We're almost half way through the year and I was shocked to see that there were no new posts this year. Damn! I need to be more consistent. So today's topic( its more of a list) is Top 10 Melancholic songs. This list is made up of songs that I've heard over the past few years, and somehow even today when I think about some sad tunes, the lyrics from these enduring works pops-up inside my mind. Now for those of you who have heard more, or much better songs than the ones listed here, i please do feel free to share them here.
When I started writing this post, I just pinned down all the sad songs that came to my mind. As expected there were more than one song by the same artist/band. In order to span across multiple genres and create a more versatile list, I've limited this list to one song per artist. I haven't included any oldies. Maybe those songs are better off in a list of their own.
Also, these songs are not in any particular order. You can assign any rank you wish.
You're Beautiful - by James Blunt
James Blunt is always quite the melancholic, but with 'You're Beautiful' he has touched something deep within our hearts. The intro seeps with sorrow, the song itself is crying. The captain at his best. Here he meets this former lover at the subway with another man. He goes on to say that he wont lose no sleep on that, cause he's got a plan. The original music video is also worth watching. You cant help but start singing this one, (at least in your head) whenever you see a beautiful face irrelevant of the fact that you know them or not. I think I did this very recently while going to work.
Tears in Heaven - Eric Clapton
Would you know my name, if I saw in you in Heaven.
Would it be the same, if I saw in Heaven?
I must be strong and carry on,
Cause I know I don't belong, Here in Heaven....
I came to know later that this one was written following the death of his four year old son. But, you really don't need that piece of information to start crying when you hear this one. One thing that i find most fascinating about Clapton is the simplicity of his lyrics. But don't be fooled, its often simple words that reach out to us. A very good example of this is 'Wonderful Tonight'. Few songs do this as good as Tears in Heaven.
Hurt - Johnny Cash Version
The Nine Inch Nails really deserves credit for writing this song, but it was Johnny Cash's rendering of this piece that stole the show. Cash passed away shortly after recording the song and its music video. His distinctive voice brought out something more dark and hidden in the lyrics and gave the some more meaning. It was an fitting song for Johnny Cash, and the music video attempts to draw parallels from his turbulent past. What more can I say? Here's how the song goes..
What have I become,
My sweetest friend
Everyone I know goes away
In the end.
And You could have it all,
My empire of dirt
I will let you down
I will make you hurt....
Every Breath You Take - The Police
Do you want to learn how to rhyme? Then do listen to this one. It lesson 101 in rhyming. Nowadays we are made to sit through stupid crap that tortures your ears, because somebody wanted their lyrics to rhyme and the end result is some garbage words mixed together to make half-sentences and what not. I do believe that this one is the quintessential stalker song. The music video is too simple and shot in black and white which makes it even more endearing.
Creep - Radiohead
Creep is really a creepy song, with the longing to be recognized and accepted rather than be a nobody in the crowd. It's about how a person admires his lover and he describes himself as a just a creep compared to her, who's just perfect maybe too perfect for him. It begins with this line
"When you were here before, couldn't look you in the eye..."
But my favorite part is this one :
"I don't care if it hurts
I want to have control
I want a perfect body
I want a perfect soul
I want you to notice...
When I'm not around... "
Pictures of You - The Cure
This was 'the' song for me for a long long time. All of us, at some point or the other goes through a phase and during that time, we will hold on to song, day and night and make it our own personal anthem. Somehow I felt that Robert Smith had written this one, just for me. Its a powerful song, and the long intro sets you right in the mood for it. I strongly suggest that you don't skip the intro.
"I've been looking so long, at these pictures of you,
That I almost believe that they're real
I've been living so long, with these pictures of you
That I almost believe, that the pictures are all I can feel.. "
Heaven's Not Enough - Steve Conte (from Wolf's Rain)
I dont know what makes this song, so great, when I heard it for the first time on Wolf's Rain (an awesome anime series) I was lost in it. Ever since that day, it has always been on my playlist.
Once you finish watching the anime series, you need to play this song once again, that's when this song hits you hard, for the second time. From a slow start it picks up only to wind down again and then you go for the replay button, over and over and over...
Heaven's not enough
if when you get there..
just another blue
and heaven's not enough
you think you've found it
and it loses you
Mad World - Gary Jules
So I was watching Donnie Darko, and suddenly this song starts playing....
All around me are familiar faces
Worn out places, worn out faces
Bright and early for the daily races
Going nowhere, going nowhere...
It was Mad World. The song was originally composed by Tears for Fears, when Gary Jules made a cover, it became slow and agonizing. Compared to the fast paced original one, this version lingers on, emanating pain your head. My favorite part of this song :
....And I find it kind of funny
I find it kind of sad
The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had...
Need I say more? I am not gonna write much about Mad World, except that I always like to hum it when I 'm at my office. Somehow it seems to describe my surroundings with utmost perfection.
The Scientist - Coldplay.
The music video to this song, is as depressing as the song itself. They've made good use of the piano and it adds to the somber mood .The video is played backwards, and finally we get to see what happened and why Chris Martin is singing his heart out. Coldplay has given us some really good songs like Clocks, Paradise, Viva la Vida, Fix You etc.But this one right here, with its haunting tune and melodious rendition of a lament about wanting to start over, and how he was sorry (for something) takes the spot. The mention of science in between is what resulted in the title - The Scientist.
"....I was just guessing at numbers and figures
pulling the puzzles apart,..questions of science, science and progress
do not speak as loud as my heart..."
Wake Me Up When September Ends - Green Day
Good Riddance by Green Day is also pretty depressing, but I feel this one here is their magnum opus, when it comes to sad stuff. 21 Guns is more of an anthem, so I wont consider it here. It follows the general anti-war theme prevalent in American Idiot. It's got one of the most recognizable opening chords. Even when the beat drops and the drums start pounding away, you'll feel pain. Trust me on this.
Wikipedia tells us that this song deals with the death of Billie Joe Armstrong's father when he was a kid.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------That's all folks, share your comments and let me know if you liked this post. Have a nice day...
