Sad Song Queens

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1. Indigo Girls “Love Will Come to You”

   4 november 2026 · 1 uur 28 min

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   In this truly unforgettable episode of Sad Song Queens, hosts Laura Webb and Lindsay Wolfington are beyond thrilled to sit down with Amy Ray and Emily Saliers of the legendary Indigo Girls. The conversation kicks off with a nostalgic dive into the true origins of the duo’s 1992 track "Love Will Come to You" (off their seminal Rites of Passage album) and expands to their unexpected global pop-culture resurgence when "Closer to Fine" soundtracked Greta Gerwig’s blockbuster Barbie movie - a synch they never expected that also introduced their song to a whole new generation. Lees meer

   Emily Saliers and Amy Ray reflect on their incredible four-decade long musical partnership, unique creative processes, the powerful storytelling that shaped a generation, the gorgeous mechanics of their stunning vocal harmonies, and why the Indigo Girls continue to be such a vital, unifying force in music today. Amy and Emily share lovely reflections on how they first met in high school, the organic way their distinct creative styles blend together, and the enduring bonds that have sustained their journey through every changing season of life.

   The Indigo Girls share how the powerful sense of community at their live shows remains a vital anchor for both them and their fans. From their enduring commitment to grassroots activism, they open up generously about the causes closest to their hearts, while also swapping their all-time favorite sad songs and discussing the deep musical influences that have shaped their lives.

   Along with stories from their lifelong dedication to music and advocacy, the conversation naturally turns to the present day as they share candid updates on Emily's health, touring adjustments, balancing family life with teenagers, and upcoming projects and tour dates.

   Tune in for a deeply moving, heartwarming, and unforgettable hour with two true legends—you won't want to miss a single moment!

   Keywords: Indigo Girls, Barbie Movie, Love Will Come to You, Closer To Fine, Music Podca…

2. Medium Build "Thank You, Cook"

   28 oktober 2026 · 1 uur 5 min

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   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. Lees meer

   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 insights—from the creative process behind writing lyrics in stages and the exhausting pursuit of external validation, to the creative weight of balancing catchiness and raw despair.

   From reflections on childhood in Marietta, Georgia, to a live guitar demonstration breaking down why specific minor chord progressions create tension and grief, the discussion stays grounded in the heavy, necessary work of feeling your feelings. They reflect on how Medium Build's honesty in music builds an unexpected community of fellow artists, proving that shared grief can turn into genuine connection. They unpack the quiet space where past heartbreak, deep gratitude, and self-acceptance meet—and why sometimes a sad song is the only true medicine.

   Medium Build also shares his favorite sad songs - ones no one has mentioned before!

   What happens when an artist stops trying to outrun their own darkness and finally lets the tape roll on what the heart wants to say? Tune in to hear the candid, unvarnished story behind the songs that refuse to let you off easy.

   Keywords:

   Medium Build, Nick Carpenter, Thank You, Cook song meaning, King of Having Fun album, story behind the song, singer-songwriter interviews, indie folk, indie rock, alternative singer-songwriter, music supervision, music supervisor podcast, Lindsay Wolfington, Laura Webb, Sad Song Queens podcast

   K-BUZZ
   Stay up to date with the latest headlines from Korea’s vibrant entertainment world.

   Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

   Support the s…

3. Brandi Carlile "Human (feat. Jon Hopkins) - Sad Gay Version”

   21 oktober 2026 · 1 uur 6 min

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   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 the meticulous and vulnerable choices behind reshaping these tracks, including a deep-dive discussion into Brandi’s latest single "Human (Sad Gay Version)," her beautiful collaboration with Jon Hopkins. Lees meer

   Fresh off winning Song of the Year at the 2026 Americana Awards for the title track "Returning To Myself" from her acclaimed 2025 album of the same name, Brandi Carlile joins the show to discuss her incredible career and collaborations with idols like Joni Mitchell and Elton John. She also reflects on how the music she listened to in her adolescence influenced both versions of Returning to Myself, and what sad songs got her through her younger years.

