Sad Song Queens

Hosts Laura Webb and Lindsay Wolfington sit down with Nick Carpenter—aka Medium Build—for an honest and unfiltered conversation on this episode of the Sad Song Queens podcast. The episode centers on "Thank You, Cook," the closing track from Medium Build's album King of Having Fun. Together, they explore why Nick gravitates toward slow, melancholic tempos and how getting sober allowed him to strip away years of emotional armor, regret, and defensive facades. Along the way, they unpack unique i...

In this episode of the Sad Song Queens, music supervisors Laura Webb and Lindsay Wolfington sit down with the incomparable Brandi Carlile—an Oscar nominee, 11-time Grammy winner, two-time Emmy winner, and New York Times best-selling author who has released ten studio albums to date. They discuss Brandi Carlile’s stunning new deluxe release, Returning To Myself (Sad Gay Version), which features intimate, reimagined versions of all ten songs from the original album. Brandi details t...

Singer-songwriter duo, The Secret Sisters, join Sad Song Queens hosts Laura Webb and Lindsay Wolfington to dive into the emotional backstory behind their poignant track, “Hold You Dear” from their 2020 album Saturn Return. In this intimate conversation, real-life sisters Laura Rogers and Lydia Slagle, reflect on the raw vulnerability of early motherhood, family, and the fleeting nature of time that inspired the song. Known for their close vocal harmonies, traditional South...

In this episode of Sad Song Queens, hosts Laura Webb and Lindsay Wolfington sit down with Andrew Bird—Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, violinist, whistler, and recent Emmy winner for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics. Recorded prior to his big win, this conversation dives into the award-winning track "Need Someone," co-written with composer Gavin Brivik for HBO Max's hit medical drama The Pitt. Whether you are a longtime fan of Andrew Bird, an admirer of his work across film and televi...

Grammy-winning songwriter Dan Wilson (Semisonic, "Closing Time") returns for part two of his Sad Song Queens interview with hosts and award-winning music supervisors Laura Webb and Lindsay Wolfington. In this episode, he goes deep on co-writing Adele's heartbreaking hit "Someone Like You." Dan shares the untold story behind the song's iconic piano part, how Adele's iconic “screechy” falsetto note almost got cut, why her mum's tears convinced them to finish the song, and what really happ...

In this episode of Sad Song Queens, hosts Laura Webb and Lindsay Wolfington sit down with Grammy-winning songwriter, producer, and Semisonic frontman Dan Wilson to unpack one of the most quietly devastating songs in his catalog: "Fly Safe." For a podcast built around the songs that make people cry, Dan turns out to be the perfect guest — a self-described "earnest" songwriter whose melodies, he admits, sound sad even when he's trying to write something hopeful. Dan Wilson is a Minneapolis-bor...

Music supervisors Laura Webb and Lindsay Wolfington kick off this episode with a summer catch up. From travel tales and rock biographies to the tracks on heavy rotation, the Sad Song Queens sync up on everything that defined their summer break. The duo peels back the curtain on the raw realities of music supervision and clearance, and music coordinator Jordan Linsley steps into the studio to talk shop—and host a high-stakes, hilarious game of Misunderstood Songs. Play along as Laura and Lin...

New York rock veteran Jesse Malin joins Sad Song Queens hosts Laura Webb and Lindsay Wolfington to break down "My Little Life," a song that's taken on an entirely new meaning after the health crisis that nearly ended his career. Malin has spent more than two decades as one of New York's most beloved rock artists — his 2003 solo debut The Fine Art of Self-Destruction earned him praise from Rolling Stone, and his songs have since been covered by Bruce Springsteen, Lucinda Williams, Green Day, E...

Grammy-winning, Tony- and Emmy-nominated singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles joins Sad Song Queens hosts Laura Webb and Lindsay Wolfington for one of the most emotionally raw conversations the podcast has ever recorded. The episode centers on “Forever,” the penultimate track from Bareilles’ seventh studio album, Good Grief, released August 28th — a record built entirely around loss, memory, and the power of music to heal. Sara Bareilles broke through in 2007 with “Love Song,” pushing her p...

