Top 10 Saddest Rock Songs of All Time

Top ten songs that are really sad and make you cry.
The Top Ten
1 Snuff - Slipknot

If I need to get a specific tone of absolute sorrow for my book, I listen to Snuff and Into the Light by In This Moment. Honestly, why is Into the Light NOT on this list? I cry every time I sing it. She brought God to tears making that song. For good reason. Yup. Slipknot and In This Moment made two of the saddest songs of all time. Powerful, emotional, guaranteed to make you cry.

There is so much pain, sorrow, confusion, hatred, love, longing, betrayal, and truth in this song. It's so beautiful because it describes us as humans, it describes a depressed mindset. So many of the lyrics are painful, so many move us. This song is the most impactful you will ever find. But it's not a mournful song. It still has the sound of Slipknot, but just beautiful...

So many thoughts about something that I did wrong... about something that I will never change now... About so many people, who were hearing from me "you're all of me" and who were saying to me "you're nothing to me"... About so many broken dreams... about all the things I shouldn't ever do... All of these thoughts are coming while I'm hearing this song again...

2 Black - Pearl Jam

The song is about losing your true love forever, and the depression that follows the breakup. A very relatable topic for a lot of people, I think. That's why this should be in the top 10. Also, Pearl Jam is so influential to modern rock bands today. The people who listen to Pearl Jam would know that Black should be ranked high on any list like this. The song is a classic!

This song is so beautiful! It's about unrequited love, which so many people face. It's like smiling with tears in your eyes due to the pain you get when you know you can't be with your lover forever, when she doesn't care at all, but you still love her. Beautiful lyrics, "I know one day you'll have a beautiful life, I know one day you'll be a star in somebody else's sky, but why, why, why can't it be, can't it be mine?"

Pure emotion travels through Eddie's voice, and Stone & Mike's guitars. This song makes me tear up every time. Not to mention, it's also beautifully composed. Live, it sometimes goes up to about 10 minutes because of the solos getting extended. A work of art... doesn't get old... doesn't get less sad.

3 Wake Me Up When September Ends - Green Day

I am having a depressive episode, and I had found some of the most depressing songs that I love. I had originally been listening to just Good Riddance by Green Day and The Weakends by Motion City Soundtrack, but I remembered this song, played it, but then went onto this site and saw it here. Such a good song!

I grew up listening to Green Day because of my sister, and this song, after all these years, has stuck with me the most. "Here comes the rain again, falling from the stars. Drenched in my pain again, becoming who we are."

Green Day's songs are always meaningful. There is always a story behind their songs, especially this one. Truly wonderful, touching, and moving. The best.

4 Nutshell - Alice in Chains

Just remember that the singer would become a reclusive, perpetually ill junkie within a couple of years of this EP's release. It makes it even more depressing. In case you didn't know, he died alone and depressed from an overdose.

This song is so heartbreaking in hindsight. Layne cut himself open for this one. This, and 'River of Deceit' when he was with Mad Season, are so raw with emotion it is painful to listen to.

Masterfully written. Just the tone of the guitar and vocals can bring emotion out, but the lyrics bring it over the top. Layne brought his heart right to the surface here.

5 The Unforgiven - Metallica

This song has a very sad climate, but it also tells a sad, yet beautiful and painful story about growing up and getting older, and trying to satisfy everyone except yourself. It's not just a sad rock song, but also a lesson.

Fade to Black has much sadder lyrics, but the tempo speeds up so I understand that it's not up.

This is my favorite Metallica song and by far a very sad and depressing song

6 I Won't See You Tonight Part 1 - Avenged Sevenfold

It's so sad. I heard about this and I Won't See You Tonight Part 2 because of my boyfriend. I relate to Part 1. I've self-harmed (one month clean, very proud), considered suicide, and have almost attempted it several times. Part 2 does have screaming, but I can relate to that one too, especially after losing my friend to suicide. There hasn't been a time where I heard either part and didn't cry. It's one of the saddest songs I know.