   Laura, Lindsay and Brandi share their love for sad songs and go through many of their favorites to determine what makes a song “sad gay” - a genre in and of itself, according to Brandi - while playing a game of "Sad vs Sad Gay,” They also share stories about the shows’ past guests whom she has been inspired by and worked with, including Sara Bareilles, Bernie Taupin, the Secret Sisters, and Lucius, celebrating the tight-knit community of incredible artists she continually champions.

   Whether you are looking for a good cry, a deep dive into the craft of songwriting, or simply an inspiring conversation about community and creativity, this episode has it all. Grab your tissues, check out the show notes for the full playlist of every track discussed, and tune in now to experience this unforgettable chat with Brandi Carlile!

   Keywords: Brandi Carli…

4. The Secret Sisters "Hold You Dear"

   14 oktober 2026 · 1 uur 19 min

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   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. Lees meer

   Known for their close vocal harmonies, traditional Southern roots, and introspective songwriting across country, folk, and Americana music, The Secret Sisters have carved out a unique space in modern roots music. They share details of their music career journey that started unexpectedly when a spontaneously open audition in Nashville led to a record deal and their 2010 self-titled debut, produced by T-Bone Burnett and Dave Cobb. The album brought rapid national attention and tour slots alongside Paul Simon, Willie Nelson, and Ray LaMontagne.
   The Secret Sisters tell Lindsay and Laura about their challenging experiences in the music industry, and how they almost left the business before Brandi Carlile encouraged them to continue making music. Carlile then co-produced two of their albums, You Don't Own Me Anymore (2017) and Saturn Return (2020) - both earning them Grammy nominations for Best Folk Album. Their most recent album, Mind, Man, Medicine (2024), is a deeply emotional exploration of human connection, self-reliance, and post-pandemic healing co-produced alongside Ben Tanner (Alabama Shakes, St. Paul & the Broken Bones) and John Paul White (formerly of Grammy-winning duo the Civil Wars).

   To wrap up the episode, Laura and Lydia break down their personal favorite cry-worthy tracks from legends like John Prine and George Jones to modern masters like Big Thief and Madison Cunningham, making this an essential listen for anyone who loves a good cry.

   So grab your tissues and prepare for tears as you dive into this deeply moving episode!

   Keywords: The …

5. Andrew Bird "Need Someone" from The Pitt

   7 oktober 2026 · 55 min

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   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. Lees meer

   Whether you are a longtime fan of Andrew Bird, an admirer of his work across film and television, or simply a lover of deeply emotional, melancholy music, this episode offers a captivating look into his creative process and collaboration with The Pitt composer Gavin Brivik. During the interview, Andrew reveals that he wrote "Need Someone" in just an hour and a half after watching a single poignant scene. He reflects on how writing to picture provided a refreshing constraint, pushing him to be far more emotionally direct than on his solo albums. He also breaks down the song's core theme: the universal human need for connection and comfort during end-of-life care, and the profound reality that healthcare workers are often the last people by our side.

   Beyond his 18 studio albums and contributions to projects like The Bear, Ted Lasso, and Disney's The Muppets, Andrew Bird touches on scoring Netflix's upcoming series Pride and Prejudice. He also opens up about his broader artistic philosophy—how fatherhood alleviated his career anxieties, why playing guitar keeps his songwriting grounded compared to complex violin arrangements, the real story behind his iconic whistling, and why live performance offers a far deeper connection than studio recording. To wrap up, Andrew shares some of his personal favorite sad songs and what makes his musical style so unique.

   Grab your tissues, tune in, and enjoy this deep dive into music, emotion, and storytelling!

   Keywords: Andrew Bird interview, Andrew Bird Emmy, Need Someone Andrew Bird, The Pitt, Gavin Brivik, Emmy-winning song, whis…

6. Dan Wilson "Someone Like You" & Fave Sad Songs | Part II

   30 september 2026 · 39 min

   Afspelen
   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 happened in the studio during those two legendary writing days. Lees meer

   Plus: Dan breaks down his personal (comprehensive) list of the saddest songs ever written — from "Fast Car" and "Somewhere" to "Rainbow Connection" and "I Can't Make You Love Me" — and explores why nostalgic songs like "In My Life" and "Night Swimming" hit just as hard as the openly heartbreaking ones.

