Songs for a Good Cry
Why do we cry? As infants we cry to communicate with our mothers and caregivers; we cry as a protective reflex; we cry in response to strong emotions. There's a slew of things that make me cry, including but not limited to music. We've all been there, a song starts to play that reminds you of your childhood pet, a late relative, an ex-lover. Before you know it, some parts of your nervous and limbic systems (that I won't pretend to understand) are telling your body to cry.
It doesn't take much to induce a good cry, and sometimes all it takes is that one song to trigger a flood of tears.
Majical Cloudz, "Control"
José González, "Stay Alive"
Featured on the soundtrack for the 2013 remake of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, "Stay Alive" is beautifully written by Ryan Adams and performed by Swedish indie artist José González. Check out this gorgeous remix by Gareth Emery.
The National, "Sorrow"
Almost anything by The National can bring a tear to my eye. Matt Barninger's sombre voice combined with despairing melodies and harmonies guarantee the most melancholic of times.
Richard Wagner, "Siegfried Idyll"
Wagner composed this piece as a birthday present for his wife Cosima after the birth of their son Siegfried. He presented the piece to her in 1870 on Christmas morning with a small ensemble in their home in Switzerland. This intimate and delicate tone poem, although with minimal instrumentation, is robust with lush instrument combinations and shades.
The Postal Service, "The District Sleeps Alone Tonight"
The Tragically Hip, "Bobcaygeon"
I can't listen to this song without thinking back to fall car rides with my paren'ts, admiring the myriad of colours of the changing leaves along the highway. This anthemic track has become a signature for The Hip, its beauty not to be undermined by the fact that "Bobcaygeon" may have been chosen because it rhymes with 'constellation'.
Sufjan Stevens, "Fourth of July"
M83, "Wait"
Throughout the years, M83 have delivered some of the most euphoric moments a song could offer, as well as deep desperation and agony that torment their listeners with each chord. "Wait" is the looming sadness and regret when there's nothing left to say or do but move on.
Broken Social Scene, "Anthems for a Seventeen Year Old Girl"
When you're done mopping up your tears, check out TPL's growing music collection. If CDs aren't your thing, check out Hoopla for your digital music and video streaming needs.
11 thoughts on “Songs for a Good Cry”
Rufus Wainwright’s “Go or Go Ahead” is this for me. (I just wish his production didn’t sound so dated, ugh. Rufus is a brilliant songwriter, but he would really benefit from a “stripped down” recording approach in my opinion.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTQLWYWnYB8
For Francophones and Francophiles: something about Karkwa’s “Oublie Pas” also gives me chills every time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAIcYkiGwjI
Alison Krauss and Union Station’s “New Favorite” is another good addition to the list. Not a good song to listen too after a breakup — or maybe the perfect song to listen to after a breakup.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRrKGav3gt0
And sometimes, Deathcab for Cutie’s “I Will Follow You Into the Dark”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDHY1D0tKRA
Mind you, sometimes this song makes me feel strangely happy because that’s how I feel about my wife.
The Be Good Tanyas — Dogsong 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWGUaxYv9ws
King Creosote and Jon Hopkins – Your Own Spell: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quwJvKT8HWc
yeah, the room just got really dusty or something.
Tom Waits for me. Ruby’s Arms from Heartattack and Vine gets me everytime. Fish & Bird from Alice, too.
Cried when I saw Tanya Tagaq live last summer. Just overwhelmed.
Nina, thanks for your comment! Some tear-inducing suggestions for sure. Not sure what you mean be “stripped down”, do you mean the production value or actual instrumentation?
I’ve never heard of Karkwa, but definitely want to check out more of their stuff!
Norgri, thanks for your comment! “New Favorite” is gorgeous! I agree it could be good or bad to listen to after a break-up, depending on if you’re crying over your ex’s photos or burning their effigy.
I definitely listened to “I Will Follow You Into the Dark” on repeat; 2005 was an emotional/angsty year for me. It is a beautiful song!
Thanks for the great listening suggestions! Is someone cutting onions here?
I don’t know much about music, but something about the way Rufus Wainwright tracks are put together bothers me, mainly the back vocals but to some extent the instrumental arrangements and sound quality too. Something about how it all comes together just sounds overproduced and cheesy to me, which is a shame because I truly love his music. Just my personal taste!
Karkwa are great! They won’the Polaris Prize in 2010. “Oublie Pas” is pretty different from their other songs, though — they tend to be more expansive and dramatic. Maybe that’s one reason I like it: it’s unexpectedly simple.
“The Drugs Don’t Work” by The Verve always gets to me!
Also, “Run” by Leona Lewis brings a tear to my eye. It was originally written and performed by Snow Patrol, but the Leona Lewis cover is so raw and beautiful.
Whew, those allergies must be kicking in…
D, thanks for the listening suggestions! I can only imagine how powerful Tanya Tagaq would be live.
Note to self: don’t listen to “The Drugs Don’t Work” at work. I’d never heard the Leona Lewis cover, its gorgeous! I also must be getting some Fall allergies…