Top 10 Most Heartbreaking Stories Behind Famous Songs
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- Опубликовано: 22 июл 2022
- These famous songs came from some heartbreaking places. For this list, we’ll be looking at the most well-known tracks with sad origins story behind their creation. Our countdown includes "Candle in the Wind," "Loser," "Jeremy," and more! Which song broke YOUR heart with its backstory? Let us know in the comments!
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Which song broke YOUR heart with its backstory? Let us know below, and be sure to also watch our video of the Top 10 Most Heartbreaking Pop Songs - ruclips.net/video/Qo25409NryI/видео.html
“Best friends, right?” By Amy Winehouse that song broke me bc I could relate to it so much about my best friend at the time but now that best friend is my lover lol so things worked out but I felt that I could relate to that song in a way and it broke my heart
Eric Clayton's "Tears in Heaven" is by far the most beautiful and poignant song ever written. He wrote the song after losing his 3 yr old son in a horribly tragic way. I will forever be moved by this simple haunting melody.
Big same.
You mean Eric Clapton?
Of course. I should have spell checked. My bad. Thanks for the correction.
I cry every time I hear it. The first time I heard it I just sobbed.
I have a 6 year old son and I was thinking about him when she played that part. He's alive but I thought what if it was him?
"Strange Fruit" written by Lewis Allen was about the lynching of Black Americans during the Jim Crow era. Sung by Billie Holliday, it's one of the most haunting and disturbing but beautiful (beautiful because of Billie's voice) songs I've ever heard.
that song is INTENSE.
Ok I JUST started this video, are you saying it didn’t make the list?!
DO UR HOME WORK HE DIDNT WRITE THAT....BILLY HOLIDAY WROTE AND SONG....THATS WHY THEY KILLED HER.....
I'm shocked that Wake Me Up When September Ends by Green Day wasn't mentioned. A lot of people don't understand how this song was written about the lead singer losing his dad iirc.
American Idiot as a whole was one of the most iconic albums of 2004!
This list was so wonderful. Another song that had a heart breaking backstory was Ariana Grande's 2018 smash hit "No Tears Left to Cry". It came after 22 people were tragically and brutally killed at the end of her Dangerous Woman Concert in Manchester in May 2017. This song was a tribute to the victims of the attack as it helps you fall back on hard times and moving past tragedy.
Also Queen's "These are the Days of Our Lives" the backstory was not as tragic but it was the last music video of Freddie Mercury months before his death in November 1991.
And R.E.M's "Everybody Hurts" a song that represents stopping depressed people from taking their own lives and you feel the same way when you listen to it. We all go through rough times in life and that song speaks to you.
Really? I never understood the meaning behind "Everybody Hurts".
@blessyourheart3078 God! I hope you are doing better now. Know that people are always there for you
“Tears in Heaven” makes me ugly cry every time I hear it after losing my brother.
Lyle Lovett’s song “Family Reserve” is another heartbreaker. It basically lists all the ways his various family members passed.
"Drops of Jupiter" by Train originated from his mother passing from lung cancer
"Slipped Away" by Avril Lavigne originated from not being able to say goodbye to her grandfather due to the fact that she was on tour
"Pride (In The Name of Love)" by U2 and "If I Can Dream" by Elvis both originated from the death of MLK
Detroit Rock City is pretty sad when you realize it’s about a real life KISS fan who died in a crash on his way to a concert…
American pie is so catchy but the reminder of the rock stars we lost makes it bittersweet
Yes it sadly does 😥
I think it’s my favorite song on this list.
I'd add Seether's Rise Above this, written about depression and suicide and written right before lead singer Shaun Morgan's teenage brother committed suicide.
I watched this just to see if this song was included!
That's messed up
Luke Bryan’s “Drink a Beer.” The song was written after he lost a family member and it was so emotional to listen to.
Yeah. He lost his brother, his sister, and his brother-in-law, so he raised his niece and walked her down the aisle when she got married last year. His whole life is a living tragedy. I feel for him 😥
@@HannahsMusicAndNovelswow that's 😢
Rest in Peace, Conor Clapton ❤️ Forever 4 years old 💫
"Tears in Heaven"
'Tears In Heaven ' is featured in the film "Rush", starring Jennifer Jason Leigh and Jason Patrick! Partly filmed in my hometown of Corpus Christi, Texas. That song will always hold a very special place in my heart! 🙏💔
Ah dang it, first song and I’m crying. I remember watching Elton live on tv after princess Diana passed. Still can’t listen to the song without crying 💔
I just read that 12 days before she died, she consoled him at another funeral. 😢 I'll pass the tissues
Martika's "Toy Soldiers" is about her friend's drug addiction, and the fear of being the next victim of drug abuse.
I would have also included "Come Dancing" by The Kinks on this list. Knowing that Ray Davies wrote the song in memory of his late sister makes the song more poignant than it first seems.
