# What songs make you cry?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-songs-make-you-cry/294347
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [March 13, 2005, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-songs-make-you-cry/294347 "2005-03-13T17:25:56Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2005, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-songs-make-you-cry/294347/1 "2005-03-13T17:25:56Z")
I was listening to _A Prairie Home Companion_ this morning, a rebroadcast with Randy Newman. He sang [Marie](http://randy-newman.the-lyrics.com/marie-009247.html), a song I have heard many times before (although not for quite a while). I was eating my breakfast, and as Randy came to the chorus,
_I loved you the first time I saw you,
And I always will love you, Marie,_
I just burst out in tears.
I’m a 50-year old guy, not terribly sentimental, not depressed, not given to emotional outbursts, and, no, I’ve never been in love with someone named Marie. But there is just something about the tone of the song, the minor key, the sad harmony, and I don’t know what else. It just got me in a way that was amazingly powerful and surprisingly sudden. (I’m glad no one was around to see me inexplicably crying, but it was actually kind of enjoyable to be caught up in this emotion.)
There are several songs that do this to me, and Randy has written at least one other: [When She Loved Me](http://randy-newman.the-lyrics.com/when-she-loved-me-335701.html), from _Toy Story 2_.
Others are:
[Louise](http://www.oldielyrics.com/lyrics/linda_ronstadt/louise.html), by Paul Siebel, recorded by Bonnie Raitt, Linda Ronstadt, and others.
[Would You Like to Learn to Dance](http://frogcircus.org/ppm/such_is_love/would_you_like_to_learn_to_dance), by Steve Goodman.
[Ah, Leave Me Not To Pine](http://math.boisestate.edu/gas/pirates/html/leave_me_not.html), from _Pirates of Penzance_ by Gilbert and Sullivan.
Does this happen to you? What songs do it for you?
---
### Author:  [@Indygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indygrrl)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2005, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-songs-make-you-cry/294347/2 "2005-03-13T17:40:30Z")
It’s weird, but _Wild, Wild Life_, by the Talking Heads always makes me tear up. It’s a really happy song, but for some reason it always gets me.
David Byrne has a movie called True Stories, and in one part, that song plays and it shows different people singing and dancing to it. It’s just so happy.
---
### Author:  [@lezlers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lezlers)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2005, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-songs-make-you-cry/294347/3 "2005-03-13T17:47:24Z")
_Last Kiss_ by Pearl Jam (I’m sure they didn’t originally record it). I’m not a Pearl Jam fan by any means but the first time I heard this song while driving in my car and really listened to the lyrics I burst into tears. I’m talking full-on _crying_, not one lonely tear streaming down the cheek. It’s just such a horrible story.
I chalked it up to PMS at the time, but damn it if it hasn’t made me bawl like a damn baby every time I’ve heard it since then.
---
### Author:  [@LifeOnWry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LifeOnWry)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2005, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-songs-make-you-cry/294347/4 "2005-03-13T17:47:56Z")
First, a disclaimer: I have been known to tear up over Kodak and McDonald’s commercials. I’m a complete sap, and it’s shockingly easy to make me cry. For an example of HOW easy, note that Butterfly Kisses, one of the most insipid, glurgey songs ever, made me cry. Country music is the worst for this.
“Where’ve You Been” by Kathy Mattea, starts out about young lovers worried about missing one another and ends with the two of them in a nursing home together. Think “The Notebook.”
“Love, Me” by Collin Raye - same premise, basically, only this time one of them places a note in the other’s casket.
“Don’t Take The Girl” by Tim McGraw - starts out with a little boy begging his dad NOT to take the girl next door on their father-son fishing trip, ends with the boy all grown up, begging God not to take his wife, dying in the delivery room.
“He Stopped Loving Her Today” by George Jones - he held a torch until the day he died. Dear gawd, make it stop.
Same premise as above: “I’ll Be True To You” by the Oak Ridge Boys - in this one, she held the torch, he dissed her. He makes up for it too late at her graveside.
