Author Topic: Music that reduces you to a blubbering wreck  (Read 34075 times)

Wowbagger

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Music that reduces you to a blubbering wreck
« on: 03 February, 2012, 10:24:22 am »
I have this very annoying and potentially embarrassing trait that certain pieces of music reduce me to tears. It attacks me unpredictably and I think it's getting worse as I get older.

A week or so ago I was driving along, listening to Radio 3, and Beethoven's Appassionata was broadcast. There I was, sitting in a queue at the lights, tears streaming down my face, hoping other drivers wouldn't notice. Just a few minutes ago, I was listening to David Attenborough on Desert Island Discs and the trio Soave sia il vento from Cosi fan Tutte started up just as I was shovelling porridge into dishes. I had to stop and cope with sobs.

Other music to do this to me: many bits of Bach, but probably none more than some of the choruses from the St. Matthew Passion; Myfanwy; the slow movement from Haydn's string quartet "The Lark"; occasionally bits from the Messiah; the quartet from Beethoven's Fidelio; the finale in Beethoven's Pastoral symphony; and quite a few bits from the 9th symphony.

Does anyone else suffer from this, and which piece of music induce lachrymosity in you?

Edit: here's a few of my greatest tear-jerkers:

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/6Wi7UsXW1As&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/6Wi7UsXW1As&rel=1</a>

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/YxPulya1bSE&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/YxPulya1bSE&rel=1</a>

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/Fo0K_n3VLG4&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/Fo0K_n3VLG4&rel=1</a>

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/jyq06eoPoqk&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/jyq06eoPoqk&rel=1</a>

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/MKyKNCiiuF8&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/MKyKNCiiuF8&rel=1</a>

This last has a bit of preamble and just before the singing starts there's an All-Deutschland Simpering Competition, but the recording's a good one.
Quote from: Dez
It doesn’t matter where you start. Just start.

essexian

Re: Music that reduces you to a blubbering wreck
« Reply #1 on: 03 February, 2012, 10:35:46 am »
Oh gosh do!!!

The following popular tunes have all reduced me to tears in at a live gig at least once.


Girls can keep a secret. Carter USM (Any time they play it!)

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/fW8ju5DVmR8&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/fW8ju5DVmR8&rel=1</a>


Interstate 5. Wedding Present (Stoke Sugar Mill)

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZjNeycs0IjI&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/ZjNeycs0IjI&rel=1</a>


Ocean Spray. Manic Street Preachers (Cardiff International Centre)

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/t1wG4_imFNw&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/t1wG4_imFNw&rel=1</a>


Friday I’m in love. The Cure (Royal Albert Hall)

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/wa2nLEhUcZ0&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/wa2nLEhUcZ0&rel=1</a>

Elizabeth on the bathroom floor: The Eels (Festival Hall)

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/eS2ipWNm9Fw&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/eS2ipWNm9Fw&rel=1</a>


It’s a bit embarrassing but hey ho!

Mrs Pingu

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Re: Music that reduces you to a blubbering wreck
« Reply #2 on: 03 February, 2012, 10:45:19 am »
Ambulance Blues - Neil Young
One- U2
Do not clench. It only makes it worse.

AndyK

Re: Music that reduces you to a blubbering wreck
« Reply #3 on: 03 February, 2012, 10:47:47 am »
The Johnny Cash cover of Hurt.

tiermat

  • According to Jane, I'm a Unisex SpaceAdmin
Re: Music that reduces you to a blubbering wreck
« Reply #4 on: 03 February, 2012, 10:50:49 am »
It's ok to cry at music, I do.  Usually due to the piece itself having some significance to me, for instance:

You Only Make My Brown Eyes Blue - Crystal Gayle, might seem like an odd one but it was my late Uncle's favourite song, I managed to keep things together at his memorial service until they played this.
Jerusalem, for similar reasons, but for my late MiL this time.
I feel like Captain Kirk, on a brand new planet every day, a little like King Kong on top of the Empire State

Re: Music that reduces you to a blubbering wreck
« Reply #5 on: 03 February, 2012, 10:50:58 am »
This.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nkM33CorIw&feature=youtu.be

You need to listen to the whole 90 ish minutes though; it doen't really lend itself to a soundbite.

LindaG

Re: Music that reduces you to a blubbering wreck
« Reply #6 on: 03 February, 2012, 10:58:10 am »
Oh, yes!  Some music reduces me to a pile of powder surrounded by a lake of salty water.

The Lark Ascending - Vaughan Williams

This Woman's Work - Kate Bush (but not when accompanied by a NSPCC ad)

And So Is Love - Kate Bush

Dear Friends - Elbow (though that may be purely novelty value, I expect the effect to wear off soon.)

Loads of others as well  :-[

tiermat

  • According to Jane, I'm a Unisex SpaceAdmin
Re: Music that reduces you to a blubbering wreck
« Reply #7 on: 03 February, 2012, 11:05:24 am »
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/3PkkVACAB4o&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/3PkkVACAB4o&rel=1</a>

Does it for me everytime too, which is ironic when you consider the very first line....
I feel like Captain Kirk, on a brand new planet every day, a little like King Kong on top of the Empire State

Rhys W

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Re: Music that reduces you to a blubbering wreck
« Reply #8 on: 03 February, 2012, 11:14:09 am »
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUa-zUQaDU8

I first heard the version by Sparklehorse.

