Searching for sad songs that are not copyrighted can be a challenging task. With copyright laws protecting artists’ work for 70 years after their death, most well-known sad songs are likely still under copyright. However, there are some options for finding quality public domain sad songs to use freely.
Why Do You Need Songs Not Under Copyright?
There are several reasons why you may be looking for sad songs that are not under copyright protection:
- You want to use the song in a video, podcast, or other project but don’t want to purchase a license or get permission from the copyright holder.
- You are creating a multimedia project for a school assignment and need music that you can use for free.
- You are putting together a compilation album of classic sad songs but want to avoid the hassle and cost of obtaining licenses.
- You simply enjoy older music and want to showcase public domain songs on your YouTube channel or music blog.
Having a selection of sad songs clearly in the public domain provides creative flexibility without worrying about copyright infringement. Public domain music can be used in monetized projects without needing to pay royalties or licensing fees.
Where to Find Public Domain Sad Songs
Searching for public domain sad songs may seem daunting, but there are several places you can look to find options:
- Archive.org – This site hosts a massive collection of public domain media, including over 200,000 songs you can download or listen to for free. You can search or browse by genre to find sad classical, jazz, folk, or blues songs.
- Musopen – Musopen provides public domain sheet music and recordings for over 1,000 classical pieces. Many melancholic piano, violin, and orchestral works are available.
- Free Music Archive – This library offers a “Classical Music” section with hundreds of freely-licensed sad instrumental songs from renowned composers.
- Incompetech – Composer Kevin MacLeod shares thousands of creative commons licensed tracks here, including “Sad Romance” and other evocative instrumental songs.
- Public Domain 4U – This site compiles links to downloadable public domain music from over a dozen online libraries. You can find early blues and folk songs in their collections.
- Library of Congress – The LOC National Jukebox lets you stream over 10,000 antique recordings, including melancholic songs from the early 20th century.
Exploring these vast online hubs of public domain music is your best bet for finding hidden gem sad songs to use in your next project.
Notable Public Domain Sad Songs
While sifting through public domain music catalogs can be time consuming, focusing your search on a few noteworthy sad songs can yield quick results:
| Song Title | Artist | Year |
|---|---|---|
| “Gloomy Sunday” | Billie Holiday | 1941 |
| “Danny Boy” | Eva Cassidy | 1996 |
| “Greensleeves” | Traditional | 1500s |
| “Fly Me to the Moon” | Frank Sinatra | 1964 |
| “Moonlight Sonata” | Ludwig van Beethoven | 1801 |
| “Ave Maria” | Franz Schubert | 1825 |
These six songs are all well-known melancholy classics that are firmly in the public domain:
- “Gloomy Sunday” – Originally composed in 1933, this haunting Hungarian song has been recorded by countless artists over the decades. Billie Holiday’s 1941 version is particularly renowned.
- “Danny Boy” – This classic Irish ballad has mysterious origins but is likely from the early 1900s. Eva Cassidy’s vocal rendition popularized it in recent times.
- “Greensleeves” – Dating back to Renaissance times, this British folk tune has been covered extensively. Its composer remains unknown.
- “Fly Me to the Moon” – Though Frank Sinatra made it a standard, this romantic song’s music and lyrics are no longer under copyright.
- “Moonlight Sonata” – Beethoven’s sorrowful piano solo from 1801 is now public domain material.
- “Ave Maria” – Franz Schubert’s iconic 1825 composition has been reinterpreted by many singers over the decades.
These six public domain songs offer an emotive musical journey through folk, jazz, classical, and pop. Their free licensing allows them to be used in any creative work.
Finding Obscure Public Domain Songs
To dig deeper for sad songs not under copyright, try leveraging these research strategies:
- Search by year – Focus your archive.org or Musopen searches on early 1900s song collections, when copyright expires for works from 1923.
- Explore genres – Look for forgotten ragtime, madrigal, or opera songs conveying sadness from previous musical eras.
- Dig into composers – Many classical composers like Chopin have obscure piano pieces that evoke melancholy moods.
- Look internationally – France, Russia, and Italy have a wealth of sad orchestral and folk music now in the public domain.
- Check song lists – Wikipedia and other sites have lists of public domain compositions you can reference.
By spending extra time investigating overlooked public domain songs, you can create unique playlists and projects with music that few others have come across.
Using Public Domain Songs Legally
When working with public domain sad songs, keep in mind:
- Double check song copyright status using reliable sources.
- Confirm the specific recording you want to use is public domain, not just the composition.
- Credit the artists, composers, and musicians associated with the song.
- Do not claim copyright on the public domain songs you use.
- Understand fair use if you want to sample or alter the songs.
As long as you fully confirm a song’s copyright status and properly credit it, using public domain music poses little legal risk. You avoid infringement accusations and licensing fees.
Finding the Right Public Domain Sad Songs
Selecting the ideal public domain sad songs for your project requires balancing multiple factors:
- Song tone – Is it somber, depressing, melancholy, gloomy, haunting, or peaceful?
- Lyrics – Are vocals nostalgic, tragic, romantic, or nonexistent?
- Length – Short snippet or full length song?
- Instruments – Vocals, piano, orchestra, guitar, or choral?
- Context – Does the song fit your project’s mood and era?
- Recording quality – Do you need a crisp, modern version?
Curating your playlist or collection requires finding songs that check all your boxes. The breadth of public domain music allows you to hone in on the perfect sad song vibe.
Conclusion
Finding quality sad songs that aren’t under copyright may require some digging, but with the wealth of public domain music available online, melodic gems are out there. Focus your search on major archives like the Internet Archive and Musopen, explore overlooked genres, and look internationally to discoverhidden melancholic classics. Use the suggestions here as a starting point, and always confirm a song’s copyright status before using it. With the right public domain sad song, you can set just the right emotional tone for your video, podcast, or other project without any of the hassles of music licensing.