slowcloud

You know what gets to me? Just the way the music layers up on Brian Eno's "Mother Whale Eyeless." That makes me cry. Sheer brilliance. It's not just sentimental lyrics that can move a music lover to tears.

Daytripper

Add Depeche Mode's "Precious" to my list. Wish I hadn't found out what it was about. Up until then, I wasn't paying close attention and just thought it was a great pop song. It's a song Martin Gore wrote to (and for) his kids about he and his wife divorcing.

Precious and fragile things
Need special handling
My God what have we done to you?

We always try to share
The tenderest of care
Now look what we have put You through...

Things get damaged
Things get broken
I thought we'd manage
But words left unspoken
Left us so brittle
There was so little left to give

Angels with silver wings
Shouldn't know suffering
I wish I could take the pain for you

If God has a master plan
That only He understands
I hope it's your eyes He's seeing through

Things get damaged
Things get broken
I thought we'd manage
But words left unspoken
Left us so brittle
There was so little left to give

I pray you learn to trust
Have faith in both of us
And keep room in your hearts for two

Things get damaged
Things get broken
I thought we'd manage
But words left unspoken
Left us so brittle
There was so little left to give

joselito

Nine Inch Nails- Something I can Never Have.

Sad Song indeed...............

AJAX

Jealous Guy - John Lennon
Last Goodbye - Jeff Buckley
Running To Stand Still - U2
Operator - Jim Croce
Yes It Is - The Beatles
Blue - The Jayhawks
Just Like Heaven - The Cure
Daniel - Elton John

neocheddar02

"I'll Cover You (reprise)" by the cast of Rent (from the 2005 movie) kills me, especially towards the end.
Also (and I know I'm lame) but the orchestral version of "Aeris Theme" from Final Fantasy VII

dcswirl

Can't believe I haven't seen any Journey songs yet so here's a few

Send Her My Love
Faithfully
I'll Be Allright Without You

Level 42-It's Over
Level 42 Leaving You Now
Eddie Money-I Wanna Go Back
Eddie Money-Endless Nights
Elton John-Blue Eyes
Bad English-Possession
Bad English-When I See You Smile
Jim Croce-I Got A Name
Jim Croce-Lover's Cross
Breaking of the Fellowship at the end of the first movie
Kool and the Gang-Cherish
Stevie Wonder-My Cherie Amour
Faster Pussycat-House of Pain

I could go on and on and kudos to an earlier post that mentioned Stay Gold by Stevie Wonder.

TheGodfather

In The Living Years by Mister Mister(? - I think)
Say Hello 2 Heaven by Temple Of The Dog
Letdown by Radiohead

JAA

Mike & The Mechanics (Mike Rutherford of Genesis fame)

TheGodfather

Thanks . I was trying to figure out if I was right or wrong since I posted.

MurraySiskind

Sorry if these have already been mentioned:

Martha - Tom Waits
At This Moment - Billy Vera (song from Family Ties when Alex and what's her name break up, anyone remember that? Great great song.)

DieselsDen

"Cats in the Cradle" - Harry Chapin

"To Miss Someone" - Maria McKee

"Purple Rain" - Prince

"Tunnel Of Love" - Bruce Springsteen

"You are the Light" - Maria McKee (Lone Justice)

DrRingDing

Some "professional" opinions on the matter, courtesy of the AV Club.
-ringding-

fliggil

Samuel Barber's 'Adagio for Strings' is the saddest piece of music I've ever heard, and I believe it's actually been awarded the honor in a number of polls.

JANK

Some that haven't mentioned and some that bear repeating. BTW, lookiing over some of the posters selections, some are NOT SAD but emotionally happy.

Long Long Time - Linda Ronstadt
Caroline, No - The Beach Boys (actually Brian Wilson solo)
Can't Do a Thing (to Stop Me) - Chris Isaak
Icy Cold as Winter - Swing Out Sister
I Go To Pieces - Peter & Gordon
More Than I Can Bear - Matt Bianco
Love Will Tear Us Apart - Joy Division
Joey - Concrete Blonde

Aphex Twin

Fleetwood Mac - You Make Loving Fun

gets me all emotional and shit everytime.

Giles

it makes you wanna poo...

mike harnish

Once I Was--Tim Buckley (Jeff's dad)
Empty Garden--Elton John (about John Lennon's murder)

zombiezilla

Elton John's "Empty Garden" always breaks me down, as does Nick Lowe's "How Do You Talk To An Angel"... If you've missed either one, check'em out...

danganet

One song that always gets me is

"I'll Be True To You" by The Oak Ridge Boys

big whoppa

"I Can't Make You Love" by Bonnie Raitt or George Michael always does it for me. Personal connection for me.

JZ1276

River of Deceit - Mad Season

Superstar - Sonic Youth

GMLSKIS

Disneylands Electric Parade theme - but it's a happy cry.

dyevin

Spinal Meningitis (Got Me Down) by Ween

i win.

JIF

We have a winner!

Also:

Love Song for a Vampire by Annie Lennox
Can't Live if Living is Without You by Harry Nilsson
All I Want is You by U2
Drive by The Cars
I Love You by Climax Blues Band
A Change is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke
Better Be Home Soon by Crowded House
Open Arms by Journey
Live to Tell by Madonna
Never Tear Us Apart by INXS
2 Out of 3 Ain't Bad by Meatloaf
She's Out of My Life by Michael Jackson
Free by Prince
Who Wants to Live Forever by Queen
No-One But You (Only the Good Die Young) by Queen
Crying by Roy Orbison and K.D. Lang
I'm All Out of Love by Air Supply

big whoppa

Listening to one on the radio right now, "Sometimes Love Just Ain't Enough" by Patty Smyth and Don Henley.