10 Tragic Songs Because of What We Know Now

10 Tragic Songs Because of What We Know Now

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at songs that have taken on a sadder meaning after their initial release.

“Blackstar” (2015)

David Bowie
The Starman himself shocked the world by announcing “Blackstar,” his first studio album since 2013’s “The Next Day,” but in typical Bowie fashion, the biggest twist was yet to come. “Blackstar,” the album, was released on January 8, 2016… and Bowie died on January 10, merely two days later. Having kept his battle with liver cancer a secret known only to those closest to him, “Blackstar’s” title song hits differently now that we know the circumstances of the singer’s death. Pay particular attention to its cryptic, morbid lyrics, which seemingly allude to Bowie finding peace and tranquility in his final days. This calls to mind Leonard Cohen’s “You Want It Darker,” also recorded shortly before the beloved Canadian singer-songwriter’s 2016 death.

“Scared of the Dark” (2018)

Ty Dolla $ign & Lil Wayne feat. XXXTentacion
Commissioned for the soundtrack to Sony Pictures’ Oscar-winning “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” Grammy winner Dwayne “Lil Wayne” Carter teased a special guest on “Scared of the Dark,” his collaboration with Ty Dolla $ign. That guest, upon the film’s release, was revealed to be late rapper XXXTentacion. Born Jahseh Onfroy, the controversial artist lost his life in 2018 after a botched robbery attempt. Originally intended for the Bhad Bhabie song “Trust Me,” Onfroy’s verse combines typical hip hop bravado with the dark vulnerability he was known for in his lifetime. This verse, combined with the song’s empowering chorus, now makes for difficult listening.

“I’m Not Gonna Miss You” (2014)

Glen Campbell & The Wrecking Crew
Legendary country singer Campbell, who was open about his worsening Alzheimer’s disease in his final years, made it clear that he wouldn’t die without a fight ahead of his 2017 passing. “I’m Not Gonna Miss You” is emblematic of the icon’s refusal to give in, recorded for and appearing prominently in the 2014 documentary “Glen Campbell: I'll Be Me”. Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song, and winning the Grammy for Best Country Song, this cinematic, John Lennon-esque ballad finds Campbell coming to terms with his impending death. The last song Campbell ever recorded, “I’m Not Gonna Miss You” is a simple, gorgeous, and heartbreaking send-off to a long and storied career.

“Grace” (1994)

Jeff Buckley
Some of the greatest artists of all time, like Vincent Van Gogh or Buckley’s fellow troubadour Nick Drake, went underappreciated in their lifetimes. It seems fair to say that Buckley falls into this category of artists as well. Buckley once referred to the titular song from his 1994 album “Grace”, the only album he released during his life, as being “about not feeling so bad about your own mortality when you have true love.” The multi-talented musician’s plainly-spoken acceptance of his mortality and his seeming lack of fear or apprehension about exiting this mortal coil read very differently after his 1997 drowning, aged only 30, leaving mourning listeners to wonder what could have been.

“Nutshell” (1994)

Alice in Chains
When asked which song most reminded him of late Alice in Chains frontman Layne Staley, the band’s bassist, Mike Starr, responded with “Nutshell,” citing its poetic, vulnerable lyrics as the reason. Listening to the song, it becomes obvious as to why Starr, who passed away himself in 2011, made this particular selection. This mellow grunge tune, written by Staley, details the singer’s battle with his darkest feelings; Staley later died in 2002 following years of extreme substance use issues. It’s no surprise, then, that Jerry Cantrell, the band’s guitarist and alternate lead singer, now dedicates live performances of “Nutshell” to both of his fallen bandmates.

“Free Bird” (1973)

Lynyrd Skynyrd
It must be remembered that this nearly-ten-minute Southern rock epic, despite its hard-charging sound and legendary guitar solos, is, at its heart, a heart-wrenching ballad about being unable to conform to life and its expectations. Written by Allen Collins and Ronnie Van Zant, the band’s guitarist and lead singer, respectively, “Free Bird’s” lyrics tell the first-person story of a nomad who simply can’t overcome his unchanging nature — though certainly not without regrets and reservations. While “Free Bird” is sad enough on its own, already dedicated by the band to the late Duane Allman, it became a retroactive tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd band members (including singer Van Zant) who died in the 1977 plane crash that temporarily ended the band.

“Like a Stone” (2003)

Audioslave
Chris Cornell, Audioslave’s lead singer, was, and still is, widely regarded by fans and critics alike as one of rock music’s greatest, most iconic voices. Despite this, Cornell was reportedly haunted by struggles with depression, drugs, and drink for the majority of his life, dating back to as early as his teen years. These struggles came to an end in May 2017, when the Soundgarden frontman was found lifeless following a concert in Detroit. While fans will point out that Cornell was no stranger to incorporating dark, highly personal themes into his music, “Like a Stone” stands out in his discography in terms of how plainly it expresses those themes.

“Morphine” (1997)

Michael Jackson
One of the King of Pop’s darkest, rawest, and heaviest tunes, the Nine Inch Nails-esque “Morphine” finds Jackson incorporating heavy guitars and distorted drums into his sound. Fittingly enough, too — “Morphine” is a bitter, angry, no-holds-barred account of Jackson’s feelings regarding his fame and media speculation about his controversial personal life. The song’s bridge and refrain detail Jackson’s resorting to drug use as a means of numbing those feelings. The singer died in 2009 of “acute propofol intoxication” in what was later ruled an accidental homicide by Conrad Murray, Jackson’s personal doctor. Listening in retrospect allows listeners a tragically prescient glimpse into Jackson’s fragile mental state.

“The Show Must Go On”

Queen
It goes without saying that Freddie Mercury was a rock star until the very end. Released just over a month before Mercury’s untimely death from complications of HIV/AIDS, “The Show Must Go On,” in the band’s characteristically bombastic style, is a gloriously defiant “screw you” to the Grim Reaper. Written by Queen guitarist Brian May, the song does a magnificent job of capturing Mercury’s indomitable spirit and interstellar charisma. His body ravaged by the disease even then, Mercury’s bandmates were initially pessimistic that he would be able to pull off the vocal gymnastics it called for. In response, the rock god downed a shot of vodka and, according to May, immediately nailed it. Who else but Freddie?

Before we continue, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Whatever” (2002), Our Lady Peace
Chris Benoit’s Theme Song Is Now Inextricably Tied to His Complicated Legacy

“Floating in the Forth” (2008), Frightened Rabbit
Alludes to the Same Scottish River in Which Singer Scott Hutchison’s Body Was Discovered

“Wake Me Up” (2013), Avicii
The Swedish DJ’s Dance Floor Anthem Is About Not Letting Life Slip Away

“Leave Out All the Rest” (2007)

Linkin Park
A staple of the early 2000s “nu metal” scene, it can be argued that Linkin Park’s success outside of that genre was due in large part to lead singer Chester Bennington’s soul-baring, unflinching songwriting, as well as his powerhouse vocals. Phoenix, Arizona native Bennington took his own life in July 2017, two months after Chris Cornell’s death — the two were reportedly close friends. Knowing that makes it difficult, then, to listen to “Leave Out All the Rest,” from the band’s 2007 album “Minutes to Midnight,” without a teary eye by the end. A plaintive, heartfelt rock ballad, “Leave Out All the Rest” implores listeners to, as hard as it can feel, remember the good times.

Which songs break your heart when you listen to them now? Let us know in the comments below.