Mad World by Gary Jules, originally by…was it Tears for Fears? I just remember the original version was upbeat and it didn’t suit the lyrics at all, but this slower version is just lovely.
I remember hearing it in the car during a period of time when I was unemployed and depressed, and I had to pull over the car I was crying so hard.
Footsteps by Pearl Jam.
I nominate another Reba McEntire song, “Fancy.” I first heard it when I was a teenager, about the same age as Fancy in the song, and didn’t realize, until years later, that Fancy’s mom was pimping her out. As soon as I realized that, the true desperation of the family’s circumstances hit me (“Here’s your one chance, Fancy, don’t let me down…”). That’s why I find it powerful.
I can’t listen to “Father and Son” without tears coming to my eyes. I don’t know if that’s what the OP meant by “powerful,” but that’s what it does to me.
Another one is “Long Black Veil,” especially the Dave Matthews live version. Goes straight to my heart. In fact, my son and I once had a long discussion about the idea of honor and how it could cause a man to give up his own life rather than let anyone know he’d cuckolded his best friend.
*Angel of Montgomery * as done by Bonnie Raitt
Mother by John Lennon
It Doesn’t Matter Anymore- Buddy Holly
The End -The Doors
Dilate- Ani DiFranco
That’s just the tip of the iceberg of songs that really move me.
There are many many songs that are powerful to me. (none by Harry Chapin though).
The one I’ll mention in this thread is “My Old Man”, sung by Steve Goodman. I just can’t make it through listening to it anymore. Wish I could hear my father’s take on Iraq, on Bush, on anything…
I can see I was entirely wrong spelling it “McIntyre” (Post 53). I was wondering, does Reba have a signature song?
For some reason The Internationale and The Red Flag remind me of my late father, he wasn’t actually a socialist or communist. They make me bawl every time I hear them.
Only in Dreams by Weezer. From the Blue album.
Maybe it’s just powerful to me because it closes such a crushing movie, but The Cardigans’ version of “The Bluest Eyes In Texas” that plays over the closing credits of Boys Don’t Cry is almost unbearably poignant to me.