Day 4 – A song that makes you sad

Song: "Shut Me Down" - Rowland S. Howard, Pop Crimes (2009)

Rowland S. Howard knew he was dying as he recorded his final album. Liver disease had developed into cancer and the cult Australian guitarist was faced with his own mortality. In interviews, he spoke of possible liver transplants, but his cynicism and resignation were clear. You can hear all of that in Pop Crimes, one of the most stark and honest albums I've ever encountered.

"Shut Me Down" is devastating. You hear a man who has accepted his own inevitable death, waiting around until his body finally collapses. "Well, so long, baby, I've had enough" are the words that open the song and things only get more bitter from there. There have been plenty of songs with choruses that are variations on "I miss you so much," but when Rowland sings it, you know he's not just talking about temporary romantic pining. He's realizing that everything he knows and loves about life is about to be taken away from him and all he can do it choke back tears and wave goodbye.

(30 Days List)