The Heavy Stuff Mixtape
Not metal, just sad emotions.
Music is clearly a source of therapeutic release. Musicians write sad songs to get through particularly rough times in life, and fans turn to those tracks to get over numerous situations. A song can heighten a happy moment, but think back to a memory that was particularly sad or gut wrenching - the soundtrack is usually quite clear. Sometimes life is just sad or shitty, and it helps to put on some sad song and let someone else's voice and words describe the things you feel. Not a list for the faint of heart, and not something to listen to all the time (unless you want to end up in a catatonic state), but nevertheless some of the sad songs you need in life.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Maps (Live, Sessions@AOL) - Still one of the most desperately sad love songs, and even more so when it is stripped down to an acoustic version. This NYC based indie-rock outfit write some great tunes, but this one song getting out to the masses is proof of why they had to exist.
Broken Social Scene - I'm Still Your Fag - The Canadian super group Broken Social Scene have written some beautiful love songs, yet this song delves deep into jilted lover territory. The fact that one person moves on, yet the other lover is still standing around saying that despite all of this, "I'm still your fag" shows an obsessive and somewhat self-inflicted abusive side of love.
Cat Power - Metal Heart - Chan Marshall is one of the most moody and brutally honest singers around. This song throws out the line "metal heart, you're not worth a thing," a pretty deadening and powerful line that cuts to the core.
Bon Iver - Skinny Love - Bon Iver released one of the better albums of the year, and this song is by far the stand out. Who hasn't wanted to yell "who will love you, who will fight," at the person who is breaking your heart?
Elliott Smith - Alphabet Town - Elliott Smith was clearly an amazing songwriter, but sadly also a troubled man that took his own life in 2003. Looking at most of Smith's body of work, the sadness and depression that riddled his life was evident. Not only are his songs sad, but the way he sings them - every word feeling like a heavy sigh, shows the incredibly tragic nature of his music.
Ben Folds Five - Brick - Ben Folds Five was one of the more creative rock acts of the 90's, and probably one of the most rocking piano based bands. Yet their breakout hit "Brick" was written about abortion. Regardless your stance on abortion rights, this song deals with some heavy shit.
Beck - Lonesome Tears - Beck is one of the most innovative and diverse musicians around today, and he will let you know when he gets his heart broken. The entire album Sea Change revolves around the end of a relationship, and the lush strings and sad melodies sounds exactly what having your heart broken feels like.
Posted by Lisa White on Oct 23, 2008 @ 7:00 am
