"Songs of Grief and Loss" Unearths a Treasure Chest of Sad Songs – Gleaming Diamonds from the Music Mines
"Songs of Grief and Loss" ("SGL") has selected "10 Alternative Sad Songs" about partings and endings – whether of relationship, marriage or death.
London, United Kingdom, May 16, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Adele’s sad song ‘Someone Like You’ quickly became an international hit. Rick Rubin, a Grammy-winning producer explains why: “The raw emotions inspired mostly by the 23-year-old’s break-up with a boyfriend, are what people are responding to.” It seems to be a cathartic song for the broken-hearted.
Sad songs can be divided into two types – the slushy, cheesy-sappy ones played on commerical channels, and the soulful ones that speak of real love and true sorrow – songs with gravitas, like the new selection from ‘SGL’. Australian-born musician Nick Cave highlights the difference: “The writer who refuses to explore the darker regions of the heart, will never be able to write convincingly about the wonder, the magic and the joy of love … as the acknowledgement of a capacity for suffering is missing.”
In ‘SGL’s view, the songwriters and singers featured here have explored or experienced the summit and nadir of love and sorrow. ‘SGL’s selection shares universal themes of love and loss. They are not only sad, but beautiful, too. This 10-song-choice and the following comments are simply the opinions of ‘SGL’.
1. Roy Orbison, the singer with a great voice and lonely sound, whose life was marked by tragedy, sings of bittersweet truth in his heartrending song ‘In the Real World’. 2. ‘I Will Love You Every Time’, is a Tom Paxton song. This version by The Fureys and Davey Arthur can be described as pure beauty with a melody that touches one’s deepest, innermost being. 3. ‘Who Knows Where the Time Goes’ was written by a mature 20 yr old Sandy Denny. It is very raw, real, and timeless. 4. Melanie‘s sorrowful and poignant undiscovered gem,‘The Saddest Thing’ comes next. However, this song is not just about loss, it is an affirmation of life, as in the line: “just say thank you life for having been.”
Most sad songs are love songs, and this is no exception: No 5. ‘Stop All the Clocks’ aka ‘Funeral Blues’. This is one of the saddest love poems ever written. W H Auden’s poem is incomparable in its raw portrayal of human love and loss. Auden’s brilliant poetry shines like a beacon among the grey of contemporary lyrics. ‘Stop all the Clocks’ is haunting and awe-inspiring. Even though the words are supremely sad, the overal feedback does not refer to this sadness. Instead, typical responses are “very lovely”, “very pretty”, “beautiful”, “indescribable”, etc. A French listener responded with “sublime”, and “magnifique”, while a Spaniard felt moved and lifted up by the raw delivery and powerful lyrics of the song.
No.6 is the classic and very English ‘When an Old Cricketer Leaves the Crease’ - a little-known song by Roy Harper. This skilful piece is indescribably moving, and has a transcendent quality. DJ Andy Kershaw played it as a tribute to Sir John Peel, after his sudden death, aged 65. 7. The 9/11 terror attacks inspired Mark Knopfler to write an anthem. ‘If This is Goodbye’ is atmospheric, and beautifully sung by Knopfler and Emmylou Harris. 8. ‘Everybody Hurts’ by R.E.M touches humanity with its universal message. The power of this song brings people together. Next, at No.9, Justin Hayward creates a melancholic ambience with his velvety voice. ‘Forever Autumn’, is a reminder of the transient nature of life. And finally, at No 10, is the rock ballad ‘Wind of Change’ by the Scorpions with 36.5 million YouTube hits. This one is inspiring and hope-filled – a timeless anthem for freedom.
According to Ann Lewiss of ‘SGL’, “These extraordinary songs have a presence of their own. Their purity and freshness take ‘sad songs’ to a new level of depth and meaning.” She continued: "When words and music resonate with us meaningfully, we discover things about ourselves. Whether a song works or not, depends not only on the lyrics or the music, but also on the listener’s experiences, and whether they can relate to it. The right combination of these three components seems to create the ‘magical song’."
“This novel selection is also suitable for the grieving, and can be used at funerals and memorial services. Many of these ‘magical songs’ have not been given as much airplay as they deserve. They may prove a welcome alternative to the present day overplayed, often sentimental, and nostalgic, funeral favourites,” concluded Ann Lewiss.
