Hey Y'all,

I'm sure y'all are aware that a lot of country music is music to drown your sorrows in. What would you consider the saddest song you've ever heard? A song that has actually brought a lump to your throat or made you shed a tear. It's ok, be brave, it happens. :)

What Will You Do With M-E by Western Flyer
Me And Little Andy by Dolly Parton

Close runners up would be:
Chain Of Love by Clay Walker
Don't Laugh At Me by Mark Wills
I Meant To Do That by Paul Brandt

Of course, I could list a thousand beautiful sad songs here, but the actual tear-jerker is a totally different tune. ;) Great question, Trixter! :)

"My wife left with the dog (and I hear they're having fun)"

Seriously, though...Um, "God Bless The USA" by Lee Greenwood can do that to me.

Sincerely,

John "outofplacechild" Kilduff

"The dance" Garth Brooks
"Little Rock" Collin Raye
"Does that blue moon ever shine on you" Toby Keith

I'm sure I'll think of more after I post this....


See I told you :lol:

"Baby blue" George Straight

Hey Y'all,


Good call djdaffy on Garth Brooks "The Dance"! :thumb: Very sad.


Here are mine:

What Am I Gonna Do About You - Reba McEntire
Old 8X10 - Randy Travis
Somebody Should Leave - Reba McEntire
Promises - Randy Travis
It's Out Of My Hands Now - Randy Travis
I Told You So - Randy Travis
Making Plans - Dolly Parton
Silly Me - Reba McEntire

You know what I forgot? "I'm Already There" by Lonestar. How touching is that?! I saw them sing it live on an awards show, and I tell you, that is one awesome band.

And another runner up would be "That's Why I'm Here" by Kenny Chesney. **Side note** Runners up don't actually bring me to tears, they just touch me in a way most sad songs don't. :)

I almost came back earlier to add them, but hubby needed the phone. :rolleyes:

The first song that came to mind was "He Stopped Loving Her Today" by George Jones. :cry:

Originally posted by TJ
The first song that came to mind was "He Stopped Loving Her Today" by George Jones. :cry:

Good call TJ, that is one sad song! George Jones is the master of tear-jerker songs, I would also have to add his song "The Grand Tour", wow how powerful and emotional!!


Another sad song I thought of was Marks Wills "Don't Laugh At Me", that song gives me goosebumps whenever I hear it.

I just heard this one on the radio today and remember shedding a tear or two to it:

What might have been-Little Texas

He stopped loving her today definately tops my list.

Baby's gotten good at goodbye from George Strait is a great one too!

ValJ just helped me remember a sad country song... "Where Have You Been?" by Kathy Mattea! Thanks again, Val! :)

What might have been-Little Texas
Shamless - Garth Brooks

Feed Jake - :laugh:

Although it is a recent song, Nickel Creek's When You Come Back Down moved me from the first time I heard it.

Originally posted by Flix
Although it is a recent song, Nickel Creek's When You Come Back Down moved me from the first time I heard it.

I love Nickel Creek! They have such a great and unique sound for a young country/bluegrass band. I also like their song "A Lighthouse's Tale". :)

Alison Krauss' remake of Keith Whitley's "When You Say Nothing At All' is sad as well, she has such a great unique, pixieish voice! :)

Little Texas - "What Might Have Been" No matter where I am, or what I'm doing, every time I hear this song I ball my eyes out :bigcry: This song holds very special to me as much now as it did then. :(

Garth Brooks - "The Dance" always makes me sad and shed a tear too :(

DON'T TAKE THE GIRL..TIM MCGRAW
THE DANCE....GARTH BROOKS
IF TOMORROW NEVER COMES..GARTH BROOKS
I'M ALREADY THERE...LONE STAR (YES!! I'VE SEEN THEM IN CONCERT AND THEY ARE GREAT!)
GOD BLESS THE USA...LEE GREENWOOD
HARD CANDY CHRISTMAS...DOLLY PARTON

I thought of another a few weeks ago: Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning by Alan Jackson. Absolutely beautiful.