My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James joins Laura Webb and Lindsay Wolfington to unpack “Get The Point,” a beautiful and sincere breakup song from the 2015 album, The Waterfall. Recorded in a cliffside Stinson Beach studio, the track was written during the collapse of a relationship James describes as an “unbelievable cosmic love” tangled up with active alcoholism and self-hatred. Jim opens up about writing from inside the fog of addiction, learning to trust his own truth over someone else’s,...

Legendary lyricist Bernie Taupin — Elton John’s songwriting partner of over 50 years and the mind behind “Your Song,” “Tiny Dancer,” “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” and “Candle in the Wind” — returns to the Sad Song Queens podcast for part two of an intimate conversation with hosts Laura Webb and Lindsay Wolfington. This episode dives deep into “One Hundred Ways,” the poignant closing track from Taupin’s new solo album The Sea Has No Mercy (out October 23rd), his first solo record in nearly four...

Have you ever felt the weight of emotional pain wrapped in a melody? Join us on this heartfelt journey in the latest episode of the Sad Song Queens podcast, where hosts Laura Webb and Lindsay Wolfington sit down with the indie pop duo Lucius—Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig—to explore the profound intricacies behind their poignant song "White Lies" from their album "Second Nature. " Lucius opens up about their creative process, sharing the stories behind songs that emerged during a challenging p...

What happens when heartbreak meets empowerment? Dive into the world of emotional songs with the latest episode of Sad Song Queens, where hosts Laura Webb and Lindsay Wolfington engage in an inspiring conversation with Aino Jawo and Caroline Hjelt, the dynamic duo behind the Swedish pop sensation Icona Pop. Their new track "Hurt" from the album "Ritual" serves as the backdrop for a deep exploration of the complexities of moving on after relationships, and the powerful catharsis that comes from...

What does it mean to craft a "late-life manifesto" through music? Join us as we dive deep into the world of heartfelt melodies and poignant lyrics with the legendary Bernie Taupin in this episode of Sad Song Queens. Hosts Laura Webb and Lindsay Wolfington welcome the iconic lyricist, best known for his enduring partnership with Elton John, to discuss his latest album, "The Sea Has No Mercy," and its evocative first single. This episode is a treasure trove of songwriting stories that will reso...

Today we are revisiting our conversation with Lykke Li about her song "Happy Hurts." We chat about what it means to be a mother, psychics, and what makes a sad song sad. Support the show To help support these artists’ as well as their favorite sad songs, please check out our Official Spotify Playlist! Find us elsewhere: https://linktr.ee/sadsongqueens If you like what you hear, you can buy us a coffee! Our theme song is "All My Favorite Songs" by Weezer, courtesy of Crush M...

Today we are revisting our conversation with modern day Renaissance man FINNEAS. We chat about songwriting, touring, music supervision, composing, and more - Check it out on the Sad Song Queens podcast! Support the show To help support these artists’ as well as their favorite sad songs, please check out our Official Spotify Playlist! Find us elsewhere: https://linktr.ee/sadsongqueens If you like what you hear, you can buy us a coffee! Our theme song is "All My Favorite Songs" b...

In this week’s episode of Sad Song Queens, Laura sits down with brothers Taylor and Griffin Goldsmith of folk rock band Dawes to discuss their heartbreaking song “A Little Bit of Everything.” Taylor and Griffin share the story behind the creation of the song's narrative, the songwriting legends they look up to, and how they’ve navigated the aftermath of the Altadena fire. Support the show To help support these artists’ as well as their favorite sad songs, please check out our Official Spotify...

In this week’s episode of Sad Song Queens, Laura and Lindsay sit down with the indie-folk duo The Milk Carton Kids to discuss their emotional song “I’ll Go Home From Here.” In this spirited conversation, Joey and Kenneth discuss their new album, why keeping a song's meaning open to interpretation is important, and how they started a sad song summer camp! Support the show To help support these artists’ as well as their favorite sad songs, please check out our Official Spotify Playlist! F...

In this week’s episode of Sad Song Queens, Laura and Lindsay are joined by legendary British singer-songwriter David Gray to discuss his poetic ballad “Flame Turns Blue.” David explores the song’s themes of reflecting on your younger self, looks back on the enduring success of his breakthrough album White Ladder, and shares a few memorable stories from the road. Support the show To help support these artists’ as well as their favorite sad songs, please check out our Official Spotify P...

