Songs you associate with the loss of a loved one
01-23-09, 07:04 AM
#1
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Songs you associate with the loss of a loved one
It's kind of something on my mind since I've lost someone and a friend has as well in the past 12 hours.. do you have any songs that are just tied to a time or that you can't hear without thinking of someone? I have two off the top of my head, both for my grandparents on my mom's side (I basically grew up with them as well as my mom).
A few days after my grandmother died, I saw the video for the Gretchen Peters song "When You Are Old", and ever since then it's been hard to hold back tears when hearing the song.
And for some reason, the Barenaked Ladies song "Adrift" really resonated when my grandfather died a little while back.
That's the nice thing about music; you can take your own meaning and emotions from it most of the time.
A few days after my grandmother died, I saw the video for the Gretchen Peters song "When You Are Old", and ever since then it's been hard to hold back tears when hearing the song.
And for some reason, the Barenaked Ladies song "Adrift" really resonated when my grandfather died a little while back.
That's the nice thing about music; you can take your own meaning and emotions from it most of the time.
01-23-09, 08:46 AM
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Re: Songs you associate with the loss of a loved one
My Nana died a few years ago and everytime I hear Jimmy Eat World's HEAR YOU ME, I can't help but remember back to that time and think of her (I was really into that album when it happened and listened to that song quite a few times because of the subject matter).
01-23-09, 08:56 AM
#5
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Songs you associate with the loss of a loved one
While this wasn't exactly when I lost a loved one, back when my father was in and out of the hospital in December 2000 and eventually diagnosed with cancer, I was listening to Juno Reactor - Shango and Delerium - Poem every day. it was just calming. So I still associate those two to driving back and forth to the hospital in the damn snow all December long.
01-23-09, 10:08 AM
#6
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Re: Songs you associate with the loss of a loved one
Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow, reminds me of the passing of my sister.
I don't exactly remember the connection, but I think I heard it first around the time she died and its melancholy tone reminded me of her.
I don't exactly remember the connection, but I think I heard it first around the time she died and its melancholy tone reminded me of her.
01-23-09, 10:47 AM
#7
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Re: Songs you associate with the loss of a loved one
After one of my best friends died in the summer after high school in 1986, we had a memorial service. A girlfriend of his sang "Against All Odds" at the service and it was beautiful and brave -- sort of like our own Candle In The Wind, but predating that by ten years. I can't hear that song without thinking of him and that moment so long ago.
01-23-09, 12:37 PM
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Re: Songs you associate with the loss of a loved one
OP: I'm sorry for your loss.
I received the phone call that my favorite grandfather passed away back in 1993 while listening to Queensryche's "The Needle Lies" on Operation: Mindcrime. Every time I hear that song, I think about him. It still makes me a little sad that he's gone, but it always jogs good memories, too.
I received the phone call that my favorite grandfather passed away back in 1993 while listening to Queensryche's "The Needle Lies" on Operation: Mindcrime. Every time I hear that song, I think about him. It still makes me a little sad that he's gone, but it always jogs good memories, too.
01-23-09, 12:50 PM
#9
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Songs you associate with the loss of a loved one
MGMT - Time To Pretend
I was listening to the song a lot back when a buddy passed away 5 months ago. Always think of him when I listen to that song. The song always brings tears to my eyes now.
I was listening to the song a lot back when a buddy passed away 5 months ago. Always think of him when I listen to that song. The song always brings tears to my eyes now.
01-23-09, 04:38 PM
#10
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Songs you associate with the loss of a loved one
It might sound sappy but One Sweet Day by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men was huge when my grandfather passed away. My aunt and I always connected it with his death. And by extension, when my aunt passed away I connected it with her passing as well.
01-23-09, 05:12 PM
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Re: Songs you associate with the loss of a loved one
Even though he isn't dead yet (and won't be for a while, hopefully) I know anytime I hear Frank Sinatra's "My Way" I'll think about my Dad and blubber like a little girl.
Sinatra had more pull than Jesus in our house.
Sinatra had more pull than Jesus in our house.
