So I was in a bit of a fragile mood yesterday, PopWatchers: My hometown of Houston has been thwacked by that stupid hurricane, and while my parents are safe and sound (and even have electricity), I can’t stop thinking about the destruction; David Foster Wallace, one of my biggest inspirations as a writer, committed suicide, and I can’t stop thinking about why; the election is making me legitimately sick to my stomach, and I can’t stop feeling powerless w/r/t the future; etc, etc, etc. Wah wah wah.
Suddenly, my inbox dinged with an email from LeAnn Rimes’ publicist, plugging her new single, "What I Cannot Change," and encouraging me to go to WhatICannotChange.com, and get all that stuff off my chest. Hmm, I thought. That’s certainly cheesy. But the publicist attached the single, and I started listening to it…and I started crying, just a bit. (REPEAT THIS TO ANYONE AND I’LL CALL YOU A LIAR.) Hmm, I thought, as I sniffled. How strange for your cynical Aunt Whittlz to totally buy into (a) what a press release is selling and (b) to get all weepy about said thing. Yet how wonderful, I thought, to be granted a sort of catharsis when I least expected it. Also, this confirms what I’ve always suspected: that I’ve always been a total sucker for LeAnn Rimes.
She explains the project in a video on the front page of her site; meanwhile, here’s the song, embedded below, and the link to the site is above if you want to take advantage of the opportunity to vent, or just read some heartfelt stuff from strangers. (It reminds me a little of the great PostSecret.com.) Please do not use the message board here to confess your personal pain — it really might put me over the top — but while we’re on the subject, I’d love to hear suggestions for the songs you PopWatchers listen to when you need a good cry. Then I can download all of them and do some more sobbing, because really, I didn’t need to get any work done this week or anything. Okay.
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Keep your head up, Whitney! Your contributions to PopWatch always make my day a brighter place. As for sad songs that make me weep? “Mad World” by Gary Jules and “Winter” by Tori Amos usually do the trick for me. Especially the latter, when I’m thinking of my family. *sob*
REM’s Everybody Hurts
I love that song, Whittlz, although I am also a total sucker for Leann Rimes. Love her voice. Try “Weight of Love” by Leann Rimes. “Autumn Leaves” by Eva Cassidy is always a good one, too.
Colorblind-Counting Crows
Fix You-Coldplay
Let It Be-the Across the Universe version
Con Te Partiro-Andrea Bocelli
Wonderwall-Ryan Adams
Wind Beneath My Wings-Bette Midler
My Little Girl-Tim McGraw
……..wow, I could go on and on!!
Sarah McLachlan – Full of Grace
Sarah McLachlan- Good Enough
Howie Day- Ghost
Ryan Adams- Nightbirds
Also “The River Runs Slow” by Sonia Dada, off their A Day at the Beach CD.
Hey Whitney, I’m sorry to hear you’re having a hard time and I really do hope that things get better soon. I have a whole playlist on my IPod dedicated to sad songs (which is sad in itself) but here are a couple I can count on for a good cry:
It Doesn’t Matter – Allison Kraus
9 Crimes – Damien Rice
Mad World – Gary Jules
Simon – Lifehouse
Here Comes the Flood – Peter Gabriel
Full of Grace – Sarah McLachlan
Let That be Enough – Switchfoot
I’m sorry, but I couldn’t even finish reading the post after I got to “w/r/t the future.” Are we seriously so lazy (even bloggers), that we have to abbreviate “with regards to”? Really??
Okay, I could do this all day, but I’m going to stop here, I promise! “Probably Wouldn’t Be This Way” by Leann Rimes, and “He’s My Son” by Mark Schulz (I don’t care what walk of life you come from – this song will make you cry). Whittlz, I hope all gets better soon. Thanks for all your great work.
For some reason, Iron and Wine’s “The Trapeeze Swinger” really gets to me. The best to your family in Houston, glad they’re OK.
as cheesy and juenville as this sounds? “i try” by jonatha brooke from return to neverland (i know, i know, a really not very good disney sequel), makes me BAWL EVERY FREAKING TIME. seriously though, a kid who doesn’t believe in peter pan/magic would make YOU cry too.
