# Songs you can't listen to without crying **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 17, 2004, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-cant-listen-to-without-crying/234870 "2004-03-17T16:53:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![look\_ninjas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b2d939/32.png) [@look\_ninjas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/look_ninjas)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-cant-listen-to-without-crying/234870/81 "2004-03-18T14:32:48Z")
“Tomorrow Wendy” by Concrete Blonde always gets me. Some of it is the lyrics, and some of it has to do with personal events. “That Day is Done” by Elvis Costello can get me to, if it catches me at the right moment. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-cant-listen-to-without-crying/234870/82 "2004-03-18T15:11:31Z")
I cry over emotional songs way too easily to list them; happy songs and sad songs both make me cry. But in the sense of songs that make me cry because they are about sad things, I’ll list Garth Brooks’ “ **The Dance** ”, Lorrie Morgan’s “ **Something in Red** ”, Kenny Loggins’ “ **The Real Thing** ” and Bread’s “ **if** ”. I’d second the previous postings of “Tears in Heaven,” “Honey,” and “E lucevan le stelle.” Oh, almost forgot “ **You’ll Never Walk Alone** ” from the musical _Carousel_. ---
**Author:** ![Jane\_D\_oh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/839c29/32.png) [@Jane\_D\_oh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jane_D_oh)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-cant-listen-to-without-crying/234870/83 "2004-03-18T15:58:54Z")
**Steve Goodman’s** [The Ballad of Penny Evans](http://www.cobo.org/goodman/setlyr.html#penny/) It’s about 35 years old and Michelle Shocked has covered it. I put it on a CD I burned not to long ago and I have to skip it when I’m out in public, because I just know I’ll start bawling like a baby. ---
**Author:** ![Thenardier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6bbea6/32.png) [@Thenardier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thenardier)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-cant-listen-to-without-crying/234870/84 "2004-03-18T15:59:30Z")
This song had been previously mentioned, but I have to second. Only time I’d cried at something recreational, but when I saw RENT on Broadway and Collins belted out “When your hearts has expired!” at Angel’s tribute/funeral (“I’ll Cover You- Reprise”) I absolutely lost it. One of the most moving things I’ve ever seen. To this day, I will well up whenever I hear the song ---
**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:** [March 18, 2004, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-cant-listen-to-without-crying/234870/85 "2004-03-18T16:10:58Z")
“In the Shape of a Heart” Jackson Browne ---
**Author:** ![Winnie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e480ec/32.png) [@Winnie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winnie)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-cant-listen-to-without-crying/234870/86 "2004-03-18T19:45:53Z")
The song [Goodnight Saigon](http://www.guntheranderson.com/v/data/goodnigh.htm) by Billy Joel never fails to make me sob like a little girl. I can never stop thinking about when he does the song in concert and brings up 4 or 5 Vietnam Vets, who stand there and sing the song with him in the dark, arm in arm. By the end of the song they’re all in tears, it’s just so intense. ---
**Author:** ![fiercesheep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8491ac/32.png) [@fiercesheep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fiercesheep)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-cant-listen-to-without-crying/234870/87 "2004-03-18T19:55:37Z")
Oooh, how could I forget??? ‘Jerusalem’ - it’s my favourite hymn yet the tears are running down my cheeks by the end of the first verse and I just can’t sing anymore of it. It’s the sentimental love of home, I suppose … although I’d never admit it to a soul! ---
**Author:** ![Indygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@Indygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indygrrl)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-cant-listen-to-without-crying/234870/88 "2004-03-18T20:11:23Z")
_Mama_, by Genesis. Reminds me of an old friend. ---
**Author:** ![beagledave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6de8d8/32.png) [@beagledave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beagledave)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-cant-listen-to-without-crying/234870/89 "2004-03-18T20:24:24Z")
Depending on my mood and pints of Guinness on board… [Independence Day](http://www.bayou.com/~jebsr/mmiday.html) by Martina McBride. There was a CrossRoads special on CMT where Pat Benatar sang it…[wow](http://www.cmt.com/shows/dyn/cmt_crossroads/75397/episode.jhtml) [I Don’t Believe You’ve Met My Baby](http://www.lyricsdomain.com/1/alison_krauss/i_dont_believe_youve_met_my_baby.html) sung by Alison Krauss (also Dolly Parton) [By Way of Sorrow](http://www.cowboylyrics.com/tabs/miller-julie/by-way-of-sorrow-3658.html) written by Julie Miller…I like the version done on Cry Cry Cry by Lucy Kaplansky [Wisteria](http://members.aol.com/rongrittz/paterson.htm#wisteria) by Richard Shindell ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-cant-listen-to-without-crying/234870/90 "2004-03-18T21:43:12Z")
