Sad Songs Make Me...Sad(?)

Sometimes I get in a mood where all I want to listen to is something that will hit me like a brick, and one of those moods hit me just minutes ago.  I'm not sure why it happens.  The obvious answer would likely be that it's a manifestation of longing and loneliness, the desire for some greater, authentic soul-to-soul connection that I lack.  I'm sure each and every failure, every squandered opportunity, every word that once burned within me yet remained unsaid contributes to this painful melancholy.  Why is it that we turn to sad music when we're struck with these moods?  There's almost some pleasure in feeling that sadness as much as we possibly can.  Maybe the connection we form with those sad songs eases our pain and tells us we're not alone, that someone else has felt these same feelings.  Though we lack the soul-to-soul connection with another physical human being, we form a similar, less powerful connection with that synthesis of words and music.

Right now I'm listening to "13 Months in 6 Minutes" by the Wrens, one of my favorite sad songs.  I recently read an interview with Charles Gessell, one of the band's guitarists/vocalists/songwriters, and he was asked if most of the songs and the people mentioned in the songs were real people.  He stated that most of them were based on real people, but the names were fictional.  He mentioned, however, that "13 Months in 6 Minutes" was absolutely autobiographical.  This makes the song hit me all the more.  It's not about some intense breakup; it's just a gradual drifting apart.  And there is such remorse and regret in Charles's lyrics.  He admits to messing up, to being a fool, and his inability to change the situation haunts him (and me).  The line "I'm a footnote at best / I envy who comes next" has always killed me.  

(I'm currently on my third time listening to the track).  

I know you understand what I'm saying, Justin, as we've talked about this song in the past.  It really goes along well with "I've Made Enough Friends" as sort of the antithesis or the aftermath of what that song expresses.  In fact, I'm going to play that flawless song right now.  As much as I love these songs, I hope to sleep off this melancholy.  The last thing I need is to be all mopey and forlorn to kick off a new week.

Here are the lyrics to "13 Months in 6 Minutes" for those unfamiliar with them:

not yet 21 - with introductions done - a first slow dance just ends.

I was at my best - we ignored the rest (my band and your friends).

But as better night became best day we left the party while last records played. 

What started as dessert back at your house ended on the couch…

hours at your mouth…sunday’s on our hands. We followed where it led. 

I followed you to bed. We started secret plans.

Forward 7 months: I’ve only seen you once…I never call on time. 

Trying to seem tough, I said one visit’s enough - enough to keep you mine (of course it wasn’t…)

We were done by june. You’d graduate and leave forlondon soon. 

Your layover at newark’s near my house. We met for dinner there…

just one hour to spare - your 20’s all mapped out. I’m in my driest drought 

feeling old and shot and how.

And this is what I thought: I seem to still be caught…

I’m a footnote at best…I envy who comes next…wish we could just make out. 

‘The hour’s almost up’, you said into your cup. And it makes no difference now, as I help lift your bags out, that I’m lost and out of rope while on my wrist you wrote your newest number down. 

I kind of said your name but you’d turned to your plane so I backed my car out. 

I knew we’d never write (somehow that seemed all right) but this counts as calling three years out.

And then the awesome coda at the end with the chord progression that I wish was stretched for another 6 minutes and that aching melody with the lyrics that are just too faint to comprehend.  This is a perfect song.