I mentioned in the article of Elton John’s song Sacrifice a few days ago another one of his would be forthcoming and here it is. I am not so enamoured with Sad Songs now as I was back then, but it brings back some good memories. When I was in the boy scouts in Western Sydney they had a badge for ‘entertainment’ and I sang today’s featured track to earn that recognition. Sad Songs (Say So Much) is the closing track on his 18th studio album Breaking Hearts, written by John and Bernie Taupin, released in 1984 as the lead single of the album. I liked another song from this record called Passengers.
[Verse 1]
Guess there are times when we all need to share a little pain
And ironin’ 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
[Chorus]
Turn ’em on, turn ’em on
Turn on those sad songs
When all hope is gone (Ah)
Why don’t you tune in and turn them on?
They reach into your room, oh-oh-oh, oh
Just feel their gentle touch (Gentle touch)
When all hope is gone (Ooh)
Sad songs say so much
[Verse 2]
If someone else is sufferin’ 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
Sad Songs reached No. 7 on the UK chart and No. 5 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. 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. The music video below was shot on a street in Rushcutters Bay, Sydney.
References:
1. Sad Songs (Say So Much) – Wikipedia
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
It’s funny, I’m in the same boat on “Sad Songs.”
I liked it more when it came out than nowadays where I feel it’s an okay but not a great Elton John song, especially compared to most his ‘70s music and 1983’s “Too Low for Zero” album.
I also have an association. In my case, the song was popular during a nice summer vacation in Italy at the time.
I regret my not having responded to you until now. Yes, we fall into the same boat on this track then. I hope you had a good weekend Christian.
Thanks, Matt, and please no worries. I’m still enjoying the tail end of it!😀🙋🏻♂️
I like Elton’s music a lot….you know that. Yes I favor from 1970 through 1976….but I do like some of this other stuff as well like Empty Garden and a few other things. I like this one as well…like you and Christian….I liked it better back then but I still will listen to it…it’s a good song!
Yes, you put me onto to Empty Garden discussing a track from his magnificent 2 Low for Zero record. Yeh, this is still a good song.
There were a few that I really liked. But…as you said about this one….they didn’t age as well as his early seventies stuff.
I agree about ‘Sad Song’. I just lost a long response to you about which songs from the 80’s / 90’s I consider in his top 30 of all time. Where the heck did that message go? Oh well, for another time. What a bummer.
I’ve had that happen before! There are some I like though.