20 of the Saddest Musical Songs of All Time
The saddest sad songs from musicalsEveryone loves a good cry every now and then and these musical theatre numbers are sure to get the tears following.
Prepare tissues for our rundown of some of the saddest songs from musicals.
I’ll Cover You (Reprise) – Rent
This song will never not leave you in tears.
Words Fail and So Big, So Small – Dear Evan Hansen
Act two of Dear Evan Hansen is a real tear-jerker thanks this pairing of songs back to back.
It’s Quiet Uptown – Hamilton
There’s a lot of moments in Hamilton that will make you cry but this number hits the hardest.
The I Love You Song – 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
This wildly fanciful song is simultaneously beautiful and devastating.
With You – Ghost
This song hits especially hard when performed by Cassie Levy.
She Used To Be Mine – Waitress
This act two, 11’o’clock number marks an emotional turning point for lead character Jenna.
Somewhere – West Side Story
This gorgeous Bernstein and Sondheim number is an all time classic with good reason.
All of Les Misérables
The title says it all, really.
It’s Hard to Speak My Heart – Parade
Jason Robert Brown’s score for Parade has no shortage of devastating numbers. Coming at the of act one, It’s Hard to Speak My Heart is an incredibly heartfelt number.
He’s Not Here – Next To Normal
Next To Normal won that Pulitzer Prize for Drama for a reason.
Something’s Missing – Come From Away
These lyrics will break your heart.
I’ll Be Here – Ordinary Days
This number from Off-Broadway show Ordinary Days sees a woman reminisce about the loss of her husband in the September 11 attacks.
What Would I Do? – Falsettos
This penultimate song from Falsettos is sure to have you in tears.
Everything I Know – In The Heights
Nina reminisces about Abuela Claudia in this emotional act two number.
My House – Matilda The Musical
Performed by Miss Honey in the second act, this gorgeous song by Tim Minchin is severely underrated.
Burn – Hamilton
Eliza Hamilton’s heartbreak and anger are palpable in this powerful song.
No One Is Alone – Into the Woods
This song offers solace and wisdom in the face of tragedy, a hallmark of Stephen Sondheim’s work.
Memory – Cats
Grizabella’s yearning for her past glory days is captured in this hauntingly beautiful song.
Road To Hell (Reprise) – Hadestown
As Hermes sings, “It’s a sad song, but we sing it anyway.”
Finishing the Hat – Sunday in the Park with George
George’s artistic obsession and isolation are explored in this emotionally charged song
