# What song gives you an emotional response everytime you hear it? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 29, 2001, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-gives-you-an-emotional-response-everytime-you-hear-it/84441 "2001-09-29T02:13:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![TruePisces](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/truepisces/32/13628_2.png) [@TruePisces](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruePisces)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-gives-you-an-emotional-response-everytime-you-hear-it/84441/61 "2001-10-02T01:53:01Z")
There are two that come to mind for me right now… One is _[Love, Me](http://www.letssingit.com/lyrics/r/raye-collin/1.html)_ by Collin Raye. For whatever reason, it makes me think of my paternal grandparents. As far as I know, the story in the song is nothing like the story of my grandparents, but it makes me think of them and makes me cry every time regardless. Maybe it’s just that never-ending love, which my grandparents shared. The second one is _[Charlie Anyboy](http://www.theblenders.com/music/lyrics/charlie.htm)_ by the Blenders. It’s such a sad song about a young boy - Anyboy - who is playing with a gun a friend brought in to school with disasterous results. The way it’s written, especially… I cry. A lot. There are a lot more, but these two come to mind immediately. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Great\_Gazoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/67e7ee/32.png) [@The\_Great\_Gazoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Great_Gazoo)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-gives-you-an-emotional-response-everytime-you-hear-it/84441/62 "2001-10-02T02:19:36Z")
When Micaela sings to Don Jose’ in the first act of Carmen - giving him a kiss from his mother. I don’t get choked up about the words (they’re nice, and I used to know them in both French and Italian) and there isn’t any emotional attachment to them - no girlfriends dying or anything, but the music is just so perfect, it gives me shivers, spine chilling, eyes tearing up - EVERY SINGLE TIME. I have listened to it 1,000 times, at least, and it has never failed yet. So, if someone says music can’t ‘soothe the savage breast’, tell them to come see me. ---
**Author:** ![mug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/779978/32.png) [@mug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mug)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-gives-you-an-emotional-response-everytime-you-hear-it/84441/63 "2001-10-02T03:10:54Z")
It’s unusual for me to be moved by the same song more than a few times. If I hear it often enough, I tend to lose that “gut” reaction to it. One exception, though. “The Greatest Man I Never Knew” by Reba McEntire gets to me every time. It perfectly describes the relationship I had with my father. “The greatest words I never heard I guess I’ll never hear The man I thought would never die S’been dead almost a year He was good at business But there was business left to do He never said he loved me Guess he thought I knew” ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-gives-you-an-emotional-response-everytime-you-hear-it/84441/64 "2001-10-02T04:55:59Z")
“Hallelujah,” written by Leonard Cohen, remade by Jeff Buckley. Very moving. “Hash Pipe,” by Weezer, makes me want to get up from whatever I’m doing and agitate for a while. Can’t sit still while it’s on. (Difficult in the car…) ---
**Author:** ![Lazlo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lazlo/32/9678_2.png) [@Lazlo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lazlo)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-gives-you-an-emotional-response-everytime-you-hear-it/84441/65 "2001-10-02T15:23:00Z")
I thought I was going to make it to the end of this thread without a mention of one of my tear-jerker songs listed. But **TruePisces** beat me to it. Collin Raye’s _Love, me_ never fails to get me choked up. Other songs that make tears well up: _Daddy’s Hands_ by Holly Dunn… _Seasons in the Sun_ by Terry Jacks Those three above get to me simply because of the lyrics. I don’t have any special connection or memories associated with them. However, _Chattahoochie_ by Alan Jackson has got to be the worst for me. Picture if you can, the most beautiful woman in you’ve ever seen. Now imagine that her inner beauty outshines her physical looks the way the sun outshines a candle. Got it? This woman taught me how to swing dance (country swing, not zoot soot riot) to _Chattahoochie._ That night we shared all our deepest thoughts and feelings. That night we would’ve become more than friends had I initiated it. Unfortunately, she was in a serious relationship with a good friend of mine at the time and I couldn’t betray him. Three months later, they broke up, I graduated from college, and we all went our separate ways. I realized then that I was no better off for not persuing her. When I hear that song, it makes me think about what might have been… it reminds me of the biggest mistake I’ve ever made… She’s the only person I’ve even been in love with. Sorry 'bout getting carried away there… ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-gives-you-an-emotional-response-everytime-you-hear-it/84441/66 "2001-10-02T16:17:40Z")
