Sad/Emotional Prog Suggestions
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Recommendations/Featured albums
Forum Description: Make or seek recommendations and discuss specific prog albums
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=107435
Printed Date: March 11 2025 at 11:55
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Sad/Emotional Prog Suggestions
Posted By: Xiadz
Subject: Sad/Emotional Prog Suggestions
Date Posted: August 01 2016 at 02:25
|
I am really in need of some suggestions. Lately, I have been really enjoying emotional, sad sounding songs like Nights In White Satin, In The Court Of The Crimson King & Epitaph, and a lot of Kingston Wall. I find that a lot of progressive music just seems happy (I'm mostly referring to what I've heard from the 60s and 70s). I really like it, but very rarely do I feel like hearing uplifting happier music. I often want to hear something either extremely beautiful and sort of mysterious/sad (Ummagumma by Pink Floyd fits the mysterious I'm talking about, but really anything unique or strange fits) or really emotionally sad and beautiful. I really feel like I can't find much Prog that fits this. I don't really have any guidance in finding it though. All of the well known music I find tends to be too "poppy" (for lack of a better term) and very uplifting, happy sounds. I just need more emotion and beauty and whatnot in my life. Also, please don't suggest Opeth, Porcupine Tree, or Riverside. I absolutely love all three, but I'm really looking for older music. If it's modern, I'll take the suggestion too, but I'm really trying to find older. As a note, I'm pretty picky.. I find that a lot of the "sad" Prog I've found out about online doesn't fit what I'm looking for. But I will take any suggestions. In short - looking for suggestions of 60s and 70s Prog that is sad, emotional, mysterious, intense, beautiful, slow, NOT uplifting or happy. |
Replies:
Posted By: Magnum Vaeltaja
Date Posted: August 01 2016 at 07:06
Look deeper into the King Crimson catalog and you'll find quite a bit. Here are some specific tracks that I think match what you're looking for:
Some other songs that I think might float your boat:
------------- when i was a kid a doller was worth ten dollers - now a doller couldnt even buy you fifty cents |
Posted By: ALotOfBottle
Date Posted: August 01 2016 at 07:34
I'll also add a few pieces that you might just find appealing to your tastes.
|
Posted By: Lewian
Date Posted: August 01 2016 at 07:35
|
The first thing that comes to my mind is Camel's Ice. So beautiful! Pity that the rest of the album is so different. |
Posted By: Nogbad_The_Bad
Date Posted: August 01 2016 at 08:56
|
Univers Zero - Heresie has a reputation as the darkest album out there. Also check out Shub Niggurath ------------- Ian Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on Progrock.com https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-avant-jazzcore-happy-hour/ |
Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: August 01 2016 at 09:41
| "To Be Over" by Yes is one of my favorites, I always think of this at funerals. |
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: August 01 2016 at 10:56
|
Robert Wyatt - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vmncV7MgcQ" rel="nofollow - Sea Song Comus' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlX1OUfds3Q" rel="nofollow - The Herald Linda Perhacs - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9VbJmbtMW8" rel="nofollow - Parallelograms Vashti Bunyan is listed in prog Folk, and some beautiful, sad songs. A favourite of mine is Winter is Blue, though it isn't a Prog song. |
Posted By: aglasshouse
Date Posted: August 01 2016 at 11:07
|
Peter Gabriel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vb7htoJAK7g" rel="nofollow - Here Comes the Flood (although the https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ES-ErzabNaY" rel="nofollow - remixed piano version is better) Gentle Giant - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvwFInnd1LI" rel="nofollow - Shadows on the Street The Moody Blues - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESER7DFXWiI" rel="nofollow - Isn't Life Strange Peter Gabriel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYw9UrsFJa4" rel="nofollow - Mercy Street ------------- http://fryingpanmedia.com |
Posted By: lazland
Date Posted: August 01 2016 at 11:10
|
