- Laika by Wil Wagner is by far the saddest song I've ever heard.
It's about the first living being to orbit the earth: Laika, a mutt from the streets of Moscow, who was captured by the Soviet space program and subjected to grueling, cruel training that left her constipated and claustrophobic. On November 3rd, 1957, she was launched into space, where she endured a painful, slow death about five hours into flight from overheating and stress. Her remains burned within Sputnik 2 as it returned to earth five months later, and I believe that she now walks freely among the stars. But the song's piercing sadness is in its sweetness: the purity of this sweet dog.
Sad songs are my favorite kind; as a poet, I'm doomed to think so. Show me your favorites!
Listening now!
