Songs That Make You Cry

That song hits pretty close to home; I'm the last of six kids and I live 1,200 miles away from my parents, who are well into their 70s; my biggest fear is something will happen to them and I won't be able to get back home in time.

 

The Boxer -- Simon and Garfunkel

 

When he played that at the 9/11 benefit concert, especially the last stanza, I actually did cry.

"In the clearing stands a boxer,
and a fighter by his trade.
And he carries the reminder,
of every glove that laid him down
or cut him, 'til he cried out,
in his anger and his shame,
I am leaving, I am leaving, but the fighter still remains."

Good call, Doc.

 

Dylan covered "The Boxer" on "Self Portrait" as a peace offering to Paul Simon. The story is that Dylan was in attendance at a small-venue Simon and Garfunkel gig back in the early 60s and was just rip-roaring high. Dylan and his buddy were laughing through the whole show and Simon thought Dylan was mocking him. But, it was just the weed.

"When I left my home and my family, I was no more than a boy
In the company of strangers
In the quiet of the railway station, runnin scared
Laying low, seeking out the poorer quarters, where the ragged people go
Looking for the places only they would know"

Always reminds me of my freshman year of college...17-year-old suburban kid from Texas prowling around Boston...feeling like I'd discovered a different planet.

And, one of the more famous "mis-heard lyrics" instances...

"Asking only workmans wages, I come lookin for a job, but I get no offers
Just a come-on from the HORSE on 7th avenue"

Must have been tapping its hoof...

 

FWIW, you wouldn't think an anime video could make this song more heart-wrenching. But you'd be wrong. Wait for the choral payoff at the 3:20 mark or so, and watch the video with it. Nothing to do with boxing, but emotional nonetheless.

 

when set against the backdrop of 9/11 (instead of Asbury Park which it was written for), Springsteen's "My City of Ruins" can be emotional

 

Just once I'd love to see a closer enter a game to the sounds of something like "Raise You Up" by Josh Groban.

 

The Schubert "Ave Maria" by anyone.
And on the odd snowy evening, "White Christmas" by Der Bingle and, especially, "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" by Ms. Judy.

 

Maybe I'm more into hip-hop than others, but Ghostface Killah did a song with Mary J. Blige (back in like 96-97) "All that I got is you." Its about him growing up without a father, six kids in a roach-filled apartment, moms battles with drugs and going to neigbors because they ran out of food. I know dudes that are hardcore, but when they hear that song, just break down.

 

nessun dorma -- the aria pavarotti made famous. i'm not an opera guy so i don't even know where it's from (google: 'turandot') but it gets me every time.

(hope i'm not repeating -- tried search and didn't see anything)

 

Agreed. And "Paradise" and "You're Missing" are also pretty emotional songs from The Rising.

 

Let `Er Roll (Guy Clark)

He was an elevator man in a cheap hotel in exchange for the rent on a one-room cell.