Real men (and real women) cry—especially if the right songs
are playing. While anyone reading the news knows there’s plenty of
sobworthy shit happening every day, the tears inspired by sublime music
consist of much more salubrious stuff. These are tears that console and
cleanse the soul. Songs that can inspire sloppy emotions are essential
at any time, but they’re especially useful now, as the economy circles
the drain with a scariness not seen since the late ’20s. Plus, winter
beckons.

Let’s talk about the songs that make you feel so bad that you exit
from them 180 degrees on the other side of the emotional spectrum into
euphoria. Let’s talk about the songs that make wallowing in self-pity a
most exquisite pleasure. Below are some of the tunes that trigger
cathartic waterworks. (Your soggy-hankied mileage may vary, of course.)
We’re fucked, y’all, so let’s open the ducts.

Let’s begin with a piece that makes this writer eternally grateful
for ears and recorded music: saxophonist Pharoah Sanders’s “The Creator
Has a Master Plan.” Clocking in at nearly 33 minutes, this out-jazz
epic from Sanders’s 1969 Karma LP runs the gamut of feelings,
from meditative gratitude to uncontainable joy to infernal fury. Two
minutes in, Richard Davis’s bass and James Spaulding’s flute sway and
trill with utmost lithe lusciousness, alluding to John Coltrane’s
immortal A Love Supreme (on which Sanders played). But the
composition’s real tear-jerking power comes from vocalist Leon Thomas.
His warm baritone waxes tenderly and forthrightly about the Creator’s
totally unrealistic master plan—”peace and happiness for every
man”—before Thomas launches into one of the most soul-stirring
yodels ever. It’s like a wounded wildebeest choking
up—rhythmically. This song’s made many a staunch atheist
tearfully shout “hallelujah!”—if only for its duration.

The British band Spiritualized trigger similar sentiments with
“Shine a Light,” a shivery space-rock ballad off Lazer Guided
Melodies that’s bathed in a holy glow and that blooms into a
psychedelic-gospel freak-out. Seeing this performed live many times
while on acid, I felt as if I were in the presence of a supreme being
(no, not my dealer). Oh, the misty-eyed memories…. Similarly,
Spiritualized leader Jason Pierce’s previous group, Spacemen 3, eroded
religious skepticism and caused astral weeps with “Walking with Jesus”
from 1987’s The Perfect Prescription. It’s a haunted blues tune
suffused in tidal organ tones, with Pierce’s pathos-laden voice
detailing a momentous saunter with that controversial savior. Even
better from the same album, though, is “Call the Doctor,” a harrowing
twin-guitar meditation on a drug OD.

Another English band, Talk Talk, did their own soul-plumbing,
cautionary heroin tale on “I Believe in You,” the peak duct-prodding
work on 1988’s profoundly moving Spirit of Eden. The slowly
unfurling beauty of this song matches Van Morrison’s highest
accomplishments on Astral Weeks.

Aerosmith’s “Seasons of Wither” proved that these party animals
could get upliftingly downhearted with the best of ’em. This is a
chilling power ballad (you can practically feel those frigid nor’easter
winds blowing through it), and it s chorus contains one of the grandest
descending chord progressions ever.

By contrast, Stevie Wonder’s “I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will
Be Forever)” induces tears of joy through the elusive possibility of
eternal love. The song boasts one of Wonder’s most infectious, gorgeous
choruses, forcing you to hope against hope that its sentiments can be
fulfilled. Some of us can barely snag ephemeral love, so the lofty
ideal outlined here is unbearably poignant. Tim Buckley’s “Song to the
Siren” is so beautiful and heartrending, it makes me feel both ashamed
and blessed to be alive. It’s the Taj Mahal of folk songs. Buckley’s
supple, trembling voice (superior to his son Jeff’s, I don’t care what
anybody says) conveys an ache that could crack the cold, hard heart of
a Taliban member.

The so-called slowcore movement that flourished in the ’90s offers a
cornucopia of cry-sonics. Low’s 1994 album I Could Live in Hope is definitive mope rock, prompting a smooth stroll down Misery Lane
during which you stop to smell (mo)roses. That a wedded Mormon couple
sing the songs somehow adds a creepier aura to these hushed hymns. Red
House Painters’ early releases also haunt one into choking up with
their spare arrangements, plodding tempos, and Mark Kozelek’s dejected
narratives from the slough of despond. Outfits such as Idaho, Rex,
Damon & Naomi, Tindersticks, Codeine, and Mazzy Star burrow into
similar lachrymose lugubriousness.