I’ve always loved that song and never knew that about it. Thank you.
Oh that’s one of my favorites! It’s such an upbeat happy song, I didn’t know It was about his sister.
I would have chosen “Polly” by Nirvana, it’s about a kidnapping (and more) of a 14 year old girl. I think that is as heartbreaking as “something in the way”and a more creepy story than it.
Creep by STP was also rumored to be about Polly Klaas also.
U2’s song “Bad” is also about a friend who died of a heroin overdose. When you look at it in that context the line “throw this lifeless lifeline to the wind” becomes so haunting and beautiful
Another U2 song that comes to mind, for me, is "Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own," which was written about Bono's relationship with his father, before his dad died of cancer, in 2001.
Another one is iris (hold me close) it’s about Bono’s Mother iris who died when I believe he was 14
Shame how "I Can Only Imagine" is not on the list because that christian music is truly beautiful and I really amazing by it's heartbreaking story behind the song.
I cannot believe that Elton John’s American Triangle, which is about the horrible murder and hate crime of Matthew Shepherd is not on the list. As a mother, that song rips out my heart every time I heart it.
I wish they did “Wake me up when September ends” by Greenday
In case you didn’t know what it’s about: Billie Joe Armstrong’s (lead singer) father passed away on September 1st, 1982 from cancer. At the funeral, Billie couldn’t handle it and he ran home. He locked himself in his room and when his mother knocked on his door, trying to talk to him, he replied: “Wake me up when September ends.”.
When the song was released in the American Idiot album, the band also dedicated the song to the families who lost loved ones in the 9/11 attacks.
Nirvana rendition of Where do you sleep by Lead Belly was chilling because it was the last song Kurt Cobain and the band ever did live.
Gordon Lightfoot's ballad "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" is another one I thought would be on the list. The 1976 song tells the final voyage of the 729ft ore carrier Edmund Fitzgerald, as it battled a late-autumn maelstrom and sank with all 29 men on November 10, 1975. Lightfoot had the melody within a week, but it took an article about the tragedy in Newsweek to give him inspiration to write the lyrics, which he did take a few creative liberties with, but mostly kept the events as accurate as possible.
Candle in the wind. Version 1 and 2. Still cannot listen to it without getting goosebumps
Wrecked by Imagine Dragons tells the story of the band's lead singer's sister in-law who died from cancer in 2019. He mentions in the song how he thinks of her everyday. I still listen to this song to this day!
I love Jeremy by Pearl Jam, and it makes me cry every time since I discovered the story behind.
Tears in Heaven is the one song i end up in a foetal position when i listen to 😭💔
It’s a tearjerker
Princess Diana was taken way too young and too soon from us. It's been almost 25 years since she died (Aug 31, 1997)
Elton John's "Candles in the wind" makes me cry everytime I hear it as it remindes me of my grandparents memories 💔. I was really close to them but sadly when they died I wasn't there ( first I was in camp and second time it was my finals ) and my mom told me they always were looking for me and wanted to talk to me one last time 💔 it still breaks my heart that I didn't got the chance to talk to them. I hope they rest in paradise 🙏 I will always love them ❤
"wherever you will go" by the calling was about a real-life old man who sent a love letter to his wife when he passed away. Saying "wherever you will go I'll always be there with you" and has inspired this huge hit in like the early 2000s.
Two other songs that come to mind are: "I Don't Like Mondays" by the Boomtown Rats and "Song For Guy" by Elton John. Another heartbreaking song is "What's the Matter Here?" by 10,000 Maniacs, but I don't know if the lyrics are based on specific actual events or just a generalization.
Hi there, *Ms.* Mojo, but now that you've given us 10 Heartbreaking Stories Behind Famous Songs By Men, howzbout giving us ten more by women? I've seen some suggestions below already (Billie Holliday's Strange Fruit for sure), and I would add Joni MItchell's Green, about giving her daughter up for adoption, and (although I know she's not famous enough to be included in these lists), Kate McGarrigle's "Leave," about being dumped by Loudon Wainwright III for Suzzy Roche.
Yes, please!
I am so shocked by the occurrence of Conor Clapton's death. I never thought he would fall out of a window.😢😭
I feel like Rehab was okay as an honorable mention, but she has much deeper songs. Such as Back To Black which honestly should’ve been on this list.
I remember watching REM live in Hong Kong during the SARs crisis in 2003, which coincided with the invasion of Iraq. Their performance of Everybody Hurts affected everyone in the audience on all number of levels.
oblivion by Grimes is about her SA. it is such a beautiful/ heartbreaking song and her music video definitely speaks volumes. def check it out.
