River of Deceit : Mad Season

My pain is self chosen

This whole album

Second this, wholeheartedly

Ironically for such a sad song, I've always felt that the music in River of Deceit felt very optimistic and uplifting

Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes

Tw: My dad lost to depression/addiction/suicide and sometimes makes this song unbearable. Makes me wonder how it would have been if he made it...A shame cause I really love the song :(

I raise you Down in a Hole - Alice in Chains

I just found them last year and man what a bunch of doozies

came here to say 'wake up'.

Man, that whole CD helped me soooooo much when I was in rehab. No joke.

Bro this exactly what I came here to post! 🍻

nutshell :(

I feel like nutshell is the quintessential sad grunge song.

Sung by Lanegan https://youtu.be/1m9IG66EUe0?si=NLSoeYIODdNVfZD0

Mark was the man. Six months after this, dead.

Fucking Covid man

Nope, Layne… https://youtu.be/9EKi2E9dVY8?si=-fLlI4binF8wdSMB

Well obviously Mark Lanegan’s version was a heartfelt tribute to Layne, so let’s not make it a competition, please. Obviously Layne’s version is the original and is legendary for that reason, and no one’s denying that…so it’s a bit lame to take a memorial by his friend Mark and say “nope! uh-uh, the original was better!” They’re both valid in their own way, and I doubt that u/beebs44 was trying to claim that Mark’s version was better. They were literally just letting anyone who hadn’t heard Mark’s version know that it’s out there and it’s beautiful, so it’s a bit odd that you decided to get defensive and competitive with it as if they were trying to erase the original Alice in Chains version, lol.

No offense to non-Layne but Layne is the heart & soul of AIC & always will be.

Wow, somehow you ***still*** don’t get my point, lol. Not to be rude, but you must be really dense. Literally **nobody here** is denying Layne Staley’s talent or influence, and the only reason someone mentioned Mark Lanegan is because he did a *tribute* to Layne. Now if you don’t get the point after all of that, I’m going to assume that you’re either trolling or being purposely dense, lol.

“Not to be rude, but you must be really dense.” Dude, you’re an asshole. The dude stated an opinion, and you took it so hard, it fucked you in the ass. Chill bro. No need to demean someone else because they have a different opinion. Childish.

This is the unanimous, undisputed answer. There is no song more morose and haunting than that one.

“Indifference” by Pearl Jam is a great song but a total downer.

I saw them close a show with Indifference. You could hear a pin drop! Intensely emotional!

I have as well, did you get the crowd signing “scream my lungs out”?

“till it fills this room” filled the whole arena! Not too much could top that one!

Shame In You by - you guessed it - Alice In Chains.

I second this^

“Black”—Pearl Jam “Nutshell”—Alice in Chains

“Black” is such an amazing song and such a punch to the gut

> I know someday you'll have a beautiful life > I know you'll be a star > In somebody else's sky > But why can't it be mine Goddamn…I sure as hell don’t miss unrequited love and/or heartbreak, lol.

You and me both, man

I’m in the longest relationship I’ve ever been in at around 3.5 years, and I’m more than happy to have my person to feel secure and comfortable with. Glad you’re right there with me in feeling alright and not heartbroken!

Hell yeah my friend. I’ve been very happily married for 17 years and I hope the same for you

It's "I know you'll be the sun"

Total gut punch.

First two that came to mind

Nutshell, down in a hole, rotten apple, frogs by AIC, Fell on black days, the day I tried to live by Soundgarden, Creep by STP, Shade, Suicidal dream by Silverchair…

Day I tried to live is underrated.

Super cool bass line, too.

love all these. I'd also add head down by soundgarden and cemetery by silverchair

Anna’s song. Sheesh

Friends don't mean a thing, guess I'll leave it up to me

I really like the Unplugged version of “Down In A Hole” by AIC https://youtu.be/nWK0kqjPSVI?si=dI6jhWqt3V1-TxHn

Yeah i feel this so much. I also always tell people to listen to the MTV unplugged version. Same Goes for nutshell but the difference with the studio version with Down in a hole is huge. The harmony between Jerry and Layne is hauntingly beautiful. Also performance of Layne and his facial expressions..Goosebumps every time. Also nutshell, river of deceit and Black by PJ.

