Top 10 Music Artists with the Most Depressing Music

As much as I love some of these artists, their music makes me feel depressed, even though I am not a depressed type of person.

The Top Ten

Radiohead

Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Colin Greenwood, Phil Selway, and Ed O'Brien.
Known for their experimentation and sonic evolution, they rose to international prominence with OK Computer and continued... read more

Their electronic music is just as sad, if not more sad, than their rock. Songs like "My Iron Lung," "Packt Like Sardines In A Crushed Tin Box," and "No Surprises" make me want to cry.

Oh yeah, their music can be very depressing to hear. It's something that you get used to. Very melancholic.

I just love their songs. They are very different, and that's what makes them so great. Love them.
Alice In Chains

Alice in Chains is an American grunge/alternative metal band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1987 by guitarist and songwriter Jerry Cantrell and original lead vocalist Layne Staley. The band's most notable hits include "Man in the Box," "Down in a Hole," "Heaven Beside You," "No Excuses," "What the... read more

Especially during their run in the 90s, during that time Layne deteriorated heavily and almost all of their songs were about this. Pretty much anything off of Jar of Flies or their self-titled album is some of their most harrowing work to date.

I love this band, and I agree that they create very powerfully depressing songs. But that's their style (not for all the songs by the way).

No Excuses has to be the most depressing grunge song I've ever heard.
Nirvana

Nirvana was an American grunge band formed in Aberdeen, Washington, in 1987. The band consisted of Kurt Cobain (vocals, guitar), Krist Novoselic (bass), and Dave Grohl (drums), who joined in 1990. Nirvana disbanded following Cobain's death by suicide in 1994.... read more

In my opinion, Nirvana wasn't all that depressing until In Utero. A lot of the stuff before that was negative, but not really that depressing - mainly just teen angst. But when they want to, yes, it's very depressing alright.

They have a song titled 'I Hate Myself and I Want to Die.' And Kurt Cobain did kill himself. I'm surprised they're not #1.

At least top three, but still great music!
Joy Division

Joy Division was an English post‑punk band formed in 1976 in Salford, Greater Manchester. They originally used the name Warsaw. The quartet comprised Ian Curtis (vocals), Bernard Sumner (guitar. Keyboards), Peter Hook (bass), and Stephen Morris (drums). The band became influential despite their brief... read more

Pretty bleak stuff, but it influenced most indie/alt rock acts of the 90s.

The song sung by Ian isn't just a lyric. It's a manifesto.

All of their songs are so dark and depressing.
Pink Floyd

Pink Floyd are an English progressive rock band formed in 1965 in London, England. They gained international acclaim with their innovative, conceptual music blending progressive rock and psychedelia. The classic lineup included Syd Barrett (vocals and guitar), David Gilmour (vocals and guitar), Nick... read more

Oh my goodness! Pink Floyd is really depressing at times. I tried to get into The Wall by listening to it bit by bit, but every night it would bring me down. So now, I am afraid to listen to the third side of the vinyl.

Just the amount of songs about mental illness and insanity.

Especially in songs like "Hey You".
Nine Inch Nails

Nine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock band founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. They have released eleven studio albums.
The band is known for its dark, moody lyricism and aggressive vocal delivery. Their biggest hits include "Closer," "Hurt," "Wish," "We're in This Together... read more

There are so many songs of pure hopelessness and the fear of losing one's own identity, feeling caged, and so on from Nine Inch Nails.
Songs like Every Day is Exactly the Same, Getting Smaller, Right Where It Belongs, All the Love in the World, The Fragile, and And All That Could Have Been each struck me so hard.

No band besides Type O Negative has made me feel so hopeless.
Soundgarden

Soundgarden was an American grunge and alternative metal band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1984 by singer and rhythm guitarist Chris Cornell, lead guitarist Kim Thayil, and bassist Hiro Yamamoto.
The band was one of the pioneers of the grunge movement and released critically acclaimed albums... read more

The lyricism of the group and Cornell in all of his solo and side projects can't be overlooked in this regard.

Yes, another grunge band - to me, grunge is the most depressing music subgenre. It doesn't mean bad though.