Love Will Tear Us Apartis a song that no matter how many times I hear it, it feels like it's ripping out my heart. Yet I can't stop listening to it it's so poignant and darkly beautiful
I can't believe One More Light by Linkin park didn't make the list
Considering it was a huge success
Not the most famous, but Permanent by David Cook about the loss of his brother always gets me, and watching him struggle to sing it on American Idol was rough.
Go Rest High On The Mountain by Vince Gill is his tribute to his brother’s death
How "Tears in Heaven " and "Let it Be" are not at the top of this list is so far beyond me!
I love listening to something in a way it's one of my favorite songs from nirvana 🥰
Vincent by don meclean
Fire and rain by James Taylor
These are all sad, but I think Tears in Heaven should have been number one
Some other songs that have heartbreaking stories are
No More Drama by Mary J. Blige which talks about her history with being in abusive relationships
Father by Demi Lovato which talked about her difficult relationship with her birth father
I’m Ok by Christina Aguilera talks about her tough childhood growing up with an abusive father
Every song from Rumours had a heartbreaking story behind it.
The verve bittersweet symphony is one of the best written songs ever! ‘Your a slave to money then you die’eee’ the lyrics are so true. Also John Lennon imagine x
What about Fallen Angel by Three Days Grace? The drummer, Neil Sanderson, wrote it based on his childhood memories of his mother’s grief after losing her husband and his brother when he was five years old.
One of the most heartbreaking songs I've ever heard is "Angel" (In the arms of an Angel) by Sarah McLachlan. In her words: “I wrote “Angel” after being on the road for almost two years straight and was both mentally and physically drained. I went to a cottage north of Montreal to relax and write, and read an article in Rolling Stone about the Smashing Pumpkins keyboard player who had OD’ed in a hotel room.”
Spend all your time waiting for that second chance
For the break that will make it okay
There's always some reason to feel not good enough
And it's hard at the end of the day
I need some distraction or a beautiful release
Memories seep from my veins
Let me be empty and weightless
And maybe I'll find some peace tonight
In the arms of an angel far away from here
From this dark, cold hotel room and the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage of your silent reverie
You're in the arms of an angel, may you find some comfort here
So tired of the straight line and everywhere you turn
There's vultures and thieves at your back
The storm keeps on twisting, you keep on building the lies
That you make up for all that you lack
It don't make no difference, escape one last time
It's easier to believe
In this sweet madness, oh, this glorious sadness
That brings me to my knees
In the arms of an angel far away from here
From this dark, cold hotel room and the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage of your silent reverie
In the arms of an angel, may you find some comfort here
You're in the arms of an angel, may you find some comfort here
"Candle in the Wind" by Elton John!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The sad song ill always remember that’s heArtbreaking is Luke Bryan’s drink a beer in honor of his siblings and For my broken heart album by Reba about her bandmates
I think a part 2 would be nice.
I thought the “Mother Mary” in the song “Let It Be” was the Virgin Mary.
Me too. I was today years old when I learned it's about his mother.
You forgot all my love by led zepplin
When I read the video’s title, I thought of 2 songs and amazingly neither of them are on this list, not even as a honorable mention:
• Gone too soon by Micheal Jackson
• Sound of silence by Simon & Garfunkel
Besides releasing the single, I think Diana’s funeral was the one and only time Elton John sang that version of Candle in the Wind.
Queen's No-One but You (Only the Good Die Young). Written as a tribute to Freddie Mercury who died of AIDS in 1991.
My idea is this Top 8 girl characters I'd want to see turn into giants again
For this list we are counting down the top 9 girl tv characters we'd love to see turn into giants again
1. Zina from new fairly oddparents
2. Irma from teenage mutant ninja turtles
3. Veronica Archie weird mysteries
4. Candace Phineas and Ferb
5. Jennifer from Ned school survival guide
6. Tess from Goldie & bear
7. Professor Amy from superfriend
8. Sabrina from icarly
Britney Spears is every time was she wrote it for her break up of Justin Timberlake blaming herself
A lot of '90s songs here. Let's add 1 more: runaway train by soul asylum, a song dedicated to missing kids/teens
But to me, clapson's was the saddest, bec it was too personal and too tragic..
Freshman by The Verve Pipe
Demi Lovato's song "Father" was written after her estranged and abusive father passed away. It was a touching song that shows ahe forgave him and hopes Heaven can forgive him as well. Breaks my heart every time I hear it.
That song gives me chills every time I hear it
Demi may be forgiving, but god is not. All abusers go to hell.
I remember that it was two versions of the video for Jeremy. One showed the suicide, and the other die not.
“Tears in Heaven” should’ve been number 1 and “Love will Tear Us Apart” takes Eric Clapton’s place.
R I p Selena quintanilla
"Tears in Heaven" is way too low on this list.