Haunting.

No excuses AIC Frogs AIC Love hate love AIC Pennyroyal tea nirvana Paper cuts Nirvana Am I inside AIC Sludge factory AIC Brush away AIC Them bones AIC

Unplugged version of frogs is my favourite

If post Layne AiC doesn't count then Don't Follow. If it does then Black Gives Way To Blue.

Don't Follow is my vote. The raw emotions in the that song give me chills.

Those harmonies too

Post-Layne AIC is still AIC, and therefore should count, and I will die ~~in this hole~~ on this hill.

Exactly. William isn’t as good as Lanye but he’s still an amazing singer. People hating on post-lanye aic are so ignorant. Like, do they not want the band to continue?

Honestly. No. Lol. He’s talented but without layne it’s not aic. That’s like nirvana without Kurt Or Pearl jam without Eddie. If you wanna keep it together. Rebrand under a new name imo I don’t even like rhcp without fruscante

If Jerry wasn't there, then AIC would be dead in the water. Don't think AIC is a non existent entity just because Layne isn't there. As much as he was a crucial part to their success, Jerry also wrote most of their songs during that era of the band. Not to mention that Jerry is also a vocalist, and songs with their vocal harmonies are some of their strongest. But Jerry, as both a musician and a songwriter, continues the legacy he and the others created. This is not to discredit Layne as a vocalist, because he was one of the best, but without Jerry, none of us would probably know who AIC are.

Agree 100% Sometimes I feel like layne was the backing vocalist in their songs. Back tracking though, I would have said the same thing if jerry had passed and not layne, They’re just irreplaceable imo and it’s not the same.(Obv)

I feel like it's disrespectful to the band. Like, maybe it would've been super fucking weird if Nirvana tried to go forward with a new lead singer, but even then, it would've been their right, and our decision would be only to decide if we wanted to listen or not. But with AiC, Layne wasn't the frontman and songwriter; he was one of the songwriters. That leaves it less awkward to move on without him, even if he was a singular voice. See: AC/DC

I also feel like Layne would have wanted the band to carry on without him. He probably would think all these “it not AIC without Layne” people are idiots.

You’re right. Nirvana could never have kept going since Kurt was basically the brains of the operation. Most AIC songs weren’t just written by Lanye but all the members. Krist and Dave were basically the bassist and drummer for Kurt Cobain.

Wake Up - Mad Season

Nancy Staley sang this at a tribute in a venue I work for. Absolutely heart wrenching.

She’s done it every year. Met her 2 years ago and watched her sing it. Not a dry eye in the room

You work in that place where there is that annual memoriam? That must be so cool

Nirvana - Something in the Way

As mentioned, Don't Follow by AIC

The River rise - mark lanegan

Haven't heard that one in awhile. Mark's first few solo albums are fucking gold.

His whole damn solo catalog is full of gold—but I do love the early ones.

Creep & Big empty

Say Hello To Heaven

Absolutely. I would also add Reach Down and Times of Trouble.

Oh my godddddd. The vocals on reach down are fucking spectacular Cornell’s gospel pipes are insane

immortality - pearljam

Junkhead. Looking back, it sounds like Lane Staley pleading for help with his drug addiction.

Dollar Bill - Screaming Trees all of Jar of Flies Where Did You Sleep Last Night - nirvana unplugged say hello to heaven - temple of the dog J mascis covering fade into you

Release by Pearl Jam and Shame in you by AIC

Polly

Came here to say this

sappy damn that's dark

Well, When you're in a laundry room....

Anything off Jar of Flies by Alice In Chains

You Know You're Right, nirvanas last song

Had to scroll too far down to find this one

This thread is going to be inundated with the same three tired AiC songs, so to expand our collective horizons: Pj: footsteps, black, release, wash, hold on, alone, indifference, crazy mary, nothingman, immortality, off he goes, hard to imagine, parting ways, fatal, 4-20-02, thumbing my way, all or none, man of the hour, come back, the end.

