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Songs that make you cry

But actually, Watermelon In Easter Hay by, yes, Frank Zappa chokes me up a bit. Some call it his best guitar work. It's relatively simple for FZ, but the phrasing..... wow. And the backstory, as told by The Central Scrutinizer, foreshadows Frank's passing.

Anyone got a tissue?

Probably my all time favorite instrumental. Some years ago, I jokingly told my wife I wanted it played at my funeral........

There's a certain finality about it--almost like the credits at the end of a movie. And you're right--his phrasing and sense of timing is nothing short of remarkable.
 
In the past it's usually been over lost loves, but some tracks just because of the melancholy sound.

"Can't you see" by the Marshall Tucker Band, &
"With or Without You" by U2 come to mind.
"A Horse with no Name" by America,
a few Stevie Nicks/Fleetwood Mac songs, + some Neil Young and Bobby Dylan numbers,

More recently I'd say half of everything that comes out of Sammuel Herring's mouth (Future Islands) can get my waterworks trickeling.

Even some of David Gilmoure's guitar solos have done it.

And this! (Bonus: Amanda Tannen on Bass drool )
 
Doesn't always necessarily make me cry whenever I hear it, but to me it is one of the bleakest, saddest songs I know.

When the piano figure comes in near the end at about 2:33, that always gets me.

The whole song sounds like it's always on the verge of falling apart, just like the protagonist of the song.

 
And this:

Cry a lot.jpg
 
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slipknot - snuff

Reminds me of my little brother who died Dec 28th 2010 at the age of 18, US Army. Found a video of him lip syncing this song while going to sleep... it was very haunting after the fact.... played the song at his funeral, now it is forever etched into my mind and emotionally connected to him. RIP little brother.

 
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Like gkbass13 posted on page 2 way back in 2008...

...REM's "Everybody Hurts"...

...but not when I first listened to it, or anytime soon thereafter:

Only when I tried to learn to play it on guitar, I found I couldn't play the song all the way through...

Because of that, I haven't tried to learn the bassline yet.


 
Just heard this song this Christmas season:



The Kelly Hogan version is even more affecting.


Karen Carpenter's hauntingly beautiful voice combined with the lyrics, melody and arrangement of this song...well. listen for yourself:

 
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Wether it be because they are beautiful or because you have strong emotional attachment to them, I'm curious as to what songs make people shed tears. Especially the guys.

For me Dock of the Bay is on the top of the list. So powerful by itself, the circumstances around its release makes it even more cry inducing. I once had to pull over whole I was driving and it came on the radio... Magnificient bassline too.

sorry if this seems like the baby boomer / classic rock version, but...
  • either "all things must pass" or "beware of darkness" by george h.
  • "box of rain" by the dead
  • "moonlight mile" bone rollers
  • "sway" mick's last verse and the other mick's solo
  • "glad and sorry" faces, could just as easily been "debris" or "oo la lah"
I've got a Motown/Chess/Stax list,too, but if I get started on that one, I'll start doing bad things....
 
sorry if this seems like the baby boomer / classic rock version, but...
  • either "all things must pass" or "beware of darkness" by george h.
  • "box of rain" by the dead
  • "moonlight mile" bone rollers
  • "sway" mick's last verse and the other mick's solo
  • "glad and sorry" faces, could just as easily been "debris" or "oo la lah"
I've got a Motown/Chess/Stax list,too, but if I get started on that one, I'll start doing bad things....
Is that 'Sway' by the Rolling Stones from the Black and Blue album? (Just in case) it's practically my fave Stones record ... a lot of tragic songs on there played in such diverse styles. & coincidentally, 'Moonlight Mile' from the Sticky Fingers album gives me the weepies too. Don't think it's same one that you're referencing. Just triggered me
 
Is that 'Sway' by the Rolling Stones from the Black and Blue album? (Just in case) it's practically my fave Stones record ... a lot of tragic songs on there played in such diverse styles. & coincidentally, 'Moonlight Mile' from the Sticky Fingers album gives me the weepies too. Don't think it's same one that you're referencing. Just triggered me

take if from an old timer - both Sway and Moonlight Mile are from Sticky Fingers. "Bitch" - also on that album was the first song I learned by ear from a record. 71 / 72 - what a year to be a young teen!
 
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Wings For Marie - Tool
Both for the original story, but now especially because of a personal association I have. Its story and message applies now to someone close in my life.

Belly of the Worm - Ben Caplan
I have an association with this song and the same person as above. Also, in general, I personally imagine this as a message from a parent to a child and boy it just gets to me.

My Hero - Foo Fighters
Makes me think of my dad. Just a very normal dude who does very normal things in life and it's all so selflessly for the sake of his family. I've never thought for a second that he cared at all about giving himself any of the fruits of his labour; it all went to his parents, my mom, or my brother and I.

There's definitely more too.
 
ya know, I used to think Sammy davis was like weird, a joke. Hey! I was young! Then one night I saw him on TV doing Bojangles, don't know if it was the show someone posted earlier in this thread or not, but it was similar. Stopped me dead in my tracks. Real nice performance, much respect for Sammy from then on!
 

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