All of Brave by Marillion, but especially Brave followed by The Great Escape/The Last of You/Falling from the Moon. Guaranteed to have you blubbing with sheer emotion even before you get to Rothery's signature guitar solo, which will have you crossing to another dimension. I would also recommend VDGG The Wave, which, if it took mogodon, would aspire to the merely depressing  It is, of course, possible to be emotional without falling into a bleak pit of despair. Whilst I absolutely hold with my good friend Charles' recommendation of To Be Over, a beautiful song, I would also recommend that you try Turn of the Century by the very same Yes, albeit with Waleman replacing Moraz back on keys. This is a love song based upon a man's such utter love for his dead wife, he mounds a sculpture of her, which comes to life and they spend joyous times "laughing as we danced". I first heard this song some 40 years ago now, and, to this day, it fills my heart with joy as to the potential love and beauty which is within us all. Hence today's Lazland recommendation to curing the world's many ills. Just get each and every government to blast out Yes, and particularly this track, on each and every radio and to station. Make love, not war  ------------- Enhance your life. Get down to www.lazland.org Now also broadcasting on www.progzilla.com Every Saturday, 4.00 p.m. UK time! |
Posted By: SteveG
Date Posted: August 01 2016 at 12:44
------------- This message was brought to you by a proud supporter of the Deep State. |
Posted By: A_Flower
Date Posted: August 01 2016 at 18:55
|
One For the Vine by Genesis is really emotional too ------------- User Banned for this Post |
Posted By: aglasshouse
Date Posted: August 01 2016 at 19:11
Also 'Entangled' from Trick. ------------- http://fryingpanmedia.com |
SteveG wrote:Posted By: Dellinger
Date Posted: August 01 2016 at 21:39
|
You are in need of some Banco del Mutuo Soccorso my friend. Well, the thing is that their singer can be one of the most powerfully emotional ones you could find, but their music isn't always particularly emotional... they often have very... proggy sections that are more crazy than emotional. However, there's the second half of the song "RIP", the last minutes from "Metamorfosi", parts of "Il Giardino del Mago", "750 000 ani fa... l'amore", a good portion of the album "Come in un 'ultima cena" (my favourite song here would be the rather short "La notte e' piena", the song "Niente". There's also Harmonium (the band), with the last few minutes of their song "Harmonium". Rick Wakeman's "Judas Iscariot", Van Der Graaf Generator's "Darkness" (and I guess, at least parts of the song "A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers"), Steve Hacket's "Shadow of the Hierophant", Led Zeppelin's "No Quarter", perhaps Rainbow's "Stargazer", oh yeah, and Pink Floyd's Ummagumma live version of "A Saucerful of Secrets"... the last sections (3 & 4, Storm Sygnal and Celestial voices, that would make the last 6:20 min of the song)... and if we are with Pink Floyd, we might at least add "The Great Gig in the Sky". From newer bands, I found Edison's Children second album "The Last Breath before November" very emotional... though not for strong vocals (not at all), but the whole atmosphere of the album. |
Posted By: Dellinger
Date Posted: August 01 2016 at 21:45
I really love "Turn of the Century", and really find it's lyrics/theme very emotional/sad... however, the music doesn't really sound so sad... it rather gets happy positive sounding as Yes knows how to do it. The same could be said about the song "Harold Land" from their debut (even though this one would be a less mature song, to put it some way). Perhaps one of the more emotional pieces from Yes would be "Soon" (closing section of Gates of Delirium, just in case someone needs this clarified)... though I'm not sure it would be sad... perhaps sadly hopeful? |
Posted By: Barbu
Date Posted: August 01 2016 at 22:00
|
My Room by Van der Graaf Generator Beautiful and immensely sad... A Way Out by Hammill ------------- |
Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: August 02 2016 at 01:24
|
OPETH - Damnation PETER HAMMILL - Chameleon In The Shadow Of The Night Two, incredibly emotional albums......... |
Posted By: Watchmaker
Date Posted: August 02 2016 at 01:26
|
Collapse the Light into Earth is one of the first that come to mind. Supper's Ready has some very emotional parts, too (especially at the end). |
Posted By: Jeffro
