I’ll admit it, I am an emotional masochist. I’m a bit of a physical one too, but that fact is irrelevant to this entry. I purposely put myself into situations where I will cry. Like, chick flicks. I am a wimp, I am a romantic, and I burst into tears during chick flicks. I’ve yet to sit through “A Walk to Remember” or “The Notebook” without crying. Curses on Nicholas Sparks, really, but it doesn’t start or end with him.
I listen to sad songs. Although I recently removed “I Can Wait Forever,” by Simple Plan from my iTunes due to my tendencies to get upset and distracted and accidentally burn my house down (long story, and whoops!) when it played. But, in general, I keep them on and just tough it out. I like emotion. I like being able to feel things. I like the flow of heartbreak from the music to myself. I can relate to human anguish!
There is one song, though, that I just find so heartbreaking, that I don’t understand why people play it. That song is “Tears in Heaven,” by Eric Clapton. I’m sure you know it, it’s universal.
The song was written in 1991 after Clapton’s four year old son fell from a 53rd-storey window. It is essentially, all Clapton’s pain related to the tragic accident in song form. It’s a beautiful song, but at the same time, it is horrible! I can’t help but be reminded of a life cut short when ever it comes on. Of all lives cut short. Of all the important people in my life, and what happens to them when they’re out of my sight and I can’t be there to save them. It’s horrid.
And yet, it is played in public areas. My work plays it- they played it a few days ago, and as my eyes welled up I shouted “Why does anyone play this song?” My mom just played it during her bath, which is what prompted me to write this- I don’t understand how someone could play it when they should be relaxing. It’s a slow ballad, but it is in no way relaxing.
I know that a lot of people have songs they simply can’t bear to listen to- what are some of yours? Is the emotion you feel in the song the artist’s, your own, or a combination of the two?
Against All Odds by Phil Collins and One Sweet Day by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men.
The first because it’s the same as Tears In Heaven, it has a sad story behind it… and the second because it was the song my cousins, sister and I sang at my grandmother’s funeral.
I also get a little emo when I listen to Nymphetamine by Cradle of Filth, but that’s for a silly reason. Mooooving on! :P
I wouldn’t say I can’t bear to hear any song… But music does effect me a lot, all types to sad to happy. I like to think I can feel the artist’s emotion in the song… which lets me know they too are human after all.
“Perfect” and “I can wait forever” by Simple Plan can FOADPLZKTHX.
I use music as therapy for almost every aspect of my life. So i have lots of songs that are hard to listen to because they remind me of things in my life that are/were painful.
Only in Dreams by Weezer
X-Factor by Lauren Hill
Suger Pie Hunny Bunch by the Temptations
Total Eclipse of the Heart
Because of you by Kelly Clarkson
just to name a few..
I can listen to them tho.. and it’s like a tooth ache you can’t stop poking w/ your tongue. It hurts but it feels good.
I don’t know why anyone plays Tears In Heaven either. No one ever seems to know what it means unless they actually are told. I have a hard time listening to some KoRn songs. Reminds me too much of how life was until I left my exhusband. I do listen to them once in awhile, but I get in this dark dreary mood tht takes me forever to get out of. I guess it goes to show I am not over what the ex did to me or my kids.
Somewhat of a deviation - do you like Nicholas Sparks’s newer works? They don’t make me cry as much as those two do…the Notebook and a Walk To Remember are definitely the best of everything he’s written.
Haha, I know what you mean. I cry at the slightest things - if a teacher is leaving and gives a nice speech, I would cry at that (and get stared at). Don’t get me started on how I cried during Nicholas Sparks movies -_-;;;
the reason great music is great is that it evokes a different emotion in each listener.
there are a lot of people that see that song as a peaceful, passionate ballad or whatever and can groove to it. i haven’t heard it in a while myself.
I can remember first hearing Tears In Heaven when I was pretty young, being “forced” to watch MTV by my older sister. I liked it then, and I like it now. It seemed so soft. At the time, I didn’t realize it was about his son. I thought it was about two people in a relationship or something.
Then I move in with my boyfriend 20-some years later, and he’s making fun of Clapton for being so overrated. It doesn’t shock me anymore. . . his attitude about music.
For me, I don’t cry about songs. I feel the emotions and everything, I just think to myself that in the case of this particular song, I’m sure it’s helped Clapton deal with his emotions and have something tangible to hold on to when he can’t hold on to his son any longer. It’s sweet, and beautiful and truly calming in some strange way.
A good song always calls out emotions in someone, whether that’s a sad or a happy one.
A few songs that make me cry are ‘A Song to Sing’ and ‘I will come to you’ by Hanson. There’s just something about these songs that make me cry nearly every time I listen to them.
Oh man, “Tears in Heaven” brings back memories. My dad got me onto Eric Clapton ever since I was little. I think love songs are the worst for me, but “Maybe” by Kelly Clarkson usually gets a few tears, as well as anything by Maria Mena.
I’m one of the most emotional people you will ever meet. If I hear a song that makes me emotional, I WILL cry. The first time I heard Dancing by Elisa, I was bawling, same with Colour Blind by The Counting Crows.
My dad loves that song by Eric Clapton, and as do I. What happened to his young son was horrible though.
I know what you mean about “Tears in heaven”. Before knowing the story behind the it, I noticed the song had a very sad tone and felt sad when I listened to it. After knowing what happened to his son, that song kills me every time I listen to it. I can’t really relate to it, but it makes me feel so sad anyway
I actually remember when that happened, the little boy falling from the building.
I remember it was talked about a lot on the news my parents watched. Very sad…but I also remember thinking how lovely it was that the father had written and recorded a song for him. It’s definitely sad though. 
I think a song I can’t stand to listen to anymore is the “Arms of the Angel” song that was made big by that one Meg Ryan movie with Nicolas Cage in it…I forget. But there’s this OMG SO SAD commercial on TV now that’s about abused and neglected animals and they ask you to adopt one or donate to a shelter and they play that song and show all these poor cats and dogs…I just want to KILL SOMEONE OMG!!!!! Or hurt the people that hurt those animals.
Poo, now I must go listen to like Abba or something…