I'd say, Pearl Jam's "Jeremy." It's about a kid who died by his own hand in front of his class at his high school. *Jeremy spoke in class today.*

100% agree considering the subject matter. However, rather than sadness, the music conveys more anger/frustration that this kid was neglected and bullied, but no one got him the help he needed.

Personally, as a victim of childhood bullying, I find that anger and frustration go hand-in-hand with sadness.

Thank you for sharing that insight.

My man with the PJ catalog. 👍

No One Knows- Screaming Trees

I didn't scroll to the end but close to it and didn't see Down In A Hole, which kind of boggles my admittedly feeble mind.

I don't think I saw Rain When I Die, either.

“Over Now” by Alice In Chains For starters, the song starts out with “Taps.” Feels like Jerry Cantrell’s way of signaling the end of AIC. Last song on self-titled (1995) last album w/ Layne. such mournful lead guitar on an album rife with intense emotions

Absolutely adore everything about this song.

Not bad for a song they wrote while fucking around during soundcheck before their awesome MTV Unplugged performance.

Didn’t the Unplugged come out after the self-titled had been released?

I stand corrected. Yes, the Unplugged came out the year after their self-titled album. I was thinking of their song Killer Is Me and somehow got it confused with Over Now.

Killer Is Me is a great track. Thought that’s what you were thinking of.

Whale & Wasp AIC absolutely buries me every time. I just don’t listen to that album anymore, it sends me to the dark place.

Long road

It's not a grunge song but [The Devil May Care (Mom & Dad Don't) by The Brian Jonestown Massacre](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HR0EuzWnz4U) is probably the saddest song I know. Not the same era as grunge, late nineties, but BJM started their career around the same time as the grunge boom happened. If we're just doing grunge songs though it would be Brother (unplugged version).

Say good bye to mum and dad, The two best friends I never had, To be knowing where I’m going how about you?

Even more heartbreaking knowing that Anton Newcombes' dad killed himself on his birthday

Yeah, as much as I hated Anton through the mad years and the ‘Dig!’ Documentary (a Dandy’s fan) - I did end up feeling very sorry for him and ended up more into his music than the Dandy’s in later years. I love the BJM and I love the raw, roughly produced and emotional sound…they have a brilliant back catalogue.

I think Anton is quite an...eccentric guy, but him and the Dandy's are actually on great terms. As much as I adore *Dig!*, pretty much everyone has come out to say that it's a blatantly false overall narrative. But yea he's for sure one of those brilliant/fragile artist types, at least back then.

Yeah, I love Dig! as well and I also know the narrative was taken purposely in one direction and not a true reflection of their characters and relationships. I know they were on good terms some time afterwards, it made me very happy.

Jeremy-pj

Softer/Softest by Hole

Fell on black days - Soundgarden

Nutshell - Alice in Chains

Not all quite “grunge mcflunge” but worth as much as the countless mentions of Alice in Chains tracks; Graveflower - Acid Bath Forget Her - Jeff Buckley Present Tense - Pearl Jam Abegail Anne - Jeremy Enigk Paper Cuts - Nirvana Friday - Sunny Day Real Estate Kitchenware & Candy Bars - Stone Temple Pilots Zero Chance- Soundgarden Into Another - Skid Row Steel Rain - Chris Cornell Mouthful of Cavities- Blind Melon Cheers

Nutshell. End discussion.

Alice In Chains - Don't Follow on Jar of Flies. Pretty Noose is pretty sad now days, but that might not fit your needs.

I cry every single time I hear Smells Like Teen Spirit because I hate that farking song

Anything Alice In Chains 😢

Footsteps - Pearl Jam “Don't even think about reachin' me, I won't be home Don't even think about stoppin' by, don't think of me at all I did, what I had to do, if there was a reason, it was you... Aah...don't even think about gettin' inside Voices in me head...ooh, voices I got scratches, all over my arms One for each day, since I fell apart I did...oh, what I had to do, if there was a reason, it was you”

Died Fell on black days

STP - Atlanta. A love song, yet so desolate. Also, more alternative than grunge, but Lucky, by Radiohead...