Date Posted: August 02 2016 at 05:33
| It may not quite meet the OP's criteria but I've always found parts of Flow by Spock's Beard to have a sad kind of vibe, especially the last part. |
Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: August 02 2016 at 05:50
| ATOMIC ROOSTER - Debut album.....................just perfect for slashing your wrists................. |
Posted By: Nogbad_The_Bad
Date Posted: August 02 2016 at 05:58
Death Walks Behind You works as well. Not prog but Leonard Cohen and Nick Drake are the darkest lyrical stuff I have. ------------- Ian Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on Progrock.com https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-avant-jazzcore-happy-hour/ |
Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: August 02 2016 at 06:03
| .........oooooh, Nick Drake................ |
Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: August 02 2016 at 07:56
I'll second that, and add "IN the Mist of Morning" by NORDAGUST and the Finnish group TENHI, with a preference for the first 3 albums
|
Posted By: geekfreak
Date Posted: August 02 2016 at 08:32
|
Twelfth Night = Love Song. Marillion = The Web, Jigsaw, Fugazi, Misplaced Childhood. Yes = Wonderous Stories, Tales.... ------------- Friedrich Nietzsche: "Without music, life would be a mistake." Music Is Live Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. Keep Calm And Listen To The Music… < |
Posted By: Dellinger
Date Posted: August 02 2016 at 21:13
| Dream Theater's song "Space Dye Vest" should work wonderfully. |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: August 03 2016 at 02:49
|
I think people are forgetting what the OP is asking for, which is sad/emotional prog from the 60s and 70s. ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: BaldJean
Date Posted: August 03 2016 at 03:43
|
Van der Graaf Generator - House With No Door Peter Hammill - This Side of the Looking Glass Amon Düül 2 - Jalousie Robert Calvert - Hero With a Wing Robert Calvert - Catch a Falling Starfighter the Robert Calvert songs are a double-edged sword though; the music is certainly very sad but the lyrics are quite satirical -------------  A shot of me as High Priestess of Gaia during our fall festival. Ceterum censeo principiis obsta |
Posted By: Dellinger
Date Posted: August 03 2016 at 21:11
Oh yeah, I had forgotten that. On my previous post I did inculde mostly 70's prog though. Still, Space Dye Vest might be worth checking out. |
Posted By: deandob
Date Posted: August 04 2016 at 03:34
|
Sylvan's Posthumous Silence is one of the saddest and emotional prog concept albums I have heard with a bit of despair and hope thrown in. (OK not 60/70's but it is 10 years old).
|
Posted By: rogerthat
Date Posted: August 07 2016 at 06:57
| Renaissance's Novella album. Turn of the Cards too, for that matter. |
Posted By: rogerthat
Date Posted: August 07 2016 at 10:29
|
Two more suggestions. The Italian band Quella Vecchia Locanda. VERY emotional and I don't know Italian. Barclay James Harvest. Not frightfully prog but definitely very sad and emotional again. Esp the song Mocking Bird.
|
Posted By: Magnum Vaeltaja
Date Posted: August 07 2016 at 11:41
I second this. Their self-titled debut is very moving, and their second album, Il Tempo Della Gioia has some melancholy stuff on it, too. ------------- when i was a kid a doller was worth ten dollers - now a doller couldnt even buy you fifty cents |
Posted By: HemispheresOfXanadu
Date Posted: August 07 2016 at 11:54
|
Mouth of the Architect - Pine Boxes Jethro Tull - Wond'ring Aloud, Grace, Nursie, Lifeis a Long Song, Jack-A-Lynn ------------- https://twitter.com/ProgFollower" rel="nofollow - @ProgFollower on Twitter. Tweet me muzak. |
Posted By: Watchmaker
Date Posted: August 08 2016 at 02:57
We can certainly add Look into the Sun to the Tull list of sad songs. |
Posted By: hellogoodbye
Date Posted: August 08 2016 at 03:02
|
David Sylvian-How Little We Need to be Happy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijVshhtM5h8 |
Posted By: Miss Soprenor
Date Posted: August 10 2016 at 12:57
|
ABWH-the Meeting Yes - onward (possibly) Jethro Tull - Look Into the Sun Genesis - For Absent Friends Genesis - Stagnation (again, possibly, not necessarily sad but emotional) Peter Gabriel - Mercy Street Pink Floyd- Wish you were here And I'm sorry to all who hate Love Beach... But ELP's Memoirs of anOfficer and a Gentleman |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: August 10 2016 at 13:29
