# 'Fess up! What mawkishly sentimental song makes you cry? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [October 6, 2023, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fess-up-what-mawkishly-sentimental-song-makes-you-cry/991179 "2023-10-06T06:16:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2023, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fess-up-what-mawkishly-sentimental-song-makes-you-cry/991179/81 "2023-10-08T13:35:07Z")
My high school drama teacher taught our class The Circle Game and had us sing it during the last week of school. One girl, who was graduating that year, burst into tears and ran out of the room. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/958977/32.png) [@salinqmind1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind1)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2023, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fess-up-what-mawkishly-sentimental-song-makes-you-cry/991179/82 "2023-10-08T14:42:29Z")
It was a song at the end of an episode of ‘The Wonder Years’ - I seem to remember Kevin’s grandfather, and I think a dog. I’d never heard the song before but the combination made me tear right up. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2023, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fess-up-what-mawkishly-sentimental-song-makes-you-cry/991179/83 "2023-10-08T15:07:05Z")
> [@Tibby](#): > > **Cat’s in the Cradle** - Cat Stevens. About a father and son who don’t spend enough time together, and how they regret it later in life. Makes me appreciate my family more. Cat’s in the Cradle is by Harry Chapin (as noted earlier). But I’ll add Father and Son by Cat Stevens to the list. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2023, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fess-up-what-mawkishly-sentimental-song-makes-you-cry/991179/84 "2023-10-08T19:32:34Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > “The Band Played Waltzing Matilda” Mawkish? Not sure. But yes, absolutely, and I can’t think of another song which makes me cry. I’m a sucker for the June Tabor version [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/uEMcLcGJ79s/maxresdefault.jpg "June Tabor - The Band Played Waltzing Matilda") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEMcLcGJ79s) Oddly, I’m OK until she starts singing Waltzing Matilda, but that does for me. j ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2023, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fess-up-what-mawkishly-sentimental-song-makes-you-cry/991179/85 "2023-10-08T20:42:58Z")
I always get those two mixed up (they were both fine singer-songwriters from the same era. Both good songs, too). You’d think “Cat” Stevens should have written “Cats” in the Cradle, however! ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2023, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fess-up-what-mawkishly-sentimental-song-makes-you-cry/991179/86 "2023-10-08T21:00:25Z")
[There’s A Long, Long Trail A-Winding](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/There%27s_a_Long_Long_Trail_A-Winding) > **[James Reed and J. F. Harrison - There's a Long, Long Trail (1915)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzhlSmf59tk%2F)** > > Charted at #1 in December 1915. #1 for 12 weeks. James F. Harrison (the baritone on this recording) also recorded under the name Frederick Wheeler, while Jam... Oddly enough, none of the professional recordings move me at all. But get a group of non-professionals singing it, and it is heart-wrenching. > **[Theres A Long Long Trail A Winding From Oh What A Lovely War!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTJmhVohgE8%2F)** > > Lyrics available at https://ww1photos.com/WW1MusicAndSongs/index.php/theres-a-long-long-trail-from-oh-what-a-lovely-war/ As the cast of MASH demostrated. > **[MASH - There's a Long Long Trail](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdkbZgTFsg4%2F)** > > Episode 4x02 ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2023, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fess-up-what-mawkishly-sentimental-song-makes-you-cry/991179/87 "2023-10-08T21:21:31Z")
> [@What song hit you like a thunderbolt when you first heard it](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-hit-you-like-a-thunderbolt-when-you-first-heard-it/914065/140): > > When I was 4, 5 at the latest, I burst out crying upon hearing The Carpenter’s Rainy Days and Mondays for the first time. I was in the playground of what had to be pre-school during recess when, I assume, one of the teachers put on the local top-40 channel when this was on. It was the loveliest thing I have ever heard in my life… until then, of course. It was a sunny day, warm, and when I heard the song, it literally stopped me in my tracks. I just stood there dumbfounded, finally bursting into… Quoting rather than reposting. ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fess-up-what-mawkishly-sentimental-song-makes-you-cry/991179/88 "2023-10-09T16:01:16Z")
I feel like I did this not too long ago, but here are mine both related to my son’s death: _If I Die Young_ - The Band Perry Lord make me a rainbow, I’ll shine down on my mother She’ll know I’m safe with you when she stands under my colors. Oh, and life ain’t always what you think it ought to be, no Ain’t even gray, but she buries her baby. The sharp knife of a short life Well, I’ve had just enough time. _Wherever You Will Go_ - The Calling And maybe, I’ll find out A way to make it back someday To watch you, to guide you Through the darkest of your days I know now, just quite how My life and love might still go on In your heart, in your mind I’ll stay with you for all of time ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fess-up-what-mawkishly-sentimental-song-makes-you-cry/991179/89 "2023-10-09T16:19:59Z")
