Blogging about music is one of my favorite things to do. So with that said, here is yet another post where I wax poetic about one of my favorite kinds of song….the very sad love song.
(And I promise this is the last blog about sad slow songs. Just getting it out of my system so bear with me. I’ll be writing about happy, lively songs shortly, since spring is just around the corner)
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Every now and then, I feel like hearing R&B songs with anguish, despair and misery. When these elements are present, the track sounds richer and more heartfelt to me. A sad love songs can go from ordinary to extraordinary when it sounds like the person singing is in a considerable amount of pain (perhaps due to heartbreak, immense loss, or a particularly bad state of events). I am talking about the kind of song where a genuine outpour of emotion takes place. Those are the songs I love.
My ever-present inner pessimist led me to start thinking about some incredibly sad, emotion-filled, tear-jerker, slow songs. These are the types of songs that cause you to feel progressively sadder as you listen; the kind you put on when you want to have a good cry. These are those truly heartrending songs that grab you, and make you feel like someone has torn a hole in your chest and wrapped their hand around your heart. So, with that in mind, here are the songs I’ve selected for a mix CD (or an iTunes playlist) that I’ll call ”Sweet Misery: Incredibly sad slow songs about love and loss”.
Track 1 : Again – John Legend
OK, so the lyrics of this song aren’t really that sad but it gets a nod from me since this song is about worry and anguish. I love John’s husky, emotion-filled voice, but it’s the incredibly striking, accompanying piano music that grabs me right and the beginning and never lets go. I get the chills when I listen, which isn’t surprising , since he’s one of the best male R&B singers around and he’s known for making the best , most, expressive songs.
(tear-jerker rating: 9 out of 10)
Track 2: Wild is the Wind – Nina Simone This song stops me in my tracks every time I hear it. I almost feel tears begin to slide down my face once the mournful music begins. Nina sings this song with such hunger and unbridled emotion and takes you on a dark journey of deep desire and desperate pleas. This is hands down the saddest song I’ve ever heard, and that says alot coming from a sad song connoisseur.
(tear-jerker rating :12 out of 10)
Track 3: It was You – Emily King
(tear-jerker rating: 9 out of 10)
Track 4: The Fact is (I need you) – Jill Scott
Jill’s amazing voice combined with the beautiful music just gets me everytime. This isn’t a sad song, but the melodious soothing music is breathtakingly gorgeous. The strong message pulls the listener in and welcomes you to sing along. All the while, Jill pours out her heart like only she can.
(tear-jerker rating: 8 out of 10)
Track 5: All I Have – Amerie.
Another track with a soothing beat so gorgeous it makes you exhale contentedly. I’m not the biggest fan of Amerie’s vocals but she did a wonderful job on this track. I like the innocent quality of her voice, and the earnestness and emotion that transmits when I listen to this song. (tear-jerker rating - 6 out of 10)
Track 6: Over – Ashanti
Yes, she made the list. Never expected her to make such a great sad love song. The production on this track is impeccable (love the guitar). She sounds somewhat heartfelt. I can’t front, I enjoy this track. It’s the perfect track to listen to after a break-up. I played it constantly after the “big one”.
(tear-jerker rating: 7.5 out of 10)
Track 7: Charlene – Anthony Hamilton
A touching, heart-felt plea from a man with a voice as lush as velvet. So sad you feel tears come to your eyes. This is what a top-notch sad song sounds like.
(tear-jerker rating: 12 out of 10)
Track 8: Come Home – Groove Theory This one isn’t a love song, but I love it because of the opulent quality of Amel Larriuex’s voice. The harmony on the chorus is so captivatingly gorgeous. And the song’s message is great too. After listening to this song, I feel compelled go out on the streets and try to save a youngun from turning to a life of drugs and crime. This is powerful music.
(tear-jerker rating: 10 out of 10)
Track 9: Goodbye – Alicia Keys
I always loved this tune. Alicia’s voice is entrancing and compliments the track. The story begins to unfold in your mind when you hear her sing. And she sings so compellingly that you believe every word she says. I can relate to this particular song of hers a thousand times over. Saying goodbye is something I usually have difficulty with.
