I try to listen to feel good songs when I’m down, but I find myself drawn to the sad tunes. Even songs that sound happy in my collection have depressing lyrics.

Sad songs typically have more weight to them, and when you’re sad you kind of want to feel grounded. Happy songs seem shallow under those circumstances.

But I dunno… The Smiths are always great for striking a compromise. The music’s often melancholy, but Morrissey’s hilarious!

I wouldn’t know. I am a robot.

I can’t listen to really sad when I’m really sad. If I’m just melancholy, I like really sad. Peggy Lee’s Is That All There Is, Elliot Smith, Ryan Adams’ Come Pick Me Up. PJ Harvey’s Plants and Rags. Anything sufficiently melodramatic really.

Also, when I’m happy I like music that has weird vocal tics in it. Like “Na na na na knees! Knees!” in that Guns in Roses song, or any song with a “GITAH!” in it right before the big solo. Or any song that ends with “OH YAAAAAAA” accompanied by jazz hands.

Which is ironic, because jazz hands make me sad.

Paul – Good point about the being grounded part. If you’re down and Shiny Happy People comes on, you feel ridiculous and uncomfortable. But sad songs don’t do that when you’re happy, no? Neat.

Shannon – Peggy Lee, hot damn.

TwoBusy – Um, that’s funny.

For the same reason Paul gives, I usually feel uncomfortable listening to very happy or upbeat music when I’m down.

I also have found a weather connection in terms of my listening habits: when it rains, I really want to hear jazz. But when it’s nice out, I can’t be bothered. I also prefer to listen to Van Morrison in the evening.

i LOVE guillemots.

i think i’m similar to you in this way. the way you described it is a really good description. i do go on kicks though, where i just want something thumpy.

I’m a wallow-er type. I listen to hard rock when I’m sad. But then once it’s over, it’s over and I need something. Uh. Lively?

I don’t listen to the genre of music you folks do, but as a guitar player, I have always loved the sad stuff. There is just something so moving about a well played, agony laden melody. The sad ones seem to have more meaning, but only if they are honest. I have heard lots of these ponderous, moronic attempts at ‘sad’ songs and they are a joke. If they are honest, it doesn’t matter what mood your in…the melody just kind of takes you away. There is just something amazing about a musician that can reach in your chest and hand your still beating heart to you within the span of two measures. Love the sad stuff… Just my two cents.

With the notable exception of “Cats in the Cradle” (still gets me every time) music rarely makes me sad. But I like the sound and feel of sad music…it’s harder to capture than exuberance and it steadies me somehow.

And now I must open iTunes and listen to that Guillemots song.

could you tell me who the woman in the REDWINGS song is please!! is it aristazabal hawkes!! plz plz plz let me kno!!!..Erika!!!

http://www.myspace.com/xxerika_50xx