Supermarket Flowers by Ed Sheeran has me in tears as it was played at my mums funeral, Ed Sheerin is singing about his mum. Another song I thought of was advertising space by Robbie Williams singing it for Elvis presley after Marlon Brando died
I always cry listening to candle in the wind 😢
Confessions of a broken heart - lyndsay Lohan
It's her screaming out to her absent father for love and attention.
Hurt - nine inch nails / Johnny Cash
Johnny cash redid the nin song after losing his wife. Beautifully done
Daudrie - ekoh (TW: CSA)
Pumped up kicks - foster the kids is about school shootings
Dance with the devil - immortal technique is super dark (TW gang, SA, incest, unaliving)
The song "time after time" by cyndi lauper
came from how both songwriters were going through issues in their respective romantic relationships.
Hyman was coming out of a relationship, while Cyndi was having problems with her boyfriend and manager, David Wolff.
One of the first lines Rob wrote was "suitcase of memories," which "struck her," claiming it was a "wonderful line," while other lines came from Cyndi's life experiences.
I feel like it should've (as I was excepting) been an honorable mention
And the disturb backstory behind Shiny Happy People made it going in the Florida scene in Marley and Me wrong. Or it could slightly hint to it going from a romantic comedy to a sad story.
After hearing the Let It Be backstory. Makes it make more sense to be in that specific scene in Across The Universe
Although the lyrics to American Pie never 100% made sense to me, I always thought that there was something incredibly bittersweet about the tone and message. That last part always made me a little teary-eyed, despite me not really understanding the original story behind the lyrics.
You forgot the song I'll Be Missing You by P. Diddy feat. Faith Evans and 112
One song most people don't realise is based on a tragedy is "I Don't Like Mondays" by the Boomtown Rats, it was inspired by the 1979 school shooting at Clevendland Elementary School by 16 yr old Brenda Spencer.
She barricaded herself in her room and a journalist called her asking why she did it and she just responded with "I don't like Mondays, this livens up the day"
The theme song from Going Places the tv show that lasted 19 episodes from 1990 to 1991 It aired at 930pm I think ABC took it off for more Urkel.
Tears in heaven has me in tears....
13:02
*I had no idea waterfalls by TLC was about that*
honestly elton john's song candle in the wind always made me cry after listening to it a lot of times.
My addition: "3am" by Matchbox Twenty - about Rob's mom's cancer
I just went to see Elton John live where during Candle in the Wind he had a montage of videos of a woman who looked like Marilyn, didn't even make the connection until now
Everybody Hurts by REM was written after Kurt Cobain's death.
Considering the way things are nowadays you forgot one of the most important songs that was done to expose what kids go through Luca about a kid and his abuse. I think my name is Luca should have been on this list
Luka. Great song by Suzanne Vega. I bought her album and listened to that song over and over.
one of my favorite albums was st. elswhere, the debut by gnarls barkley. two of the biggest songs were crazy and just a thought. they sounded intensely personal to me, does anyone know if they were based on real events? if so, just a thought should definitely be on the list.
Idk why only the honorable mentions made me cry.
I'm surprised that "Cassie" by Flyleaf isn't on here! It's about one of the victims from the Columbine shooting.
Like "American Pie", "Abraham, Martin & John" by Dion speaks volumes about time and honor.
This only makes me love the Beatles more!
Upchurchs song "Llewellyn" is a song dedicated to his friend that killed herself.
You forgot the song Luca by Suzanne Vega
I think the song Jumper by Third Eye Blind should at least be on the honorable mentions. The song is about a friend of the band’s manager that took his own life by jumping of a bridge. He was gay and got bullied in school for it.
My mom taught at Jeremy's high school when he committed Suicide in front of his class.
My favorite on the list was TLC waterfall
candle in the wind my fave
Well, seems like everyone is just adding whatever they’re feeling, so I’d like to nominate Sara Bareilles & John Legend for their song “A Safe Place to Land” which is about all of the refugees being held in detainee camps at the American/Mexican border
Billy joel - you're only human
Ten by Pearl Jam is a depressing album in general, but it's so good
Also on this list...
"Sign 'O' The Times"-Prince(HIV/AIDS; the Challenger explosion; gangs; drugs; natural disaster; ect...); also "Baltimore"
"Abraham, Martin, And John"-Dion
"Ohio"-Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young (about the Kent State shootings)
1:59 Clearly, the list was made because of the ANNIVERSARY of 🎶 The Day the Music Died.🎶😔
Boomtown Rats "I don't like Mondays" written about the 16 year old girl who started shooting at a school from her appartment and when she was arrested and asked why she did it all she said was "I don't like Mondays"
Another one would be Harry Chaplin's "Cats in the cradle" the story of a man who was always too busy to make time for his son only to realize now his son is too busy to make time for him with his own life and that his boy has grown up to be exactly the man he was
Oh come on tears in heaven has to be #1 followed by let it be & the day the music died