“Father Figure” by George Michael. I lost my virginity to that song to the girl I never got over. She’s dead now. “In the Air Tonight” by Phil Collins. Long story, so if you don’t wanna hear it, quit reading this now. I used to be a regular party animal in high school. Going out and getting bombed like every weekend. Me and a few other guys were inseperable. Nick, John, and Rick. Went everywhere together. We were at a party one night, all blasted. We had all ridden together, and they were all ready to leave, and waiting on me. I was drunk, and hitting on this girl. Making progress, too, so I wasn’t ready to go. They left without me. And decided to race a train on the way home. And lost. Later that year, MADD came to my school with their video slideshow about drunk driving. It was set to different songs. Anyway, during Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight,” they showed Nick’s car. The car I should have been in. Since then, I’ve never been able to listen to that song. ---
**Author:** ![galen\_ubal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galen_ubal/32/4440_2.png) [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-gives-you-an-emotional-response-everytime-you-hear-it/84441/67 "2001-10-02T16:55:08Z")
Lessee Tearjerker songs: _Open Arms_ Journey _Seasons in the Sun_ _The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald_ Gordon Lightfoot (but damn, it’s a good song) _Against All Odds_ Phil Collins _While My Guitar Gently Weeps_ The Beatles Angry songs: _Hair of the Dog_ Nazareth _Unforgiven_ Metallica _You Oughta Know_ …I forget. Crap Fun/energizing songs: _Octopus’s Garden_ The Beatles _Hell’s Bells, Highway to Hell, Thunderstruck_ AC/DC Cripes, I could be listing all day. ---
**Author:** ![Milossarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Milossarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Milossarian)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-gives-you-an-emotional-response-everytime-you-hear-it/84441/68 "2001-10-02T17:12:46Z")
**Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald** by Gordon Lightfoot. That was a big deal in Michigan. It happened about 100 miles from where I live. **Muzzle** by The Smashing Pumpkins. This song has given me chills every single time I’ve heard it since I first bought the Melancholy CD - what - five years ago? It’s happy and sad, resigned and defiant, all at once. And songs that generally make the adrenaline pump: **All Lit Up** by Buckcherry **Break Stuff** by Limp Bizkit **Down with the Sickness** by Disturbed Anything off AC/DC’s **Back in Black** album besides “Shook Me All Night Long,” which radio succesfully played into the ground. ---
**Author:** ![caveman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/caveman/32/7242_2.png) [@caveman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caveman)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-gives-you-an-emotional-response-everytime-you-hear-it/84441/69 "2001-10-02T18:48:55Z")
Here’s my short list…I could do this all day… Hope & Defiance: _Blue Skies_-Willie Nelson _I Will Survive_-Cake _A Country Boy Can Survive_-Hank Jr. _I’ll Fly Away_ _The Battle Hymn of the Republic_ Sadness: _Amazing Grace_-on the bagpipes _Sweetness Follows_-R.E.M. _Tears in Heaven_-Eric Clapton _American Pie_-Don McLean Nostalgia: _All My Rowdy Friends(Have Settled Down)_-Hank, Jr. _Daydream Beleiver_-Monkees _Here Comes the Rain Again_-Eurythmics _Back to the Basics of Love_-Waylon Jennings _Good Riddance_-Green Day “Our” Songs: _In the Meantime_-Space Hog _Pride & Joy_-Stevie Ray Vaughan _Common People_-Pulp Happy: _La Grange_-ZZ Top _Born to be Wild_-Steppenwolf _Longview_-Green Day _Santaria_-Sublime _Radar Love_-Moontan ---
**Author:** ![Curdog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/46a35a/32.png) [@Curdog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Curdog)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-gives-you-an-emotional-response-everytime-you-hear-it/84441/70 "2001-10-02T19:30:52Z")
There is a Steve Winwood song, I do not recall the name (“If you see a chance, take it…”) That I do not even like. However, the opening cords put a lump in my throat for no obvious reason. I don’t know why. Also, Peter Gabriel’s “Salisbury Hill” also pulls a string for unknown reasons. “Blister in the Sun” Violent Femmes “Brown Eyed Girl” Van Morrison “Little Red Corvette” Prince “Gigantic” The Pixies “Paradise” John Prine 'Ants Marching" Dave Matthews Band These all remind me of women I learned from. “Walk” Pantera “Hell Awaits” Slayer “Seek and Destroy” Metallica Songs that make me want to assault someone! \>:'0 ---
**Author:** ![janslater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/94ad74/32.png) [@janslater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janslater)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-gives-you-an-emotional-response-everytime-you-hear-it/84441/71 "2001-10-02T19:50:45Z")
“The Gates of Delerium” by Yes. “To Be Over” by Yes. ---
**Author:** ![illuminati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e47774/32.png) [@illuminati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/illuminati)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-gives-you-an-emotional-response-everytime-you-hear-it/84441/72 "2001-10-02T20:54:48Z")
Tears in heaven by Eric Clapton enough said I think ---
**Author:** ![goonhead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ebca7d/32.png) [@goonhead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/goonhead)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2001, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-gives-you-an-emotional-response-everytime-you-hear-it/84441/73 "2001-10-16T07:57:54Z")
For a real tearjerker, I like “You’ve Got a Friend”, the Carole King version. For a romantic mood, “Girl from Ipanema” by Stan Getz/Astrud Gilberto, or “My Baby Just Cares for Me” by Nina Simone. Song to get you on the dance floor (and slamming into your friends): “Lust for Life” by Iggy Pop ---
**Author:** ![Sn-man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Sn-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sn-man)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2001, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-gives-you-an-emotional-response-everytime-you-hear-it/84441/74 "2001-10-16T12:38:35Z")
Don’t Take the Girl – When I’ve heard it, I just think about the “Mrs.” and get choked up. Silent Night – Can’t make it through the first verse during the candle light service on Christmas Eve ---
