Depressed? (Top 10 Singles)

Member Name: GodToldMeTo

Product:	Top 10 Singles
Date:	21/03/02 (88 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: cross section of music, fine examples of amazing songs

Disadvantages: a little on the down side

After finding myself uncontrollably listening to somewhat depressing although equally outstanding music I decided to comprise a list of what I like to refer to as my break up list.

I think these ballads are most appropriate when finishing with some one and capture the emotion of both love and hatred so well. I have been rather pessimistic in making this list but I enjoyed doing it and that’s my reason. All the songs on my list are, in my mind, excellent pieces of music regardless the fact they are quite depressing. I don’t want to come across as overly morbid in justifying myself for making this list but the reason being that I don’t particularly want to listen to upbeat happy music every day of my life, as I’m sure most people don’t. It took me a while in getting the list just right and I’m quite happy with it now.

The song list is quite diverse and some people may disagree with my choices seeing them as inappropriate. I have included justification so please read that before making your comments.

Where appropriate I have tried to find out what the song is actually about but it is very rare that such a context the artist is willing to go into detail about what they are trying to communicate, hence most of what you read, if not all is what I interpret the song to be, and what I feel in represents.

10. Jimmy Eat World – My Sundown from the album “Bleed American”.
The song is not all that depressing, in fact it’s quite uplifting and comes across be a song about promising to a better person. Perfect music to listen to just to sit in the dark and listen to. “I said my goodbyes, this is my sundown. I’m gonna be so much more than this.”

9. The Foo Fighters – Everlong (Acoustic) from “Little Nicky OS”.
As far as I know this is the only commercially available record where you will find Dave Grhol playing solo acoustic guitar t
o what is in my opinion the best Foo Fighters song. I heard an interview with Dave on Howard Stern and he was originally going to play For All The Cows, Howard wouldn’t let him and made him play Everlong instead. I think he was then asked to record an acoustic version especially for the film, which only plays about 10 seconds of it anyway. The song is nothing less than amazing.

8. U2 - With or Without You from the album “The Joshua Tree”.
A song that is somewhat of contradiction to the theme I tried to establish but deserves to be on my list. A song that reflects the separation between two people and the desperation to be together. The opening riff and punching bass line perfectly captures and reflects that melancholy mood we’ve all experience one time or another.

7. Green Day - Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life) from the album “Nimrod”.
Billie Joe Armstrong, singer and songwriter of Green Day wrote this song as a goodbye letter to his girlfriend leaving him to go to South America. Played on acoustic guitar it is a song that reflects the better side of breaking up and Billie asks that no feeling should be hurt. “It’s something unpredictable, but in the end its right, I hope you had the time of your life.”

6. The Smashing Pumpkins – Disarm from the album “Siamese Dream”.
Billy Corgan’s cry for company and for help during his weakest hour within another acoustic song. “Disarm you with a smile, and leave you like they left me here - to wither in denial. The bitterness of one who's left alone.” Perhaps the most melodic Pumpkins song and no doubt one of the best.

5. The Alkaline Trio - Radio from the album “Maybe I'll Catch Fire”.
An emo song if every there was one. Radio is somewhat of a contrast to Billie Joe’s song about breaking up. Skiba wishes death upon his ex-girlfriend by singing, “I wish y
ou, would take my radio to bathe with you, plugged in and ready to fall.” Somewhat extreme but honest.

4. Staind - Outside from the album “Break The Cycle”.
From its title its clear to see what Aaron Lewis was aiming at. It’s a song for the ‘outsider’ looking in at normality. The fact it is highly overplayed just goes to show how many messed up people are out there. Fits in perfectly with my list.

3. Placebo - Every Me Every You from the album “Without You I’m Nothing.”
Featured on the film Cruel Intentions. The lyrics are quite depressing even by my standards but covered up by the quite upbeat tune. The song seems to be about the poison of love. “Sucker love is heaven sent. You pucker up, our passion spent. My hearts a tart, your body’s rent.”

2. The Cranberries - I Will Always from the album “Everybody Is Doing It So Why Can't We”.
Played on acoustic guitar with the incessant thud of the bass drum accenting the melodic hook the song fits in perfectly with my theme. The music takes the listener on somewhat of an emotional journey that leaves them feeling incredibly vulnerable, a perfect introduction for what is to follow.

1. Tori Amos - Smells Like Teen Spirit from her “Crucify” single.
Evidently a cover the Nirvana song but played so very different. Being accompanied by only a piano Tori Amos gives more to this song than I thought Nirvana could ever do as a grunge outfit.

That’s my list. I hope you don’t find too many problems with it.

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