Chris Cornell had one of the strongest but also most emotional voices ever.
Every word reaches deep.
Elliott Smith

Steven Paul Smith (August 6, 1969, to October 21, 2003), known as Elliott Smith, was an American musician and singer-songwriter.
He was born in Omaha, Nebraska, raised primarily in Texas, and spent much of his adult life in Portland, Oregon, where he gained popularity. Smith's primary instrument... read more

I listen to Elliott whenever I'm feeling depressed, and his music does not make me feel better. Definitely my favorite artist of all time, though.

Basically, everything about this guy is sad. Some of the most genuinely depressing lyricism you'll ever hear, paired with soft, understated, and subtle instrumentation that'll take any joy you had in you right out in a moment.
The Smiths

The Smiths were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1982. The band consisted of vocalist Morrissey, guitarist Johnny Marr, bassist Andy Rourke, and drummer Mike Joyce. They became one of the most influential bands of the 1980s, known for their distinct blend of jangly guitar pop and introspective... read more

Clearly a band lost to the latest generation. Look outside what's been thrown at you by popular culture. The Smiths should be way further up this chart.

Why in the actual name of Hell are The Smiths 55 on here? Under Imagine Dragons and 21 Pilots? What the hell is wrong with you people?
Pearl Jam

Pearl Jam is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington in 1990. The founding lineup included Eddie Vedder, Mike McCready, Stone Gossard, and Jeff Ament. The band is best known for its debut album Ten, which features the hit singles "Even Flow," "Black," and "Jeremy," and was named after basketball... read more

"Alive" has depressing lyrics when it says, "Son," she said, "have I got a little story for you. What you thought was your daddy was nothin' but a..." While you were sitting home alone at age thirteen, your real daddy was dying. Sorry you didn't see him, but I'm glad we talked."

Their lyricism is quite sad and disturbing. They became less depressing as they went on, but those first three albums were downers! Of course, that isn't a bad thing - Pearl Jam is incredible nonetheless.

The Newcomers

?
Syd Barrett
?
Slowdive

Slowdive is a British shoegaze band that formed in Reading, England, in 1989. They are recognized as a key influence in the shoegaze movement, known for their use of reverb and delay to create immersive, dreamlike soundscapes. Their music often focuses on introspective and emotional themes.... read more

The Contenders

Three Days Grace

Three Days Grace is a Canadian post-grunge and alternative rock band formed in Norwood, Ontario, in 1992. The original lineup consisted of guitarist and lead vocalist Adam Gontier, drummer and backing vocalist Neil Sanderson, and bassist Brad Walst. Initially named Groundswell, the band changed its name... read more

Three Days Grace is pretty depressing, and some might like it. I love it.

Depressing fits their first three albums pretty well.

Three Days Grace is mostly a band of teenage angst, but some songs hit deep.
Linkin Park

Linkin Park is an American alternative rock band formed in Agoura Hills, California, in 1996. The current members include Mike Shinoda (vocals, keyboards, rhythm guitar), Brad Delson (guitar), Dave "Phoenix" Farrell (bass), Joe Hahn (DJ), Emily Armstrong (vocals), and Colin Brittain (drums). Linkin Park... read more

Really great band, but yes, all their songs are influenced by depression. And Chester Bennington killed himself. It surprises me that most fans had no idea he was crying out in pain in his music until his suicide. I noticed it as soon as I first heard them.

A lot of their songs have become painful listens. It should be noted that before Chester died, there were people who harshly criticized this band for their "emo" lyrics. Nobody at the time knew that the pain in the lyrics was sincere.

My brother listens to Linkin Park all the time, and I don't understand how he does it without killing himself. They are so depressing. Fantastic band, but I will only listen to them a couple of times a year.
Staind

Staind is a post‑grunge/alternative metal band formed in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1995. The band's lineup consists of Aaron Lewis (vocals, guitar), Jon Wysocki (drums. Left in 2011), Johnny April (bass), and Mike Mushok (guitar). After Wysocki's departure, Sal Giancarelli filled in on drums... read more
Have a Nice Life

Yeah, their stuff is really dark and melancholy. You certainly don't feel like you're having a nice life while listening to them. Still, they're an incredible band.
The Cure

The Cure are an English post-punk and gothic rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex, in 1978. The band has undergone numerous lineup changes, with vocalist, guitarist, and principal songwriter Robert Smith remaining the only consistent member. They are known for hits such as Just Like Heaven and Lovesong... read more
Seether

Seether is a South African post-grunge band founded in May 1999 in Pretoria. They originally performed under the name Saron Gas before changing their name to Seether in 2002. The band gained international success and continues to tour and release music.... read more
Evanescence

Evanescence is an American rock band founded in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1994 by singer and keyboardist Amy Lee and guitarist Ben Moody. The group rose to prominence in the early 2000s with their debut studio album Fallen (2003), which included the hit singles Bring Me to Life and My Immortal.... read more

My Immortal was the first song that made me cry. Good song, but it's so depressing.