   Dan Wilson is a Minneapolis-born, Los Angeles-based artist with four Grammy wins across seven nominations, including Song of the Year for the Chicks' "Not Ready to Make Nice," Album of the Year as producer on Adele's 21, Best Country Song for Chris Stapleton's "White Horse," and Best Song Written for Visual Media for "It Never Went Away" with Jon Batiste. As the frontman of Semisonic, he also co-wrote generation-defining hits like "Closing Time" and "Secret Smile."

   This episode is a must-listen for fans of Dan Wilson, Semisonic, Adele, and lovers of iconic sad songs.

   Topics covered: Adele songwriting process, appoggiatura in sad songs, Someone Like You, Saddest songs of all time, Dan Wilson interview, Music production stories, Grammy-winning songwriters.

   K-BUZZ
   Stay up to date with the latest headlines from Korea’s vibrant entertainment world.

   Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

   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 th…

7. Dan Wilson "Fly Safe" | Part I

   23 september 2026 · 52 min

   Afspelen
   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. Lees meer

   Dan Wilson is a Minneapolis-born, Los Angeles-based artist with four Grammy wins across seven nominations, including Song of the Year for the Chicks' "Not Ready to Make Nice," Album of the Year as producer on Adele's 21, Best Country Song for Chris Stapleton's "White Horse," and Best Song Written for Visual Media for "It Never Went Away" with Jon Batiste. As the frontman of Semisonic, he also co-wrote generation-defining hits like "Closing Time" and "Secret Smile." This episode's conversation focuses on "Fly Safe," a song many fans read as purely comforting, and which Dan reveals is anything but simple underneath the surface.

   Laura and Lindsay walk through their own theories of the song — pointing out that lyrically, "Fly Safe" reads like reassurance: get high, travel light, think about the good times, we can start again. Dan agrees, and then goes further, explaining that the phrase "fly safe" itself carries an inherent unease — you only say it to someone you love, and only because there's a real chance something could go wrong.

   That tension, it turns out, wasn't accidental. Dan opens up about the real circumstances behind the song: he wrote it during a genuinely difficult period in his marriage when he and his wife were both preparing to leave for separate trips, and the phrase "fly safe" became loaded with everything neither of them was saying out loud. Dan describes the uncertainty of the lyric — a hope that they'd find their way back to each other.

   They then discuss the songwriting process, and true t…

8. Laura & Lindsay: Summer, Synch, & Song Quiz

   16 september 2026 · 39 min

   Afspelen
   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. Lees meer

   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 Lindsay throw down, attempting to decode famously botched lines from your favorite bands. Equal parts industry insider track and laugh-out-loud song trivia, this is the ultimate listen for music lovers and trivia nerds alike. Stick around to the very end to see who takes the crown!

   K-BUZZ
   Stay up to date with the latest headlines from Korea’s vibrant entertainment world.

   Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

   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!

9. Jesse Malin "My Little Life"

   9 september 2026 · 1 uur 6 min

   Afspelen
   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, Elvis Costello, Bleachers, and Counting Crows. In 2023, Malin suffered a rare spinal stroke that left him paralyzed from the waist down. Rather than step out of the spotlight, he learned to stand again and returned to the stage the following year, later channeling the experience into his off-Broadway debut, Silver Manhattan, a Drama Desk–nominated autobiographical production, and his new memoir, Almost Grown: A New York Memoir. Lees meer

   "My Little Life" plays a pivotal role in Silver Manhattan, and the hosts open by unpacking why the song — written years before Malin's stroke — feels almost prophetic now. Malin explains that he originally wrote it about people in his life who struggled with the simplest, everyday things: friends and family members who felt like they never quite fit in, for whom just getting through the day carried real weight.

   The conversation moves into how "My Little Life" ended up in Silver Manhattan in the first place. Malin describes handing his entire back catalog over to the play's director and co-writer to cherry-pick from, and being genuinely surprised by some of their choices — only to find that hearing his own songs performed in a new context, in front of an audience, changed how he understood them. He's candid about the physical challenge of performing at all after his stroke, describing the months of physical therapy it took just to stand and balance long enough to sing one song upright for his sold-out Beacon Theater shows.

   Malin also opens up about the …

10. Sara Bareilles "Forever"

    2 september 2026 · 1 uur 20 min

    Afspelen
    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. Lees meer

    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 experien…

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