Hello beautiful community! I couldn't help but make a playlist with every single song you all suggested (barring songs that just aren't on Spotify, of course). Really looking forward to listening to this, getting misty, then thinking about all of you wonderful people listening to it, and then getting even more misty. Thank you for all of your suggestions!
Oh my goodness!!!!! This is AWSOME!!!! Thank you Holly for compiling all of our songs. Love this connection of music (and writing) that brings us all together. Such a special community this is 💜
When I was 14 years old my 24 year old brother David was killed in a car accident. He lived about 4 hours away and I didn’t see him often but he had visited a month before, in May, for my birthday. He had given me Jackson Brown’s Late for the Sky (on vinyl as it was 1975). It was many years before I could listen to anything from that album, especially the title track, without sobbing.
I inherited a fairly large record collection from him, lots of Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Fleetwood Mac and many more, opening my mind to lots of music that was new to me. It was a very difficult time in my life; the tears brought on by the music somehow made me feel close to David and helped me to heal.
Dearest Suleika, your playlist came at the perfect moment!! I am traveling and it was a day of grief and I didn’t have an answer.. then received this message. Thank you 🙏🏼 it’s now a saved playlist !!
Aww, Late For the Sky is one of my favorite Jackson Browne songs--also Sky Black and Blue, and so many others. Happy it brought you some comfort and that your brother's music opened up so much treasure to you!
Oh boy . . . from the Melancholy Playlist . . . . . "River "- Joni Michell, "Walk On By" - Smokey Robinson version, "Old Man" - Neil Young, "Kingdom of Rain" - Sinead O'Connor and The The, "Breaking Us Into" - Joe Jackson, "Song for Sharon" - Joni Mitchell, "Smoking Section" - St. Vincent and the biggest tearjerker of all for me . . . "Wasted Time" by Joe Jackson. Sometimes you just need to wallow in it. I lost my dad last week and can't visit these songs just yet but there is something powerful about sharing these emotions through music and lyrics. Thanks for this topic today.
Thank you Suleika; obviously today's post hit home with me. I did not expect to receive so many kind words about my dad . . . . thank you all so much. Words matter . . . . : )
Thanks Marnie . . . . my brother and I are working on the playlist for my dad's memorial . . . some of his favorites make us laugh - he loved Boston and ELO lol . . .
What a significant loss you’ve experienced, and you’re plugging along through it, thankfully. But know others feel sorrow knowing you’re going through rough waters.
Recently, it's the Foo Fighters featuring 16-year-old Shane Hawkins on "My Hero" -- a tribute to Shane's late father. I have tears in my eyes each time I listen to and watch this heart-breaking and inspiring performance. I'm also sitting up straighter -- my heart and inner strength getting a booster shot. ❤
Suleika and Jon -- what recent sad song inspires you?
Ahhhh...The Depression Hit Parade...(the term I used coined by my dear friend, Ellin). The song, "Martha" by Tom Waits, especially the version by Lisa Hannigan and Cormac Curran. My tears come from age 14, an unrequited love, for a boy four years older-he was so kind and such a gentleman. (We were Army BRATS and BRATS in the same neighborhood then, all became friends) He used to lend me his albums, recommend books, discuss literature with me and treat me like I had a brain. WE would sit on the curb in the front of my house (Frankfurt Germany) and life opened up for me, dreams, knowledge, longings...I adored him. His ending was tragic many years later, but my tears are for the boy who opened my mind. Thank you Suleika for your story this week...it reminds me so of my own daughter and Carmen, for the prompt so that we all get to expand our "Depression Hit Parade". I love a good, planned cry.
Interesting that here I live in NYC and today is 9/11. A day of remembrance in my soul. After this horrific event I would go to Strawberry Fields across from the Dakota, where Lennon lived and was killed. Yoko donated the space in Central Park in honor of John. As you walk into the space there’s a beautiful Mandela with the word “Imagine” in it. After 9/11, John’s death, my 2 divorces, I always played “Imagine”. It helped me cry, gave me hope, and when hearing John sing it feels like a balm of hope washes over me and others and all the pain we inflict on one another or we inflict on ourselves. To me it’s a song of forgiveness and tells me “let me do better each and every day.”