^Nice list there (the ELP rec I can forgive ).BTW Welcome to PA  ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: aglasshouse
Date Posted: August 10 2016 at 15:54
|
Some other suggestions I have are https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJUu9-s15PQ" rel="nofollow - After The Flood by Van Der Graff. Prog songs about floods are usually good. A bit strange but I also suggest most of Ramases' Glass Top Coffin. It has that 50's/60's filmscore vibe on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQDEwiqPPTg" rel="nofollow - Golden Landing (parts 1 & https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01nMeDFnrwo" rel="nofollow - 2 ). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPOGe7DvfKM" rel="nofollow - Sweet Reason and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0W_WUdEVuNs" rel="nofollow - Only the Loneliest Feeling are good too. Probably one of the few prog albums to make me feel emotional. ------------- http://fryingpanmedia.com |
Posted By: aglasshouse
Date Posted: August 10 2016 at 15:57
|
Maybe not 'prog' but https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPtorZ2k7Ak" rel="nofollow - Changes by Black Sabbath works well too. ------------- http://fryingpanmedia.com |
Posted By: Miss Soprenor
Date Posted: August 10 2016 at 19:28
|
Thanks this is a nice place.
|
Posted By: moshkito
Date Posted: August 12 2016 at 06:25
Silent Corner and the Empty Stage ... is specially emotional and brutal ... and excellent at the same time. And still stands as one of my favorite PH albums! In general, I do not like to characterize albums this way, since it is all an individual perception. I mean, PH is strong, but that's like saying that Bob Dylan's cynicism is not a sharp knife! The real question is, how it translates into a piece of music. In general, I do not like to consider things "sad" ... because many times they are an anthem/hymn to that person and a true prayer in the best intention of the word. Otherwise, Fairport Convention's One More Chance (Rising for the Moon album), will be the saddest things ever recorded, since Sandy Denny did not have one more chance and passed away shortly after. And if you hear the remastered version of her doing this song on piano, it is the scariest thing ever. It was almost like she knew already and was hoping to get a 2nd chance! Not only sad, but also scary!
------------- Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told! www.pedrosena.com |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: August 12 2016 at 13:39
|
One of my favorite 'sad' and 'melancholy' pieces.... ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: SteveG
Date Posted: August 12 2016 at 13:58
If there is any song, be it prog, pop or rock, sadder than this, let me know.  ------------- This message was brought to you by a proud supporter of the Deep State. |
Posted By: SteveG
Date Posted: August 12 2016 at 14:10
|
Come to think of it, this little ditty from the Summer of Love wasn't too full of sunshine either, but it's still an all time classic: ------------- This message was brought to you by a proud supporter of the Deep State. |
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: August 12 2016 at 21:27
|
Not sure if the OP will see these. Was looking up sad songs and came across this old topic, http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=63811" rel="nofollow - Saddest Prog. Rock Songs? , which reminded me of Gnidrolog. Gnidrolog: Goodybe - Farewell - Adieu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPNgFnxoDSQ" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPNgFnxoDSQ Their 1972 albums are awesome, by the way. Had been far too long since I last listened to them. Would recommend both Gnidrolog albums |
Posted By: Sean Trane
Date Posted: August 13 2016 at 01:01
Darkest and "most sinister" I would agree (I'd even add Present to that), but not sure I would call them sad/emotional |
Posted By: micky
Date Posted: August 13 2016 at 05:52
mine has always been this one... so many friends I've known and lost touch with over the years... this song always hits that spot... not to mention is simple has one of the most georgous.. beautiful sections of music I have heard.. amazing song. ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: August 13 2016 at 18:13
......I think I've got the meanings of sad and disturbing, completely mixed up....... 