Milani...Feed Jake? LOL That's too funny...but I forget all the words. I know it goes something like: "Feed Jake, He's been a good dog, My best friend, Right through it all, If I die before I wake...Feed Jake" It's a touching song, though, really. Guy loves his puppy doggy. :)

Originally posted by ValJ
I thought of another a few weeks ago: Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning by Alan Jackson. Absolutely beautiful. That IS a Beautiful song Val, I can't believe I forgot about it :(

Originally posted by ValJ
Milani...Feed Jake? LOL That's too funny...but I forget all the words. I know it goes something like: "Feed Jake, He's been a good dog, My best friend, Right through it all, If I die before I wake...Feed Jake" It's a touching song, though, really. Guy loves his puppy doggy. :) It is a touching song Val, Funny I was just listening to that song right now when I read your reply here :D Oh, here are the lyrics :)

Feed Jake

The Pirates Of The Mississippi

I'm standing at the crossroads in life, and I don't know where to go.
You know you've got my heart babe, but my music's got my soul.
Let me play it one more time, I'll tell the truth and make it rhyme,
And hope they understand me.

Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
If I die before I wake, feed Jake, he's been a good dog,
My best friend right through it all, if I die before I wake,
Feed Jake

Now Broadway's like a sewer, bums and hookers everywhere.
Whino's passed out on the side walk, doesn't anybody care.
Some say he's worthless, just let him be.
But I for one would have to disagree.
And so would their mama.

Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
If I die before I wake, feed Jake, he's been a good dog,
My best friend right through it all, if I die before I wake,
Feed Jake

Now if you get an ear pierced, some will call you gay.
But if you drive a pick-up, they'll say 'No, he must be straight.'
What we are and what we ain't, what we can and what we can't,
Does it really matter?

Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
If I die before I wake, feed Jake, he's been a good dog,
My best friend right through it all, if I die before I wake,
Feed Jake

If I die before I wake
Feed Jake

I know this isn't an 80s song or an 80s group for that matter, but when I think of sad country songs this is the one I think of.

Sylvia's Mother - Dr Hook. Not really sure whether it's classed as a country song. I think it is. Dr Hook did have some country songs in their repetoir. That one he almost sounded as though he was crying as he sang it.

I'm downloading sad music so I brought this thread back up. :p
Don't Close Your Eyes -Keith Whitley
&
I'll Leave This World Loving You -Ricky Van Shelton :cry:
Such a beautiful song!

Walk away, leave with my blessin'
Once in a while, let hear from you
If we never meet again, before my life is over
I'll leave this world, lovin' you

You can take everything, but my memories
For their good ones, and they'll see me thru
If we never meet again, I'll love you forever
I'll leave this world, lovin you

You were mine for a time and I'm thankful
Oh life will be so lonesome without you
If we never meet again, this side of heaven
I'll leave this world lovin' you

I also love The Dance by Garth Brooks

One that always gets to me is Love, Me by Collin Raye. I start to cry every time I hear it.

Chain of Love by Clay Walker also brings a tear to my eye. I know it's sappy but I can't help myself.

Recker..I remember Sylvia's Mother very well. That was a good song. :)

The ones I'm listing bring a lump to my throat for one way or anther. Either it's a sad song, or it was played during a sad time (for instance God Bless the Usa), or maybe it was the video that did it.. here's my list:

SMILE (LONESTAR)
DON'T TAKE THE GIRL (TIM MCGRAW)
I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU (DOLLY PARTON)
I'M ALREADY THERE (LONESTAR)
THE DANCE (GARTH BROOKS)
IF TOMORROW NEVER COMES (GARTH BROOKS)
MAYBE SHE'S AN ANGEL (Who sings this?)
DON'T LAUGH AT ME (MARK WILLS)
RUBY..DON'T TAKE YOUR LOVE TO TOWN (KENNY ROGERS)
ANYMORE (TRAVIS TRITT)
TELL ME I WAS DREAMING (TRAVIS TRITT)

I could go on and on and on.........
...great thread to bring back :)

OH..HERE'S ANOTHER ONE...

BROKEN WING (MARTINA MCBRIDE)

they all make me sad until i change the radio station!!! how about slim whitman or tiny tim?

Best NEW sad song: One Last Time by Dusty Drake, I think....

Here's the lyrics:

When she picked up the telephone,
His voice came on the line.
She said: "This can't be happening,"
And tears fell from her eyes.
She said: "What am I supposed to do?
I can't handle losin' you."
He said: "I just had to call to say goodbye,
One last time."

