James Taylor - Fire and Rain
The lyrics include the mention of a childhood friend of Taylor's having commited suicide. There's a full description on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_and_rain
The Kilkelly Ireland Song. It's based on a series of real letters from the father of an Irish emigrant to the USA in the 1800's to his son, the news of various family events and above all how much he would like to see the son again. Terribly sad. There's a version on YouTube with the lyrics displayed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N76kAivCb20
I'm surprised it took 50+ posts to mention REM's Everybody Hurts - I've never heard a song that just made me stop & go wow! like that one did.
There's a few George Michael ones - You Have Been Loved, They Won't Go When I Go (I've just found out that this is a cover of a Stevie Wonder track), and the one that gets me every time is Mothers Pride.
You'll Never Walk Alone and Abide With Me are others, my uncle was a big Liverpool fan and both of these were played at his funeral, I can't listen to them without a tear or two appearing. (In fact, just wiped away a tear or two now!)
There's a couple of others, including Hit Somebody (The Hockey Song) by Warren Zeavon. I'm a big hockey fan and this is the tale of a kid who wanted to be a hockey star, but wasn't that good but still made his name as a fighter - all he wanted to do was score a goal...
He was born in Big Beaver by the borderline
He started playing hockey by the time he was nine
His dad took the hose and froze the back yard
And Little Buddy dreamed he was Rocket Richard
He grew up big and he grew up tough
He saw himself scoring for the Wings or Canucks
But he wasn't that good with a puck
Buddy's real talent was beating people up
His heart wasn't in it but the crowd ate it up
Through pee-wee's and juniors, midgets and mites
He must have racked up more than six hundred fights
A scout from the flames came down from Saskatoon
Said, "There's always room on our team for a goon
Son, we've always got room for a goon"
There were Swedes to the left of him
Russians to the right
A Czech at the blue line looking for a fight
Brains over brawn-that might work for you
But what's a Canadian farm boy to do
What else can a farm boy from Canada to do
But what's a Canadian farm boy to do
What else can a farm boy from Canada to do
Hit somebody! was what the crowd roared
When Buddy the goon came over the boards
"Coach," he'd say, "I wanna score goals"
The coach said, "Buddy, remember your role
The fast guys get paid, they shoot, they score
Protect them, Buddy, that's what you're here for
Protection is what you're here for
Protection-it's the stars that score
Protection-kick somebody's ass
Protection-don't put the biscuit in the basket just
Hit some, Buddy! it rang in his ears
Blood on the ice ran down through the years
The king of the goons with a box for a throne
A thousand stitches and broken bones
He never lost a fight on his icy patrol
But deep inside, Buddy only dreamed of a goal
He just wanted one damn goal
There were Swedes at the the blue line
Finns at the red
A Russian with a stick heading straight for his head
Brains over brawn-that might work for you
But what's a Canadian farm boy to do
What else can a farm boy from Canada to do
But what's a Canadian farm boy to do
What else can a farm boy from Canada to do
In his final season, on his final night
Buddy and a Finn goon were pegged for a fight
Thirty seconds left, the puck took a roll
And suddenly Buddy had a shot on goal
The goalie committed, Buddy picked his spot
Twenty years of waiting went into that shot
The fans jumped up, the Finn jumped too
And coldcocked Buddy on his follow through
The big man crumbled but he felt all right
'Cause the last thing he saw
was the flashing red light
He saw that heavenly light
There were Swedes to the left of him
Russians to the right
A Czech at the blue line looking for a fight
Take care of your teeth-that might work for you
But what's a Canadian farm boy to do
What else can a farm boy from Canada to do
But what's a Canadian farm boy to do
What else can a farm boy from Canada to do
Angel Haze - Heart
Naya Rivera - If I Die Young (cry everytime)
Lauryn Hill - Tell Him
Beyoncé - I Was Here
Jennifer Hudson - Believe
Katy B - Crying For No Reason
Christina Perri - Human
Angel Haze - Angels & Airwaves
Marina and the Diamonds - Teen Idle
Lauren Aquilina - Fools
Rebecca Ferguson - Teaxh Me How To Be Loved
P!nk - Who Knew
Lana Del Rey - Young & Beautiful
Angel Haze - Same Love
Angel Haze - Cleaning Out my Closet
Did you have a pet when you were a kid, and did it die, breaking your heart?
Then "My Window" by The Residents probably catches the pain you were feeling:
Luka by Suzanne Vega
Clouds Across The Moon by Rah Band
Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometime by The Korgis
Can't listen to any of these without welling up big time.
One that never fails to have me bawling is
Summer (The First Time) by Bobby Goldsboro, it came on Radio Two on Tuesday morning and I had to turn it off before the tears came, I still welled up though!
All absolutely beautiful songs but I just can't listen to them without bawling!
Just went through my phone's music collection for these...
7 Seconds - Youssou N'Dour (1994) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTIBjds39kM
I don't understand a word of the French, but the more famous English lyrics put me in a similar frame of mind to the Band Aid song.
Beautiful - Christina Aguilera (2002) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAfyFTzZDMM
Once the obsession with the song died down I grew to really like it, and related to it in some respects as well.
Bring Me to Life - Katherine Jenkins (2009) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzKdRf4bS1Y
A cover that many disregard because it's "not the original". I happen to like both this and the Evanescence version, and just see them as two very different entities that happen to have the same lyrics.
Don't Cry For Me Argentina - Madonna (1996) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeuBVXhDKDg
One of her strongest vocal performances. And quite different to the other music she was producing around this time.
Full of Grace - Sarah McLachan (1997) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3sjSnhZJk0
First heard this in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, turns out it's quite popular outside of that now though.
Hallelujah - John Cale (1992) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEOZLQ3d1FI&feature=kp
There are so many versions of this song that I really like (Leonard Cohen and Alexandra Burke's are great) but this one which I first heard in Shrek is without a doubt my favourite.
Home - Foo Fighters http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccFNw0gkHnU
This one seems to surprise a lot of people. My sister can't listen to it without releasing a waterfall of tears for some reason.
If We Hold On Together - Diana Ross (1988) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGVQJKgqgY8
The song produced to accompany The Land Before Time, and it'll always remind me of that - a massive part of my childhood for sure! For people who know the film, there's another version of the song sung by the two voice actresses that voiced the two female dinosaurs. Their version is believed to have been removed from the film after one of the girls along with her mother, were tragically murdered by the father of the family.
Into the West - Annie Lennox (2003)
Another film-song, this one coming from The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. It fitted the film beautifully but I appreciate it as an emotional song in its own right.
Kissing You - Des'ree (1996) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNioG5anmBE&feature=kp
Yet another film-song, this one from the contemporary adaptation of Romeo + Juliet. The film itself is of questionable merit, but this "fish tank" song is one of the most emotional on this list.
Mad World - Gary Jules (2001) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oa-ae6_okmg
Very different to the original which is nearly twenty years older. Released alongside the film Donnie Darko.
Over the Rainbow - Eva Cassidy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccCnL8hArW8
What was a rather wanderlust-y song from a great late-30's movie about a girl and her dog became, in this, one of the most heartfelt performances I've ever heard. Her voice suits it so fantastically well, and the tragedy behind it all is that she isn't around to know of its success.
Silence Is All You Know - Katherine Jenkins (2010) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89T0xtfYta0
Sung by Jenkins in a Christmas episode of Doctor Who in which she had an acting role, it was originally just a plot device that went on to find success on the show's soundtrack and later had a wider release on her own album.
The Power of Love - Frankie Goes to Hollywood (1984) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdnAbtIF3YM
Annoyingly confined to 'Christmas albums' these days, the original of this hit is probably my favourite on the list. There's been a few great covers, but none beat this. It's the one song that will always stop me in my tracks to listen to it if it's playing.
