songs that make you weep
July 20, 2011All Songs Considered did a show about songs that make their listeners cry, and I love it. They had so many submissions that they did a second bit about it on the blog (for the record, I LOATHE that Death Cab for Cutie song). I cried while listening to the show and while trying to come up with my own list. While I wouldn’t have personally chosen some of the songs featured, I still teared up to “Someone Like You” and “To Be Alone With You.” Obvs.
Music was such a big part of Clark and my existence as a couple. He made tons of his own, and we made some together. One of our favorite things to do in the early stages of our relationship was to get really drunk and then take turns playing each other our favorite songs. We’d be frantically Googling, trying to find the perfect example – one that both summarized a treasured artist and appealed to his or my specific taste.
From 10.1.07:
Subject: Yeah, I’m sappy
Body: Not one of my favorite bands in the world but, feeling the way I do about you, this song speaks. Check out Snow Patrol’s “Chasing Cars”
Oh, I checked it out. And, though it is a British band popular in 2005, I shockingly do not like it. But, obviously, this song makes me cry so, so hard.
The other song Clark used to characterize our relationship was “The Ocean” by Sunny Day Real Estate.
I’ve seen this live a few times – twice while Clark was dying, when I snuck away for two nights to see Neko at 930 while a friend babysat him, and two or three times after he died. I cry every single time. Jessica once told me the song always makes her think of me.
And believe it or not, there are songs that make me cry that I don’t associate with Clark at all.
I want to know about you, people I care about! Which songs always make you cry?
What a wonderful subject to discuss! I know it’s cliche, but Eric Clapton’s Tears in Heaven I can not actually get all the way through without an open sob.
Also Julieta Venegas’ Ultima Vez is maybe my favorite song to cry along to. I’m obvs tearing up right now because I had to listen to it:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKhiutfCpuA&w=425&h=349%5D
and if the comments won’t let me embed it, go to youtube and listen to it:
This Sharon Van Etten song makes me cry every. single. time. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JdVrgJ5r2o&feature=related
When I actually sat down to think about it, most of the songs that make me cry are from Lilith Fair artists (literally). “Ghost” (Indigo Girls), “Angel” (Sarah McLachlan), “Case of You” (Joni Mitchell), “Traveling Soldier” (Dixie Chicks). Sometimes “Uninvited” by Alanis. So . . . basically the City of Angels soundtrack.
Oh and “The Funeral” (Band of Horses). Duh.
Congratulations on your good job news!!
A few of the top songs that make me weep are:
Jeannie’s Diary, the Eels
Mirrorball, Elbow
Gotta Have You, the Weepies
One by One, Wilco
Always on my Mind, Willie Nelson
Sugar Boy, by Beth Orton
Bridge Over Troubled Water, Simon and Garfunkel
yes, yes to these responses! xoxoxoxo
I love this post. It’s weird how songs that make us sob uncontrollably are also really wonderful at the same time.
I know this makes me super corny, but West Coast by Coconut Records always makes me bawl. I listened to it every morning in the weeks following the passing of my uncle and grandmother, It will never not make me think of that foggy, aching time.
The version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo Ole’ is ridiculous. To me it’s the most accurate musicification (absolutely just made that word up) of sadness and loss. Serious weep fest. Every time.
Actually I feel the same exact way about I Never Dreamed You’d Leave in Summer by Stevie Wonder.
Also —
I Know, Fiona Apple
Blue as Your Blood, The Walkmen
Strangers, The Kinks
…
Bonfires, Rickie Lee Jones.