It's not just the suicidal lyrics that make it so meaningful, but the instrumentality of the song is very sad and depressing. Also, the screaming of Matt at his last chorus is so... painful to listen to. It's so agonizing and dreadful, along with the haunting sounds in the background. Oh yeah, and the guitar riffs are depressing too.

One of the best and most meaningful songs of the awesome band Avenged Sevenfold. This nine-minute track made me burst into tears and think a lot about life. It is a masterpiece. Excellent vocals by M. Shadows, incredible guitar solo by Synyster, rhythm guitar by Zacky, and of course, great drum work by The Rev. And don't forget the piano part of the song. It is the best song of their second album, in my opinion.

7 My Immortal - Evanescence

Someone died? This song is relatable. Recent breakup? Relatable. Missing your best friend? Relatable. It's a beautiful song with Amy's beautifully haunting voice. Go listen to it.

I listen to this song when I need to cry but can't, and it gets the job done every time. It's heartbreaking and soulful, and brings me to tears every time I hear it. I love it.

This song is by far the best enchanted song that throws you into a dark, bottomless pit of pain and suffering. A true tear commander!

8 Call Me - Shinedown

Shinedown's Call Me can connect with someone who has had a lot of good and bad experiences in their life, myself being one of them. It talks about having to leave close ones behind, such as family or close friends, by simply moving apart from each other or even through death. It could symbolize for a soldier the moment they have to leave everything behind in order to go on deployment. It is about separation from those who you have long loved or were close to and still are, or desire to be.

This connects with me because many times I have had to leave close friends, neighbors, or even my passed dog who have made a long-lasting impact. I can't thank Shinedown enough for this song, for I can't describe the connection it has with me. Whenever I hear it, I can honor those who have made me who I am today, who I had to leave. I highly recommend this song.

Makes me think of my friends. We have our differences, but we love each other the same.

9 Lucy - Skillet

I didn't expect this to be on the list, even though it's probably the saddest song I have ever heard. Not particularly because of the lyrics (they are horrifyingly sad), but because the whole composition of the song sends such a hard emotion. The way it is sung is beautiful. This is most certainly the best Skillet song, in my opinion, and I want to see it higher on the list.

I don't deny that there are more quality songs here, like Unforgiven. I'm kind of sad that Mama Said by Metallica or Cats in the Cradle by Ugly Kid Joe aren't on the list, but who knows, it's a good list overall.

Cooper revealed it is about a young couple struggling with feelings of regret after an abortion. He retold this story and further explained his intent in writing the song in an Air interview posted on Skillet's official website. Skillet - Lucy Story Behind The Song. This is a great song.

This is such an amazing song. It really makes you think. It's sad but at the same time, it's peaceful. It's so beautiful.

10 So Far Away - Avenged Sevenfold

This deserves to be number 1, in my opinion. It was written after the drummer of Avenged Sevenfold, The Rev, died. It is very deep and has true meaning, and is very personal. The members even said it's basically like a person talking to his best friend, telling him he misses him. It's the saddest song I've ever heard, and one of the most powerful.

Not only is this one of the most emotional songs by Avenged Sevenfold, but it is also one of the greatest rock songs of all time. It's because this clearly showed how A7X members felt after The Rev's death. It also showed the struggles when making this music video. Rev, you'll be forever in our hearts and rest in peace.

Not only is it a super sad song, but it's also a great song in remembrance of one of the most talented musicians of all time. Nobody can replace him as the backup singer, drummer, and most importantly, songwriter for Avenged Sevenfold.

The Contenders
11 Far from Home - Five Finger Death Punch

While most of Five Finger Death Punch's songs are upbeat and violent, this song is so sad, and I always feel like crying when I hear it.

"All the places I've been and things I've seen. A million stories that made up a million shattered dreams."

Truly a touching song.

This is an amazing song, but honestly, I would go with M.I.N.E, Coming Down, Cold, or Wrong Side of Heaven.

I cried when I first heard this song. It is so emotional.