“Imagine” is to be played at my celebration of life. It captures my hopes for my loved ones and our world. It is so needed in our fractured, hurting world today. Thank you for your post.
Someone mentioned Billie Holiday, and her version of "Strange Fruit" guts me every time. But the first song that came to my mind is Eva Cassidy's "I Know You By Heart" from her "Eve By Heart" CD. It is a song about lamenting love and loss through each season. It ends with autumn, walking paths of orange and gold. Eva left us in autumn, November 1996, age 33, of melanoma. The album came out almost a year later. I was particularly attached to her spirit, and dreamt about her for years after she passed. The song makes me cry still, and not just for Eva, but for the universal lamenting of love and loss throughout my life. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crUm-v6o-0s
Eva came to my mind as well. "Over The Rainbow" is the song that means the most and brings me to tears. "Fields of Gold" is another. Her life was cut short tragically but thankfully her music lives on.
Thank you Carmen and Suleika for this interesting prompt. The first saddest song on the planet for me is Linda Ronstadt's version of "What'll I Do?" The other sad song is actually Louis Armstrong's "Wonderful World"...so beautiful it's sad, so sad it's beautiful. When I hear it I always cry from so many different emotions all at once. Sadness is definitely one of them.
Thank you for this! Of course I have been listening to We Are by Jon Batiste and the whole album is so upbeat and full of joy that I was wondering why is my favorite song "Cry"? Why is that the song I know all the words, belt them out and listen to over and over?
My son once asked me why I always listen to such "depressing music" and I guess my music choices do lean towards beautifully mellow, sad tunes. I just looked through my song list and had a hard time choosing what to share in this post! I finally narrowed it down to these few.
Also, I live outside New York City and I thank you for such a special opportunity to share and learn today, September 11th.
Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters- Elton John
Killing Me Softly- Roberta Flack
A Long December- Counting Crows (this one reminds my of my late father and "the smell of hospitals in winter")
Songbird- Fleetwood Mac
So many of my favorites have been listed in this morning's comments: Eva Cassidy's Fields of Gold, James Taylor's You Can Close Your Eyes, Joni Mitchell's River... sweet reminders of songs I love.
This is the first time I've written anything because I'm a fiber artist and am rather timid when it comes to writing but this really struck a cord, no pun intended! One of my favorite bands is Roxy Music and Brian Ferry's soulful crooning voice. Back in the 70-80's my favorite album was Siren and the song End of the Line. My then husband had checked out emotionally and for years I tried to help him but came to the realization that I couldn't. I listened to this song over and over then and it still brings me to tears, not only for what we lost but for it's beauty. It took me another 20 years to have the courage to end the relationship but grateful I am. I have been in the most loving, kind relationship, where we support each other and are walking side by side on our life's journey.
We have something in common. Our taste in music and fiber arts. I studied weaving loom and non loom at UCLA years ago followed by a 6 week workshop at the penland school of crafts in North Carolina. This would have been fall 1973
Very cool! I actually started out weaving at El Camino Jr College in Gardena in 1973! A dear lifelong friend of mine is a weaver and last year I got to weave dish towels on her loom. It was just the best experience. She came to my home the year before Covid and I helped her make a bed quilt. And of course there is music usually playing in the studio!
Miles Davis - tossup between Flamenco Sketches and Blue in Green
I could go on, but suffice to say - the thing these have in common is the ability to stop time. I completely surrender to the sheer magic of the mood they create and experience an inwardness, yet also a release, and a soothing sense of sadness if that makes sense. An opening into the vast.
Hello beautiful community! I couldn't help but make a playlist with every single song you all suggested (barring songs that just aren't on Spotify, of course). Really looking forward to listening to this, getting misty, then thinking about all of you wonderful people listening to it, and then getting even more misty. Thank you for all of your suggestions!
