I seem to categorize some songs as being what I call “haunting”. These songs have a certain sound and wistful tone that lingers in my head for awhile after listening to them. However, apart from a certain sadness or longing to the lyrics, I can’t put my finger on what these songs have in common. Some examples are :
The Boys of Summer by Don Henley
Here Comes the Rain Again by The Eurhythmics
The Chauffeur by Duran Duran (anyone remember that one?)
Drive by The Cars (I think)
A Twist in My Sobriety by Tanita Tikaram
Sour Times by Portishead
(Most of my examples seem to come from the 80s…Maybe it’s something particular to my adolescence?)
Apart from my personal feelings and associations about these songs, what makes them “haunting”? There’s a certain quality to the music that I can’t put my finger on. What other songs fit this category? Is it just me?
I know exactly what you mean! I always think the same thing when I hear “with or without you” by U2. I’m sure I’ll think of some more but that one immediately springs to mind.
Memory from CATS when it’s sung right. Unfortunately, there are about 5,000 wrong ways to sing it, and most of the recordings aren’t good. Go with the Original London Cast CD.
Pet Shop Boys - West End Girls Depeche Mode - Behind The Wheel / Route 66 Berlin Take my breath away Double Captain of her heart Lionel Ritchie Love will conquer all
In the air tonight by Phil Collins
Mama by Genesis (or is it Phil Collins alone?) - cheesy but effective
Life in a northern town by The Dream Academy
Smalltown boy by Bronski Beat
Promenade by U2 (from The unforgettable fire)
Many, many Cure songs (almost all of the Disintegration album, in particular)
Jackie by Sinead O’Connor
I’m on fire by Bruce Springsteen
Fairground by Simply Red
Hotel California by The Eagles
“The Scientist” by Coldplay is a recent one that sticks out for me. I’m sure it’s at least partially the video, but the song is quite pretty, in a melancholy way.
I’m also partial to Portishead’s “Sour Times,” but I find that “Wandering Stars” upsets me more.
There’s a Porishead song on their extended second album that I’ve been listening too lately, dunno the title, but the chorus is sometihng like “I can hardly see the sky somedays.”
Possession, Sarah McLachlan
1979, Smashing Pumpkins
Dying, Hole
Hands, Jewel
November Rain, Guns 'n Roses
Loser, 3 doors down
mmm mmm mmm, Crash Test Dummies
People are Strange, Riders on the Storm, Doors
Losing my Religion, Everybody Hurts, REM
Don’t Fear the Reaper, Blue Oyster Cult
Uninvited, Alanis Moriset (misspelled sorry)
Runaway Train, Soul Asylum
Cats in the Cradle, Old or newer version
Paint it Black, Rolling Stones
Black Hole Sun, Soundgarden
Everlong, FooFighters
Hurt, NIN (the ultimate)
On the same Don Henley album as “Boys of Summer” is “Sunset Grill.” Which I find even more haunting, with the eerie horns. I remember when I first heard it, back in 1984. I was nicely stoned about 4 in the morning playing cards. I was pleasantly surprised when I found out it was Don Henley.
“Who Will Take Your Dreams Away” sung by Marianne Faithful
It’s that song from the end of CITY OF LOST CHILDREN. Faithful’s voice (present voice) is haunting enough. Tie it with this song and you have, um, haunting squared! Yeah, that’s the ticket.