12 Broken - Seether

This song is about a tragic love loss. He uses the song to send her a message of sorrow and sadness to apologize for what he did.

I always listen to this song by heart because I'm broken.

13 Hello - Evanescence

My mom passed away last year. This makes me cry every time I listen to it. And if you look at the lyrics and listen to her voice, you'll see why I cry when I hear it.

The story behind these lyrics is painful. You can feel it twisting through your body while listening to this song.

By far the saddest song I have heard from the rock/metal genre, it made me cry so many times and still continues to do so.

14 Nothing Else Matters - Metallica

This song is just so soft and meaningful. It's just so easy to relate to.

15 Here Without You - 3 Doors Down

I was listening to this song as I was writing my last love letter to my now ex. She was probably one of the only things in my life that ever made me actually happy. Whenever I hear this song, I think of her.

This song is a classic I enjoy that tries to cope with spending time apart from the ones you love.

I love this song so much. It is always a go-to song for me, but I'd listen to it anytime too.

16 Bother - Stone Sour

This song is about the self-loathing you have in a breakup. It's when you realize it may be your fault and you lost the best thing in your life.

This song is about self-hatred and massive depression. Whenever I listen to this song, all my emotions surround me. It is the perfect song when I want to calm down after a bad day.

If you listen to this song, you just have to break down. Emotions are floating all around you.

17 November Rain - Guns N' Roses

This song has always touched my heart and conveys how hard it is to move on, even when you know how wrong it is to stay.

18 Hurt - Nine Inch Nails

This song is such a clear representation of the singer's self-hatred that it gives me chills every time I hear it. Johnny Cash's version is also beautiful. It should definitely be number one.

This song is a perfect sonic representation of the hurt Trent was feeling and the hurt of the millions who have heard it.

How the hell is the top 10 filled with Slipknot and Evanescence, yet Hurt is at 37?! This is just a popularity contest.

19 Blackbird - Alter Bridge

This song says it all. True emotion, power, and message. The guitar solo shared between Kennedy and Tremonti is just absolutely the best composed and ever played. True songwriting at its best.

Blackbird is hard rock at its very best. It's a shame people haven't even heard of it. It's an outburst of emotions, about a friend who passed away a long time ago. A total masterpiece.

Written for a past away friend... "Someday I too will fly and find you again."

20 Jeremy - Pearl Jam
21 One - Metallica

It is sad because it is about a soldier during the First World War who stepped on a land mine and was taken to the hospital. He will never recover from his coma, leaving him a prisoner in his own body.

When it comes to sad metal songs, how can people forget about Metallica's masterpiece, Fade to Black?!

Now the world is gone, I'm just one...

22 My Last Sunrise - Demons & Wizards

When you've lost all faith and feel empty, "Power metal at its best". An absolute classic.

23 Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd

I'm disappointed that this song is not at least in the top 3. If you don't know what this song is about (or the whole album), it's about the founding member of Pink Floyd, Syd Barrett, who lost everything. This happened after he started doing drugs and lost himself. He eventually left the band, lost his fame, his money, his friends, his family, and himself. When the band started to write the album tributing him, Syd Barrett showed up on set. When he did this, he was not recognized because he was now fat and bald. This obviously made a big impact on the band and on me. Imagine losing your greatest friend and not even being able to recognize him because he lost everything.

This isn't number one? Geez, people really forgot about this masterpiece. The entire album was a tribute to Syd Barrett, and this particular song gets everyone.

There are other very sad songs from Pink Floyd, but this one is a true masterpiece and should be at least in the top 5. Rest In Peace, Syd.

24 Beyond the Realms of Death - Judas Priest
25 Runaway Train - Soul Asylum

I love this song, and it brings some sort of feelings only the song can explain. It explains how things change and you can't undo what is done, good or bad.

I like this song. Soul Asylum put a lot of meaning into this song, in my opinion.

Saw the video to this with the missing kids. Unbelievably powerful. "A little out of touch, a little insane... it's just easier than dealing with the pain." Outstanding.

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