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3Cc0J9tarr1rjJMiAS38at?si=604896ea4a7042e0
Lordy, that's almost 12 hours of sad songs! Deep dive!
Yesssss ♥️
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you!! I love so many of these songs, so thoughtful of you Holly. ❤️
Oooh, thank you so much! Can’t wait to listen!
Wow!! Just the best !!
Oh my goodness!!!!! This is AWSOME!!!! Thank you Holly for compiling all of our songs. Love this connection of music (and writing) that brings us all together. Such a special community this is 💜
Thanks so much. This is a great idea. I can't wait to listen to it. Thanks for taking the time to do it!
When I was 14 years old my 24 year old brother David was killed in a car accident. He lived about 4 hours away and I didn’t see him often but he had visited a month before, in May, for my birthday. He had given me Jackson Brown’s Late for the Sky (on vinyl as it was 1975). It was many years before I could listen to anything from that album, especially the title track, without sobbing.
I inherited a fairly large record collection from him, lots of Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Fleetwood Mac and many more, opening my mind to lots of music that was new to me. It was a very difficult time in my life; the tears brought on by the music somehow made me feel close to David and helped me to heal.
His music as a companion—what a gift ♥️
Dearest Suleika, your playlist came at the perfect moment!! I am traveling and it was a day of grief and I didn’t have an answer.. then received this message. Thank you 🙏🏼 it’s now a saved playlist !!
Aww, Late For the Sky is one of my favorite Jackson Browne songs--also Sky Black and Blue, and so many others. Happy it brought you some comfort and that your brother's music opened up so much treasure to you!
Oh boy . . . from the Melancholy Playlist . . . . . "River "- Joni Michell, "Walk On By" - Smokey Robinson version, "Old Man" - Neil Young, "Kingdom of Rain" - Sinead O'Connor and The The, "Breaking Us Into" - Joe Jackson, "Song for Sharon" - Joni Mitchell, "Smoking Section" - St. Vincent and the biggest tearjerker of all for me . . . "Wasted Time" by Joe Jackson. Sometimes you just need to wallow in it. I lost my dad last week and can't visit these songs just yet but there is something powerful about sharing these emotions through music and lyrics. Thanks for this topic today.
Sending love and wishes for comfort ♥️♥️
Thank you Suleika; obviously today's post hit home with me. I did not expect to receive so many kind words about my dad . . . . thank you all so much. Words matter . . . . : )
It's so hard to lose a parent. Give yourself some time to grieve before you dive into this therapeutic playlist.
Thanks Marnie . . . . my brother and I are working on the playlist for my dad's memorial . . . some of his favorites make us laugh - he loved Boston and ELO lol . . .
What a significant loss you’ve experienced, and you’re plugging along through it, thankfully. But know others feel sorrow knowing you’re going through rough waters.
Thank you Kathryn
"Song for Sharon" is special. I am sorry you lost your Dad.
Thank you William.
Thank you for all these great tunes. I am so sorry for the loss of your dad. Sending love to you and your family for this difficult time.
Thank you so much for the kind words . . . .
I'm so sorry for your loss. Sending some love and strength your way. 💜
Thank you Dodie . . .
My deepest condolences on the loss of your father. I hope the time of finding comfort in your memories of him comes Sooner rather than much later.
Thank you for your kind words, Sandra.
Love and healing to you and yours
Thank you Neil.
So sorry for your loss! ❤️ Sending Prayers for healing and comfort.
Thanks so much Gail.
I’m so sorry for your loss.
Thank you Laurie.
"Here in the dark, in these final hours, I will lay down my heart and I feel the power . . ."
I Can't Make You Love Me, by Bonnie Raitt
Yes, Bonnie has the uncanny ability to bring tears of joy, grief and strength, all at once!
Right?
I was thinking about writing about that one too, but ended up picking a different one.
Good choice!
Ohhh, I Love that song. Beautiful.