**Author:** ![Legomancer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/779978/32.png) [@Legomancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Legomancer)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2001, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-gives-you-an-emotional-response-everytime-you-hear-it/84441/75 "2001-10-16T13:46:18Z")
A few songs and even bands stir very powerful memories for me. Especially at this time of year. It’s very difficult for me to listen to old Depeche Mode or the Violent Femmes in the fall without bringing back a crippling rush of memories. Lately I have noticed that the song “Babylon” by David Gray triggers a kind of strange emotional response in me. I don’t know why, because I don’t associate anythign with it (other than just plain really liking it) but it grabs at something inside me. ---
**Author:** ![DarkWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee59a6/32.png) [@DarkWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DarkWriter)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2001, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-gives-you-an-emotional-response-everytime-you-hear-it/84441/76 "2001-10-16T13:57:11Z")
These days, just about any song from my childhood and teen years (late 60s to early 80s) chokes me up, even if it’s a happy song. I hear those songs, and wish so badly I was that kid again, and not so scared and stressed out, when I was still innocent and the world wasn’t so fucking scary. Sheri ---
**Author:** ![DarkWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee59a6/32.png) [@DarkWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DarkWriter)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2001, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-gives-you-an-emotional-response-everytime-you-hear-it/84441/77 "2001-10-16T14:00:54Z")
Oh, and also - I can NOT listen to any John Lennon music during the month of December. Especially the song “Starting Over.” Guaranteed to bring on the tears. Sheri ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2001, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-gives-you-an-emotional-response-everytime-you-hear-it/84441/78 "2001-10-16T14:54:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dave99 \* > \*\*Being Canadian, I’ve only heard “God Bless America” twice. > > …The other time was on the 11th, when the Congressmen spontaneously broke into song on the Capitol steps… \*\* I know what you mean. I thought their rendition was _incredibly_ bad also. Even after all these years, "4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy) by Bruce Springsteen still gets to me. ---
**Author:** ![Frank\_O.Pinion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/839c29/32.png) [@Frank\_O.Pinion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank_O.Pinion)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2001, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-gives-you-an-emotional-response-everytime-you-hear-it/84441/79 "2001-10-17T00:32:24Z")
There are several songs that make me sad when I hear them. “You Were Mine” by the Dixie Chicks always makes me really sad because when I was in high school there was a girl I really, really liked who used to sing it constantly and it always reminds me of her. “The Dance” by Garth Brooks makes me sad because it reminds me of how it didn’t work out with her, but I don’t regret any of the time we spent together and I’d want to do it over again, even if I knew how bad it would turn out. And finally, “Amazing Grace” sung a cappella reminds me of the same girl because she had a great singing voice and used to sing this at anytime she could get it in, including at my class’s graduation. Anyway, enough of that. Stuff that makes me feel good- “Big Ball’s in Cowtown” by George Strait and Asleep At The Wheel. It’s a really happy Western Swing song- CANNOT listen to it without smiling! “Man Of Constant Sorrow”(ironically) by Soggy Bottom Boys- really fun, especially if you like good bluegrass. “Act Naturally” and “Tiger By The Tail” by Buck Owens- Buck Owens just has this thing about his music that makes even his sad songs fun. ---
**Author:** ![Christina25](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8edcca/32.png) [@Christina25](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Christina25)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2001, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-gives-you-an-emotional-response-everytime-you-hear-it/84441/80 "2001-10-17T03:26:27Z")
When Irish Eyes Are Smiling- They sang it at my grandma’s 80th birthday party in August seeing as my grandfather would have sung that to her if he had not passed on almost 2 years ago. My brother, all six foot four and muscles that he is, broke down and wept along with me at that. Everybody Hurts - R.E.M. - I cannot listen to that song without remembering a damn long involuntary hospitalization long time ago. Fallin- Alicia Keyes - reminds me of my girlfriend, brings a smile to my face everytime. Anything by New Order, Pet Shop Boys just gets my gay groove going. So many all nighters dancing my butt off 🙂 Sleep- The Smiths - Makes me sad, but morbidity is not always a bad thing. The list goes on and on and on…just wish that Energizer bunny could keep up with my Discman. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-gives-you-an-emotional-response-everytime-you-hear-it/84441.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-song-gives-you-an-emotional-response-everytime-you-hear-it/84441.md?page=5)