Sad song

The Saddest Songs: Tank Park Salute by Billy Bragg

Posted on by Hallgeir Olsen
Photo: BornToListen @Øyafestivalen

 

“Daddy is it true that we all have to die?”

“You were so tall. How could you fall?”

In 1991 Billy Bragg released the album, Don’t try this at home.

“… (this album) was where Bragg first began to sound completely comfortable with the notion of a full band. With Johnny Marr (who helped produce two tracks), Peter Buck, Michael Stipe, and Kirsty MacColl on hand to give the sessions a taste of star power, Don’t Try This at Home sounds full but uncluttered; the arrangements (most complete with — gasp! — drums) flesh out Bragg‘s melodies, giving them greater strength in the process”
– Mark Deming (Allmusic)

It is one of his best albums and it has a eulogy to his father Dennis who had died of cancer when the singer was only 18.
It is devastatingly beautiful! Continue reading “The Saddest Songs: Tank Park Salute by Billy Bragg” →

The Saddest Songs: Walking On A Wire by Richard and Linda Thompson

Posted on by Hallgeir Olsen

Walking On A Wire by Richard and Linda Thompson from the album, Shoot Out The Lights

The clear sound of a marriage falling apart. It is about regret and resignation but no anger, and so much more sad for it. The Album, Shoot Out the Lights was a culmination of Richard & Linda Thompson’s career together.

In hindsight, we see how their records and Richard Thompson’s texts of jealousy, rage, and betrayal lead to this emotionally  document of sadness. Continue reading “The Saddest Songs: Walking On A Wire by Richard and Linda Thompson” →