In this week’s episode of Sad Song Queens, Laura and Lindsay are joined by José González to discuss his heartfelt song “For Every Dusk.” José reflects on the controversial role of AI in music, the importance of rituals, and why we’re drawn to sad songs when we’re already feeling down. Support the show To help support these artists’ as well as their favorite sad songs, please check out our Official Spotify Playlist! Find us elsewhere: https://linktr.ee/sadsongqueens If you l...

This week, the Queens are back with Part II of their conversation with Madonna Wade-Reed, diving deeper into the world of music supervision. Madonna shares stories from past projects, breaks down the process of choosing the perfect songs for a scene, and discusses what it takes to succeed as a music supervisor. Support the show To help support these artists’ as well as their favorite sad songs, please check out our Official Spotify Playlist! Find us elsewhere: https://linktr.ee/sa...

In this week’s episode, the Queens sit down with fellow music supervisor Madonna Wade-Reed to discuss their favorite sad songs from the ‘90s. Madonna shares her journey to becoming a music supervisor before diving into the emotional tracks that shaped a generation. From heartbreak ballads to iconic sad song hits, the Queens and Madonna explore the music that still puts us all in our feels decades later. Support the show To help support these artists’ as well as their favorite sad songs, pleas...

In this week’s episode of Sad Song Queens, Laura and Lindsay are joined by Nathan Nicholson, lead singer of the indie rock band The Boxer Rebellion, to discuss the band’s heartfelt song “Here I Am.” Nathan shares the story behind writing the track, reflects on coping with grief after the passing of his father shortly afterward, and opens up about how touring can be a double-edged sword. Support the show To help support these artists’ as well as their favorite sad songs, please check out our O...

In this week’s episode of Sad Song Queens, Laura and Lindsay are joined by singer-songwriter Leah Nobel to discuss her tearjerking song “Crying In The Hardware Store." Leah shares how the song was shaped by loss and how we move through grief. She also reflects on the loneliness of online culture, the challenges of social media, and what it was like to have her song “Beginning, Middle, End” featured in To All The Boys: Always and Forever. Support the show To help support these artists’ as we...

In this week’s episode of Sad Song Queens, Laura and Lindsay are joined by singer-songwriter Sam Beam of Iron & Wine to discuss his somber track “Naked As We Came.” Sam unpacks the songs reflections on mortality, while also sharing insights into his songwriting process, dipping his toe into composing, and being a dad to five daughters. Support the show To help support these artists’ as well as their favorite sad songs, please check out our Official Spotify Playlist! Find us el...

In this week’s episode of Sad Song Queens, Laura and Lindsay are joined by singer-songwriter and fellow podcaster Hrishikesh Hirway to discuss his heartfelt track “Home Movies.” Known as the creator of the podcast Song Exploder, Hrishikesh sits down with the Queens to share about writing his own music, the process behind making his latest album, and learning to navigate loss and grief through his work. Support the show To help support these artists’ as well as their favorite sad songs, ...

In this week’s episode of Sad Song Queens, Laura and Lindsay are joined by singer-songwriters Ed Prosek and Drew Southwell (aka Portair) of the duo Driftwood Choir to talk about their vulnerable track, “The River.” Ed and Drew dive into how traveling and confronting major life changes have shaped their music, their love for nature, and the story behind how they came together as a band. Support the show To help support these artists’ as well as their favorite sad songs, please check out our Of...

In this week’s episode of Sad Song Queens, Laura and Lindsay are joined by singer-songwriter Chance Peña to talk about his emotional yet hopeful track, “The Mountain Is You.” Chance opens up about the song’s meaning, exploring themes of vulnerability and the challenge of getting out of your own way. Chance also dives into how he handles the mental toll of touring and what it was like to open for one of his favorite bands, The Lumineers. Support the show To help support these artists’ as...

In this week’s episode of Sad Song Queens, Laura and Lindsay are joined by singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson to discuss her heartfelt track “Keep Breathing.” Ingrid reflects on the song’s lasting impact and why it continues to resonate with listeners over the years. She also shares stories behind her music’s iconic sync placements, the impact 9/11 had on her career, and her experience writing songs for the hit Broadway musical The Notebook. Support the show To help support these artists’ ...