01-23-09, 08:48 PM
#14
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Songs you associate with the loss of a loved one
Rocket Man by Elton John; I heard it not long after I found it an old friend/boss had died and now I can't hear it without thinking about him.
01-23-09, 08:53 PM
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DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Songs you associate with the loss of a loved one
I've so far been fortunate to not have lost any people. Still, I was pretty attached to our dog of 14 years when she passed in 2002, several months after Waylon Jennings. I will forever associate Randy Travis's "Heroes and Friends" with that year.
Your heroes will help you
find the good in yourself
Your friends won't forsake you
for somebody else
They'll both stand beside you
through thick and through thin
And that's how it goes
with heroes and friends
Your heroes will help you
find the good in yourself
Your friends won't forsake you
for somebody else
They'll both stand beside you
through thick and through thin
And that's how it goes
with heroes and friends
01-23-09, 09:23 PM
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Re: Songs you associate with the loss of a loved one
US Blues with Jerry Garcia.. I remember driving home when the song came on the radio which was kind of weird since it's not really a popular radio song. I was kind of grooving along and when the song ended the dj came on the air and said that Jerry Garcia had passed away
Obviously I was more of a fan than a loved one, but it still sticks in my head.
Obviously I was more of a fan than a loved one, but it still sticks in my head.
01-23-09, 09:47 PM
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Re: Songs you associate with the loss of a loved one
really tacky and cliche, but I remember being in a Best Buy less than a week after my mother died and "The Living Years" by Mike And The Mechanics came on and I immediately left the store because I couldn't handle hearing that song at that moment.
01-24-09, 12:32 PM
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Re: Songs you associate with the loss of a loved one
My cousin lost his baby in infancy and they played a video montage at the funeral set to Eric Clapton's "Tears in Heaven". To this day, I have to change the channel when that song comes on or I'll mist up.
01-26-09, 10:39 PM
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Re: Songs you associate with the loss of a loved one
The Wallflower's "One Headlight" was big around the time my father's cancer was entering terminal stage. To this day, every time I listen to it, I still think "Ah f**k!" in the back of my head. It's one of my favorite songs that I can't bear to listen to often. 
01-27-09, 01:05 PM
#20
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Songs you associate with the loss of a loved one
My father died on Christmas eve, so naturally any Christmas carol brings back great memories of my childhood and terrible memories from 4 years ago.
01-27-09, 01:36 PM
#21
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Songs you associate with the loss of a loved one
The song about smoking a ciggarette outside of a telephone booth I connect with my father's passing, I remember driving around the morning after my father passed away, and I swear this song played multiple times..
I tear up every time I hear it.
Also, when I hear moonriver, i break down pretty hard. I remember my dad used to sing this to my mom.
I tear up every time I hear it.
Also, when I hear moonriver, i break down pretty hard. I remember my dad used to sing this to my mom.
Last edited by superdeluxe; 01-27-09 at 01:38 PM.
01-27-09, 04:37 PM
#22
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: Songs you associate with the loss of a loved one
"I'll Be There" by The Escape Club. The funeral home played it as we made our final pass of the casket at my uncle's funeral. I had always liked the song, but now I always think of my uncle when I hear it.
I joked that it would be quite awkward if the guy running the CD accidentally cued up "Wild Wild West", The Escape Club's bigger hit.... We'd all be sad walking past the coffin saying our goodbyes when over the speaker comes "ka-ping"... the sound of a ricocheting bullet, then 80s dance music kicks in... we'd be quite stunned. It got a decent laugh and the melancholy was broken up for a bit. I think my uncle would have approved. he was always joking around like that.
I joked that it would be quite awkward if the guy running the CD accidentally cued up "Wild Wild West", The Escape Club's bigger hit.... We'd all be sad walking past the coffin saying our goodbyes when over the speaker comes "ka-ping"... the sound of a ricocheting bullet, then 80s dance music kicks in... we'd be quite stunned. It got a decent laugh and the melancholy was broken up for a bit. I think my uncle would have approved. he was always joking around like that.
