Sad Song Queens

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 platinum debut Little Voice into the Billboard 200’s top ten, and later composed the music and lyrics for Broadway’s Waitress, earning a Tony nomination before also performing in the show and in the 2022 revival of Into the Woods. The making of Good Grief was documented in the film Sara Bareilles: Good Grief, which premiered at Tribeca before moving into theaters — companion viewing the hosts reference throughout the episode.
At the center of the conversation is the origin story of “Forever” itself, a discussion which brings all 3 ladies to tears. Bareilles details how the song developed over time, initially written while grappling with two overlapping losses in 2020. The song sat unfinished until Bareilles’ close friend and Waitress co-star Gavin Creel was later diagnosed with the illness that eventually took his life, and she reshaped the song with him in mind. By the end, she says, it had absorbed multiple losses, including her own experience with infertility.
The episode also digs into the song’s winding production and Sara’s experience claiming production ownership on this record for the first time in her career, after years of having her demos routinely replaced in the studio.
Grief itself is the philosophical backbone of the conversation. Bareilles reframes it not as something to fix, but as proof of enduring love, drawing on a conversation with poet Andrea Gibson about how the people we lose live on through the people who loved them. Host Laura Webb shares her own experience of ambiguous loss watching her father live with Alzheimer’s, and she and Bareilles connect on “signs” they receive from loved ones and what helps them move through loss. Sara also discusses the upcoming Good Grief Tour — her first since 2019 — and the fan voicemail project she launched alongside it, inviting listeners to share their own stories of loss.
Beyond “Forever,” the episode traces melancholy as a throughline across Bareilles’ catalog, reflecting on earlier songs like “Gravity” and “Manhattan” to this new album, and how her songwriting has widened over time from romantic breakups to the many other ways people leave each other. Whether you’re a longtime fan, a Good Grief documentary viewer, a songwriter curious about her process, or someone processing your own grief, this is an unusually candid look at how Bareilles turns loss into something you can hold onto. Grab those tissues for a good cry with Sara Bareilles and the Sad Song Queens.
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 Music, Atlantic Recording Company, and WEA International Inc, a Warner Music Company.
Our Sad Song Queen image was created by Keahu Kahuanui. 
Check out our friends at The Songwriting School of Los Angeles!

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, and why his favorite songs — like his own — are always “sad yet hopeful.” He also gets candid about sobriety, mental health, and why musicians talking openly about struggle matters more than ever.

The conversation lands just ahead of Wowed Out, James’s first solo album in eight years, dropping August 28. Expect deep-dive musicianship talk (that pedal steel!), reflections about the universe, music and Kermit the Frog, and one of the most honest discussions of a breakup song you’ll hear this year.
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 Music, Atlantic Recording Company, and WEA International Inc, a Warner Music Company.
Our Sad Song Queen image was created by Keahu Kahuanui. 
Check out our friends at The Songwriting School of Los Angeles!

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 decades. The song features a duet with his daughter, Georgey Devon Taupin, and Bernie opens up about writing directly to his children, confronting mortality, and why he chose to end the song abruptly rather than fade it out.
The conversation ranges far beyond the single track: Bernie reflects on what he calls his “late-life manifesto,” the emotional and creative differences between writing alone versus with Elton John, his process of people-watching for song inspiration, his honest (and blunt) advice for aspiring songwriters, and the true stories — and fabricated ones — behind some of his most beloved lyrics, including “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” and “I’m Still Standing.”
Whether you’re a longtime Elton John fan, a songwriter looking for insight from one of music’s greatest lyricists, or just here for a good cry, this episode delivers the raw honesty Sad Song Queens is known for.
Guest: Bernie Taupin Featuring: “One Hundred Ways” ft. Georgey Devon Taupin, from The Sea Has No Mercy (out October 23rd
Topics:Elton John songwriting partnership, mortality and legacy, fatherhood, songwriting advice, autobiographical vs. fictional lyrics
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 Music, Atlantic Recording Company, and WEA International Inc, a Warner Music Company.
Our Sad Song Queen image was created by Keahu Kahuanui. 
Check out our friends at The Songwriting School of Los Angeles!

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 period, motherhood, and the lingering shadows of the COVID-19 pandemic. As they discuss the complexities of relationships, love, and longing, listeners will discover how sadness can be both a source of inspiration and a powerful tool for healing. The conversation touches on the importance of collaboration in songwriting, revealing how their sisterhood in music has fostered artistic growth and resilience. 

As the Sad Song Queens, Laura and Lindsay guide this intimate discussion, inviting listeners to embrace their feelings and find solace in sad songs. The episode also highlights the unique challenges faced by mothers in the music industry, offering valuable tips on how to navigate life on the road with young children.  

Join us as we uncover the stories behind songs that resonate with loneliness, introspection, and the bittersweet reality of life. Tune in for a blend of artist interviews, songwriting stories, and the magic that happens when music meets emotion. 

Don’t miss this chance to experience the artistic journey of Lucius and the emotional depth of their music. Let the Sad Song Queens guide you through a world where sadness is celebrated, and every note tells a story. Press play and immerse yourself in the soft and sentimental sounds of "White Lies. " Your heart will thank you.
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 Music, Atlantic Recording Company, and WEA International Inc, a Warner Music Company.
Our Sad Song Queen image was created by Keahu Kahuanui. 
Check out our friends at The Songwriting School of Los Angeles!

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 expressing vulnerability through music. 
Join us as we unravel the poignant storytelling behind "Hurt," delving into the songwriting stories that shaped this emotional anthem. Aino and Caroline open up about their personal experiences with heartbreak, sharing how these feelings have influenced their artistry and the importance of channeling sorrow into uplifting melodies. The Icona Pop conversation highlights the duality of their music—how soft and sentimental lyrics can coexist with infectious beats that make you want to dance. 
Throughout the episode, our guests reflect on the evolution of their friendship, especially during challenging times, emphasizing the sisterhood in music that has helped them navigate the ups and downs of life and motherhood while pursuing their careers. They discuss the therapeutic aspects of dancing and how their emotional journeys inform their work. 
As we dive deeper into the creative process behind "Hurt," Aino and Caroline reveal the significance of their shared experiences and the cathartic power of music. This episode of Sad Song Queens not only celebrates the art of songwriting but also serves as a reminder to embrace both the joy and sorrow that life brings. Whether you're a music supervisor looking for emotional songs for film soundtracks or simply a fan of heartfelt artist interviews, this Icona Pop episode is a treasure trove of insights and inspiration. 
Join us on this journey of discovery, as we celebrate the stories behind songs that resonate with our hearts and minds. Tune in to Sad Song Queens for an unforgettable experience that will leave you reflecting on the power of music and emotion. 
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 Music, Atlantic Recording Company, and WEA International Inc, a Warner Music Company.
Our Sad Song Queen image was created by Keahu Kahuanui. 
Check out our friends at The Songwriting School of Los Angeles!