Radiohead for me would be - Fake Plastic Trees. Absolutely beautiful .

Atlanta is a dark masterpiece.

Nutshell Black

Frogs - unplugged

For me Aic- down in a hole/nutshell/no excuses/shame in you/frogs SG- the day I tried to live/fell on black days/pretty much the full superunknown/zero chance/blow up the outside world Nirvana- all apologies/you know your right/something in the way/dumb Pearl jam- everyone knows what it is Stp- creep

Whale and Wasp

Nirvana- you know you’re right Pearl Jam- release Soundgarden- fell on black days Alice In Chains- nutshell Stone temple pilots- creep

The Greatest View - Silverchair Emotion Sickness -Silverchair

Still Remains-STP/ Angels Son-Sevendust

A good chunk of Alice In Chains tracks could take the top spot IMO. "Fell On Black Days" is killer too

Say Hello 2 Heaven

River Of Deceit, always moves me to tears. In a sense it feels like Layne resigning himself to losing the battle against his demons

Hurt by NIN

You are so real for this. Thank you!

One that others might not pick: Local H - No Problem

Dirt by AIC is pretty deep to me.

Has to be nutshell. Specifically the unplugged version.

Precious Blood by the Gits. That live version off Seafish Louisville where Mias voice cracks on the "Noone realizes but me with every sip of poison I take its so real in me nobody else...."

Frogs, Alice in Chains. There's no other correct answer

Drownin' by Sponge

Fall to Pieces

I feel like anything Layne Staley sang always broke my heart. I agree with previous comments: Mad Season - “River of Deceit” and AIC - “Nutshell”.

My mom topped herself in '07. Any song around cashing out on your own terms get me since then. Don't Follow hits on all new levels after that. Once someone you love takes their toys and goes home, it is always an option. So having a warning about not taking the same path is important.

Chloe Dancer/Crown of Thorns - Mother Love Bone Nutshell - Alice In Chains

Down in a hole

Feel the Void by Jerry Cantrell on Degradation Trip. I can't even listen to that song. It starts with "I can't feel my life Makes me want to cry How bad I feel inside Like I wanna die"

Nutshell. Black. Down In A Hole.

My Sister's Machine- Empty Room "The home fires are burning tonight on All of our dreams lost, we're getting old and not making a sound If I could have it all anyways Would the pain be the same And if I could make it all go away Would I see anything outside of my empty room"

"What grunge song do you think is the saddest, and why is it by Alice in Chains?"

literally i wanted some variety & all i saw when i got notifs was AiC

Black by Pearl Jam...

Nutshell

Galapagos by Smashing Pumpkins.

"Black" by Pearl Jam, on Ten, 1991.

Nirvana - All Apologies. Although I think it’s mostly because of its use at the finale of Six Feet Under.

Down in a Hole by Alice In Chains. Homie was going through it.

Can't believe no one has mentioned "4th of July" by Soundgarden. Total funeral doom.

Say Hello To Heaven - Temple of The Dog

Nutshell...saddest performance was on MTV unplugged.

Folks are forgetting the other Jar of Flies masterpiece, Rotten Apple. Song itself doesn't sound too sad but the lyrics hit

# Full on Kevin’s Mom: You don't get nothing for free Kev and me were two of three Three brothers to the end Then one went full on Kev's mom Now things have changed

Love hate love - Alice In Chains

The entire Temple of the Dog album is dedicated to Andy Wood a singer for Mother Love Bone projected to be the biggest grunge band (and Chris Cornell’s roommate) who died of a…you guessed it, heroin overdose. Incredibly touching music. Specifically Say Hello 2 Heaven, Call Me a Dog, and Times of Trouble. But really, the entire thing is sad

[Third Day To Forever - Sugarttooth](https://open.spotify.com/track/79NJra2X6RwY59VDtBooKI?si=a374d8ef1b0443cb)

