Saddest Songs

The Drugs Don't Work by The Verve tops a list of songs which make us sad, according to a scientist.Dr Harry Witchel, an expert in physiology and music, analysed the physical reactions to music on behalf of Nokia UK.Using a shortlist compiled by the Official UK Charts Company, he measured their "tune trigger quotient" measuring heart rate, respiratory response and skin temperature to find the saddest, happiest and most exhilarating tracks.The happiest songs were measured by contentment judged on levels of sighs per minute (indicating the recall of happy memories) plus low level of boredom.Sad tracks were indicated by decreased heart rate and exhilarating tunes by increase in breaths per minute.The happiest song was LDN by Lily Allen, followed by Abba's Dancing Queen and REM's Shiny Happy People. Source

I can't argue with those scientists-the melancholy violins,dark lyrics (my fave part:like a cat in a bag,waiting to drown),and the general sense of absolute hopelessness makes 'The Drugs Won't Work' the kind of song that a suicidal would consider for (dis)encouragement.But there are several other songs that when i listen too,i can't help but feel a bit down-it's either in the way the song sounds,or the sad messages it conveys-and here they are.

Rolling Stones-Wild Horses
Placebo-My Sweet Prince
U2-With or Without You
Josh Pyke-Silver
Coldplay-Beautiful World
Nirvana-Something In the Way
Al Green-I'm so tired of being alone
Gary Jules-Mad World
Cat Stevens-Wild World
Fleetwood Mac-Gold Dust Woman
Bill Withers-Ain't no sunshine when she's gone

As you can see,most of the songs are mainstream stuff,maybe the kind of songs you hear played in one of those dimly-lit bars people go to drink their sorrows away,right before drunkenly driving their cars off cliffs or shooting their brains out,or possibly the type of music played at funerals.There are those odd,ambiguous songs that i associate with both sadness and happiness-Oasis' Wonderwall for example.Those songs i've listed above have a considerably negative effect on my mood,but the two songs i try to avoid most are:Elton John-This train don't stop here anymore,and The Beatles-Julia.And of course,who can ignore the unbelievable sadness that was Yesterday.

Now i need a place to hide away,oh i believe in yesterday

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