h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Bat out of Hell...Meatloaf. It goes on for eons !! And on ...and on ...and on ...... and on .....then on a bit more...........and even a bit more.........on..and on and on ........

"the Band Played Waltzing Matilda" was written and originally recorded by Eric Bogle - an Irishman now living in Australia - it is a truly moving song written as a tribute to the Anzacs at Gallipoli.
http://celtic-lyrics.com/lyrics/36

Have a look at his song "My Youngest Son Came Home Today" - it's along the same lines (an anti-war song) but about Ireland
http://celtic-lyrics.com/lyrics/345

but he does write happy songs too - I promise
http://www.lyricskeeper.com/eric_bogle-lyrics/104829-aussie_barbeque-lyrics.htm

He's a proper troubadour

Yeah, I knew that it wasn't a Pogues composition. I was actually surprised when I found out, though, as MacGowan sounds so convincing singing it, despite the fact that he's clearly Irish and the song is clearly from the perspective of an Australian.

Speaking of Eric Bogle, he also wrote one called 'The Green Fields Of France' about a young lad killed in Northern france in WW1, which is truly heart-wrenching... Seems like Mr Bogle has a knack for sad songs.

Does anyone know tha name of a track possibly by 'The King' about a dog or a puppy ? Vague I know but I remember hearing it as a child driving back to Manchester from the Lake District and being deeply affected by it.

Old Shep ?

Well "Thats Entertainment" and "down In the Tubestation at midnight by the Jam are rarely recognised as being truly depressing.

One has a man on his way home for a pleasant evening when he's attacked by some right wing thugs for no reason, beaten robbed and left lieing on the ground as they head of with his address and house keys to do who knows what to his wife.

That's Entertainment name lists fun and banal things in ordinary life to illustrate exetential angst in a very down to earth way and higlight the vacuousness of modern life.

Yet the upbeat way they are played and the mythology surrounding Paul Weller makes them pub juke box favourites.



Whereas "Climbin up the walls" by radioheadd is both depressing in musical tone and lyrics. I have never listened to a jolly Tricky album either he seems to be ranting or exorcising some inner demon every time he opens his mouth.

Sean Huges once said, "its funny to hear people say Morrisey helped me through my depression, because the fact is they helped him through his and paid for the privilidge" I feel the same way about Tricky albums Ive bought.

Crash Test Dummies "Mm Mm Mm" upsets me, but it's very popular here in Germany and everyone sings along with the chorus.

Pig Charmer by Jerry Cantrell.

He writes the best miserable music in the world!

In fact the whole of his Degredation Trip album is written as a tribute to unhappiness, he says so himself on the inlay.

I think that Leonard Cohen is actually bloody funny. If you listen, most of his stuff is written with a smile and a wink, ditto Tom Waits. Leonard actually cheers me up, he's like a big warm blanket you can wrap round yourself.

I am surprised nobody has mentioned the Crazy Frog yet...pretty damned depressing.

And, Nirvana's cover of Seasons In The Sun and their 'You Know Your Right' are quite depressing, only because Kurt was about 3 weeks away from blowing his poor brains out.

Not depressing, but for a similar reason to the Cobain, I find "The Show must go on" very moving, sung, as it was, as Freddie was in the last throes.

'Filmore Jive' - Pavement

A song about the death throes of Rock 'N' Roll. Very, very sad in a way that Pavement were very good at. 'Here' was similarly downbeat, to the point where Tindersticks actually covered it. When Tindersticks start covering your records, you know you ought to start taking the Prozac.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Roger Waters - "The Wall" Pink Floyd which was mostly written by him is certainly depressing and apparently according to my husband his solo stuff - one song which is the internal monologue of a bloke as he's falling off a building he threw himself off - isn't a barrel of laughs either.

'Needle and the damage done' Neil Young, a particular favourite of mine!

Aulde Lang Syne - THE most depressing song bar none

I was reminded of this because I almost put it into my favourite songs list:

Ghost Town - The Specials

I first heard Neil Young's "Needle and Damage Done" on an MTV unplugged just after Kurt Cobain died so I guess it kind of has an extra reasonance for me because of that.

Pearl Jam - Black

Alice in Chains - Rooster

Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here

Metallica - One

Can't remember who: - Seasons in the Sun

ditto: Puff the Magic Dragon. I mean, puhleeez.

Anything ever recorded by Tanita Tikaram.

Anything ever recorded by Tracy Chapman. (Tracy Chapman could make "Making Your Mind Up" by Buck's Fizz sound like a dirge).

Joe Dolce - Shaddapayaface.

Sisters of Mercy - Marianne.

SoRB

"Has anybody here heard a tune called 'Song To The Siren' by Tim Buckley "

YES! If you've heard the original, you simply have to hear the version by "This Mortal Coil", sung by the vocalist from the Cocteau Twins. It got used in an advert for some perfume or other. Really seriously hair-up-on-back-of-neck stuff.

SoRB

It was actually a holiday advert but yes are right beautiful song.

One that really makes me want to throw myself off a building is by Bonny Tyler (I think) - all knickers and gravelly voice. Cant remember the title but it begins with her saying "Turn Around" then a little vocally bit followed by "Turn Around".......bit more vocals then "Turn Around"......etc etc etc
I think she repeats "Turn Around" about 11 times and by the 10th all I want to do is leap into the blue yonder..........

It's called "Total Ecilpse of the Heart"