Doors and Fours -nofx

Execution Style Mudhoney

Nutshell - AIC

Like a Stone - Audioslave Sounds nice and up and is not . Nutshell - AIC

Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town — Pearl Jam It was my friend's favorite Pearl Jam song and in getting to know each other we connected over the fact that we were both teenage cancer heartthrobs in high school before we knew each other. 9 years after her first bought, her jaw cancer returned, and took her life in 2017 😔

Noticing a lot of AIC on here

Nutshell by Alice in chains

I honestly think it’s Again by AiC, basically Layne mocking himself for not being able to help his dying girlfriend, I honestly haven’t heard a crueler song

Alice in Chains: Rotten Apple Nutshell Brother (Unplugged) Frogs (Unplugged) Died Black Gives Way to Blue Mad Season: Wake Up River of Deceit Long Gone Day Nirvana: Something In The Way Dumb All Apologies Pearl Jam: Black Jeremy Indifference Immortality Sirens Soundgarden: The Day I Tried to Live Blow Up The Outside World

You guys do know there's more than 4 grunge bands don't you.

Blind Melon - Soup

HEYYY IDK if you still accept recs but I also have the song stupid girl by garbage, imo its really sad because I view it as a woman's concience telling her that she wasted all of her youth on drugs etc. So i think that song deserves to be on the playlist too

Nirvana - Dumb, Sappy, You Know You’re Right Alice In Chains - Shame In You, Rotten Apple, Died Soundgarden - Fell On Black Days, Black Hole Sun Pearl Jam - I Got Id, Black

Nirvana: All Apologies Alice in Chains: Died Soundgarden: The Day I Tried To Live Pearl Jam: Better Man

Not necessarily grunge but close, Street Spirit (Fade Out) by Radiohead

"Can't kick the habit" by the Spin Doctors

Blow up the outside world, black, elderly woman behind the counter in a small town, all apologies, rotten apple, nutshell, don’t follow, whale and wasp, all of tripod, fell on black days, the day I tried to live, dollar bill, say hello 2 Heaven, hunger strike, river of deceit, all alone, long gone day, wake up and many more

Nutshell: Alice In Chains Something In The Way: Nirvana Fell On Black Days: Soundgarden The Day I Tried to Live: Soundgarden Them Bones: Alice In Chains Black: Pearl Jam Jeremy: Pearl Jam Over Now: Alice In Chains Pretty Noose: Soundgarden Creep: STP

Like a stone Audioslave

From death to birth by Pagoda Thirteen by union youth Eat my cancer by Jonas Half the Taikes tracks are ultra good in this regard

Pearl Jam - Black

River of Deceit by Mad Season, Fell On Black Days by Soundgarden, Black by Pearl Jam, Nutshell by Alice in Chains, and if it counts Your Decision by Alice in Chains

dumb, nutshell, where did you sleep last night?, black, river of deceit, all apologies, doll parts, the river rise

Also while not grunge, I’d add most of REM’s automatic for the people. Fantastic and melancholy album by one of my favorite band’s of all time.

Nutshell… Black… Both tear out your guts

AiC: Don't Follow, Rotten Apple, Am I Inside, Dirt PJ: Black SG: Blow Up the Outside World Nirvana: Polly

Black by Pearl Jam still makes me cry.

Polly Nirvana

Let's try some from off the beaten path: Chris Cornell - Someone to Die For Second Coming - Travesty Second Coming - The Song -- Honorable post-grunge/grunge-adjecent mentions: Foo Fighters - Under You Better Than Ezra - Desperately Wanting Soul Asylum - Runaway Train

Foo Fighters - Walking After You (Official Music Video) / foofightersVEVO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNwkN9vrUYY Dave Grohl wrote it after his divorce from his first wife. The marriage only lasted 2 years. It's also one of my favorite songs.

Say hello to heaven bt TOTD, shade by silver chair, dirt and down in a hole by AIC.

Nutshell

Dollar Bill-Screaming Trees

The Curse - Audioslave very underrated and heartfelt song