Oh God...Bonnie, I love you. Burning Down The House, Thing Called Love...Angel From Montgomery...on and on.
Recently, it's the Foo Fighters featuring 16-year-old Shane Hawkins on "My Hero" -- a tribute to Shane's late father. I have tears in my eyes each time I listen to and watch this heart-breaking and inspiring performance. I'm also sitting up straighter -- my heart and inner strength getting a booster shot. ❤
Suleika and Jon -- what recent sad song inspires you?
With Love,
Linda
That tribute was beautiful and so powerful ❤️
I watch it on YouTube every day. Take care, Ela.
That was a beautiful and powerful tribute by his son.
Yes, so moving. Wish you well, Laura.
Ahhhh...The Depression Hit Parade...(the term I used coined by my dear friend, Ellin). The song, "Martha" by Tom Waits, especially the version by Lisa Hannigan and Cormac Curran. My tears come from age 14, an unrequited love, for a boy four years older-he was so kind and such a gentleman. (We were Army BRATS and BRATS in the same neighborhood then, all became friends) He used to lend me his albums, recommend books, discuss literature with me and treat me like I had a brain. WE would sit on the curb in the front of my house (Frankfurt Germany) and life opened up for me, dreams, knowledge, longings...I adored him. His ending was tragic many years later, but my tears are for the boy who opened my mind. Thank you Suleika for your story this week...it reminds me so of my own daughter and Carmen, for the prompt so that we all get to expand our "Depression Hit Parade". I love a good, planned cry.
Hi Everyone!
Interesting that here I live in NYC and today is 9/11. A day of remembrance in my soul. After this horrific event I would go to Strawberry Fields across from the Dakota, where Lennon lived and was killed. Yoko donated the space in Central Park in honor of John. As you walk into the space there’s a beautiful Mandela with the word “Imagine” in it. After 9/11, John’s death, my 2 divorces, I always played “Imagine”. It helped me cry, gave me hope, and when hearing John sing it feels like a balm of hope washes over me and others and all the pain we inflict on one another or we inflict on ourselves. To me it’s a song of forgiveness and tells me “let me do better each and every day.”
“Imagine” is to be played at my celebration of life. It captures my hopes for my loved ones and our world. It is so needed in our fractured, hurting world today. Thank you for your post.
I want that song also played on my celebration of life day.
I wanted it as my wedding song but I was overruled but I did have it played twice that day.
Blessings and thank you
https://youtu.be/YkgkThdzX-8 Link to the song.
thanks - I shared it on my Facebook blog - The Fringe 999 - always gives me goosebumps
I also chose Imagine as my sad song. Blessings to you on this day of remembrance.
Someone mentioned Billie Holiday, and her version of "Strange Fruit" guts me every time. But the first song that came to my mind is Eva Cassidy's "I Know You By Heart" from her "Eve By Heart" CD. It is a song about lamenting love and loss through each season. It ends with autumn, walking paths of orange and gold. Eva left us in autumn, November 1996, age 33, of melanoma. The album came out almost a year later. I was particularly attached to her spirit, and dreamt about her for years after she passed. The song makes me cry still, and not just for Eva, but for the universal lamenting of love and loss throughout my life. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crUm-v6o-0s
Eva came to my mind as well. "Over The Rainbow" is the song that means the most and brings me to tears. "Fields of Gold" is another. Her life was cut short tragically but thankfully her music lives on.
Oh yes! That one gets to me too.So many feels!
I love Eva Cassidy as well! Thank you for sharing how her music impacted you. ❤️
At seventeen by Janis Ian
My sister had a tough time growing up with a nuro muscular disease CMT
Kids and teens can be so mean .
The crazy thing is after my stem cell I too got the disease.
Adults are kinder ……
Love that entire album, Between the Lines, accompanied me through my teens.
Oh my. Awful, sad, so many words could be used to describe those events in your life. I send you comfort and joy.
