Article - JD with the most depressing song of all time

From Australian paper the Sunday Mail - article by Paul Stewart

Singing the Blues - Deadly dirges for those happiest when they're miserible

They are those perfect songs for when you're feeling down, lonely and blue. Melancholy? Depressed? These tracks are the ideal soundtrack for those bad times. Many of them have been chronicled in a new book 'I Hate Myself and Want to Die', which proudly lists 52 of the most depressing songs you have ever heard. Author Tim Reynolds said recently "Let the shiny happy people have all their love songs, because we all know its the sad ones that say so much more". Each song is given its own chapter that looks at the history of the song, the artists involved in its creation and its chart success. "Unfortunatley there are many songwriters who are under the delusion that his or her personal problems are of great interest to everyone. Sadly for them, this is not true" Top of his list is Love Will Tear Us Apart, Joy Division'a mounful ode to a disintegrating releationship that was released a month before the suicide of lead singer Ian Curtis in 1981. The British band was bleakness personified even down to the name - a reference to Nazi concentration camp brothels in which prisoners were enslaved to prostitution. Curtis left behind a wife and young daughter but also a substantial musical legacy from his brief career. He has been cited as an influence by the likes of U2, Kurt Cobain and Robert Smith. The members of Joy Division went on to form New Order, who had hits inclusing Blue Monday.

Too Painful to Play

1. LWTUA by English New Wave act JD fronted by6 manic depressive epileptic Ian Curtis.
2. Alone Again by Gilbert O'Sullivan
3. Strange Fruit Billy Holiday
4. At Seventeen Janis Ian
5. People Who Dies Jim Carroll band
6. The End The Doors
7. Syvias Mother Dr Hook and the Medicine show
8. It must be Him Vicki Carr
9. Total Eclipse of the Heart Bonnie Tyler
10. Seasons in the Sun Terry Jacks

Tehn theres an Australian list compliled by the newspaper, featuring Slim Dudtys A Pub With No Beer at No. 3.

Surprised Atmosphere wasnt in there really. Sadder than Total Eclipse of the Heart, thats for sure.

Paul should try listening to 'unknown pleasures' loads of tracks on there are waaaayyyy more downerfied than LWTUA- important to take prozac 1st if you're vulnerable...

I've read a few articles that say 24 Hours has the saddest bassline of all time. Can't think of a sadder one.

His Holiness, The Pope wrote: I've read a few articles that say 24 Hours has the saddest bassline of all time. Can't think of a sadder one.

I agree with you. I find it far more depressing than LWTUA.

And let's not forget "The Eternal".

Church of the KLF wrote:

His Holiness, The Pope wrote: I've read a few articles that say 24 Hours has the saddest bassline of all time. Can't think of a sadder one.

I agree with you. I find it far more depressing than LWTUA.

must agree, "24 hours" bassline gives me chills and the lyrics try to describe the hopelessness of the last twenty four hours of being alive

i think Joy Division got number one for LWTUA on reputation alone... why not, they deserve some respect? name dropping by the people who made the list to look cool

LWTUA is undeniably melancholy, but I tend to find the song rather uplifting, if not for its sheer brilliance alone.

Church of the KLF wrote: And let's not forget "The Eternal".

my thoughts exactly,now there is a depressing song. still think its good though.

mike powell wrote:

Church of the KLF wrote: And let's not forget "The Eternal".

my thoughts exactly,now there is a depressing song. still think its good though.

Oh, it's definitely a winner. Sometimes you just want to hear a depressing track. :D

You lot want to try singing 24 Hours in front of a crowd......it is too close to the bone. The only JD song that depresses me. The bassline is so relentless, so sonorous and just makes you want to cry. Only Reilly's bum notes lighten the gloom ;)

Church of the KLF wrote: And let's not forget "The Eternal".

Definitely a winner! Along with Decades.

I've never considered Love Will Tear Us Apart a sad song, with its upbeat rhythm and catchy tune it's more like a party song.

LWTUA was only really downtrodden in its recorded versions, try listening to any of the live renditions from Les Baines Douches up to today.

oldmonkey wrote: You lot want to try singing 24 Hours in front of a crowd......it is too close to the bone. The only JD song that depresses me. The bassline is so relentless, so sonorous and just makes you want to cry. Only Reilly's bum notes lighten the gloom ;)

It's a real favorite at karaoke night, that one.