10 Great Rock Songs Inspired By Death

There's always going to be a certain melancholy that comes with any song about death. Then again, when you hear songs about older relatives passing away, you can come to terms with that a little bit better because you know that they will most likely pass away before you do. But losing a child...that's where it gets into some real nasty territory.

Despite his history as a blues man, Eric Clapton took on a perfect pop song with Tears in Heaven, being inspired by the death of his young song Connor after he fell out of a window. Though it might seem a little too light weight compared to what he did with Cream, this is the kind of approach that works so much better, as Clapton wonders if he'll ever see Connor again and how he has to live with the guilt of not being there for him day after day.

There are even a few self deprecating shots that Clapton takes as well, saying that he knows that he doesn't really belong in heaven because of all the mistakes he made. Despite all of the darkness in his soul, there is a silver lining that comes with this song. When he gets to the other side, he's sure that Connor is at peace, and is always looking out for his father, awaiting the day that he might see him again.