Eric Clapton wrote ‘Tears in Heaven’ as a tribute to his son whom he lost in 1991 at the age of four. The song became a huge hit within months and grabbed the number two spot on the Hot 100 list.
Johnny Cash transformed the song ‘Hurt’' by Nine Inch Nails and made it his own. He was a year away from dying and he turned it into a look back on his life.
Filmed in San Antonio, Texas, this song is one of R.E.M.’s most well-known songs.
Harry Chapin’s 1974 hit ‘Cat’s in the Cradle’ is one of the saddest numbers of all time. It showcases the story of a son whose father is too busy to spend some time with him.
This song recounts Kurt Cobain’s alleged time sleeping under a bridge in Aberdeen, Washington. He recorded the track solo and acoustic.
George Jones’ 1980 hit ‘He Stopped Loving Her Today’ stands above all the other sad country songs that exist. The song is about a guy whose friend holds onto his lost love until the day he dies.
Pearl Jam’s ‘Black’ is a sad tale of lost love.
John Prine’s song ‘Sam Stone’ talks about a Vietnam War veteran and drug addiction.
1994 Alice in Chains classic ‘Nutshell’ took on a new meaning after the singer Layne Staley died tragically at a young age.
Hank Williams poured out all the pain from his failing marriage to his wife Audrey Sheppard into the song three years before his demise.