Triphop has its share of head-hang-low moments too. Massive Attack’s
“Protection” is a languid, simmering torch song with Tracy Thorn’s
reverse-chivalric lines delivered in an understated, sincere manner: “I
stand in front of you/I’ll take the force of the blow/Protection.”
Those words and the music behind them combine for one of the genre’s
highest low points—or lowest high points. Tricky’s “Makes Me
Wanna Die” also conjures feelings of blunted glumness. And Portishead’s
entire oeuvre has been a boo-hoo boon to the facial-tissue
industry.

Another song that’s swelled many hearts and minds with life’s
profound sadness while simultaneously inflating souls is John Barry’s
theme song to the awesome film Midnight Cowboy. Few pieces of
music pierce more fiercely than this brief paragon of melancholy. You
don’t even need to see Midnight Cowboy to appreciate the special
expression of resignation and longing Barry captures in under three
minutes. In a similar tenor, British vocalist Robert Wyatt’s version of
Hugh Hopper’s “Memories” distills the regret of reflection through his
uniquely soulful, fluty pipes. It’s a mellow, waltz-time wallow in
refracted ruefulness. From the same country and era, the late Nick
Drake’s orchestral, funereal “Way to Blue” is terminal depression’s
(anti)anthem.

For those of us who don’t rely on religion to get through the tough
times, such music is salvation. Songs that inspire tears serve to bond
us in our universal “shit happens/we’re all in this sinking ship
together” condition. And at their best, the waterworks they provoke
manage to keep us afloat. If nothing else, these songs are cheaper than
Prozac and better than Muzak. recommended

Dave Segal is a journalist and DJ living in Seattle. He has been writing about music since 1983. His stuff has appeared in Gale Research’s literary criticism series of reference books, Creem (when...

55 replies on “Start Your Sobbin’”

  1. Good calls on the Pharoah Sanders joint, I think I have that lying around somewhere on vinyl.

    And another good one on MA’s “Protection,” but I think “Teardrop” from Mezzanine is a slightly better “sad” pick. “Protection” almost sounds triumphant and/or jubilant to me, while the vocals and the downward chord progression of the piano on “Teardrop” make me want to bawl my eyes out.

    Good shit, Dave.

  3. I heard a song recently that fucked up my day. A rap song of all things. It’s called Happy Birthday, by Flipsyde, and while I’ve never had a child aborted, it still made me tear up pretty bad:

    “I got a million excuses
    As to why you died
    And other people got their own reasons For homicide
    Who’s to say it would have worked
    Who’s to say it wouldn’t have
    I was young and struggling
    But old enough to be a dad …

    I think about it every year
    So I picked up a pen, Happy Birthday
    I love you whoever you would’ve been”

    It made me want to blow up God.

  5. WTF!? No Elliot Smith? I mean, maybe it’s too obvious for an alt weekly music writer in Seattle of all places but COME ON, that guy wrote dozens of the most beautifully sad songs ever recorded! Roman Candle? Angeles? Between the Bars? Seriously…

    Otherwise good list…just sayin’ sad songs ya know?

  6. Pop music picks: The Beatles’ “In My LIfe” and Jeff Buckley’s “Last Goodbye” get the waterworks award for me. “Thank You” by Led Zeppelin, oddly enough, is a contender, too.

  7. “Hope There’s Someone” Antony & The Johnsons. When I go I want that playing that at my funeral so everyone can have a good cry.

  8. Yes, Mike T! That is exactly what I was thinking, “No Elliot Smith? Really?” Still a stunning group of songs. I might have to burn a mix of all these songs, just to keep on hand.