He said: "There are some things in this life,
That are out of our control.
Like who we fall in love with,
And when it's time to go."
She said: "What about the plans we had?"
He said: "This connection's gettin' bad."
Now c'mon baby, let me hear you smile,
One last time."

She started to apologise,
For all the things that she'd done wrong.
She said: "I would have loved you better.
If only I'd known."
He said: "You were the perfect wife,
Promise me you'll go on with your life."
She said: "The boys won't understand."
He said: "Tell 'em Daddy loves 'em and, be strong..."

He said: "Hon, I've gotta go."
She said: "Don't you dare hang up.
There's so many things I need to say.
I love you so much."
It was almost like she felt him leave.
She cried out: "Can you still hear me?"
She fell down on the kitchen floor,
When the signal died,
As the pilot tried to pull out of the dive.
One last......

You have to hear the man sing it to get the full effect...it's beautiful, touching, and heartbreaking....

And don't forget Concrete Angel by Martina McBride. ;)

Dusty is from "The snow belt" in Pennsylvania and the song was inspired by the events of Sept 11th 2001. I like the lyrics but don't like the way he sings it....sorry Val :lol:

DJ, it wouldn't be us if we agreed on it. :lol:

I was going to list DONT CLOSE YOUR EYES as well, such a great tune, as is The Dance by Garth Brooks. Plus, Little Texas' What might have been always tears me up, just because I have often thought those exact things that the song is saying on more than one occasion.

I would add:
Like we Never Had a Broken Heart By Trisha Yearwood (my all time favorite female country singer!)
Heres the lyrics:
Like We Never Had A Broken Heart

Don't be afraid to hold me tight
You know I won't break in two
What we're doing tonight
Sure beats what we're going through
We've both loved and lost before
We know the sadness it can bring
Tonight let's close the door
And hold on to the nearest thing
Let's keep hanging on
So we won't fall apart
Let's make love tonight
Like we never had a broken heart

Don't be afraid to close your eyes
Pretend I'm someone that you love
And I won't have to tell you lies
Cause it's not you I'm thinking of

Let's keep hanging on
So we won't fall apart
Let's make love tonight
Like we never had a broken heart

Tonight we'll just pretend
We've been in love right from the start
Let's make love again
Like we never had a broken heart

Don't be afraid to close your eyes

I am sure there are more, but for now, i will just sit and think of all the GREAT ones already listed.\



Jana, are you thinking of What If She's an Angel by Tommy Shane Steiner?

Country songs that make me cry? Not too many do. But there's a few that certainly open up the floodgates.

Reba McEntire- She Thinks His Name Was John (listen to the lyrics, it's totally sad)

Suzy Bogguss- Letting Go (actually makes me cry NOW, since it's about graduation)

The Judds- Maybe Your Baby's Got The Blues (just makes me cry, no reason)

He Stopped Loving Her Today (George Jones)
What Might Have Been (Little Texas)
Go Rest High on that Mountain (Vince Gill)
"Go rest High......" was a song that we played at my dads funeral. It gets me every time.:cry:

Originally posted by Recker
I know this isn't an 80s song or an 80s group for that matter, but when I think of sad country songs this is the one I think of.

Sylvia's Mother - Dr Hook. Not really sure whether it's classed as a country song. I think it is. Dr Hook did have some country songs in their repetoir. That one he almost sounded as though he was crying as he sang it.

Ah, yes, the song that made stalking look cool. :lol: Seriously, good song.

As for country tear-jerkers, how about "It Was Almost Like A Song" by Ronnie Milsap? Always a very sad song to me.

Kenny Chesney - The Good Stuff lyrics
Well, me and my lady had our first big fight
So I drove around 'till I saw the neon lights
Of a corner bar, It just seemed right, So I pulled up
Not a soul around but the old barkeep
Down at the end and loooking half asleep
But he walked up and said what'll it be?
I said the good stuff
He didn't reach around for the whiskey
He didn't pour me a beer
His blue eyes kinda went misty
He said you can't find that here
'Cause it's the first long kiss on a second date
Momma's all worried when you get home late
And droppin' the ring in the spaghetti plate 'cause
your hands are shakin' so
much
And it's the way that she looks with the rice in her
hair
Eatin' burnt supper the whole first year
And askin' for seconds to keep her from tearin' up
Yeah man, that's the good stuff

