Everybody Hurts: saddest song of all time

[Maurice]

Daily Telegraph

The song EVERYBODY HURTS by the US rock group REM is the saddest song of all time, according to a study which found that listening to a sad song has reduced seven out of ten men to tears.

The survey, commissioned by the theatrical producer David King to discover more about what he described as "the power of music", found that 90% of women admitted to crying when listening to an emotional song or passage of music.

Sir Elton John's CANDLE IN THE WIND was named the second saddest song of all time.

[Steve Crook]

Sir Elton John's CANDLE IN THE WIND was named the second saddest song of all time.

I certainly feel sad every time I hear Candle in the Wind, especially when he changes the lyrics to try to make it apply to whoever has just died

Steve

[torinfan]

I always confuse "Everybody Hurts" with "Love Hurts" by Nazareth.

But I prefer a more cheerful love song like a certain one by :) Ambrosia

[didi-5]

Actually I find Everybody Hurts rather uplifting. But perhaps it has a different effect if you're a man.

[jimw1]

I think REM's Find the River is a much sadder and poignant Song........

[Mark O]

I certainly feel sad every time I hear Candle in the Wind, especially when he changes the lyrics to try to make it apply to whoever has just died

Steve

Poor Di, it's the accompanying video to that I can't watch.

To me I think the saddest song there is 'Nobody's child' by Karen Young, it reached no. 6 in the UK hit parade in 1969, but it's virtually forgotten now, it's about a little boy in an orphanage who wants to be adopted but when prospective parents realise that he's blind they don't want to know, then he dreams of the day he dies and will go to Heaven where all the blind will see, I really can't bare to listen to it, it's on a compilation CD I have but I need to fast-forward to the next track otherwise I'll be in floods.

[batman]

''Tears In Heaven'' (written by Eric Clapton and Will Jennings) is the saddest song ever IMHO.

[paul kersey]

For me, there are many sad songs. Ian Dury's "My Old Man" with the line "All the best mate from your son" which I had on the wreath that I sent for my Dad's funeral. Elvis Costello and "Veronica", as it deals with alzheimers disease which my Granny had. Elvis Presley and "Don't cry Daddy", which deals with a marital break up. The Shadows recorded a song called "I can't forget" which sounds like a suicide note following the end of a love affair.

[dremble wedge]

Actually I find Everybody Hurts rather uplifting. But perhaps it has a different effect if you're a man.

Not on this one, I don't think it's a sad song at all.

I think REM's Find the River is a much sadder and poignant Song........

Absolutely. I think that's about their best one.

As for saddest songs I can never go far wrong with;
The Testimony of Patience Kershaw by The Unthanks
Dark Shadows and Empty Hallways by Tammy St John
The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll by Bob Dylan
and perhaps the saddest of all Eleanor Rigby by The Beatles.

[Moor Larkin]

I recall reading that Johnnie Ray's songs were so sad, they made HIM cry..........


Ray’s ferocious, fierce, performances style & his stage shaking zeal endeared him to British audiences. Even after his popularity faded & he was ridiculed in the USA, Ray would always play to a packed house of adoring fans in Britain
post apocalyptic bohemian: Johnnie Ray Sounded So Sad On The Radio

[man-in -the-moon]

The Carnival Is Over always brings a tear to my eye as I remember it from The Seekers farewell concert from the late 60s.Judith Durham has a lovely voice and looks fantastic.

Nick Drakes Northern Sky is another song that makes me well up.

[didi-5]

To me I think the saddest song there is 'Nobody's child' by Karen Young, it reached no. 6 in the UK hit parade in 1969, but it's virtually forgotten now, it's about a little boy in an orphanage who wants to be adopted but when prospective parents realise that he's blind they don't want to know, then he dreams of the day he dies and will go to Heaven where all the blind will see, I really can't bare to listen to it, it's on a compilation CD I have but I need to fast-forward to the next track otherwise I'll be in floods.

Not the one which has the lyric 'I'm like a flower, just growing wild'? Can't bear that record. Sad songs though - 'Where Have All The Flowers Gone' (Sian Philips sang this in her Marlene show once and I was in floods of tears ...), 'All Alone Am I' (Timi Yuro), 'Without You', and I'm sure there are more. 'Emma' by Hot Chocolate too.

[torinfan]

I wonder if that study included "Sad Songs Say So Much."

[karen]

Anyone remember Mother of Mine by Neil Reid? Used to stay with an aunt in Scotland many moons ago and this was her favourite song. Lost count of how many times she blubbed through this!

[golightly]

Streets of London by Ralph McTell, it has to be the original version, always brings tears to my eyes.

[faginsgirl]

Actually I find Everybody Hurts rather uplifting.

Me too. I feel at empathy with the world and less lonely when I hear it

[Tonch]

One of the most beautiful and moving songs ever written in my opinion... aches with melancholy but truly gorgeous nonetheless:

[Maurice]

Full List

1. EVERYBODY HURTS - REM
2. CANDLE IN THE WIND (Princess Diana) - Elton John
3. THE LIVING YEARS - Mike and the Mechanics
4. HALLELUJAH - Leonard Cohen
5. MY HEART WILL GO ON - Celine Dion
6. NOTHING COMPARES TO YOU - Prince and Sinead O'Connor
7. I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU - Whitney Houston
8. FIX YOU - Coldplay
9. YESTERDAY - The Beatles
10. SEASONS IN THE SUN - Terry Jacks
11. WITHOUT YOU - Harry Nilsson
12. ALL BY MYSELF - ERIC CARMEN
13. MY WAY - Frank Sinatra
14. SOUND OF SILENCE - Simon and Garfunkel
15. AIN'T NO SUNSHINE - Bill Withers

No. 14 is variously described as The Sound of Silence and The Sounds of Silence

[Sgt Sunshine]

The sublime Joanie singing a very moving song called "Saigon Bride".........."how many dead to reach the stars"..

[jimw1]

The Kilkelly letters.....