What can I say, I’ve just been in a…somber mood lately.
So, going over my music library, I’ve come up with a list of a few songs that seem to reflect utter heartbreak pretty well. I was just wondering if anyone else has any recommendations.
So far, I’ve come up with…
Blue Moon by The Mavericks Hallelujah by Rufus Wainright He Stopped Loving Her Today by George Jones Hope Has a Place by Enya
About half a dozen different Patsy Cline songs. At least. I Can’t Stop Loving You by Ray Charles If I Didn’t Care by The Ink Spots (Featured in The Shawshank Redemption) I’ll Be Seeing You (I have Rebecca Kilgore’s version) I Will Wait for You by Connie Francis Tell Me on a Sunday by Sarah Brightman This White Circle by Grey deLisle Vesti la Giubba from I, Pagliacci (Natch) Un Bel Di Vedremo by from Madama Butterfly (Ditto)
Roy Orbison has his share - Only Lonely, Cryin’, etc.
Heartbreak Hotel by Elvis
My all-time personal fave - different that the Official winner mentioned above - is How Come You Don’t Call Me Anymore by Prince. And it must be his version off the B-Sides collection; Alicia Keys doesn’t do it justice on her first CD…
A few from Led Zeppelin:[ul]
[li]“Tangerine”[/li][quote]
Measuring a summer’s day
Only find it slips away to gray
The hours, they bring me pain
[/quote]
[li]“Ten Years Gone”[/li][quote]
On the wings of maybe, down in birds of prey
Kind of makes me feel sometimes, didn’t have to grow
But as the eagle leaves the nest, it’s got so far to go
[/quote]
[li]“Tea for One”[/li][quote]
How come twenty four hours, baby sometimes seems to slip into days?
A minute seems like a lifetime, baby when I feel this way.
[/quote]
[li]“Since I’ve Been Loving You”[/li][quote]
Working from seven to eleven every night,
It really makes life a drag, I don’t think that’s right.
I’ve really, really been the best of fools, I did what I could.
[/quote]
No,no. The winner is “Messages” by OMD, courtesy of the most angst-ridden theme this side of The Wall. Perfect for someone who stomps on your heart and goes out of your life, only to pop back in every once in awhile to remind you how bad they hurt you.
Elliott Smith should probably get his own category here…
“Miss Misery” and “Waltz #2” strike me as two good examples. Kinda understated in terms of bawling heartbreak, but the sentiment is very palpable in the lyrics and in Elliott’s gracefully sighing delivery.
Once you’re past the heartbreak stage, “Take a Look at My Heart,” by John Prine always worked for me. It’s the only song I know that puts the singer on the side of his ex’s new lover.
mentioned above - is How Come You Don’t Call Me Anymore by Prince. And it must be his version off the B-Sides collection; Alicia Keys doesn’t do it justice on her first CD…