Second **MaxtheVool** ’s comment that there are a number of moments in musicals that can start the waterworks. For me it’s Eponine’s death in Les Mis, and her line to Marius: “I’ll sleep in your embrace at last…” In Miss Saigon, in Act II, when Kim is outside the embassy trying to get in and Chris is fruitlessly trying to call her at the apartment. She sings, “I’m the wife of a soldier - please, let me through! Help me, who must I pay? Tell me what I must do?” Inside, Chris is on the phone: “Please Kim, hear the phone; I can’t get there, please be home…” and she’s outside the locked gates in the crowd: “Please Chris, no one sees… I am lost here… find me please.” And then they beautifully duet: “Please, get me through, I don’t care how don’t take my love away, not now…” And then… when Kim is dying, having ensured that Tam will have a life with his father, and Chris has rushed in - the last thing she says to him echoes what they said to each other afther the night they met: “How in one night have we come… so far…” Rent’s been mentioned several times, so let me just add the stunning reprise of “I’ll Cover You,” after Angel’s death and the break in Roger’s voice during “Your Eyes,” when he sings: “How’d I let you slip away, when I’m longing so to hold you… Now I’d die for one more day, 'cause there’s something I should have told you…” - Rick ---
**Author:** ![Beadalin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Beadalin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beadalin)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-cant-listen-to-without-crying/234870/91 "2004-03-18T23:25:17Z")
**American Tune** , by Simon & Garfunkel: > [@](#): > > I don’t know a soul who’s not been battered > I don’t have a friend who feels at ease > I don’t know a dream that’s not been shattered > Or driven to it’s knees > Oh, but it’s alright, it’s alright > For we lived so well so long > Still, when I think of the > Road we’re traveling on > I wonder what’s gone wrong > I can’t help it, I wonder what’s gone wrong Also by Paul Simon, what I think of as the perfect goodbye/loneliness song, **Only Living Boy in New York** : > [@](#): > > Half of the time we’re gone but we don’t know where, > And we don’t know here. > Tom, get your plane right on time. > I know you’ve been eager to fly now. > Hey let your honesty shine, shine, shine > Da-n-da-da-n-da-da-n-da-da > Like it shines on me > The only living boy in new york. **Alright For Now** , by Tom Petty: > [@](#): > > So slep tight baby > Unfurrow your brow > And know I love you > We’re alright for now Ditto **One Tin Soldier** and **Leaving on a Jet Plane**. And in the same class as those, let me add **Run, River, Run** : > [@](#): > > And we have just begun > Watching the river run > Further and further from things that we’ve done > Leaving them one by one > Listening, learning and yearning, > Run, river, run. ---
**Author:** ![partlycloudy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/partlycloudy/32/3114_2.png) [@partlycloudy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/partlycloudy)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-cant-listen-to-without-crying/234870/92 "2004-03-19T00:37:49Z")
I second \*\*American Tune \*\* (that almost made my list as well), and **If** by Bread. That reminds me of another weepy Bread tune, **Aubrey** , which is just gorgeous. Also forgot Billy Joel’s **Lullaby (Goodnight, My Angel)**. Too sad, too sad… ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-cant-listen-to-without-crying/234870/93 "2004-03-19T04:08:10Z")
I’ll second the Dixie Chicks’ “Travelin’ Soldier” and Collin Raye’s “Love Me.” And I’dd add Kathy Mattea’s “Where’ve You Been?” That one does it to me every time. Harry Chapin’s “Taxi,” with “Sequel” right after will do it, as will his “Better Place to Be.” Had to sing that one on stage one night; it was difficult to get through it. And Judy Collins’ version of “Amazing Grace.” It’s beautiful, it’s haunting, it’s what that hymn should be but so rarely is. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-cant-listen-to-without-crying/234870/94 "2004-03-19T04:12:06Z")
Whoops, that should be, “I’d add…” Thinking of these songs, it’s a little hard to see the keyboard right now… ---