He grabbed a carton of milk and he poured a glass
And I smiled and said I'll have some of that
We sat there and talked as an hour passed like old
friends
Saw a black and white picture and he caught my stare
It was a pretty girl with mufont hair
He said that's my Bonnie, taken about a year after we
wed
He said I spent five years in the bottle when the
cancer took her from me
But I've been sober three years now
'Cause the one thing stronger than the whiskey
Was the sight of her holdin' my baby girl
The way she adored that string of pearls
I gave her the day that our youngest boy Earl married
his high school love
It's a new t-shirt sayin' I'm a grandpa
Bein' right there as our time got small
And holdin' her hand when The Good Lord called her up
Yeah man, that's the good stuff

He said when you get home she'll start to cry
When she says I'm sorry, say so am I
And look into those eyes so deep in love
And drink it up
'Cause that's the good stuff
That's the good stuff

Electric YOuth....that Reba song "She Thinks His Name is John" is about AIDS. I learned about it when I became involved in a group in high school called "Teens Teaching AIDS". I cried when I first hear it.


My all time favorite songs are:
One Last Time by Dusty Drake
Concrete Angel by Martina McBride
Three Wooden Crosses by Randy Travis
Lacey's Song (Forgot who its by)
Feed Jake by Pirates of the Mississippi
Foolish Pride by Travis Tritt
Holes in the Floor of Heaven by Steve Wariner

The second verse of When Jesus Comes Back Like That...I cry everytime I hear it. Those are the only ones I can remember off the top of my head right now.

Red Sovine - Teddy Bears Last Ride :(

I always thought You Need Me by Anne Murray was kind of a sad song. Even when british group Boyzone covered it in the 90's, it still brought sadness to me :cry:

The first song that came to mind was "He Stopped Loving Her Today" by George Jones. :cry:

This is by far the saddest country song. I can't listen to it without getting a catch in my breath.

Red Sovine - Teddy Bears Last Ride :(
OMG!!! I can't even believe someone mentioned Red Sovine. He did "Little Rosa", too.
http://www.bb-bird.com/rosa.html You guys must listen!! :( That link will take you to a pge with the lyrics and the song playing.

Here are the lyrics for Teddy Bear's Last Ride:

I was on the outskirts of a little southern town
Tryin' to reach my destination before the sun went down
The old CB was blarin' away on channel 1-9!
When there came a little boy's voice on the radio line

And he said: "Breaker 1-9! Is anyone there?
Come on back, truckers and talk to Teddy Bear!"
Well, I keyed the mike and said: "You got it, Teddy Bear!"
And a little boy's voice came back on the air

"'Preciate the break, Who we got on that end?"
I told him my handle, and, then he began:
"Now, I'm not supposed to bother you fellows out there
Mom says you're busy and for me to stay off the air

But you see, I get lonely and it helps to talk
'Cause that's about all I can do, I'm crippled, and, I can't walk!"
I came back and told him to fire up that mike
And I'd talk to him, as long as he liked

"This was my dad's radio", the little boy said
"But I guess it's mine and mom's now, 'cause my daddy's dead!"
"Dad had a wreck about a month ago
He was trying to get home in a blindin' snow

Mom has to work now, to make ends meet
And I'm not much help, with my two crippled feet!"
"She says not to worry that we'll make it alright
But, I hear her crying, sometimes late at night

You know there's just one thing I want more than anything else to see
Aw, I know you guys are too busy to bother with me!"
"But, you see, my dad used to take me for rides when he was home
But, I guess that's all over now, since my daddy's gone

Not one breaker came on the old CB
As that little crippled boy talked with me
I tried hard to swallow a lump that just wouldn't stay down
As I thought about my boy back in Greenville Town

"Dad was going to take mom and me with him later on this year, Why,
l remember 'im saying: 'Someday this old truck will be yours, Teddy Bear!'
But, I know I'll never get to ride an 18-wheeler again
But, this old base will keep me in touch with all my trucker friends!"

"Teddy Bear's gonna back on out now and leave you alone
'Cause it's about time for mom to come home
But, you give me a shout when you're passin' through
And I'll sure be happy to come back to you!"

Well, I came back and I said: uh! "Before you go 10-10
What's your home 20, little CB friend?"
Well, he gave me his address and I didn't once hesitate
'Cause this hot load of freight was just gonna have to wait

I turned that truck around on a dime
And headed straight for Jackson Street, 229
And as I rounded the corner, oh, I got one heck of a shock
l8 wheelers were lined up for three city blocks!

