The 25 Most Exquisitely Sad Songs in the Whole World: No. 25

'The River'
Bruce Springsteen (1980)
The Breakdown: Premature pregnancy, marriage and a weepy harmonica crush the dreams of a young couple.
The Waterworks: "We went down to the courthouse/And the judge put it all to rest/No wedding day smiles, no walk down the aisle/No flowers, no wedding dress."
Casualty Count: One couple's age of innocence.
Listen to 'The River
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Posted by Spinner Staff
Filed under: Songs, The Hit List











Reader Comments(1 of 53)
debbieat 5-05-2007
The River came out my freshmen year in college. Bought it, played it over and over till I knew every word and then I got to see him on that tour and it was the first time I saw Springsteen live. Still one of the best shows I have ever been to in my life. Great album. One my top 5 of all time!!! Plus it was a double album!!!
Phyllis Giroudat 5-05-2007
I simply cannot believe that none of you could remember the saddest song ever. It was by Hank Williams and it's called "I'm so lonesome I could cry". Nothing can compare to that. His lyrics come pretty close to Shakespere. Just listen to it.
d.j. andyat 5-05-2007
"He Stopped Loving Her Today" by: George Jones(1978) gets my vote.
cnoeat 5-05-2007
Like I said, The sad songs are just that, SAD, and yup we do have our favorites, the one that is playin. LOL
R. Cooperat 5-05-2007
Hank Williams' "I'm So Lonesome I could Cry" and
George Jones "He Stopped Loving Her Today" are at the
top of my Sad Songs playlist.
Lillianat 5-05-2007
I agree about "I am so lonesome I could cry". It was also done by B. J. Thomas. I like his version too.
Philat 5-05-2007
"Don't take the girl" by Tim McGraw, that one makes me choke up.
Moodyat 5-05-2007
Phyllis - you gotta hear "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" sung by the Cowboy Junkies. That'll make you take to your bed for a week.
cathy baggarlyat 5-05-2007
THE SADDEST DAY GETING ON AOL IN THE US AND IT ALL BEING IN SPANISH What the hell man
Michaelat 5-05-2007
"He Stopped Loving Her Today" by George Jones. One of the greatest and saddest songs of all time.
walter earlesat 5-05-2007
are you washed in the blood? jesus shed his blood for us.how much sader can that be?
Rupert Terryat 5-05-2007
old shep by Elvis Presly was a pretty sad song also
Salvoat 5-05-2007
Try this lyric on for size from Susan Werner's "Last of the Good Straight Girls" cd: "Passion's always half impossibility, but lovers that we lose we never dare forget - we visit them in mourning, in December and in May, at the graveyard of St. Mary's of Regret."
Debraat 5-05-2007
Hmmm..some are good, but not top 25. How could you not have "Dust in the Wind" or "Tell Laura I Love Her" or "Last Kiss" or "Cat in the Cradle" or "Is That All There Is?"
Philat 5-05-2007
"Don't take the girl" by Tim McGraw.
That one gets me all choked up.
R. Kliszat 5-05-2007
George Jones "He Stopped Loving Her Today" runs neck to neck with Meryl Haggard's "Kern River": "...it was there that I met her, it was there that I lost her -- I may drown in still water but I'll never swim Kern River again...."
Loisat 5-05-2007
When I first heard "With Pen In Hand" by Vicky Carr I was driving home from work and had to pull to the side of the road because I couldn't see through my tears.
Kattieat 5-05-2007
MY HEART WILL GO ON by celine dion. duh. no debate.
Chadat 5-05-2007
Conway Twitty, That's my job. If you have ever had a father, you have to love this one
Sheilaat 5-05-2007
I can't believe you didn't include "In The Ghetto" by Elvis Presley, or "Honey" by Bobby Goldsboro.