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

Ron

ronboco
The one that gets me is Sufjan Stevens "Casimir Pulaski Day" In the morning when you finally go And the nurse runs in with her head hung low And the cardinal hits the window In the morning in the winter shade On the first of March, on the holiday I thought I saw you breathing All the glory that the Lord has made And the complications when I see His face In the morning in the window All the glory when He took our place But He took my shoulders and He shook my face And He takes and He takes and He takes

"No Hard Feelings" - Avett Brothers, "Children of Children" - Jason Isbell, "Hallelujah" - Jeff Buckley, "Handbags and Gladrags" - Stereophonics. Each for various reasons make me a bit melancholy. 

I gotta go with @rpeluso. If "No Time To Cry" by Iris DeMent doesn’t produce a lump in your throat and tears on your cheeks, check your pulse.

The song may be found on Iris’ My Life album, currently available on CD only. There was an LP version made available by Plain Recordings in 2013, currently out-of-print. This album alone justifies---in fact mandates!---owning a CD player ;-) .

Great post.  Not just that but many meaningful replies.  From a classical perspective:

Der Leiermann by Schubert. Just soul crushing.

Death of Melisand by Sibelius.  title says it all.

Intermezzo from the Crown of India by Elgar.  Surely the most tender and intimate voice of comfort ever written.

To the posters who have suffered loss - thank you for sharing,  It is very meaningful.