What are some albums where the first track is the saddest/gloomiest/most depressing song on the whole CD?

Question

I've notice that on any dark-gloomy album, the first track is never the saddest, and that most sad albums tend to go from more upbeat to downright depressing (and only sometimes back up again).

Examples of albums in which the first is notably less depressive, or albums that are depressive but the first track isnt the harshest include Blackfield I and II, most Porcupine Tree records, Radiohead's Hail the the Thief and OK Computer, Anathema's A Fine Day to Exit,

Note: I know there are albums where every song is gloomy, but when is the first the most? I wouldnt think this would be common, because of the normal flow, in which albums build up to that point.

Yes, it is a bit late, I will let you all sleep on this one!

Glad I got everyone thinking! All I've come up with is Riverside's Second Life Syndrome. The whole album is incredibly dark, dealing with inner demons and all. The first track "After" is definitely the darkest, and possibly the saddest.
All answerers have pretty great responses.

Rckets - On 13th Step, "Gravity" is definitely the gloomiest (another gloomy last track). Or maybe "A Stranger".

alex_from_sf - Good call on Moon & Antarctica. I wouldnt have thought of that one, but your reasoning sounds good.

Answer 1

I was thinking Don Mclean's album "American Pie"

Of course, "American Pie" is the first song, it is depressing factually as it recounts the deaths of Buddy Holly, J.P. (Big Bopper) Richardson, and Richie Valens.

Also, in the symbolic sense to illustrate how unconstant and momentary our lives really are in the world political scene and how most of us look for solace or an uplifting experience in music. How our hopes are dashed to pieces as the messengers who gave the message lose their way through different means.

Remember this line?

"I met a girl who sang the blues/ And I asked her for some happy news/ But she just smiled and turned away: Janis Joplin OD'd October 4, 1970."

Dang, killer. :-(

Answer 2

The first one that comes to my mind is Arcade Fire's "Neon Bible", with the opening track "Black Mirror" arguably being the darkest song on the album.

Actually, that's about the only one I can think of. I've been wracking my brain for about ten minutes now, and I can think of one or two where it's a toss-up between the first track and another track on the album (like "We Have the Facts and We're Voting" by Death Cab For Cutie), but none where the opening track is definitively the gloomiest. That's an interesting point you've raised. I suppose it's just the case that bands don't want get you on too much of a downer from the outset.

Answer 3

Excellent question. This doesn't appear to be a common thing at all. Still, with some of the gloomier albums, you could always attempt to make a case for track #1. Measuring "gloom" is not as easy as stepping on the scale or adding the 1/2 cup of canola oil. Here are some albums I'd go with.

Cranes - Loved
The Cure - Pornography
Death in Vegas - Dirge
Kidney Thieves - Zerospace
A Perfect Circle - Thirteenth Step
Rollins Band - Weight

Answer 4

I've been sitting here for 10 minutes trying to think of examples of this. While thinking, I discovered that the majority of what I listen to, as you said, starts strong and then gradually declines.

"Saturday Night Wrist" by the Deftones starts with "Hole In The Earth". It's not the gloomiest track on the album, and it's mid-tempo, but lyrically it's a little sad. This song was written during a period of conflict between band members, and has a melancholy feel to it. To me, anyway.

The first track on "Light Grenades" by Incubus, "Quicksand", is a bit more on the slow side. I guess it's trippy as much as it would be sad, but it's a quiet start before the album explodes into the second song.

These aren't the greatest examples...hopefully I can come up with something better. :)

Answer 5

I have that same problem. I usually stop listening after the 10th song. Desolation Row- Bob Dylan Train in Vain (Stand by Me)- The Clash Something in the Way- Nirvana Bike- Pink Floyd Gouge Away- the Pixies Street Spirit (Fade Out)- Radiohead I am the Ressurection- The Stone Roses Sister Ray- The Velvet Underground Ok, I'll stop. So many good songs!

Answer 6

Wire's debut album Pink Flag is close, Reuters is one of the darkest songs on the album, but the title track is probably darker so I guess it doesn't quite count. And over all it's not a depressing album at all, "Field Day For The Sundays" "Fragile" "Mr Suit" "Feeling Called Love" are all more or less upbeat.

"Future Legend" which opens David Bowie's Diamond Dogs isn't really a song but is dark and creepy as hell.

Answer 7

wow that is a great question. The last ones on side 2 are usually the saddest. The Doors - The End/ When the Music's Over.

The Sisters of Mercy had a morbid song called Black Planet about 20 years ago that was the first song on the record. The words were morbid but the tempo upbeat.

thats all i can think of for now. I'll get back to you.

Answer 8

One I can think of is Closer, by Joy Division. A notoriously gloomy album; the leader of the band killed himself shortly before its release.

First song is called 'Atrocity Exhibition,' and it's about a guy who's forced to fight in arenas and whose suffering is basically used as entertainment for all the spectators. To me, it's the most depressing on the album, because it's clear that the lead singer thinks he's the atrocity, but I'll be the first to admit that the rest of the album is mighty depressing.

Answer 9

The first that comes to mind is Tom Petty's album Echo. The first song on it is Room At The Top. It's such a sad and depressing song...well, it is to me anyway. I read somewhere that he won't play it at concerts because it reminds him of such a bad time in his life.

I'll come up with a better example later. I'm in a Tom Petty state of mind right now since I've been watching the new documentary about him.

Answer 10

In terms of lyrics, I'll have to say "The Moon and Antarctica" by Modest Mouse which opens with the lyrics: "Everything that keeps me together is falling apart/I've got this thing that I consider my only art of/F**king people over"

Also, "Return To Sea" by Islands. The first track is called "Swans (Life After Death)" and includes the lyric "I woke up thirsty the day I died" and tells the story of being swallowed by a whale. (Without the Pinocchio ending.)