**Author:** ![OxyMoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9a140/32.png) [@OxyMoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OxyMoron)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-cant-listen-to-without-crying/234870/95 "2004-03-19T04:18:32Z")
**Hey Jupiter** …nothing’s been the same so are you gay are you blue thought we both could use a friend to run to and I thought I wouldn’t have to be with you something new… **Time After Time** …when you fall, I will catch you I will be waiting time after time… (although the version between Cyndi and Patti Labelle is so joyous) **Knight Moves** Watch while the queen In one false move Turns herself into a pawn Sleepy and shaken And watching while the blury night Turns into a very clear dawn Do you love any, do you love none, Do you love many, can you love one, Do you love me?.. And if you wonder What I am doing As I am heading For the sink I am spitting out all the bitterness Along with half of my last drink I am thinking Of your woman Who is crying in the hall It’s like drinking gasoline To quench a thirst Until there’s nothing there left at all ---
**Author:** ![supernerd23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ba9def/32.png) [@supernerd23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/supernerd23)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-cant-listen-to-without-crying/234870/96 "2004-03-19T04:46:58Z")
> [@Rubystreak](#): > > _Wish You Were Here_ by Pink Floyd always chokes me up. In the right mood, _Sweet Thing_ by Van Morrison can also do it, and _Black_ by Pearl Jam. wow Rubystreak, you got the two I was gonna go with: Black and Wish You Were Here, they get me every time ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Purl\_McKnittington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@Miss\_Purl\_McKnittington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Purl_McKnittington)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-cant-listen-to-without-crying/234870/97 "2004-03-19T08:27:58Z")
[Low Down Man](http://www.lyricsdepot.com/squirrel-nut-zippers/low-down-man.html) by The Squirrel Nut Zippers [End of the Line](http://www.elyrics.net/go/t/Traveling%20Wilburys%20Lyrics/End%20Of%20The%20Line%20Lyrics/) by The Traveling Wilburys (The music video is so sad, with the empty rocking chair slowly rocking back and forth.) Let It Be and The Long and Winding Road by The Beatles From Jesus Christ Superstar, [Could We Start Again Please?](http://www.stlyrics.com/songs/w/webberandrewlloyd4915/couldwestartagainplease213916.html) and [I Don’t Know How to Love Him](http://www.hottest-lyrics.com/w/webber-andrew-lloyd-lyrics-4915/i-don-t-know-how-to-love-him-lyrics-213923.html). It’s the best musical ever. The Last Supper gets me going too, when Christ sings, “Will no one stay awake with me? Peter, John and James? Will none of you wait with me? Peter, John, and James?” ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-cant-listen-to-without-crying/234870/98 "2004-03-19T12:04:06Z")
**Golden Slumbers** by the Beatles. Every time I hear that song, I remember my beloved cat dying, and the grief feels harsh and new. It’s been nearly seven years now. I wonder if I’ll ever develop a scar on my heart that’s sturdy enough to bear the pain of listening to that song again. For a long, long time after that little cat died, I just did not want to live any longer. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Bee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Larry\_Bee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Bee)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-cant-listen-to-without-crying/234870/99 "2004-03-19T13:08:15Z")
**Luke Kelly & The Dubliners** [The Town I Loved So Well](http://www.geocities.com/toeye/dubliners/lyrics_6.htm#Towniloved) \*\*Tom Waits version of \*\*.[Big Joe & Phantom 309](http://www.officialtomwaits.com/music/m_nd_lyr.htm#Big_Joe_And_Phantom_309) ---
**Author:** ![Jervoise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d2c977/32.png) [@Jervoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jervoise)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2004, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-cant-listen-to-without-crying/234870/100 "2004-03-19T15:20:06Z")
Some time before my mother died, I bought a copy of Hootie and the Blowfish’s “Cracked Rear View” (yeah, yeah… I was in high school!) The opening line of “I’m Going Home” made me cry for some time: > [@](#): > > Mama please don’t go > Won’t you stay here for one more day > I’ve been your boy for so long now > There’s so much I still have to say … although seven years down the track, I don’t feel much for the song. A line from Michael Franti & Spearhead’s “Never Too Late” also gets to me: > [@](#): > > Don’t fear your father > Cause a father’s just a boy without a friend. Luckily, I’m [not alone](http://www.inkblotmagazine.com/rev-archive/Spearhead_Everyone.htm). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-cant-listen-to-without-crying/234870.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-cant-listen-to-without-crying/234870.md?page=6)