01-28-09, 12:59 AM
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Re: Songs you associate with the loss of a loved one
"I'll Be There" by The Escape Club. The funeral home played it as we made our final pass of the casket at my uncle's funeral. I had always liked the song, but now I always think of my uncle when I hear it.
I joked that it would be quite awkward if the guy running the CD accidentally cued up "Wild Wild West", The Escape Club's bigger hit.... We'd all be sad walking past the coffin saying our goodbyes when over the speaker comes "ka-ping"... the sound of a ricocheting bullet, then 80s dance music kicks in... we'd be quite stunned. It got a decent laugh and the melancholy was broken up for a bit. I think my uncle would have approved. he was always joking around like that.
I joked that it would be quite awkward if the guy running the CD accidentally cued up "Wild Wild West", The Escape Club's bigger hit.... We'd all be sad walking past the coffin saying our goodbyes when over the speaker comes "ka-ping"... the sound of a ricocheting bullet, then 80s dance music kicks in... we'd be quite stunned. It got a decent laugh and the melancholy was broken up for a bit. I think my uncle would have approved. he was always joking around like that.
I want The Birdy Dance played at my funeral as my coffin slowly disappears, unannounced of course for maximum impact. The thought of all those people (I hope) with their hands in their armpits flapping their elbows like dancing chickens as I slowly disappear through the curtain just cracks me up!
On a sadder note - My Nana's favourite song was Amazing Grace and it was played at her funeral. I still blub like a little girl when I hear it even after nearly 20 years since she left. As if the song wasn't sad enough.
Last edited by redhenry; 01-28-09 at 01:02 AM. Reason: added text
01-28-09, 10:33 AM
#24
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Songs you associate with the loss of a loved one
"One For The Road"
by
Ocean Colour Scene
by
Ocean Colour Scene
No, I never knew you
We both went to different schools
Me, so scared of the rules
You, chasing all the girls
But it seems to me
We never grew up
We just got ourselves free
Inventing what we could be
To buy all their curls
Get up and dance, get up and smile
Get up and drink to the days
Who are gone in the shortest while
She was just eighteen, she collapsed
And they took her away
She didn't make it for more than an hour
Then she was gone
What do you say
When someone's been taken away
Before they've had their day
To fly in the sun
You say get up and dance, get up and smile
Get up and drink to the ones
who are gone in the shortest while
And I've seen my sorrow
I've seen my sorrow
I've seen my sorrow...
No I never knew you
We both landed up as different fools
Me so scared of the rules
You chasing all the girls
But now it seems to me
Oh, we never grew up
We just got ourselves free
Inventing what we could be
If I had a curls
So, get up and dance, get up and smile
Get up and drink to the days
Who are gone in the shortest while
Yeah, get up and dance, get up and smile
Get up and drink to the ones
who are gone in the shortest while
And I've seen my sorrow
I've seen my sorrow...
We both went to different schools
Me, so scared of the rules
You, chasing all the girls
But it seems to me
We never grew up
We just got ourselves free
Inventing what we could be
To buy all their curls
Get up and dance, get up and smile
Get up and drink to the days
Who are gone in the shortest while
She was just eighteen, she collapsed
And they took her away
She didn't make it for more than an hour
Then she was gone
What do you say
When someone's been taken away
Before they've had their day
To fly in the sun
You say get up and dance, get up and smile
Get up and drink to the ones
who are gone in the shortest while
And I've seen my sorrow
I've seen my sorrow
I've seen my sorrow...
No I never knew you
We both landed up as different fools
Me so scared of the rules
You chasing all the girls
But now it seems to me
Oh, we never grew up
We just got ourselves free
Inventing what we could be
If I had a curls
So, get up and dance, get up and smile
Get up and drink to the days
Who are gone in the shortest while
Yeah, get up and dance, get up and smile
Get up and drink to the ones
who are gone in the shortest while
And I've seen my sorrow
I've seen my sorrow...
02-01-09, 01:43 PM
#25
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Songs you associate with the loss of a loved one
My most favorite high school teacher and "Don't Take The Girl." Still can't listen to the whole song since he died of cancer, and I must have listened to that song at least a hundred times before he passed away