My Immortal is probably their most depressing song.
XXXTentacion

Jahseh Dwayne Onfroy (January 23, 1998 - June 18, 2018), known professionally as XXXTentacion and often referred to as X, was an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He rose to prominence with his unique blend of genres including hip hop, rock, and R&B. Despite a controversial personal life and criminal... read more

His music is kinda depressing. I agree.

His newer songs are mainly focused on his mental health. As time went on, you could see how his mental health drastically changed.
Lana Del Rey

Lana Del Rey is a California-based singer and songwriter who currently lives in Malibu, California. She was born Elizabeth Woolridge Grant on June 21, 1985, in Manhattan, New York, to Robert England Grant Jr. and Patricia Ann Hill. She was raised in Lake Placid and has two younger siblings, Caroline... read more

As someone who suffers from depression, Lana's music really speaks to me. Yes, some of it is quite depressing, but it has a healing quality about it. In my opinion, Lana Del Rey is the best pop artist of today, and I really don't like today's pop music. Lana is really something special, and the fact that she is popular is a good thing. Depressing, but in a good way.

Her music seems to always move me to the point where I can't help but cry. You can feel the pain and beauty behind each lyric and chord. Truly an amazing artist!
Type O Negative

Type O Negative was an American gothic/doom metal band formed in Brooklyn, New York City, in 1989. Their lyrics often focused on themes of romance, depression, and death, earning them the nickname "The Drab Four." The band was fronted by Peter Steele and gained a dedicated fan base with albums like Bloody... read more

In my opinion, no group has ever made me feel so hopeless. I love this band. Even met a badass chick who loves the band too. Turns out she sells pics of herself on her Snapchat. Total turnoff. This band is just a reminder to me that everything I will ever want will eternally be just beyond my grasp.

Their songs have a dark atmosphere and most of them reflect on such depressing subjects as (especially) death. Listening to this band at a low point is not a good idea.

Gosh! Never felt so hopeless listening to music. Very addictive stuff, but it can be very dangerous because of how depressing it is.
Twenty One Pilots

Twenty One Pilots is an American musical duo from Columbus, Ohio, best known for their hits "Stressed Out," "Heathens," and "Ride." The band formed in 2009 with Tyler Joseph, Nick Thomas, and Chris Salih. Today, the lineup consists of Tyler Joseph (lead vocals. Piano. Keyboards. Synthesizers. Ukulele... read more

Taco Bell Saga is all I have to say. It's probably the most deep and lyrical song ever.
The Doors

The Doors were an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1965, comprising vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robby Krieger, and drummer John Densmore. They were among the most influential and occasionally controversial rock acts of the 1960s, largely due to Morrison's poetic... read more

So much dark poetry! My father loves them, but I just can't get it. Some of their songs are really good, but stuff like The Unknown Soldier brings me down.
Porcupine Tree

Porcupine Tree are an English progressive rock band formed by musician Steven Wilson in 1987. The band began as a solo project for Wilson, who created all of the band's music in its early years. They later evolved into a full band, gaining critical acclaim for albums like In Absentia and Fear of a Blank... read more

These guys have some of the most emotional pieces prog has ever seen. Forget Pink Floyd, PT definitely should top this list.

Nirvana isn't THAT depressing! Porcupine Tree hits me way harder than most of these groups. Get them higher!

This is some very gloomy stuff. Should definitely be up there in the top 5. But they're amazing nonetheless.
Stone Temple Pilots

Stone Temple Pilots is an alternative rock band formed in San Diego, California, in 1989.
The current lineup features brothers Dean DeLeo (guitar) and Robert DeLeo (bass), along with drummer Eric Kretz. The original lead vocalist, Scott Weiland, was with the band until 2013. After his departure... read more

Amazing group with a truly unique feeling of emptiness. Even on their upbeat songs, the lyrics will drag you right back down.
Portishead