I’m in a sad song mood for some reason tonight. I just found this song, which is probably why.

“Eleanor Rigby,” The Beatles. This is a boring choice, I know, but it’s my favorite Beatles song, and if you want to talk about lonely, forlorn folks, this song’s got ‘em.

“A Stone,” Okkervil River. Will Sheff’s voice is great for looping and spiralling lines of lyrics, but it’s also great at just simple pain and sorrow for a love lost long ago.

“Get Lonely,” Mountain Goats. John Darnielle’s got whole albums of sad songs, but this is probably the saddest, loneliest song of his that I can think of (“No Children” is a terrific song that’s sad in a “screw it all” way, but it’s not as down in the dumps as this one). I once read a review for this album in which the reviewer actually talked to Darnielle about this whole thing and that he didn’t really get how maudlin it all was. “You don’t understand it,” John said. “Do you have a girlfriend?” Yes, answered the reviewer. “Break up with her,” said John. “Then listen to the album again.”

“Exit Music (for a film),” Radiohead. Never mind that it was written for Romeo + Juliet, this is probably the most depressing, genius song on a depressing, genius album.

“Fred Jones, Part 2,” Ben Folds. This song probably isn’t as classic as the rest of these, but there’s something about it that gets me. And having Cake’s John McCrea doing background vocals doesn’t hurt (or should I say does hurt?).

Wow, that’s a depressing bunch of music. Sorry about that. But I will say that after listening to these, I feel a little better, actually. That’s what the best sad music does — no matter what your situation is or what’s happening with you, a great sad song can make you realize that there’s someone out there feeling exactly what you are. And maybe, if they can express it that exactly and beautifully, then maybe it’s ok to feel that way after all.