(tear-jerker rating: 9 out of 10)
Track 10: When will you call – Bilal
This is undoubtedly one of the most exciting sad songs that I’ve ever heard. Bilal is in the upper echelon of soul singers (also occupied by D’Angelo, Anthony Hamilton and John Legend). What he does in this song is nothing short of amazing. He uses his voice like an instrument and the results are astounding. This song hits hard because you picture yourself in his shoes.
(tear-jerker rating: 11 out of 10)
Track 11: Complete me – Phyllis Hyman
I’m usually gone the moment I hear the saxophone in the beginning. Phyllis has a voice as smooth as silk and she effortlessly glides over this arresting ballad. Want to hear more? Check out her rendition of “Betcha by Golly Wow”. Simply amazing! This is the kind of song you put on while you “slip into something more comfortable”, pour yourself a glass of champagne and lounge on a bearskin rug in front of a fireplace. It has a very “old school” luxurious vibe to it and it’s one of my all time favorites.
(tear-jerker rating: 10 out of 10)
Track 12: Let Go – Ne-yo
Ne-yo’s songwriting skill is undeniable. I fell hard for this song when I heard it on his first album. The beat is soul-stirring. And the harp sounds so pretty. I can hear real emotion when he sings it. This is another really great song to play if you’re having trouble letting go of your ex after a breakup. (tear-jerker rating:7 out of 10)
Track 13: Pen just cries away – Eric Roberson
A nice little ditty from A slept-on male R&B vocalist with a lot to say. I love the brooding quality of the chords in the background. And the lyrics are heartfelt and easy to relate to. Here’s another super talented artist that does ‘quality sad love song’ to perfection.
(tear-jerker rating: 8 out of 10)
Track 14: No Ordinary Love – Sade
Probably one of the best love songs ever written! Sade has a voice like no other. The music is addictive, soothing and hypnotic all at the same time. I could listen to this track on repeat for hours and hours.
(tear jerker rating: 10 out of 10)
Track 15: Choux pastry heart – Corrine bailey Rae
She’s not an amazing singer but she sings the hell out of this song. Her voice sounds really great on this track and it just oozes sadness and regret. I love it! Something about the way the song begins gets me everytime. I like the way momentum builds slowly and how pretty the chorus is.
(tear-jerker rating: 8 out of 10)
Track 16: Wise(In the Rain) – Ghostface feat. Stevie J and Mr. Dalvin
Ghost does emotional too. And when he does it, it’s unlike anything you’ve ever heard before. Here he raps over the popular oldies hit, ‘In the Rain”. I love when he does these type of records (“Holla”, “Big girl”) because he really gives it all he has, as if he is just spitting his true feelings and emotions. I love that he’s also a sensitive type.
(tearjerker rating: 10 out of 10)
So there you have it. I’ve identified them for you; the gems that stand out from some of the wack R&B clogging the radio airwaves. There are plenty more but these are the ones I had readily available to me. Not all of them are cloyingly sad, which is good since some of those really sad ones (Wild is the Wind by Nina Simone) are so powerful they can thrust you into a state of depression with one listen. These are just songs that put the “B” in R&B. These are some of the realest sad love songs with feeling, emotion, heartache, despair, pain, sorrow and desire. Listen to a few of them and let the music wash over you and relax you. And if the urge to cry suddenly comes, go with it. Let the teardrops slide down your face and the lyrics awaken your emotions. Fall under the spell of one of these really powerful, sad, slow R&B song.
Late Honorable Mentions
Wish you were here – Incubus
Green Eyes – Erykah Badu
Be Without you – Aaliyah
Emotional Rollercoaster – Vivian Green
Nothing – Brandy
The Passion – Lauryn Hill
Ex-factor – Lauryn Hill
You made a fool of me – Me’shell Ndegeocello
Lesson Learned – Alicia Keys feat. John mayer
Friend of Mine – Kelly Price
2 Comments
April 5, 2008 at 11:43 pm
Thank you for this lovely site, i hope you have time to visit mine.. (: http://www.welovelyrics.com/
April 6, 2008 at 11:16 pm
Thanks Diana,
Your site is amazing!! I’m a huge fan of lyrics to love songs and I see you have some for many of my favorite songs! I’ll definitely be a frequent visitor!!