  9. OK Dave, I agree with the Talk Talk but for me its Laughing Stock! AND you missed Kevin ayers BLUE, AND Aphrodite’s Child 666 BREAK. OH and pierrot lunaire’s morella… WAIT, and the grand daddy of all Franco Battiato’s Pollution. Even Annette Peacock’s I’m the one is so flippin good I break down every time I hear it. I know there is only so many you can list here, but I always love to make you question yourself…

    Matt

  11. R.E.M. – “Sweetness Follows”

    Jeremy Enigk – “Explain”

    The Smiths – “How Soon Is Now?,” “Reel Around the Fountain”

    Massive Attack – “Big Wheel”

    The Cure – “Plainsong”

    Lou Reed – “The Sword of Damocles”

    Nick Drake – “Cello Song”

    Peter Murphy – “Marlene Dietrich’s Favorite Poem”

  12. Oops, also forgot to mention the Perfect Prescription’s “call the doctor” IS a great cover for sure- BUT JJ Cale’s (the original version) of “call the doctor” REALLY hits harder for my buck. Also Speaking of that record, ODE to street hassle, Reed’s Street Hassle that is- Dirt, Street Hassle, Shooting Star all get an Emotional mention from me as well. That being said- diamanda galas “in my time of dying” cover is wonderful as well BUT Dylan’s in my time of dying I can’t even play anymore!!!!

    -Matt

  13. YEs!! Nick Drake! Way to Blue is a devastatingly heart stopping song.

    His song that truly made me teary eyed was “Made to Love Magic.”

    The first line is enough to make you listen…”I was made to love no one.”

  15. Ah, I was contemplating putting some JJ Cale, Battiato, and Ayers in the feature… and so many more (that Aphrodite’s Child track IS incredibly moving, Matt), but obviously space is limited.

    Honestly, I could write a book on this topic. Any publishers out there game?

  18. that was lovely dave.. i think i’m palying ‘creator..’ tonight on the radio just cause you reminded me.. and of course you prolly know that laughing stock is one of my top ten fave efforts ofm all time along with the pahroah sanders.. but for my other two cents.. ever since i heard the beach boys ‘wouldn’t it be nice ‘ in ‘roger and me’.. set as soundtrack to the depressed tragedy of flint michigan. i only have to hum it to myself and the waterworks start.
    that one and flaming lips ‘ you have to be joking’ which i heard them perform in tribute to the oklahoma city bombing. they get me almost every time

  23. What about “How’s it going to be?” and “The Background” by Third Eye Blind…actually, the last three tracks on their self titled 1997 album are pretty gut wrenching..

  24. arrrghhh…Stop whinning people! How about if instead we just add some more tracks:
    Elliot Smith – “The Biggest Lie”
    Nick Cave – “Ain’t gonna rain anymore”
    Slowdive – “Dagger” or “Ballad of Sister Sue”
    Nico – “These Days”
    The Cure – “The Funeral Party” or “Faith”
    Leonard Cohen – “Famous Blue Raincoat”
    Lou Reed – “Pale Blue Eyes”
    The Smiths – “Never Had No One Ever”
    Lee Hazlewood – “My Autumn’s Done Come”
    Joy Division – “Passover” (some people say the lyrics on this track were Ian’s suicide note)
    and of course, “Sometimes” by My Bloody Valentine

    Alright…now I feel like popping some pills and calling it a night.

  26. Ahh. These are tunes that, for me anyway, guarantee at least a multi-hour-long blubberfest:

    –“It Makes No Difference” by the Band
    –“Listen to the Lion” by Van Morrison
    –“Eight Miles High” (Husker Du’s version)
    –“Romeo and Juliet” by Dire Straits
    –“Town Cryer” by Elvis Costello
    –“The Bed” by Lou Reed
    –“1952 Vincent Black Lightning” by Richard Thompson
    –“Sunday Mornin’ Coming Down” by Kris Kristofferson (sung by Johnny Cash)
    –“Walking The Back Streets And Crying” by Little Milton
    –“Pavane pour une Infante Defunte” by Maurice Ravel
    –“Last Chance Texaco” by Rickie Lee Jones
    –“One World” by John Martyn
    –“Shipbuilding” by Elvis Costello (and sung beautifully by Robert Wyatt)
    –“He Was a Friend of Mine” by Dylan (sung by the amazing Dave Van Ronk).

    Okay, that oughta start the floodgates…ahh, I can feel the catharsis already…

  28. Although the lyrics are fairly vague and could be about a number of things, “Someone Great” by LCD Soundsystem came out right after my dad died and hearing it even today leaves me sobbing. Particularly the second verse which couldn’t more perfectly capture the momemt my sister called me at 4am and said “dad’s gone” and the next verse that deals with the aftermath.