|
Posted By: geekfreak
Date Posted: August 13 2016 at 20:59
|
Echolyn Mei.... ------------- Friedrich Nietzsche: "Without music, life would be a mistake." Music Is Live Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. Keep Calm And Listen To The Music… < |
Posted By: Son.of.Tiresias
Date Posted: September 28 2016 at 12:23
Si. Funny thing about melancholy in Italian prog... usually it´s not completely sad as it gets a bit happier after awhile.. kinda positiveness in sadness, I think. Musically extraordinary beautiful anyway as Italians are masters in emotional expression both sadness and happiness. APOTEOSI from 1975 - for me personally the most beautiful & emotional singing is right there... Silvana Idá. https://youtu.be/kztNZ_MGGU0
------------- You may see a smile on Tony Banks´ face but that´s unlikely. |
Posted By: BarryGlibb
Date Posted: September 29 2016 at 05:13
|
I have always thought that "And Further On" from Tull's "A" album was Ian Anderson's tribute to John Glascock who died the year before it's release. I have no proof that it is but I always think of Glascock every time I hear it. It's very sad but also uplifting and is an epic end to the much neglected and brilliant "A". And Further On We saw the heavens break And troubled dynasties, Cut icy teeth on northern shores. Brave fires that flicker, cough Give way to winds Through broken doors. And with the last line almost drawn: Wish you goodbye till further on. Will you still be there further on? |
Posted By: aliano
Date Posted: September 30 2016 at 04:37
|
I don't think these two have been suggested: Bob Theil - So Far Midlake - The Courage of Others Melodic, sad, slow, and emotional music at its best. |
Posted By: ClemofNazareth
Date Posted: September 30 2016 at 09:42
|
Someone already mentioned Nick Drake. If Nick Drake fits your definition of sad/emotional music (and really how could it not?) then here are a few more 60s/70s singer-songwriter types similar to Nick Drake to check out: Roger Rodier - Upon Velveatur (1972 - another Nick Drake type of person who faded into obscurity) Val Stoecklein - Grey Life (1968 - former Blue Things guitarist, written by an emotional wreck who ended up committing suicide) Skip Spence - Oar (1969 - former Jefferson Airplane and Moby Grape guitarist/drummer. Google the story of this album which is deep, weird and unsettling) Long Live Death - To Do More Than God, To Die (2003 - not in your date range but jeez, just look at the band name and album title). Oh yeah, and Nick Drake. Do that first. ------------- "Peace is the only battle worth waging." Albert Camus |
Posted By: Scorpius
Date Posted: October 07 2016 at 09:23
| Before I read anyone else's comments, I'm gonna say that if you want "sad prog" the best band for that is Van Der Graaf Generator. Peter Hammils middle name is "depressing". If you want specific albums, start with Pawn Hearts, H to He, or Godbluff. VDGG is a very sad band, as Hammil loves to write about topics such as loneliness and depression. This band has actually helped me get through some tough times in life, so I highly recommend them. Not to mention, they are an older band from the 70's just like you requested. |
Posted By: Son.of.Tiresias
Date Posted: October 09 2016 at 12:35
Great list. For me personally "Onward" is not sad but "For Absent Friends" somewhat sad but not "Stagnation",it is just emotional. "Trespass" is very emotional, and sadly Prog´s most underrated album. Welcome to PA
------------- You may see a smile on Tony Banks´ face but that´s unlikely. |
Posted By: Son.of.Tiresias
Date Posted: October 09 2016 at 12:40
Si. Very emotional, deep music indeed. And I hardly understand any word but this has never been a problem with RPI, Italian simply fits emotional music best and is the most beautiful language for symphonic (prog) music per se. ------------- You may see a smile on Tony Banks´ face but that´s unlikely. |
Posted By: Son.of.Tiresias
Date Posted: October 12 2016 at 12:00
|
Il Tempio delle Clessidre´s debut, Stefano "Lupo" Califi sings very emotionally, deep music as well. Prego. ------------- You may see a smile on Tony Banks´ face but that´s unlikely. |
Posted By: Borko
Date Posted: October 18 2016 at 21:18
|
Savage Rose - Ain't my baby beautiful Moody Blues - Watching and Waiting, Melancholy Man, 2nd track on "Children's Children" Silly Sisters - 4 level loom Sad People - Lonely man Carmen - People dressed in Black Steeleye Span - When I was on Horseback Turner & Kirwan - Father Reilly
|
Posted By: Kingsnake
Date Posted: October 19 2016 at 02:12
|
This entire album is really emotional and sad. |