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.
Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke (lead vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards), Jonny Greenwood (lead guitar, keyboards, other instruments), Colin Greenwoood (bass guitar), Phil Selway (drums), and Ed O'Brien (guitar). 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 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 was an American grunge band that was formed in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987. Nirvana disbanded after Kurt Cobain committed suicide in 1994. The drummer of the band, David Grohl, went on to start the Foo-Fighters, an alternative rock band... 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 were an English post-punk band formed in 1976 in Salford, Greater Manchester. Originally named Warsaw, the band consisted of singer Ian Curtis, guitarist and keyboardist Bernard Sumner, bassist Peter Hook, and drummer Stephen Morris. 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 are an English progressive rock band formed in 1965 in London, England. They achieved international acclaim with their progressive and psychedelic music. The band consisted of 5 members - David Gilmour (Vocals and Guitar), Syd Barrett (Vocals and Guitar), Nick Mason (Drums), Roger Waters... 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 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 was an American grunge/alternative metal band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1984 by singer and rhythm guitarist Chris Cornell, lead guitarist Kim Thayil, and bassist Hiro Yamamoto. Chris Cornell died on May 17th, 2017. 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.
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. 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 is a grunge/alternative rock Band formed in Seattle, Washington in 1990. The band had comprised of Eddie Vedder, Mike McCready, Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament... 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.
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... 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.
The Newcomers
The Cure are an English post-punk/gothic rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex, in 1978. The band has experienced several line-up changes, with vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter Robert Smith being the only constant member.
Steven Paul Smith (August 6, 1969 - 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
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.
Staind is a post-grunge/alternative metal band that was formed in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1995.The band members of Staind are Aaron Lewis (vocalist and guitarist), Jon Wysocki (drummer, who left in 2011), Johnny April (bassist), and Mike Mushok (guitarist). After Jon's departure, Sal... read more
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... read more 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.
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.
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.
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.
Seether are a South African post-grunge band founded in May 1999 in Pretoria, South Africa. The band originally performed under the name Saron Gas until 2002, when they adopted the Seether name.
Evanescence is an American heavy alternative/alternative metal band. It was founded in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1995 by singer/pianist Amy Lee and guitarist Ben Moody. 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.
Jahseh Dwayne Onfroy (January 23, 1998 - June 18, 2018), known professionally as XXXTentacion, and often referred to as X, was an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and criminal. 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.
Twenty One Pilots is an American musical duo that is originally from Columbus, Ohio, who are best known for their songs "Stressed Out", "Heathens" and "Ride". Currently there are two members, Tyler Joseph (lead vocals, piano, keyboards, synthesizers, ukulele, bass and guitar) and Josh Dun (drums and... read more Taco Bell Saga is all I have to say. It's probably the most deep and lyrical song ever.
Lana Del Rey is a California based singer, songwriter, and model who currently resides in Malibu, California. She was born under the name Elizabeth Woolridge Grant to entrepreneur Robert England Jr. and Patricia Ann Hill in rural Lake Placid, New York on June 21, 1985. She has two siblings, Chuck and... 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!
Stone Temple Pilots is an alternative rock band formed in San Diego, CA in 1989.The band currently consists of brothers Dean and Robert DeLeo (guitarist and bassist, respectively), and Eric Kretz (drummer). Their main vocalist from their formation up to 2013 was Scott Weiland. He was fired in... read more
Amazing group with a truly unique feeling of emptiness. Even on their upbeat songs, the lyrics will drag you right back down.
Type O Negative was an American gothic/doom metal band formed in Brooklyn, New York City in 1989. Their lyrical emphasis on themes of romance, depression, and death resulted in the nickname "The Drab Four". 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.
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.
Gosh! Never felt so hopeless listening to music. Very addictive stuff, but it can be very dangerous because of how depressing it is.
Porcupine Tree are an English progressive rock band formed by musician Steven Wilson in 1987. The band began essentially as a solo project for Wilson, who created all of the band's music. 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.
Marilyn Manson is an American rock band from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Formed in 1989 by frontman Marilyn Manson and Daisy Berkowitz, the group was originally named Marilyn Manson & the Spooky Kids with their theatrical performances gathering a local cult following in the early 1990s... read more Not a fan, but their music is depressing.
Adele Laurie Blue Adkins (born 5 May 1988) is an English singer and songwriter. Graduating from the BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology in 2006, Adele was given a recording contract by XL Recordings after a friend posted her demo on Myspace the same year. She is best known with her international... read more Hearing Adele's songs now physically drains me and takes my mind to a dark place I desperately needed an escape from. I can't listen to any of her songs anymore.