    “I wake up and the phone is ringing,
    Surprised, as it’s early.
    And that should be the perfect warning,
    That something’s, a problem.
    To tell the truth I saw it coming,
    The way, you were breathing.
    But nothing can prepare you for it,
    The voice, on the other, end.

    The worst is all the lovely weather,
    I’m sad, it’s not raining.
    The coffee isn’t even bitter,
    Because, what’s the difference?
    There’s all the work that needs to be done,
    It’s late, for revision.
    There’s all the time and all the planning
    And songs, to be finished.”

    I miss you dad.

  29. You refer to Harry Nilsson singing “Everybody’s Talkin'” as the theme song for “Midnight Cowboy”.Come on now give Harry his due!. He was a truly great singer and he made this song his own.

  31. Bill P: No, I mean John Barry’s instrumental theme to Midnight Cowboy. Nilsson’s cover of the Fred Neil song is great, but that’s not what I discussed.

  32. More articles like this please.. I see some tunes to check out…Gotta say “Here Comes A Regular” by the Replacements is a glaring omission though.

  36. It may be sad that I’m at the life point where I get most of my new music tips from NPR. The frenetic emotional pacing of Girl Talk speaks to me in a way little HipHop does. It was the same with the Hold Steady. Their post-post rehab reconstructed REM gave their hope or die message the salty coating that made it good enough to go back for. But for pure gut wrenching agony and Oh My God when the FUCK will it end? Lately I’ve liked Mander Palmer and B. Viglione of the Dresden Dolls. Their live rendition of Halfjack is an anthem. It’s on the web just waiting.
    Yeah and the old nineties standard…Hurt by Nine Inch Nails off Closer. Well, I’m gonna go curl up with my shotgun and play russian roulette now.

  38. I’m not religious but somehow the gospel tune “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” always gets me to thinking about everyone I’ve ever loved who has died.
    And a quirky one: Bruce Springsteen’s “Highway Patrol”.
    And, for sheer moroseness (morosity?) there’s nothing like the Cowboy Junkies covering “Sweet Jane.”

  40. My waterwork music nominations: (not in any particular order.)
    Born Freeeee (I’m not to sure who did this, anybody know?)
    You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me: 60’s
    Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas…
    Great article!
    Cat

  41. you fucking fags, you know why I feel bad…because Capitol Hill and everywhere there is pretty Gay..and here blows almost worse.
    How about Fergies Big Girls and whatever bullshit like blink182 for the kids…

  43. Thanks to Danny M for plugging Antony and the Johnsons. That is a beautiful song. Can we go classics on this topic? Say Patsy Cline, ‘I Fall to Pieces’… Can we… go there? No? Okay, yeah Elliot Smith. Tears and all that…

  45. another sleepy CD that belongs in the story is “beneath the trees” by seattle’s faith&disease. one of the slowest, melancholiest bands of all time, and they are from seattle! i actually saw them on a double bill with LOW once at the Crocodile.
    SPAIN? anyone remember them? great band.

  46. This is a great list…the original article as well as the additions in the comments.

    I am obsessed with sad music which has always surprised my friends. This Mortal Coil’s version of Tim Buckley’s Song to the Siren used to be my mixtape closing song. So much for leaving them on a high note right?

    Here’s my two cents:

    Johnny Cash-If You Could Read My Mind

    Hawkwind-We Took the Wrong Step Years Ago

    Donovan-Codine

    Nina Simone’s version & Cat Power’s version-Wild As the Wind

    Bruce Springsteen-Nebraska…all of it really

    Roy Harper-Another Day

    Neil Young-Don’t Let it Bring You Down (always gives me a weird feeling)

    Tom Waits-Rosie

    Enjoy!

  48. A more recent entry to the tearjerker log: Bon Iver’s entire cd “For Emma, Forever Ago” makes me wish I could cry, even when I can’t get the lacrimal gland to cooperate. Every time I listen to it I want to go bury my head in a snow drift to cool the burning sensation of my cheeks.

  50. Oh and speaking of Massive Attack’s “Protection” What about EBTG’s “Downhill Racer”
    I could almost like you
    now it’s really over
    now you’ve shown some weakness….

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