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Murder ballads, cheating spouses and the wrong side of the law feature heavily in their selection. Johnny Cash takes out the top spot with his track Thirteen - a song written for Cash by Glenn Danzig from Horror Punk band The Misfits. Whilst Jamey Johnson's The High Cost Of Living, which recounts the musician's dark past comes in at six.
Here's the full list:
1. Johnny Cash - 'Thirteen'
2. Tammy Wynette - 'D-I-V-O-R-C-E'
3. Reba McEntire - 'The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia'
4. Garth Brooks - 'The Thunder Rolls'
5. George Jones - 'He Stopped Loving Her Today'
6. Jamey Johnson - 'The High Cost Of Living'
7. Okkervil River - 'Westfall'
8. Johnny Paycheck - 'Pardon Me, I've Got Someone To Kill'
9. Lefty Frizzell - 'The Long Black Veil'
10. Johnny Cash - 'Delia's Gone'
What would you include on yours? Tell us below.
Source: Houston Press 
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Artist Biography
John R. "Johnny" Cash (February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003), was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. Although he is primarily remembered as a country music artist, his songs and sound spanned many other genres including rockabilly and rock and roll—especially early in his career—as well as blues,...
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Comments
A "list" is always problematic in how far back do you go and only "10" ?? My contribution (tongue in cheek ) would be - The Louvin Brothers- Tragic songs of life - Mary of the wild moor. If you want to start your day on a high note don't start with this album.
Why all the concentration on American music since John's retirement?
Australian Country singers (When they're NOT trying to ape Americans) are far better than the American overproduced acts are.
As for the "bleakest songs in Country music history" The Fatal Wedding by Chad Morgan would have to be top of my list. ;-)
You can't go past Richard Thompson's "1952 Vincent Black Lightning", leather, crime. red-headed women and violent young death. What more do you want?
Townes Vand Zandt's "Marie" is my pick it is the saddest song I think I have ever heard.
What an odd list. Some of these songs may be tragic in theme, but they actually sound quite jaunty, such as D-I-V-O-R-C-E (and, let's face it, a divorce can be the happiest day in some people's lives). I'm very surprised Hank Williams' I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry didn't make the cut. Johnny Cash is deservedly the only artist with two entries. He could fill the list on his own, especially with his later recordings. His cover of Hurt is unredeemed bleakness.
red dog by terry & jenny bennett
the horses stay behind by terry & jenny bennett
I would add Barbara Mandrell's "I Don't Want to be Right."
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