Why, I guess every driver for miles around had caught Teddy Bear's call
And that little crippled boy was having a ball
For as fast as one driver would carry him in
Another would carry him to his truck and take off again

Well, you better believe I took my turn at riding Teddy Bear
And then I carried him back in and put him down in his chair
And buddy if I never live to see happiness again
I want you to know I saw it that day, in the face of that little man

We took up a collection for him before his mama got home
And each driver said goodbye and then they all were gone
He shook my hand with a mile-long grin
And said: "So long, trucker I'll catch ya again!"

Well, I hit the Interstate with tears in my eyes
I turned on the radio and I got another surprise
"Breaker 1-9!" Came a voice on the air
"Just one word of thanks from Mama Teddy Bear!"

"We wish each and every one, a special prayer for you
'Cause, You just made my little boy's dream come true
I'll sign off now, before, I start to cry
May God ride with you, 10-4, and goodbye."

I didn't read all the replies but "Roses For Mama" nearly always chokes me up. Did anyone mention that?

No one mentioned that yet, Darrianne. :) Glad to see you posting. :)

Another good one is "To Daddy" by EmmyLou Harris. It was written by Dolly Parton.

To Daddy

Mama never seemed to miss the finer things of life
If she did, she never did say so to daddy
She never wanted to be more than a mother and a wife
If she did, she never did say so to daddy
The only thing that seemed to be important to her life
Was to make our house a home and make us happy
Mama never wanted any more than what she had
If she did, she never did say so to daddy

He often left her all alone but she didn't mind the staying home
If she did, she never did say so to daddy
And she never missed the flowers and the cards he never sent her
If she did, she never did say so to daddy
Being took for granted was a thing that she accepted
And she didn't need those things to make her happy
And she didn't seem to notice that he didn't kiss and hold her
If she did, she never did say so to daddy

One morning we awoke just to find a note
That mama carefully wrote and left to daddy
And as we began to read it
Our ears could not believe it
The words that she had written there to daddy

She said, "the kids are older now they don't need me very much
And I've gone in search of love I need so badly
I have needed you so long but I just can't keep holding on"
She never meant to come back home
If she did, she never did say so to daddy
Goodbye to daddy

Well I'm from Texas and I could go on and on with sad country songs so here are just a few of my favorite tear jerkers....:cry:

The Little Girl by John Micheal Montgomery
Go Rest High on That Mountain by Vince Gill
Hurt by Johnny Cash (remake from NIN)
Don't Take the Girl by Tim McGraw

'If Tomorrow Never Comes' - Garth Brooks, This song always brings a tear to my eyes

"Blues Man" by Hank Williams Jr. Love that song!

When I first began to country music it was because of two songs Amarillo( George Strait) and my vote for the sadest is still Everything that Glitters is Not Cold (Dan Seals) Both have very haunting stains that run through them but listening to a man go on about raising a daughter alone..."there's certain things a man just doesn't know" was a killer. The fact that "mom' was off chasing rodeo fame and he and the daughter ran into her posters everywhere was enough to burry me in tissue!

I can't listen to country music because a lot of it makes me too sad. (Plus I'm not a huge fan of the genre.)

However, I'd say Willie Nelson's "Always On My Mind" is pretty sad. This song just gets me everytime.

Kathy Mattea - Where Have You Been
Mark Chestnutt - I Just Wanted You to Know
Steve Azar - Waitin' on Joe
Tracey Lawrence - Is That a Tear (story behind that one since the song itself isn't exactly a tear jerker for most)

Prior to the 80's
Red Sovine & Kitty Wells - A Dear John Letter
Red Sovine - Phantom 309

Non-Country
Glenn Frye - The One You Love

A song Barbara Mandrell did "If that's what friends are for, I don't need them anymore" (that wasn't her biggest hit).

Speaks of a friend this couple has that ends up taking her man.

Lorrie Morgan recently re-did this song and did a VERy good job.

Roses for Mama - Red Sovine

The best way I can think of to make these songs into tales of joy rather than sorrow is to simply play them backwards. If you play them backwards, the dog’s not dead, you don’t lose the farm and the wife comes home.:rollin: