SAD SONGS TO MAKE YOU CRY

I 've been pretty busy with the day job, so I've not had much time to read people's posts, let alone compose any of my own.

Thanks to Lee from Tossing It Out for pointing out this blogfest to me. A nice diversion from my daily descent into the seven levels of hell.

Oh all right, it's not that bad, but, counting Sundays, I have had exactly four days off of work since January 1. And the days I do work are long ones.

So thanks Lee-it turns out that I have a bunch of CD's. They're on the second floor of my house, which explains why I forgot they're there-I never make it up there these days.

And over the years, there have been some songs that get me all misty-eyed and sniffly. And I'm going to burden you with them!

But, lest I forget, thanks also go out to Diane Wolfe of Spunk On A Stick for hosting this blogfest extravaganza.

Sad songs are essential to music.

We all have our lists of tear-jerkers, even the most stoic among us.

Here are a few of mine.

Parallel Lines-Todd Rundgren

Why this is my numero uno sad song has been documented on this blog a few times before (see my list of love songs and the soundtrack to my life posts to name two).

“Like an animal running wild you can’t call it back

And it’s just gonna make it harder

When it’s finally time to face the fact”

More Than A Feeling-Boston

I was very close to my younger sister who died of cancer in August 1998 at the too-frigging-young age of thirty-four.

Back when we were kids, Mare and I chipped in on Boston's debut album.  A record-pool, if you will.

When Brad sings “I see my Mary Anne walkin’ away,” I still get wet in the eyes almost fourteen years later.

I wonder if you ever stop missing the loved ones you lose.

All By Myself-Eric Carmen

Lifting a melody from Rachmaninoff, Carmen perfects melancholoy on this single from the seventies.

 Little Village-Don’t Think About Her When You’re Trying To Drive

The title alone is enough to make the list-and John Hiatt’s voice suits the mood. Do not listen to this alone in the car at night on a mountain road!

“A heart in your condition

Shouldn’t be out on that road tonight”

(all I could find was a live version-if you see the CD buy it!)

Styx-Don’t Let It End

After their “power-prog” phase, Styx were a ballad factory. This was the last one before their hiatus, and always makes me think of Joanne R.

Pink Floyd-Wish You Were Here

From the follow-up to Dark Side Of The Moon, my favorite Floyd tune.

Hurt-Johnny Cash

Although I would normally opt for the original (by Nine Inch Nails), Cash’s version, recorded near the end of his life, is choked with emotion. Powerful stuff.

Keep Me In Your Heart-Warren Zevon

Another one that always makes me weepy-written in the year between his cancer diagnosis and his death, a loving goodbye to his significant other.

“Sometimes when you're doin' simple things around the house
Maybe you'll think of me and smile
You know I'm tied to you like the buttons on your blouse
Keep me in your heart for a while”

Very sad.

Cats In The Cradle-Harry Chapin

Somewhere around forty-four, I realized that time was working against me. Before that, I had all the time in the world.

The sadness in this song are the things we put off for when we’ll have more time.

It turns out, we rarely have any more time than we do right now.

Brick-Ben Folds Five

One line says it all…

"Now that I have found someone

I'm feeling more alone

Than I ever have before."

Honorable Mention (too obvious...but still sad)

Tears In Heaven-Eric Clapton
Dust In The Wind-Kansas
Alone Again Naturally-Gilbert O'Sullivan
Whitney Houston-I Will Always Love You

Now if you'll excuse me....I'm gonna go cry myself to sleep...