# The Most Maudlin Song Award goes to... **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 3, 2013, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-maudlin-song-award-goes-to/651935 "2013-03-03T19:19:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Boulter\_s\_Canary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Boulter\_s\_Canary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boulter_s_Canary)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2013, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-maudlin-song-award-goes-to/651935/61 "2013-03-05T01:00:32Z")
[Men](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_VMxDkapN0) by Loudon Wainwright III. Self-pitying drivel. ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2013, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-maudlin-song-award-goes-to/651935/62 "2013-03-05T01:02:53Z")
“Watching Scotty Grow,” Mac Davis (or Bobby Goldsboro) “Daddy Don’t You Walk So Fast,” Wayne Newton “Roses for Mama,” C. W. McCall ---
**Author:** ![kaemicha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/90ced4/32.png) [@kaemicha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaemicha)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2013, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-maudlin-song-award-goes-to/651935/63 "2013-03-05T01:23:11Z")
I don’t know how to post a link, yet, but I’ll try. This song always made me cry… If you go away. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/wyCVxPEPx5Y/hqdefault.jpg "Dusty Springfield - If You Go Away") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyCVxPEPx5Y) ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2013, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-maudlin-song-award-goes-to/651935/64 "2013-03-05T01:32:19Z")
> [@cjepson](#): > > The French are very good at maudlin… another example is “It Must Be Him”, an English-language version of which was a hit for Vikki Carr in 1967. I love this song, and here’s why: Back in the Seventies, before the Milk Advisory Board struck it rich with their _“Got Milk?”_ campaign, they ran another very successful ad campaign, which involved various celebrities speaking simply, eloquently, and from the heart about why drinking milk was such a smart choice for them, and why it would be a smart choice for EVERYBODY. Some of the notable spots that aired featured Michael Landon, Pat Boone, Mark Spitz, and Vikki Carr. The tagline for all of the spots was _“Every Body Needs Milk… even [insert name of celebrity]”_ In Vikki Carr’s spot, she talked about growing up in a Mexican family and having milk with all the Mexican food her parents fed her. One of her most compelling statements was _“I love burritos and milk.”_ So, one fine afternoon, I’m driving along Redondo Beach Boulevard, listening to the Garry Owens Show on KMPC AM710, and he played “It Must Be Him.” I didn’t have anything particularly against the record, personally, although if you put a gun to my head I might have been persuaded to mention that it sounded a little overwrought. But then the climactic part of the verse came in: _“I’m not a puppet on a string I’ll find somebody else someday That’s when the phone rings, and once again I start to say…”_ This was where Owens, that magnificent bastard, shoved in a cart that had Ms Carr admitting: _“I love burritos and milk.”_ The song continued as per the original pressing, and I just lost it. ---
**Author:** ![kirk1168](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/45deac/32.png) [@kirk1168](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kirk1168)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2013, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-maudlin-song-award-goes-to/651935/65 "2013-03-05T01:53:43Z")
_D-I-V-O-R-C-E_ by Tammy Wynette, not so much for the melody or lyrics, but for the weepy delivery. ---
**Author:** ![Tethered\_Kite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a5b964/32.png) [@Tethered\_Kite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tethered_Kite)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2013, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-maudlin-song-award-goes-to/651935/66 "2013-03-05T03:54:58Z")
As others have mentioned there is a nearly indiscernable distinction between depressing and maudlin. What brings tender tears of sentimentality to someones eyes may seem mawkish and perversely humorous to another, Im rather fond of that existentialist love song to ennui by Peggy Lee, “Is That all There Is?” Charmingly twisted, sort of like Peggy herself. But in my book it treads just close enough to a fair world-view to avoid being maudlin. And its bluesy “. . . lets break out the booze and have a ball, if that’s all, there is. . .” is sufficient enough to stave off total depression. So, Im not sure where it goes. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2013, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-maudlin-song-award-goes-to/651935/67 "2013-03-05T04:09:08Z")
You guys will hate me for this earworm, but…[Teen Angel](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KG_VIcoiCFA). ---
**Author:** ![Reeses\_Monkey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reeses_monkey/32/2885_2.png) [@Reeses\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeses_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2013, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-maudlin-song-award-goes-to/651935/68 "2013-03-05T15:37:40Z")
[Emmaline](http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/h/hot_chocolate/emmaline.html) by Hot Chocolate. “I can’t be an actress, so I’ll kill myself!” And now for something completely different: Has anybody here seen the [Literal Video of Total Eclipse of the Heart](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj-x9ygQEGA)? ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2013, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-maudlin-song-award-goes-to/651935/69 "2013-03-05T16:28:06Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > You guys will hate me for this earworm, but…[Teen Angel](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KG_VIcoiCFA). Sorry, you’ve been ninja’d in post 52 by **cjepson**. ---
