrenching – reminiscing when his kids were young, and he was Gumball’s hero… but those days are gone, and he’s “just dad” now. Let’s face it, Richard is anything but the perfect dad, but he loves his kids and just wants to feel important in their lives –any father/parent who’s had to watch their kids grow up can relate to this.
#4: “The Pony I Want to Be”
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“My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic” (2010-) Inspired by Toy Story 2’s “When She Loved Me”, this melody reveals a whole new side to this schoolyard bully. After losing her school’s class elections, and being scolded by her mother, Diamond Tiara starts soliloquizing over some beautiful and delicate instrumentation. While Diamond Tiara always acted with a high-and-mighty attitude, it turns out she only behaves this way because that’s how she was raised… and she doesn’t know how to better herself. Her heartbroken singing peels back her bully layers to reveal a child unsure of how to change her ways; luckily, three Crusaders overhear, and they can show her how to be the pony she wants to be.
#3: “This Big World”
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“Winx Club” (2004-15) Among the songs on the Winx Club in Concert DVD and album is an emotional piece centered on the Fairy of Music herself, Musa –inspired by her deceased mother. Starting off light and gentle, the tune then blooms into a triumphant melody –while maintaining a steady beat. The lyrics gently serenade a departed loved one – saying how they’ve influenced the singer’s life, and how everything will be alright. While the song is initially a mother and daughter tribute, it also serves as remembrance for another loved one – Aisha’s late fiancé. No matter who the subject is, this song is a tearful send off to those we’ve lost, while still honoring their memory.
#2: “It’s Over, Isn’t It?”
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“Steven Universe” (2013-) Taking inspiration from Broadway numbers such as “Crazy World” from Victor Victoria, Pearl goes out on the balcony to perform a solo torch song about Rose Quartz. Both Pearl and Greg loved Rose deeply –to the point of competing over her, but Pearl took her departure the hardest – after everything they’d been through… Rose fell for Greg over her. The sentimental piano mixes well with Pearl’s angelic singing as she laments her loss… and how she can’t seem to move forward. This wouldn’t be the last of Steven Universe’s emotional songs to deal with loss –because let’s face it, when it comes to losing a loved one, there are PLENTY of reasons for feeling blue. Before we unveil our number one pick, grab a tissue box for these honorable mentions. “This Grill Is Not a Home” “SpongeBob SquarePants” (1999-) “6teen Theme Song” “6teen” (2004-10)
#1: “Leaves from the Vine”
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“Avatar: The Last Airbender” (2005-08) “Leaves From the Vine” is an in-lore children’s song from the Fire Nation. While the tune is short, the lyrics speak volumes – lamenting Nature’s beautiful items withering away, while raising hope for loved ones returning. Iroh sings this to a little boy to stop him from crying, but later cries himself when singing the tune in honor of his late son . Iroh has always been a generous soul who wants to help others, so to hear him break down while singing of a soldier who’s never coming home is just painful. It doesn’t help that the segment was dedicated to his actor, Mako Iwamatsu –who tragically passed away before the episode aired.
