There's no shortage of sad songs about rainy days and lovers who don't bring flowers. And then there are songs that truly bring the pain -- songs so despairing they can make us wonder why we even bother. Here are 25 little ditties so crushing, they could knock Dick Cheney to his knees.

'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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1. 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!!!
debbie at 8:12PM on May 5th 2007