**Author:** ![cjepson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@cjepson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjepson)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2013, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-maudlin-song-award-goes-to/651935/70 "2013-03-05T16:47:12Z")
> [@Infovore](#): > > “Daddy Don’t You Walk So Fast,” Wayne Newton Oh Lord, I’d forgotten that one! Definitely a contender for the Damp Kleenex Award. ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2013, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-maudlin-song-award-goes-to/651935/71 "2013-03-05T17:34:41Z")
> [@Spoke](#): > > Surely it is [He Stopped Loving Her Today](http://youtu.be/CYQViYm92hg) by **George Jones**. > > George’s own comment as they wrapped up the recording session: “Nobody’ll buy that morbid son of a bitch.” Also see “The Grand Tour” by George Jones "_As you leave you’ll see the nursery She left me with no mercy Taking nothing but our baby and my heart"_ ---
**Author:** ![ministryman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@ministryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ministryman)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2013, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-maudlin-song-award-goes-to/651935/72 "2013-03-05T17:40:21Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > Drag queen standard [I’ve Never Been to Me](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhQWND9jKDA) would probably place, especially the spoken part. > > If religious glurge counts, then it’s a battle royale that would make Game of Thrones pale, but [Dear Mr. Jesus](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGhwz0VZR8U) would definitely be a contender for the first half season. (It’s the only song that’s ever made me want to beat a child.) Christmas Shoes… ---
**Author:** ![Tinker\_Grey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tinker_grey/32/8136_2.png) [@Tinker\_Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tinker_Grey)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2013, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-maudlin-song-award-goes-to/651935/73 "2013-03-07T02:54:47Z")
[Kesha’s Bob Dylan cover](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNCEV7ZSNFo) ---
**Author:** ![Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ce7236/32.png) [@Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mona_Lisa_Simpson)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2013, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-maudlin-song-award-goes-to/651935/74 "2013-03-09T03:31:28Z")
When I was younger I was convinced that the worlds saddest song was Taxi by Harry Chapin. Now that I am a mom who works too much, I know it is Cat’s in the Cradle. But those are genuinely sad songs. Maudlin dreck is something else. Honey is dreck. ---
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2013, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-maudlin-song-award-goes-to/651935/75 "2013-03-09T04:00:21Z")
> [@Infovore](#): > > “Watching Scotty Grow,” Mac Davis (or Bobby Goldsboro) > “Daddy Don’t You Walk So Fast,” Wayne Newton > “Roses for Mama,” C. W. McCall Thread winner! ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2013, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-maudlin-song-award-goes-to/651935/76 "2013-03-09T06:33:38Z")
Does this mean that _MacArthur Park_ doesn’t count? Remember this part? "MacArthur’s Park is melting in the dark All the sweet, green icing flowing down Someone left the cake out in the rain I don’t think that I can take it 'Cause it took so long to bake it And I’ll never have that recipe again, oh no" ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2013, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-maudlin-song-award-goes-to/651935/77 "2013-03-09T15:23:15Z")
I myself thing anything by ‘Bread’ qualifies. I hates them, I do. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2013, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-maudlin-song-award-goes-to/651935/78 "2013-03-09T18:50:39Z")
> [@Zoe](#): > > Does this mean that _MacArthur Park_ doesn’t count? > > Remember this part? > > "MacArthur’s Park is melting in the dark > > All the sweet, green icing flowing down > > Someone left the cake out in the rain > > I don’t think that I can take it > > 'Cause it took so long to bake it > > And I’ll never have that recipe again, oh no" Hee. It’s really the wailing inconsolable “oh no” that does it. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2013, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-maudlin-song-award-goes-to/651935/79 "2013-03-09T18:57:01Z")
I’m conflicted about this one. I can’t deny it’s maudlin & schmaltzy, but it still gets to even a cynical bastard like. Give it a listen and let me know what you think: [“Once Upon A Time,” with Ray Bolver and Eileen Herlie](http://youtu.be/Zv1Q-qb4Ipo) ---
**Author:** ![C.Montgomery\_Burns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecd19e/32.png) [@C.Montgomery\_Burns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C.Montgomery_Burns)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2013, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-maudlin-song-award-goes-to/651935/80 "2013-03-10T01:48:32Z")
Old Rivers- Walter Brennan Watching Scottie Grow- Bobby Goldsboro Patches - Dickey Lee Happiest Girl In The Whole USA - Donna Fargo Teddy Bear - Red Sovine Roll On - Alabama (which is a very maudlin country song disguised by an uptempo beat and good harmony vocals) No Charge - Melba Montgomery (Oh dear God…I am a sentimental fool, and I am sickened by this saccharine tripe!) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-maudlin-song-award-goes-to/651935.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-maudlin-song-award-goes-to/651935.md?page=5)