Look up “The Cat Carol” on YouTube. I think the song was written with the goal of jerking as many tears as possible. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fess-up-what-mawkishly-sentimental-song-makes-you-cry/991179/90 "2023-10-09T17:40:10Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > Quoting rather than reposting. Re Rainy Days and Mondays It made me think of how I feel when hearing Todd Rundgren’s Can We Still Be Friends. I have no associations with the song, it means nothing to me. But something about the music is just heartbreaking. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2023, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fess-up-what-mawkishly-sentimental-song-makes-you-cry/991179/91 "2023-10-09T20:42:58Z")
I’ve liked the song [Monday, Monday](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsIjOKCxRSE) since I was a kid. It helped lift my spirits having to go back to school after a fun weekend. ---
**Author:** ![veryfrank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/87869e/32.png) [@veryfrank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/veryfrank)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2023, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fess-up-what-mawkishly-sentimental-song-makes-you-cry/991179/92 "2023-10-10T13:18:56Z")
I forgot a couple of songs that were used to devastating effect in _Scrubs_. Divorced from the show, I don’t think they hit quite as hard, but they’re still pretty effective: Colin Hay’s “[Waiting for my Real Life to Begin](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcsrnT7Tv1o)” Peter Gabriel’s “[The Book of Love](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTVpoT82toY)” ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2023, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fess-up-what-mawkishly-sentimental-song-makes-you-cry/991179/93 "2023-10-10T13:40:05Z")
Three submissions: [**Last Kiss - J Frank Wilson & The Cavaliers**](https://youtu.be/lU770VIawOE/) [**Seasons in the Sun - Terry Jacks**](https://youtu.be/-tPcc1ftj8E/) [**Shannon - Henry Gross**](https://youtu.be/R5Wpn3dFrEs/) [‘Shannon’ was a dog. That right there is kryptonite for me] I need a tissue now 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Dogginit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dogginit/32/16920_2.png) [@Dogginit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogginit)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2023, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fess-up-what-mawkishly-sentimental-song-makes-you-cry/991179/94 "2023-10-10T13:41:24Z")
“I Was Young When I Left Home” - Antony “Watermelon in Easter Hay” - Frank Zappa ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2023, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fess-up-what-mawkishly-sentimental-song-makes-you-cry/991179/95 "2023-10-10T14:11:19Z")
I’d forgotten, “Waiting…;” that is a beautiful arrangement. And probably the most touching Dr. Cox line of the series. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2023, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fess-up-what-mawkishly-sentimental-song-makes-you-cry/991179/96 "2023-10-10T16:27:19Z")
I do not cry. I may feel very emotionally affected by a song, but crying? Not my thing. That said, I recently saw a video of Willie Nelson singing _Yesterday When I Was Young_ with pictures of him from throughout his life, and wow. Similarly, the video of Johnny Cash singing _Hurt_ near the end of his life. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2023, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fess-up-what-mawkishly-sentimental-song-makes-you-cry/991179/97 "2023-10-10T16:39:55Z")
Does “Thirteen” by Big Star count as mawkishly sentimental? (I’m not sure I’d call it “mawkish” but definitely sentimental.) Every time I hear it, it just takes me back to my childhood and young crushes. It’s such a poignant, soul-stirring song. > Won’t you let me walk you home from school? > Won’t you let me meet you at the pool? > Maybe Friday I can > Get tickets for the dance > And I’ll take you, ooh-ooh [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/pte3Jg-2Ax4/hqdefault.jpg "Big Star - Thirteen 1972") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pte3Jg-2Ax4) ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2023, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fess-up-what-mawkishly-sentimental-song-makes-you-cry/991179/98 "2023-10-10T21:22:53Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > “[Only a Dream](https://youtu.be/8kpFcEduzyk?si=9-XiSAG8xVDqYDfm)” by Mary-Chapin Carpenter Ah, jeeze, yes. And the last song from that album, [“Come On, Come On”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sVPQdFwdFU), always gets me choked up. For that matter, so does her [“I Am A Town”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBy1EpCQeEE&list=OLAK5uy_nucSOtOW-3A5uG8-p3bGyAkLudS30qJVI), which makes me think about all the little North Carolina country towns I drove through, visiting family. I fixed a typo in your quote - her name is “Mary-Chapin Carpenter”. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2023, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fess-up-what-mawkishly-sentimental-song-makes-you-cry/991179/99 "2023-10-10T21:41:42Z")
> [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#): > > her name is “Mary-Chapin Carpenter” F-ing autocorrect! Thanks for fixing it! ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2023, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fess-up-what-mawkishly-sentimental-song-makes-you-cry/991179/100 "2023-10-10T21:50:28Z")
“The Dance” was one of my wife’s favorite songs (along with a few of Garth’s others) and every so often when I hear it I start thinking about her. In fact, it seems to have gotten a bit dusty in here. Oh, and the Judds’ “Mama He’s Crazy” because she said it was about us. There are a lot of songs that will make me misty-eyed, depending on my mood when I hear them. George Jones’ “He Stopped Loving Her Today”, Bette Midler’s “The Rose”, and a bunch of others that I’m trying not to think of. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fess-up-what-mawkishly-sentimental-song-makes-you-cry/991179.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fess-up-what-mawkishly-sentimental-song-makes-you-cry/991179.md?page=6)