Unbreak my Heart - Toni Braxton http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2Rch6WvPJE
It was years before I heard the original of this - the radio seemed to only play a faster remix of it. But the slower version is far superior.
Who Wants to Live Forever - Queen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TsOPjZEF6E
On an unrelated note, I'll be gutted to see the Freddie statue taken off the Dominion Theatre now that We Will Rock You is sadly coming to an end.
Comments
The story of how Roger Waters Father was killed in the war. A very bitter song, about the incident that shaped Rogers life and views.
The lyrics include the mention of a childhood friend of Taylor's having commited suicide. There's a full description on Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_and_rain
The Kilkelly Ireland Song. It's based on a series of real letters from the father of an Irish emigrant to the USA in the 1800's to his son, the news of various family events and above all how much he would like to see the son again. Terribly sad. There's a version on YouTube with the lyrics displayed:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N76kAivCb20
Especially the music video as well: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPG1n1B0Ydw
Bruce Springsteen- Streets of Philadelphia
Christina Aguilera- Hurt
If you go away - I like the Terry Jacks version better than the original by Jaques Brèl
I will always love you - Dolly Parton/Whitney Houston
Tears in heaven - Eric Clapton, such a sad story behind it
Mr Bojangles - Bob Dylan, his version gets me every time, other versions don't
I look to you - Jahméne Douglas / Whitney Houston; Jahméne's story behind singing it is heart-breaking
Who wants to live forever - Freddie Mercury /Queen
"Oh John, you'll never be a man and you'll never see your home again."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7Sueh-PaBM
http://www.metrolyrics.com/little-blonde-plaits-lyrics-chris-rea.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A33k71FrXEQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpi7r7TTxGU
There's a few George Michael ones - You Have Been Loved, They Won't Go When I Go (I've just found out that this is a cover of a Stevie Wonder track), and the one that gets me every time is Mothers Pride.
You'll Never Walk Alone and Abide With Me are others, my uncle was a big Liverpool fan and both of these were played at his funeral, I can't listen to them without a tear or two appearing. (In fact, just wiped away a tear or two now!)
There's a couple of others, including Hit Somebody (The Hockey Song) by Warren Zeavon. I'm a big hockey fan and this is the tale of a kid who wanted to be a hockey star, but wasn't that good but still made his name as a fighter - all he wanted to do was score a goal...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashoken_Farewell
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGeCPv6gw_U
Naya Rivera - If I Die Young (cry everytime)
Lauryn Hill - Tell Him
Beyoncé - I Was Here
Jennifer Hudson - Believe
Katy B - Crying For No Reason
Christina Perri - Human
Angel Haze - Angels & Airwaves
Marina and the Diamonds - Teen Idle
Lauren Aquilina - Fools
Rebecca Ferguson - Teaxh Me How To Be Loved
P!nk - Who Knew
Lana Del Rey - Young & Beautiful
Angel Haze - Same Love
Angel Haze - Cleaning Out my Closet
Cowboy Junkies - Misguided Angels
Will you - hazel O'Connor, why is breaking glass never shown on tv?
Stay with me til dawn - Judy tzuke, a song you hardly ever hear on radio sadly.
Days - Kirsty McColl, this is the one I want played at funeral.
Long way home - supertramp, a song about regret and paths chosen.
This. And 'One Day In Your Life'
Then "My Window" by The Residents probably catches the pain you were feeling:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4s20EugVcQ
Check my cover of john legends song please.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzHqCROQxog
John Doe No. 24 by Mary Chapin Carpenter
Clouds Across The Moon by Rah Band
Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometime by The Korgis
Can't listen to any of these without welling up big time.
One that never fails to have me bawling is
Summer (The First Time) by Bobby Goldsboro, it came on Radio Two on Tuesday morning and I had to turn it off before the tears came, I still welled up though!
All absolutely beautiful songs but I just can't listen to them without bawling!