In this week’s episode of Sad Song Queens, Laura and Lindsay are joined by the iconic Nina Persson of The Cardigans to unpack the story behind the band’s hit “Erase/Rewind.” Nina dives into the song’s true meaning, shares stories about The Cardigans’ music featured in film, and reflects on what it was like navigating the music industry as a woman in the ’90s. Support the show To help support these artists’ as well as their favorite sad songs, please check out our Official Spotify Playlist!&nb...

In this week's episode of Sad Song Queens, the Queens are joined by English musician Keaton Henson, who delves into his melancholic track “Past It.” Keaton opens up his anxiety around performing on stage, the emotional power of music, and the balance artists face between building a thick skin and staying vulnerable in their work. Support the show To help support these artists’ as well as their favorite sad songs, please check out our Official Spotify Playlist! Find us elsewhere:&n...

In this week’s episode, the Queens sit down with the iconic band, Mumford and Sons, to discuss their song “Conversation With My Son (Gangsters & Angels)” from the new album Prizefighter. The band shares the stories and references that have shaped their songs, Marcus’ parenting moment that inspired “Conversation with My Son,” how they feel about the term “Artist,” and the process of making their latest album. Support the show To help support these artists’ as well as their favo...

In this week's episode of Sad Song Queens, the Queens are joined by Swedish singer-songwriter Anna Ternheim, who opens up about her beautifully vulnerable track "My Heart Still Beats For You." Anna shares her journey of turning personal turmoil into art, highlighting the therapeutic nature of songwriting, and covering a Backstreet Boys/Max Martin classic. Support the show To help support these artists’ as well as their favorite sad songs, please check out our Official Spotify Playlist! ...

In this week’s episode, the Queens sit down with NoSo to discuss their melancholic song “Nara”. NoSo opens up about the journey of finding themselves as a Korean-American transgender artist, moving from Chicago to LA as a teen, and their process of writing music for their latest album “When Are You Leaving?". Support the show To help support these artists’ as well as their favorite sad songs, please check out our Official Spotify Playlist! Find us elsewhere: https://linktr.ee/sads...

This week, the Queens are back with part II of their chat with Christina Perri, where she discusses two of her most iconic songs, "Jar of Hearts" and "A Thousand Years," and how they came to be. Christina shares how she first got into music and songwriting, and how these moments have shaped her career. Listen now to the latest episode of the Sad Song Queens podcast! Support the show To help support these artists’ as well as their favorite sad songs, please check out our Official Spotify Playl...

In this week’s episode, the Queens sit down with Christina Perri to discuss her beloved song “Evergone”, written for her stillborn daughter, Rosie. Christina opens up about her emotional journey through grief and loss, healing through her music, and her evolution as both an artist and an advocate. Newest episode of the Sad Song Queens out TODAY! Support the show To help support these artists’ as well as their favorite sad songs, please check out our Official Spotify Playlist! Find us el...

In this heartfelt episode of Sad Song Queens, the Queens sit down with Joe King, guitarist and vocalist of The Fray, to talk about the band’s iconic song, “How to Save a Life.” Joe reflects on The Fray’s journey from their early days to their recent reunion, the deep emotional connection their music has forged with fans, and the personal stories that have shaped their sound over the years. Support the show To help support these artists’ as well as their favorite sad songs, please check out ou...

It’s the holiday season, and the Queens are back with a special Christmas episode featuring Rob Harvilla, host of the acclaimed podcast "60 Songs That Explain the ’90s". Together, Rob and the Queens dive into their favorite sad Christmas songs, discuss the experience of loss during the holidays, and reflect on how the feeling of Christmas music changes from childhood to adulthood. If you are a melancholy Christmas music lover, you won't want to miss this episode! Support the show To help supp...

In this special “Kids Edition” of the Sad Song Queens podcast, the Queens explore the world of sad songs through the perspectives of their young family members. The kids open up about what makes a song feel sad to them, share personal stories of loss and heartbreak, and offer a glimpse into the tracks resonating with the younger generation. Support the show To help support these artists’ as well as their favorite sad songs, please check out our Official Spotify Playlist! Find us e...

