Not much music does that to me—I guess 'cos I’m a musician. However, the song that leaps to mind is the triumphant thematic restatement of the “Jesus Christ Superstar” number. You know, the instrumental bit right after the 39 Lashes where Pilate tells Christ “die if you want to, you misguided martyr!”
Depending on my mood, any number of songs can. The last one that I can remember getting a bit teary over was “Losing My Religion” by REM. I can all too easily identify with the emptiness of unrequited love.
But since 9/11 I can’t listen to Billy Joel’s “Miami 2017” . . .
I’ve seen the lights go out on Broadway–
I saw the ruins at my feet,
You know we almost didn’t notice it–
We’d see it all the time on Forty-Second Street.
You know those lights were bright on Broadway–
But that was so many years ago . . .
Before we all lived here in Florida–
Before the Mafia took over Mexico.
There are not many who remember–
They say a handful still survive . . .
To tell the world about
The way the lights went out,
And keep the memory alive . . .
I once worked nights making doughnuts, with a guy who liked, really liked, country music. I can take it or leave it, mostly leave. This guy would get to work early so he could select the station, and I didn’t argue, because it was better than Top 40’s music.
Two songs got to me, corny as they were. Don’t know the artists though.
The first one wasI’m Looking for Something in Red" When she gets to the part about “I’m looking for something in blue/Something real tiny/the baby’s brand new” I always tried to be facing away from my coworker, as I didn’t want him to see me get teary eyed.
I would do the same thing when *If You Get There Before I Do" * started playing. It makes me think of my 99 yr old grandmother, who is waiting to rejoin my grandfather.
I never knew that was what Losing My Religion was about.
I’ll second Bright Eyes. Garfunkel’s voice is so evocative, I can hardly help it any time I hear the song. I’ve lost people, lots of people, and it brings the whole thing back every time. What’s hard is that the song is not a happy song, it’s a “why do we die?” song.
Lots of people apparently get all teary over Rolf’s “Two Little Boys”.
… Did you think I would leave you dying
When there’s room on my horse for two
Climb up here Joe, we’ll soon be flying
I can go just as fast with two
Did you say Joe I’m all a-tremble
Perhaps it’s the battle’s noise
But I think it’s that I remember
When we were two little boys…
The song “Upward Over the Mountain” by Iron and Wine makes me nearly die, it is so sad. I spent an afternoon listening to it on repeat and sobbing. (I’m not sure why I remember that so fondly…)
Also, “Red” by Okkervil River. Both songs are about a child’s relationship with a parent. I might have issues.