To listen to these songs visit: http://www.songsofgriefandloss.org/more-sad-songs.php
Ann Lewiss
Marketing at 'Songs of Grief and Loss'
Sad songs can be divided into two types – the slushy, cheesy-sappy ones played on commerical channels, and the soulful ones that speak of real love and true sorrow – songs with gravitas, like the new selection from ‘SGL’. Australian-born musician Nick Cave highlights the difference: “The writer who refuses to explore the darker regions of the heart, will never be able to write convincingly about the wonder, the magic and the joy of love … as the acknowledgement of a capacity for suffering is missing.”
In ‘SGL’s view, the songwriters and singers featured here have explored or experienced the summit and nadir of love and sorrow. ‘SGL’s selection shares universal themes of love and loss. They are not only sad, but beautiful, too. This 10-song-choice and the following comments are simply the opinions of ‘SGL’.
1. Roy Orbison, the singer with a great voice and lonely sound, whose life was marked by tragedy, sings of bittersweet truth in his heartrending song ‘In the Real World’. 2. ‘I Will Love You Every Time’, is a Tom Paxton song. This version by The Fureys and Davey Arthur can be described as pure beauty with a melody that touches one’s deepest, innermost being. 3. ‘Who Knows Where the Time Goes’ was written by a mature 20 yr old Sandy Denny. It is very raw, real, and timeless. 4. Melanie‘s sorrowful and poignant undiscovered gem,‘The Saddest Thing’ comes next. However, this song is not just about loss, it is an affirmation of life, as in the line: “just say thank you life for having been.”
Most sad songs are love songs, and this is no exception: No 5. ‘Stop All the Clocks’ aka ‘Funeral Blues’. This is one of the saddest love poems ever written. W H Auden’s poem is incomparable in its raw portrayal of human love and loss. Auden’s brilliant poetry shines like a beacon among the grey of contemporary lyrics. ‘Stop all the Clocks’ is haunting and awe-inspiring. Even though the words are supremely sad, the overal feedback does not refer to this sadness. Instead, typical responses are “very lovely”, “very pretty”, “beautiful”, “indescribable”, etc. A French listener responded with “sublime”, and “magnifique”, while a Spaniard felt moved and lifted up by the raw delivery and powerful lyrics of the song.
No.6 is the classic and very English ‘When an Old Cricketer Leaves the Crease’ - a little-known song by Roy Harper. This skilful piece is indescribably moving, and has a transcendent quality. DJ Andy Kershaw played it as a tribute to Sir John Peel, after his sudden death, aged 65. 7. The 9/11 terror attacks inspired Mark Knopfler to write an anthem. ‘If This is Goodbye’ is atmospheric, and beautifully sung by Knopfler and Emmylou Harris. 8. ‘Everybody Hurts’ by R.E.M touches humanity with its universal message. The power of this song brings people together. Next, at No.9, Justin Hayward creates a melancholic ambience with his velvety voice. ‘Forever Autumn’, is a reminder of the transient nature of life. And finally, at No 10, is the rock ballad ‘Wind of Change’ by the Scorpions with 36.5 million YouTube hits. This one is inspiring and hope-filled – a timeless anthem for freedom.
According to Ann Lewiss of ‘SGL’, “These extraordinary songs have a presence of their own. Their purity and freshness take ‘sad songs’ to a new level of depth and meaning.” She continued: "When words and music resonate with us meaningfully, we discover things about ourselves. Whether a song works or not, depends not only on the lyrics or the music, but also on the listener’s experiences, and whether they can relate to it. The right combination of these three components seems to create the ‘magical song’."
“This novel selection is also suitable for the grieving, and can be used at funerals and memorial services. Many of these ‘magical songs’ have not been given as much airplay as they deserve. They may prove a welcome alternative to the present day overplayed, often sentimental, and nostalgic, funeral favourites,” concluded Ann Lewiss.
To listen to these songs visit: http://www.songsofgriefandloss.org/more-sad-songs.php
Ann Lewiss
Marketing at 'Songs of Grief and Loss'
Contact
Songs of Grief and Loss
Ann Lewiss
07884138936
www.songsofgriefandloss.org
Ann Lewiss
07884138936
www.songsofgriefandloss.org
Contact
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