Re: Music that reduces you to a blubbering wreck
« Reply #9 on: 03 February, 2012, 11:15:01 am »
Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, Llwyn Onn, Calon Lan a Cwm Rhondda.

And I'm neither Welsh nor reiligious!

Re: Music that reduces you to a blubbering wreck
« Reply #10 on: 03 February, 2012, 01:23:10 pm »
Bach BWV 82 "Ich habe genug"

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/XJZpwh8OasA&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/XJZpwh8OasA&rel=1</a>

Mahler "Kindertotenlieder"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6pT1JrJ8B4&feature=related

Little Feat "I've been the one"

Thin Lizzy "Still in love with you"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNoMSi1ztt0
I think you'll find it's a bit more complicated than that.

Kim

  • Timelord
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Re: Music that reduces you to a blubbering wreck
« Reply #11 on: 03 February, 2012, 01:34:38 pm »
The Miles Davis version of Concierto de Aranjuez.  Gets me every time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rSQVRTG0sQ

lou boutin

  • Les chaussures sont ma vie.
Re: Music that reduces you to a blubbering wreck
« Reply #12 on: 03 February, 2012, 01:41:42 pm »
The most recent song that has reduced me to tears Is 'Jar if Hearts' by Christina Perri.

Mr Larrington

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Re: Music that reduces you to a blubbering wreck
« Reply #13 on: 03 February, 2012, 03:05:53 pm »
Between The Wars ~ Billy Bragg
The Ocean ~ Dar Williams
Another vote for the Johnny Cash version of Hurt
External Transparent Wall Inspection Operative & Mayor of Mortagne-au-Perche
Satisfying the Bloodlust of the Masses in Peacetime

Re: Music that reduces you to a blubbering wreck
« Reply #14 on: 03 February, 2012, 03:47:26 pm »
The Miles Davis version of Concierto de Aranjuez.  Gets me every time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rSQVRTG0sQ

Quite a lot of things involving Gil Evans or Duke Ellington, also Maria Callas in full flight

LindaG

Re: Music that reduces you to a blubbering wreck
« Reply #15 on: 03 February, 2012, 03:53:34 pm »
The Christina Aguilera 'Hurt' - well, I'm wearing sunglasses all day after listening to that.

Re: Music that reduces you to a blubbering wreck
« Reply #16 on: 03 February, 2012, 04:16:05 pm »
Both funeral related, but now impossible to negotiate.

Lord of the Dance.

Safe in the Harbour as performed by my mate Nick and played at my ex-Merchant Marine father's funeral.
Rust never sleeps

Julian

  • samoture
Re: Music that reduces you to a blubbering wreck
« Reply #17 on: 03 February, 2012, 04:26:32 pm »
Long Live the Queen - Frank Turner
The drugs don't work, by whoever did that
Abide with me

Re: Music that reduces you to a blubbering wreck
« Reply #18 on: 03 February, 2012, 04:34:41 pm »
Second Folk Song, on 80/81 by the Pat Metheny Group; there's an absolutely beautiful double bass solo by Charlie Haden.

On Call Me When You Get There by Barre Phillips, Amos Crown's Barn. A couple of minutes of (again!) absolute beauty.

And thanks to Kim for the Miles Davis tip. It sent shivers down my spine. It's too long since I last listened to Miles.

her_welshness

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Re: Music that reduces you to a blubbering wreck
« Reply #19 on: 03 February, 2012, 07:48:54 pm »
Cerys Matthews, Open Roads:
They miss out these lyrics on the vid:
'Hold onto dreams and to memories, they are the only things that really exist, and in your eyes I remember, that we never said, never said goodbye'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JENap6P3XM


Cycle and recycle.   SS Wilson

Mrs Pingu

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Re: Music that reduces you to a blubbering wreck
« Reply #21 on: 03 February, 2012, 08:06:28 pm »
Do not clench. It only makes it worse.

Wowbagger

  • Former Sylph
    • Stuff mostly about weather
Re: Music that reduces you to a blubbering wreck
« Reply #22 on: 03 February, 2012, 08:33:47 pm »
I think, with hindsight, that the music that reduces you to blubbering wrecks fits into two categories: that which you associate with a sad event (funeral of a loved one, for example) and the qualities in the music itself. The examples I gave in the OP have intrinsic Blubbering Wreck ingredients and, for me at least, no outside connotations. "Cwm Rhondda", for example, I have sung many times as a very joyful piece of music. Now I associate it with my mother's funeral and perhaps there are sad connotations there. My family Can Sing Very Well and all the harmonies were there for my mum's send-off, fortissimo, which ultimately was a celebration of 93 years of wholly fulfilling life.
Quote from: Dez
It doesn’t matter where you start. Just start.

Re: Music that reduces you to a blubbering wreck
« Reply #23 on: 03 February, 2012, 08:47:50 pm »
I have songs that come under both categories-ie those that just plain reduce me to tears and those that have connotations that reduce me to tears.  Unfortunately, I can only remember one at the moment and it comes under the connotations heading:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHpQFF_Et4s



LindaG

Re: Music that reduces you to a blubbering wreck
« Reply #24 on: 03 February, 2012, 08:59:29 pm »
How You've Grown, by 10,000 Maniacs.


http://youtu.be/AejaNIOYcNs



Another one that comes under the 'connotations' heading, I think.