All by Myself: Ode to the saddest songs of all time

This song, penned by Eric Carmen in 1975, emerged as the ultimate anthem of solitude and heartbreak. Many will remember it playing in the background as Bridget Jones indulges in ice cream while sobbing. The perfect track.

Eric Clapton's soul-stirring ballad was a tribute to his son Conor, who tragically fell from a Manhattan skyscraper at the age of 4. This song topped the Rolling Stones readers poll for the saddest song ever.

Composed in the dark period of the 1930s by the Hungarian pianist and composer Rezso Seress about the despair of war, a Hungarian poet later changed the words to make it about the death of a lover and the desire to follow them into the abyss. The song's incredibly melancholy nature made it hard to get published, but eventually, it soared to fame, especially with Billie Holiday's haunting cover. See also: Strange Fruit.

Then there's Prince's creation, sung by Sinéad O'Connor. The music video, featuring Sinéad's tear-streaked face up close, has become a visual symbol of sorrow. This one hits hard, even moreso since both uncompatable artists involved in the songs passed away recently.

Penned by Paul McCartney, this timeless Beatles ballad about nostalgia and a breakup is deeply sad. Like many on this list, it is one of the most covered songs in history.

Although originally composed and performed by Nine Inch Nails, Johnny Cash's heartbreaking cover, with a shaking voice late in his life, is truly devastating. Many call it his final masterpiece. Within a year of the release, both Johnny and June Carter Cash, who appeared in the video, died.

Not the most well-known song, but this heartwrenching track by the lyrical genius and harpist Joanna Newsom is typically vague, but it seems to describe the loss of an unborn baby.

Amy Winehouse's debut in 2006, the first track she wrote and recorded for her second album, paints a metaphorical picture of the abyss of depression. Eerie strings and a haunting melody create a downright funereal atmosphere.

It's odd how many of the saddest songs come from people in the last years of their lives, even if it is just an accident like in Jeff Buckley's case. While so many of his songs are deeply sad, this one speaks about a man who has blown up his relationship and is still pining for the person he betrayed.

Perhaps the song of unrequited love, it's honesty and acceptance is heartbreaking. Of course, the Bonnie Raitt original is full of sorrow, but the Bon Iver and George Michael covers are also full of raw emotion.

Few things are as sad as the loss of a child and this Led Zepplin track was written as an ode to Robert Plant's son who died of a stomach illness while he was on tour.

R.E.M.'s track about weathering tough times is a tearjerker, especially favored by the guys. The music video also made it universal, famously showing depressed people stuck in a traffic jam. As the buddists and REM both point out, suffering is universal.

Nirvana is never described as upbeat, but this song paints a picture of an extremely desolate life of poverty. While the loss of love is a common theme on this list, the depression and hopelessness in this track goes straight to the heart, even more in the MTV unplugged version.

Bright Eyes is an indie group, and its troubled frontman Conor Oberst is known for writing some of the saddest songs of contemporary times. Even his voice expresses the pain with a shake reministent of Johnny Cash. This track paints the sad reality of addiction, depression and a co-dependent relationship. The duet with First Aid Kit is especially powerful.

In 1994, Mariah Carey catapulted this heart-wrenching ballad to stardom, though it was written and released by the British rock group Badfinger in the early 70s. However, the two writers of the song both ended their lives while embroiled in financial and personal issues.

This song by the Canadian band Tragically Hip is addressed to a mother greiving the death of her son on Mother's Day. It paints a picture of a boy sailing away with his small, broken heart, but says that he will face no danger as the winds blow to a place of peace and acceptance. Bitter sweet. The song was a salute to the lead singer's nephew who died young.

Written by Paul Simon, this Simon & Garfunkel piece reflects on loneliness and lack of communication. Still a masterpiece in the realm of lyrical melancholy.

ABBA's classic brings a double dose of sadness. It unfolds the end of composer Björn's relationship with ex-wife Agneta, who happens to be the one singing it. Talk about putting your personal life into song.

Harry Styles' tune isn't exactly a mood booster either. According to the man himself talking to 'Rolling Stone,' it's written as if a mother is giving birth, facing complications, and being told, "The child is okay, but you won't make it."

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