A Case of the Sads…

(Winter is kind of a bummer, depending on how you look at it.)

I recently came to the conclusion that I like a lot of sad songs. I have no idea why. It’s like that Dave song “Funny the Way It Is” when he says, “someone’s broken heart becomes your favorite song.” I live my life to the tune of other’s misfortunes. Saying that sounds awful but what am I going to do? I like sad songs. Sue me. Here, in no particular order, is a sampling of my favorite. This could become rather lengthy so I’ll just keep it to a small taste. It’s list day, ladies and gents!

Sufjan Stevens ~ “John Wayne Gacy, Jr.”

This song is actually more sick than sad. It’s about John Wayne Gacy, a serial killer from Chicago. The entire album, Come On Feel the Illinoise!, references people and places related to the state of Illinois. The fact that I like this song can be a case for psychoanalysis, but I think it’s the juxtaposition of the lyrics with the music that keep me entranced.

The Cure ~ “A Letter to Elise”

This is one of my favorite songs of all time. No one does sad like The Cure. This is a song that I play loud in my car and sing from the top of my lungs.

Adele ~ “Hometown Glory”

This isn’t so much a sad song but one that makes me nostalgic. I don’t know, maybe it’s the piano and the sweeping violins. This girl’s voice is something else.

Azure Ray ~ “These White Lights Will Bend to Make New”

This is a new artist that I actually discovered thanks to Kate from lost (what the flip is her real name?!) She included Azure in her celebrity playlist and then I found this song. Her voice is pretty and again with the violins—the best sad-song instrument aside from the Cello. It's very haunting.

Blue October and Imogen Heap ~ “Congratulations”

You can just take your pick with this band because they’ve got a lot of bummer songs. This one is heartbreaking. Dude comes to his former girl’s wedding. “I came to see the light in my best friend/you seem as happy as you’ve ever been.” What? Anyway, the video link is to a Jim/Pam (from The Office) fan video from back before they finally (finally!) got back together. Those two used to kill me but now they are getting married!

Dave Matthews ~ “Stay or Leave”

I can’ really talk about this song because…well, I just can’t. But I couldn’t do a mix like this without including it. Listen to the lyrics, hear the music and shed a tear. I’m including the version of Dave and his bestie Tim Reynolds.

Counting Crows ~ “It’s Raining in Baltimore”

I don’t know if it’s this guy’s voice or what. Maybe it’s the solo piano or the line “I need a phone call…” Either way, it’s a great sad-song. Good for when you're having a poopy day and want to wallow in it.

Citizen Cope ~ “Sideways”

My best-good-friend Scott introduced me to this band. I love this song. It’s very simple, almost pleading.

The Decemberists -“Here I Dreamt I Was An Architect”

I made this song into my ringtone for when Mike calls me. We like to sing this one. I don’t know if it’s so much sad as it is mellow but I’ll include in this playlist.