The 25 Most Exquisitely Sad Songs in the Whole World: No. 3
- Posted by Spinner Staff
- Comments (75)
'Eleanor Rigby'The Beatles (1966)
The Breakdown: The cute Beatle writes a timeless, devastating ode to the futility of life, set to a grieving string octet.
The Waterworks: "Eleanor Rigby died in the church and was buried along with her name/Nobody came."
Casualty Count: One spinster, one pair of socks.
Listen to 'Eleanor Rigby'
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Reader Comments(1 of 4)
Kelseyat 8-06-2009
This is one of my favorite songs by The Beatles.
Skppygddssat 11-26-2009
I protest to listing the socks as a casualty. He was darning them, they were saved not lost. Did the writer of this article realize McCartney got the idea from a headstone in a local churchyard? Eleanor Rigby was a real person, don't know if she did live like that.
heatherat 5-05-2007
a real sad song is "Adagio for Strings" it has been in many sad movies like " the elephant man.
Starrockaat 5-05-2007
This song is a reflection of the alienation and isolation that their super fame was causing for them. This would be taken further in the Sgt. Pepper album and even later by Pink Floyd in The Wall. This song is a massive maturity step beyond the simple love song format in pop and rock music. A milestone. Many great songs about life's futility and lonely people and alienation have been made and this is the blueprint.
SCat 5-05-2007
For McCartney, I'd put "Long and Winding Road" ahead of "Eleanor Rigby". The last song with the Beatles, you get drawn in by the heart-felt goodbye to his longtime friend, John, and that entire era. He's even beginning to cry in the last part of the song - how much more poignant can it get?
maddy thatchat 5-05-2007
This is my favorite song i love the beatles
Best Band ever
Martinat 5-05-2007
Adagio for Strings? Its not that sad. Its also rather euphoric in certain parts so its kind of counters the seemingly 'sad' parts Thats not to say that the remixes aren't different.
But I agree that Eleanor Rigby is a really sad one to hear.
C Cat 5-05-2007
One of my favorite classic beatles songs
GARYat 5-05-2007
WHAT ABOUT REBA'S " I THINK HIS NAME WAS JOHN ".
IT WAS ABOUT A GIRL WHO DOES NOT PARTY VERY OFTEN
BUT ONE TIME SHE WAS INTRODUSED TO A FRIEND OF A FRIEND OF A FRIEND. SHE HAD TOO MUCH TO DRINK.
SHE GOT AIDS AND ALL SHE COULD REMEMBER WAS
I THINK HIS NAME WAS JOHN. SHE DIES NEVER REMEMBERING ANYTHING ELSE. THATS A SAD SONG.
reidat 5-05-2007
The beatles are amazing and i think this is an Uber sad song. /cry
Tylerat 5-05-2007
This song is too upbeat to even be in the top 10 of all the Beatles' songs alone. Do you know how many songs they have? Yesterday is definitely more depressing than any of these songs you put on the list.
Don Brumleyat 5-05-2007
This list is a joke, have the contributors never heard of ‘Black’ or 'Indifference’ by Pearl Jam or ‘It’s been awhile by Stained'. What about “I’m so lonesome I could cry’ by Hank Williams. These are gut wrenching songs of agony and despair brought about by loss, to not have one make the top 25 let alone the top 10 is musical incompetence.
Cindyat 5-05-2007
GREAT SONG....MAYBE LOVE & MARRIAGE ISN'T FOR EVERONE...BUT THEY SHOULD BE FORGOTTEN...MANY PEOPLE..UNLESS THEY ARE HIGH RANKED SOCIETY OR INVOLVED N POLITICS (USUALLY SCADULOUS) AND MOVIES )STARS GET REMEMBERED...NOT THE LITTLE OLD CAT LADY WHO EVER MARRIED OR ENDED UP WIDOWED AT A TYOUNG AGE WHO OFTEN DIES....THEY CALLED HER CRAZY & SENIALE & BURIED HER...YET SHE HAD MORE WISODM THEN MOST PEOPLE!
zerox13at 5-05-2007
i remember being a kid and my dad playing this song on cassette. i loved it before i ever understood what the words meant.
nunya binisat 5-05-2007
Speaking of all the lonely people. Don't we have anything better to do than to argue about what song is the saddest... That's sad!!!
EvelynLagat 5-05-2007
i agree with zerox13...heard it when i was a child and instantly fell in love with it not knowin the meanin behind it....
Mariaat 5-05-2007
pretty good choice. i don't think this is the beatles' saddest, though. it's more poetic, i think.
Georgeat 5-05-2007
What about "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes?" That MUST be the saddest song ever.
Jenniferat 5-05-2007
My favorite of the "famous" Beatles songs, but I think "Fool on a Hill" was sadder.
Rick Tindallat 5-05-2007
On the same 1966 Beatles Lp, Revolver, is another McCartney song I personally find more sad. The song is For No One.