♫ Sad Songs (Say So Much) ♫

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The other night I played an Elton favourite, Daniel, and a couple of suggestions were forthcoming for future Elton songs.  This was the one I had intended to play before I got caught up in Daniel, and I promised then that you would see it soon … glad David reminded me!

I really don’t have much trivia about this song, other than it was co-written, as were most of Elton’s songs, by Bernie Taupin and Elton.  This song is the closing track on the 1984 album Breaking Hearts. It reached #7 on the UK charts and #5 on the U.S. charts. The lyrics describe how it sometimes helps for someone who is feeling sad, or who has lost a partner, to listen to old radio blues classics.  Personally, that seems rather like pouring salt into a wound, and if I’m sad I’d much rather listen to something cheerful and upbeat, like The Carpenter’s Top of the World, or Leslie Gore’s Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows!

Elton performed this song on One Night Only: The Greatest Hits Live at Madison Square Garden with Canadian rock star Bryan Adams. In 2013, John was joined by Rod Stewart in a special performance of the song at the London Palladium after being presented with first Brits Icon award in recognition of his “lasting impact” on UK culture.

Sad Songs (Say So Much)
Elton John

Guess there are times when we all need to share a little pain
And ironing out the rough spots
Is the hardest part when memories remain
And it’s times like these when we all need to hear the radio
‘Cause from the lips of some old singer
We can share the troubles we already know

Turn ’em on, turn ’em on
Turn on those sad songs
When all hope is gone
Why don’t you tune in and turn them on

They reach into your room, oh oh oh
Just feel their gentle touch (gentle touch)
When all hope is gone
Sad songs say so much

If someone else is suffering enough oh to write it down
When every single word makes sense
Then it’s easier to have those songs around
The kick inside is in the line that finally gets to you
And it feels so good to hurt so bad
And suffer just enough to sing the blues

So turn ’em on, turn ’em on
Turn on those sad songs
When all hope is gone
Why don’t you tune in and turn them on

They reach into your room, oh oh oh
Just feel their gentle touch (gentle touch)
When all hope is gone
You know sad songs say so much

Sad songs, they say
Sad songs, they say
Sad songs, they say
Sad songs, they say so much

So, turn ’em on, (turn ’em on), turn ’em on, (turn ’em on)
Turn on those sad songs
When all hope is gone
Why don’t you tune in and turn them on

They reach into your room, oh oh oh
Just feel their gentle touch (gentle touch)
When all hope is gone
You know sad songs say so much
When all hope is gone
You know sad songs say so much

When ever little bit of hope is gone
Sad songs say so much
When ever little bit of hope is gone
Sad songs say so much
When all hope is gone
Sad songs say

Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Bernie Taupin / Elton John
Sad Songs (Say So Much) lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

19 thoughts on “♫ Sad Songs (Say So Much) ♫”

  1. Pingback: ♫ Sad Songs (Say So Much) ♫ | Filosofa’s Word | Ramblings of an Occupy Liberal

  2. Elton John wasn’t much on my radar (Although I did have his first single Lady Samantha…which my folk threw out accidentally….long story).
    Nice song though. My favourite of his ‘famous’ era was ‘Rocket Man’ (Great SF song)

    Liked by 1 person

    • I like the song, but no, it isn’t my most favourite of his works. But, as you say, he has such a repertoire that I would be hard put to choose just one favourite … in fact, I don’t think I could.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. It’s ok, but not one of their best. For me, the best song he ever recorded is one they didn’t write: Love Song, on the Tumbleweed Connection album, which was written by Lesley Duncan. It’s lovely 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    • Agreed. I do like this one, but there are others I like better. I played it because David had mentioned it a couple of days ago, and he didn’t even come ’round to listen to it! Hmph.

      Believe it or not, until tonight I had never heard “Love Song” from the Tumbleweed Connection album! And here I thought I had heard everything Elton had ever done.

      Liked by 1 person

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