I think we all can relate.
But seriously, folks -- obviously, that's pretty funny (and yeah, Charles Schulz was one hell of a cultural observer, which is why we're still chortling at his stuff all these years later) but I was wondering...
What song affects you like the one in the cartoon affects Mr. Brown? I mean, I have a whole bunch of them (don't worry -- I won't inflict my personal problems on you this late in the game) but I'd be curious to hear from you guys on the subject.
So -- what's the tune that massages your tear ducts the most reliably?
The Procol Harum/Danish Symphony Orch. version of A Whiter Shade of Pale. Get's me every time.
ReplyDelete"Voices Of Old People/Old Friends/Bookends Theme."
ReplyDeleteThe strings swell in to a chaotic mess and then sweetly resolve. Life/sickness/loss.
Can't even type it out without feeling it.
fully agree with this choice and would add the song America from the same album it has a profound element of sadness to it for me. rs
DeleteWild West Hero by ELO. There's a sadness and urgency to the song that gets me every time.
ReplyDeleteHard Line To Draw by Cheryl Wheeler
ReplyDeleteThe Song Remembers When by Trisha Yearwood
Scott Walker - Big Louise
ReplyDeleteKate Bush -- This Woman's Work still does it for me every time I hear it.
ReplyDeleteChris Whitley’s “Dirt Floor” reliably gets me going.
ReplyDeleteTraffic’s “Sometimes I Feel So Uninspired” as well; there’s a very gospel feel to the whole song (some of the Muscle Shoals’ “Swampers” played on it), and when Winwood hits the first few phrases of the ending guitar solo, I lose it every time.
Several Zevon songs can break me up (I find it nearly impossible to listen to his final album because of the circumstances surrounding it), but the Dawes cover of “Desperados Under the Eaves” from Letterman’s show is a waterworks moment for me.
Dawes' "A Little Bit of Everything" hits hard, both on the record and in concert. Bruce's "Backstreets" is the one song that rattles a bunch of feelings loose as well. Many, many to list...
ReplyDeletepaulinca
I saw Springsteen do “Drive All Night” (before it was on an album) live, and cried like a baby.
ReplyDeleteDon McLean's 'Vincent.' Beautiful tune, heartbreaking lyric.
ReplyDeleteI can't recall a piece of music that made me weep listening to it, but there are songs I cannot sing without weeping - "Just Like a Woman" for one, "Unfaithful Servant" for another.
ReplyDeleteA few of my favorite sad songs:
ReplyDeleteThe Waterboys - When Ye Go Away
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyoMs6EzOTM
Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds - Push the Sky Away (with orchestra and choir)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kAVOZfIrew
Richard and Linda Thompson - Walking On A Wire
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7o3h7eyVRp8
- Paul in DK
“Mill Worker” - James Taylor, from the “Flag album. About a single mother having to work a soul-crushing factory job in the 1800’s.
ReplyDelete“It’s me and my machine for the rest of the morning - and the rest of the afternoon - and the rest of my life.”
And there is a song on a Ben Folds album about a guy who reaches the end of his working life and is forced to retire - and to him, it feels like facing the void. I can’t remember the name of it, but the tag line of the chorus is something like “We’re sorry Mr. Jones, it’s time.”
ReplyDeleteHeartbreaking performance.
Still can’t remember the name of the Ben Folds song - but the album title came to me -“Rockin’ the Suburbs”.
ReplyDeleteAnd also on that album:
“Still Fighting It” (a message from a father to a son, with the line “You’re so much like me; I’m sorry.”)
And “The Luckyist” (not sure I’m spelling that right) - An ode of thanks to a partner who saved the singer from an unfulfilled life.
The whole album is GREAT, by the way. And not all weepers. But the three I’ve mentioned get me every time.
"Hopeless Waltz" by Blanche. Goth country with otherworldly pedal steel.
ReplyDeleteI ain’t letting you lot of louts know what songs reduce me to tears. Uh-uh! No way!
ReplyDeleteManly Captain Al
Jai Guru Dave: The Ben Folds song you mention reminds me of The Jam's 'Smithers-Jones.' He's worked in the rat race and is hoping for a promotion- then he's tossed to the curb.
ReplyDelete"Jealous Of The Angels" by Jenn Bostic. A tragic song Jenn wrote about losing her Dad in a car accident one morning while driving her and her brother to school.
ReplyDeleteJason Isbell's "If We Were Vampires" gets me every time. I just sit and listen and then wonder what is this running down my face?
ReplyDeleteJohnny Adams - "There Is Always One More Time"
ReplyDeleteIs this in response to Bowie's plea “Ain't there one damn song that can make me break down and cry?"
ReplyDeleteBut if I had to pick one,
ReplyDeleteRussell Smith / Amazing Rhythm Aces "Dancing the Night Away".
The sadness of losing a spouse.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGabTMx8mOM
ReplyDeleteOne more: The Pogues (or Eric Bogle, the composer) - And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda
ReplyDelete- Paul in DK
I thought of two more:
ReplyDeleteP.F. Sloan - How Can I Be Sure?
P.F. Sloan - And The Boundaries In Between
Both tracks on his underrated, very good late 60s album MEASURE OF PLEASURE.
Gordon Lightfoot: The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
ReplyDelete"Does anyone know where the love of God goes / when the winds of November come early?"
Guaranteed lump in the throat.