---
### Author:  [@Sample\_the\_Dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sample_the_Dog)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2005, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-songs-make-you-cry/294347/5 "2005-03-13T17:50:21Z")
**The Dutchman** , by Michael Smith, as performed by Steve Goodman.
No matter how often I hear it, I don’t think I’ve ever made it to the end without puddling up, or outright sobbing. I’ve never been able to play and sing it all the way through.
> [@](#):
>
> When Amsterdam is golden in the summer,
> Margaret brings him breakfast, she believes him.
> He thinks the tulips bloom beneath the snow.
> He’s mad as he can be, but Margaret only sees that sometimes.
> Sometimes she sees her unborn children in his eyes.
>
> Let us go to the banks of the ocean
> Where the walls rise above the Zuider Zee.
> Long ago, I used to be a young man
> And dear Margaret remembers that for me.
---
### Author:  [@Sample\_the\_Dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sample_the_Dog)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2005, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-songs-make-you-cry/294347/6 "2005-03-13T17:56:48Z")
Also…
**Amazing Grace**
**Spiritual** by Johnny Cash
**What’ll I Do**
And yes, the uber-sappy **Cat’s in the Cradle** and **Puff, the Magic Dragon**
---
### Author:  [@lezlers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lezlers)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2005, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-songs-make-you-cry/294347/7 "2005-03-13T18:00:05Z")
Peter, Paul and Mary came and sang _Puff the Magic Dragon_ at my college graduation (SFSU, of course). I bawled. I think it had more to do with the thousands of fellow graduates all singing along in the stadium though, sort of a bonding thing.
I just remembered, _True Colors_ by Cyndi Lauper. Just brings back a lot of fond memories and it’s such a fluffy, lovey song.
Yeah, I’m a big sap.
---
### Author:  [@Sample\_the\_Dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sample_the_Dog)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2005, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-songs-make-you-cry/294347/8 "2005-03-13T18:14:38Z")
> [@Sample\_the\_Dog](#):
>
> **What’ll I Do**
:eek: Just discovered there’s a Janet Jackson tune by that title.
I’m talking about the Irving Berlin tune. For those unfamiliar with it, I think they played it in a flash-forward sequence at the end of the final episode of Cheers.
---
### Author:  [@DeVena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeVena)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2005, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-songs-make-you-cry/294347/9 "2005-03-13T18:36:48Z")
[_The Band Played “Waltzing Matilda”_](http://mysongbook.de/msb/songs/r_clarke/banplayd.htm)
---
### Author:  [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2005, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-songs-make-you-cry/294347/10 "2005-03-13T19:10:06Z")
> [@](#):
>
> **Sample\_the\_Dog** : I’m talking about the Irving Berlin tune.
Are you talking about the **What’ll I Do?** where the second line is is “When you are far away…”? Yes, that one cuts to the quick.
The one that I can’t get through is [Secret Gardens](http://www.judycollins.com/lyrics/Secret_Gardens.htm) by Judy Collins.
This one too: (an excerpt from **My Buddy** by Unbekannt)
> [@](#):
>
> Nights are long since you went away.
> I think about you all through the day
> My buddy, my buddy,
> Nobody (or “no buddy”)quite so true.
> Miss your voice, the touch of your hand-
> Just long to know that you understand,
> My buddy, my buddy,
> Your buddy misses you.
---
### Author:  [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2005, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-songs-make-you-cry/294347/11 "2005-03-13T19:15:44Z")
> [@lezlers](#):
>
> _Last Kiss_ by Pearl Jam (I’m sure they didn’t originally record it).
They didn’t. It’s one of those 1960’s style teenager death-tunes. 😉
First two that come to mind for me are Redemption Song (Bob Marley) and Playboy Mommy (Tori Amos).
---
### Author:  [@Dark\_Side\_of\_the\_Floyd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dark_Side_of_the_Floyd)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2005, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-songs-make-you-cry/294347/12 "2005-03-13T19:19:26Z")
“Look What You’ve Done”- Jet
“Comforably Numb” the 'Floyd.
Those will get me **every time.**
---
### Author:  [@Dark\_Side\_of\_the\_Floyd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dark_Side_of_the_Floyd)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2005, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-songs-make-you-cry/294347/13 "2005-03-13T19:21:30Z")
And you’d think that since I like the song, I’d spell it CORRECTLY.
