Teenage Tragedy Songs

The teenage tragedy song, a sometimes forgotten genre that was very "popular" in the fifties and sixties. The characters in the song face the ultimate emotional challenge... the death of a loved one.

These are the songs that jerked many a tear from unsuspecting listeners' eyes.

You can participate by sending me an email with any additions to the listing. I need the song title, the artist and the year the song was released. Preferabley, the songs reached an industry or radio station chart. If you have made any "tragedy theme tapes", or are inspired by this list to create one, please send my the details and I will feature them on the site.

I hope you "enjoy" the list, and please send me lots of additions and tape lists.

Last Kiss by J. Frank Wilson & the Cavaliers

This song sets the standard against which all other teenage tragedy songs are measured. It has everything... a car wreck, rain, searching for the lost lover, having her die in his arms. Brutal enough to climb all the way to #2 on the Billboard chart in 1964.

Where, oh where, can my baby be?
The lord took her away from me.
She's gone to heaven so I've got to be good,
So I can see my baby when I leave... this world.

Billy & Sue by B.J. Thomas

Hello This Is Joannie (Telephone Answering Machine) by Paul Evans

Patches by Dickie Lee

Leader Of The Pack by The Shangri-Las

Teen Angel by Mark Dinning

Tell Laura I Love Her by Ray Peterson

Running Bear by Johnny Preston

Ebony Eyes by The Everly Brothers

I Don't Like Mondays by The Boomtown Rats

The Homecoming Queen's Got A Gun by Julie Brown

Dead Man's Curve by Jan & Dean

Bat Out Of Hell by Meat Loaf

Moody River by Pat Boone

Seasons In The Sun by Terry Jacks

Not-so-Teenage Tragedy Songs

Honey by Bobby Goldsboro

Ode To Billie Joe by Bobby Gentry

El Paso by Marty Robbins

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence by Gene Pitney

American Pie by Don McLean

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