This week, The Queens sit down with rising folk-pop singer-songwriter Andrea Bejar to talk about her song “Marigolds” and its bittersweet reflections on growing up. Andrea shares how she first found her voice as a songwriter, the special role her sister plays both in her life and creative process, and her deep connection to Mexico. Support the show To help support these artists’ as well as their favorite sad songs, please check out our Official Spotify Playlist! Find us elsewhere: ...

In honor of Stranger Things' final season, we’re replaying our episode with Moby who joins the Queens for a conversation about the song “When It’s Cold I’d Like To Die” by Moby and Mimi Goese, which was featured on The Sopranos and Stranger Things. They chat about how he got started in the New York dance scene, getting signed, and his love of sync placements. Support the show To help support these artists’ as well as their favorite sad songs, please check out our Official Spotify Playli...

We are back with another replay episode! In this week’s episode, the Queens chat with Ben Bridwell of Band of Horses about the legendary song “The Funeral”. They discuss how sync music changed his life, his four daughters, and his friendship with Sam from Iron & Wine. Support the show To help support these artists’ as well as their favorite sad songs, please check out our Official Spotify Playlist! Find us elsewhere: https://linktr.ee/sadsongqueens If you like what you hear, ...

This week, The Queens are back with part II of their chat with The Head and the Heart, diving into the band’s favorite sad songs. From tracks that hit close to home to those offering comfort and an outlet of emotion, each of the band members share the songs that have stuck with them throughout their lives. Support the show To help support these artists’ as well as their favorite sad songs, please check out our Official Spotify Playlist! Find us elsewhere: https://linktr.e...

In this week’s episode, the Queens sit down with members of The Head and the Heart to discuss their iconic song “Rivers and Roads”. The band members open up about the song's creation and its significance in their lives. From practicing in parking garages to playing sold out shows, the band dives into the challenges and joys of touring, the evolution of their music, and how group therapy helped them navigate the dynamics within their band. Support the show To help support these artists’ ...

In this week’s episode, the Queens sit down with British pop sensation Mimi Webb to discuss her heartfelt song “You Don’t Look at Me the Same” from her album Confessions. Mimi opens up about the emotional experience of writing about her parents’ divorce and how it shaped her music. Together, Mimi and the Queens talk about her love for performing, signing a record deal at a young age, and her advice for aspiring artists navigating the industry. Support the show To help support these arti...

In this week’s episode, the Lindsay and Laura chat with singer-songwriter Matt Maeson about the meaning behind his powerful track “Halfway to Whole” from his new album A Quiet and Harmless Living. Matt opens up about the challenges of balancing family life with a music career, the therapeutic nature of songwriting, what Spotify playlists he’s on, and how he’s learned to navigate the pressures of the music industry. Support the show To help support these artists’ as well as their favorit...

This week, the Sad Song Queens welcome British singer-songwriter Tom Odell to discuss his song "Don't Let Me Go" from his latest album A Wonderful Life. Tom opens up about the inspiration behind both "Don't Let Me Go" and his breakout hit "Another Love", reflecting on his approach to songwriting, the viral impact of his music on social media, and the joy of hearing his songs featured in popular tv shows and films. Support the show To help support these artists’ as well as their fa...

Joining the Queens in this week’s heartfelt episode is Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody, who discusses the band’s song “You Could Be Happy.” In this episode, Gary opens up about the song's creation, shares stories of Snow Patrol's humble beginnings, and reflects on the influence of his father's passing. Support the show To help support these artists’ as well as their favorite sad songs, please check out our Official Spotify Playlist! Find us elsewhere: https://linktr.ee/sadsong...

This week on the Sad Song Queens podcast we dive into Adrian Quesada's heart wrenching ballad "Agonia," featuring the stunning vocals of Monsieur Periné. In this episode, Adrian and the Queens delve into the creative process behind this track, explore the rich history of Latin boleros, and reflect on Adrian's collaboration with previous Sad Song Queens guest Abraham Alexander on the song “Like a Bird” from the film Sing Sing. Support the show To help support these artists’ as well as th...

This week the Queens sit down with the one and only Noah Cyrus to discuss her song "What's It All For" off her new album, I Want My Loved Ones To Go With Me. The deeply introspective track explores life’s uncertainties and the search for purpose. Noah shares insights into her songwriting process, the role her family plays in shaping her music, and the special bond she shares with her brother. Support the show To help support these artists’ as well as their favorite sad songs, please chec...