“Comfor **T** ably Numb”
---
### Author:  [@gaucho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaucho)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2005, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-songs-make-you-cry/294347/14 "2005-03-13T20:37:01Z")
“Left of the Dial” by The Replacements
---
### Author:  [@Homebrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homebrew)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2005, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-songs-make-you-cry/294347/15 "2005-03-13T20:51:36Z")
Cyndi Lauper’s _Shine_ really brings on the water works, especially if I’m the least bit pensive. The song is a promise of support for her lesbian sister. It’s such a contrast to my own family’s reaction to me coming out that it’s heart-rending.
\*Shine I’ll stand by you
Don’t try and push me away
'Cause I’m just gonna stay
You can shine I won’t deny you
And don’t be afraid it’ll all be OK
\*
---
### Author:  [@Sample\_the\_Dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sample_the_Dog)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2005, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-songs-make-you-cry/294347/16 "2005-03-13T21:05:34Z")
> [@Zoe](#):
>
> Are you talking about the **What’ll I Do?** where the second line is is “When you are far away…”? Yes, that one cuts to the quick.
Yes, that’s the one.
**DarkSideoftheFloyd** , I’m surprised you mention CN. It’s funny, cause as an old-school Floyd freak I ran the catalog thru my mind when thinking about this thread, and as important as much of their music is to me, I don’t think I’ve ever had that reaction to any of their tunes, except once in certain circumstances when **Wish You Were Here** sent me into a fit of sobbing. The Great Gig in the Sky brings out the most emotion in me, but not tears. Then again, I’m more likely to crank up Careful with that Axe, Eugene than, say, Us and Them when in a Floyd mood than
---
### Author:  [@Sample\_the\_Dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sample_the_Dog)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2005, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-songs-make-you-cry/294347/17 "2005-03-13T21:12:35Z")
**Martha** , by the incomparable Tom Waits.
> [@](#):
>
> I was always so impulsive.
> I guess that I still am.
> All that really mattered then
> was that I was a man.
> I guess that our being together
> was never meant to be.
> Martha… Martha…
> I love you, can’t you see?
>
> Those were days of roses,
> of poetry and prose when, Martha,
> all I had was you and all you had was me.
> There were no tomorrows.
> We packed away our sorrows
> and we saved them for a rainy day.
>
> I remember quiet evenings
> trembling close to you.
---
### Author:  [@Tehanu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tehanu)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2005, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-songs-make-you-cry/294347/18 "2005-03-13T21:24:48Z")
Project Pitchfork [“Renascence”](http://project-pitchfork-lyrics.wonderlyrics.com/Renascence.html)
The part that gets me is in the very end, the words “I love you too” are spoken by a woman’s voice - clearly intended to be Adam’s wife, who Adam was there for.
ajam lives in the steppe . he loves the rolling hills
the warm dry winds . but his wifes love touches
his heart the most . her grace surpasses even
the brightness of the stars . her gentle voice soothes his mind . pure love
then came the sad day . riders raped his wife
he lost his face . the elders decided
that she must go . through tearful eyes
he watched her leave . should I renounce my pride
and follow her into death . he decides and never smiles again
adam lives in a big town . he loves his job
his car and his life - style . but most of all he loves his wife
her endless energy . her beauty her wit and her charm
then came the sad day . her test was positive
he watched her lose her strength . he decides to cancel his job
for the rest of her life . he’ll stay by her side
when the end came . he held her hand
and he told her that he . always loved her and always will
I love you too
---
### Author:  [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2005, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-songs-make-you-cry/294347/19 "2005-03-13T21:25:20Z")
_I’ll Love You Forever_ by Asleep at the Wheel from the movie _Liar’s Moon_.
---
### Author:  [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2005, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-songs-make-you-cry/294347/20 "2005-03-13T21:26:05Z")
**Goodnight, Irene**
**By the Banks of the Bann**
and, of course, **Amazing Grace**
[Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-songs-make-you-cry/294347.md?page=2)