"Your Belgian Things" by the Mountain Goats. The only song that's ever brought me to tears. Maybe it was just the situation or the mood I was in at the time, but that song is so incredibly beautiful and poignant.
Hey, remember, this thread is about "music". I fully understand that modern "pop songs" are what's up, but you can always include classical or a film song or score. Come on, you can give it up. I bet we'll think better of you rather than worse.
"Naked Woman, Naked Man Where did you get that nice sun tan?"
I know I will think of more, but the one that comes to mind right now is "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen. There are quite a few versions out there, but I think my favorite is sung by John Cale.
I don't shed tears as such but some tunes are really beautiful and thus heartbreaking.
Robert Pete Williams - Levee Camp Blues, Pardon Denied Again Syd Barrett - It is Obvious Blind Willie McTell - Wee Midnight Hours Legendary Pink Dots - I Love You in Your Tragic Beauty The Pogues' version of And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda Loudon Wainwright III - Hitting You Robert Wyatt - Sea Song Swans - Blood On Your Hands
"Lullabye Requiem" by Neil Finn. The melody is one of the prettiest I've ever heard, and the lyrics are spot-on--it's about the death of his mother, and while that might sound like a recipe for disaster, in the hands of Mr. Finn it's handled beautifully...
It's real life It's all true You know how I'll miss you In strange places we'll come undone
And the building blocks Sometimes have to crash Not meant to last like a mother's love...
Good for you. There's lots of Finn and Paul Kelly songs which would qualify for me. Just think of me as Meatloaf in Fight Club...except with bigger tits and more tears!
"Naked Woman, Naked Man Where did you get that nice sun tan?"
"True Love Waits" by Radiohead may be one of the saddest songs I have ever heard, mostly because of the way Thom Yorke sings it live, but also because of the line "I'm not living/I'm just killing time". Really no way to put a brighter spin on that one.
"Trouble" by Cat Stevens. This one was used to great effect in the closing of "Harold and Maude."
"So What" by Miles Davis. The "Kind of Blue" opening track. I know the album has received what seems to be universal acclaim, but I think a little more wouldn't hurt. First time I heard this was the first time music made the tears well up.
"Soldier's Things" by Tom Waits. Heartbreaking melody.
"I Think It's Going to Rain Today" by Randy Newman. One of his early songs, and still one of his best.
Not sure if this counts. It doesn't make me cry, just powerful sad and hurtin' all over. "Last Kiss", the Pearl Jam version. It was popular when I first met someone I care deeply for who's been out of my life for almost a year now. We discussed the song, laughed about it, now I'm sad about it. It's not the only song that reminds me of her and makes me sad. It's just that it was the first song to be attached to the thought of her.