Sad songs- We love them- We need them


Hello everyone,

I was listening the other day to a sad song on my playlist and realized their ability to invoke a powerful emotional reaction. Usually about someone in your life. Your children, your special lady or man or maybe someone who is no longer living. I realized we need these songs to remind us life is short and to remember what is most important to us. I thought I would ask everyone to list a song or two that is special to them. It doesn’t necessarily need to be a sad song. I have children so I will start with a few songs that remind me to tell them I love them more often or give them an extra hug or two. 
 

Cats in the cradle- Harry Chapin

Jacobs Dream - Allison Krause 

Hell Is for Children- Pat Benetar

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Start to Stop - Martha and the Muffins

Everybody Knows - Leonard Cohen (but I prefer cover by Concrete Blonde)

Lady Grinning Sole - David Bowie

Don’t Get it Back - Veruca Salt

Just about half of the Aimee Mann catalog.

No one said it Would be Easy - Sheryl Crow

Safe and Sound - Sheryl Crow 

 

 

 

I'll have to contemplate before I can respond on my own behalf; but I know my daughter's choice. When she was about three I was singing lullabies to get her to sleep. For some reason I went into "You are My Sunshine". She started crying inconsolably when I got to

The other night dear, as I lay sleeping
I dreamed I held you in my arms
But when I awoke, dear, I was mistaken
So I hung my head and I cried.

Now after 30 years it has the same effect on her. 

Choose any version you like. Even the songwriter(s) is a subject of contention. I always thought it was corny and was very surprised when she started crying.

+1 for Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me" and Warren Zevon's "Accidentally Like  A Martyr". They were at the top of my list. 

Here are a couple more including a few covers I prefer to the originals:

Nils Lofgren- "Little On Up", "I Don't Want to Know", "Moon Tears"

Ricki Lee Jones- "Walk Away Renee"

Jennifer Warnes (and Leonard Cohen)-  "Joan of Arc"

Vanilla Fudge- "You Keep Me Hangin' On"

Neil Young- "The Needle and the Damage Done", "Old Man", "Down By the River"

Bloodrock- "D.O.A."

The English Beat- "Can't Get Used to Losing You", "Tears of a Clown" (I love Smokey, but this a great cover of his song).

Smokey Robinson- "Tracks of My Tears"

The Weavers- "Ramblin' Boy"

Joe Cocker- "With a Little Help from My Friends"