Counting Crows - Perfect Blue Buildings
If You Loved Me by Laura Brannigan
To Where You Are by Josh Groban
7 Seconds - Youssou N'Dour (1994)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTIBjds39kM
I don't understand a word of the French, but the more famous English lyrics put me in a similar frame of mind to the Band Aid song.
Always on my Mind - Elvis Presley (1972)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYeReAqfaRQ
Beautiful - Christina Aguilera (2002)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAfyFTzZDMM
Once the obsession with the song died down I grew to really like it, and related to it in some respects as well.
Bed of Roses - Bon Jovi (1993)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvR60Wg9R7Q&feature=kp
One of their most powerful and beautiful songs.
Bring Me to Life - Katherine Jenkins (2009)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzKdRf4bS1Y
A cover that many disregard because it's "not the original". I happen to like both this and the Evanescence version, and just see them as two very different entities that happen to have the same lyrics.
Don't Cry For Me Argentina - Madonna (1996)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeuBVXhDKDg
One of her strongest vocal performances. And quite different to the other music she was producing around this time.
Full of Grace - Sarah McLachan (1997)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3sjSnhZJk0
First heard this in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, turns out it's quite popular outside of that now though.
Hallelujah - John Cale (1992)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEOZLQ3d1FI&feature=kp
There are so many versions of this song that I really like (Leonard Cohen and Alexandra Burke's are great) but this one which I first heard in Shrek is without a doubt my favourite.
Home - Foo Fighters
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccFNw0gkHnU
This one seems to surprise a lot of people. My sister can't listen to it without releasing a waterfall of tears for some reason.
If We Hold On Together - Diana Ross (1988)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGVQJKgqgY8
The song produced to accompany The Land Before Time, and it'll always remind me of that - a massive part of my childhood for sure! For people who know the film, there's another version of the song sung by the two voice actresses that voiced the two female dinosaurs. Their version is believed to have been removed from the film after one of the girls along with her mother, were tragically murdered by the father of the family.
Into the West - Annie Lennox (2003)
Another film-song, this one coming from The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. It fitted the film beautifully but I appreciate it as an emotional song in its own right.
Kissing You - Des'ree (1996)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNioG5anmBE&feature=kp
Yet another film-song, this one from the contemporary adaptation of Romeo + Juliet. The film itself is of questionable merit, but this "fish tank" song is one of the most emotional on this list.
Listen - Beyonce (2006)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vpjUCSMw_4
Mad World - Gary Jules (2001)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oa-ae6_okmg
Very different to the original which is nearly twenty years older. Released alongside the film Donnie Darko.
Over the Rainbow - Eva Cassidy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccCnL8hArW8
What was a rather wanderlust-y song from a great late-30's movie about a girl and her dog became, in this, one of the most heartfelt performances I've ever heard. Her voice suits it so fantastically well, and the tragedy behind it all is that she isn't around to know of its success.
Silence Is All You Know - Katherine Jenkins (2010)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89T0xtfYta0
Sung by Jenkins in a Christmas episode of Doctor Who in which she had an acting role, it was originally just a plot device that went on to find success on the show's soundtrack and later had a wider release on her own album.
The Power of Love - Frankie Goes to Hollywood (1984)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdnAbtIF3YM
Annoyingly confined to 'Christmas albums' these days, the original of this hit is probably my favourite on the list. There's been a few great covers, but none beat this. It's the one song that will always stop me in my tracks to listen to it if it's playing.
Time - Libera
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMp_v-I9Z9o
Ironically a timeless and powerful song.
Unbreak my Heart - Toni Braxton
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2Rch6WvPJE
It was years before I heard the original of this - the radio seemed to only play a faster remix of it. But the slower version is far superior.
Who Wants to Live Forever - Queen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TsOPjZEF6E
On an unrelated note, I'll be gutted to see the Freddie statue taken off the Dominion Theatre now that We Will Rock You is sadly coming to an end.