Thank you Carmen and Suleika for this interesting prompt. The first saddest song on the planet for me is Linda Ronstadt's version of "What'll I Do?" The other sad song is actually Louis Armstrong's "Wonderful World"...so beautiful it's sad, so sad it's beautiful. When I hear it I always cry from so many different emotions all at once. Sadness is definitely one of them.
Suleika's husband Jon performs a gorgeous rendition of "What A Wonderful World." 💜
Yaas! Linda Rondstadt, amazing tune.
Wichita Lineman…I need you more than want you and I want you for all time.
This song reminds me of the love, grieving, and heartache that we carry with us through the everyday.
When my father passed, this song broke my heart, then eventually helped heal it.
Such a beautiful song ❤️
One of my very favourite sad songs, I always think of another song that probably came out at the same time- if you read my mind by Gordon lightfoot.
If you could read my mind
https://youtu.be/H46yXW4qR_M
This beautiful arrangement of Blackbird ❤️
Yeah, this is timeless. Jon does it best.
I love xorrine Bailey Rae with Herbie Hancock at the white house too, when Macca was awarded the Gershwin prize
Carmen and Suleika,
Thank you for this! Of course I have been listening to We Are by Jon Batiste and the whole album is so upbeat and full of joy that I was wondering why is my favorite song "Cry"? Why is that the song I know all the words, belt them out and listen to over and over?
My son once asked me why I always listen to such "depressing music" and I guess my music choices do lean towards beautifully mellow, sad tunes. I just looked through my song list and had a hard time choosing what to share in this post! I finally narrowed it down to these few.
Also, I live outside New York City and I thank you for such a special opportunity to share and learn today, September 11th.
Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters- Elton John
Killing Me Softly- Roberta Flack
A Long December- Counting Crows (this one reminds my of my late father and "the smell of hospitals in winter")
Songbird- Fleetwood Mac
So many of my favorites have been listed in this morning's comments: Eva Cassidy's Fields of Gold, James Taylor's You Can Close Your Eyes, Joni Mitchell's River... sweet reminders of songs I love.
So many good ones! ❤️
Yes to those Counting Crows, Elton John and Roberta Flack songs. And I'll add Landslide by Fleetwood Mac.
This is the first time I've written anything because I'm a fiber artist and am rather timid when it comes to writing but this really struck a cord, no pun intended! One of my favorite bands is Roxy Music and Brian Ferry's soulful crooning voice. Back in the 70-80's my favorite album was Siren and the song End of the Line. My then husband had checked out emotionally and for years I tried to help him but came to the realization that I couldn't. I listened to this song over and over then and it still brings me to tears, not only for what we lost but for it's beauty. It took me another 20 years to have the courage to end the relationship but grateful I am. I have been in the most loving, kind relationship, where we support each other and are walking side by side on our life's journey.
I'm so glad it did, Deborah, and that you shared this! A little light for others who might need it on their journey ❤️
Yes to Roxy Music. I heard that they are touring again.
Will check them out, would love to see them again...after 31 years!
We have something in common. Our taste in music and fiber arts. I studied weaving loom and non loom at UCLA years ago followed by a 6 week workshop at the penland school of crafts in North Carolina. This would have been fall 1973
Very cool! I actually started out weaving at El Camino Jr College in Gardena in 1973! A dear lifelong friend of mine is a weaver and last year I got to weave dish towels on her loom. It was just the best experience. She came to my home the year before Covid and I helped her make a bed quilt. And of course there is music usually playing in the studio!
I need to drop everything for:
The Adagietto from Mahler's Fifth Symphony -
John Coltrane - Alabama
Sarah Vaughan - Dream
Carmen McRae - Dedicated to You
Miles Davis - tossup between Flamenco Sketches and Blue in Green
I could go on, but suffice to say - the thing these have in common is the ability to stop time. I completely surrender to the sheer magic of the mood they create and experience an inwardness, yet also a release, and a soothing sense of sadness if that makes sense. An opening into the vast.
Alabama is immense