“Nightswimming,” REM
“China,” Tori Amos
“Evaporated,” Ben Folds Five
“On a Bus to St. Cloud,” Trisha Yearwood
All of these were on a tape I made that got me through a horrendous breakup back in 1998.
mscisluv: that was a DFW reference, that abbreviation. he was fond of it.
and everyone else: these are great. keep ‘em coming! I’m running out of kleenex already!
“Foolish Games,” Jewel
“Hurt,” Johnny Cash’s version
“River,” Robert Downey Jr.’s version…I think it was on the Ally McBeal soundtrack?
Thank you for pointing this song out. I have had the cd since it was released and hadn’t really listened to it.
My teary songs:
Circle of Life-from the Lion King, makes me think of my grandma
Because of You-Reba McEntire & Kelly Clarkson, Kelly wrote that at age 16 WOW!
Man in the Mirror-Michael Jackson, can’t explain, it just does.
The Way We Were-Babs, takes me back to 1973, with my boyfriend, crying in the theatre “That will be us!” And it was.
Yesterday- The Beatles
Mad World- I think it was on the Donnie Darko soundtrack.
Skin-Rascal Flatts
Cry If You Want To – Holly Cole Trio
This post immediately reminded me of why I love that song so much…sometimes you just have to let it out. And Whitney, rest assured your legions of fans will always be here for support – in good times and in bad.
I have a whole mix disc burned for just the occaision. A few samples…
The Scientist = Coldplay
Run = Snow Patrol
100 Years = Five for Fighting
Just to name a few.
“I’m Not that Girl” from Wicked
“On My Own” from Les Miserables
“You Raise Me Up” Josh Groban (this song was big when my dad passed away and it always gets the tear ducts going)
I hope things get better with you!
Cheer up, Whitney! Things are always darkest before the dawn…
My favorite crying songs:
- Up to the Mountain, Patty Griffin; gets me every time
- My Heart Will Go On, Celine Dion; I know it’s cheesy and has been overplayed, but it’s still a good song
Into the West, from the Lord of the Rings soundtrack, Annie Lennox; her voice is amazing, and it makes me think of death and how the ones we love never really leave us, and…well, go listen to it and you’ll get the point!
to build a home – cinematic symphony…one of the most beautiful and sad songs everywhere
You could probably add the entire Aimee Mann catalog to your list, or just start with Amateur from I’m With Stupid, and/or One from the Magnolia soundtrack. Peace, Whitney!
Oh, I also forgot Rascal Flatts “What Hurts the Most” because it makes me think of my best guy friend who I have a little crush on yet he has no idea. Apparently crushes can still happen at age 25. So awesome.
“Hurt” – Johnny Cash
“A Day in the Life” – The Beatles
“Mad World” – Gary Jules
“Angel” & “Fear” – Sarah McLachlan
“Top of the World” – Dixie Chicks
“You are My Sunshine” (I know this one is odd, but I have my reasons.)
Cancer – My Chemical Romance
You are my Sunshine – it’s personal
Amsterdam – Coldplay
The drugs don’t work – Verve
Save Me – Aimee Mann
Some Devil – Dave Matthews
“If You’re Reading This” – Tim McGraw
“One Tin Soldier” – Original Caste/Coven
Hope you feel better soon, Whitney.
jeff buckley singing ‘hallelujah’ gets me each time a listen to it – which is still a whole lot.
Cat’s in the Cradle – Harry Chapin
The Living Years – Russell Watson
There’s just something about those that always sets me to bawling when I hear them.
“I Hope You Dance”–My grandma used to say this song reminded her of me because I love to dance and I don’t let fear stand in the way of my goals or dreams.
“Something to Believe In” by Poison. The first time I heard this song, I was driving. I had trouble seeing the road because my eyes were full of tears. I have no idea why the song hit me like that.
“Never Say Good-bye” by Bon Jovi. Brings back memories of unrequited or unspoken high school love.
“My Wish” by Rascal Flatts. The last song they played at my senior prom.
“I’ll Be There For You” by Bon Jovi. While my grandma (big rock fan) was really sick, I used to sing the chorus to her to try to make her feel better. I can barely listen to it now because it reminds me of how much I miss her.
Something to Believe In–Poison (don’t know why this song makes me cry, but it does)
Never Say Goodbye–Bon Jovi (brings back memories of unrequited and unspoken crushes)
I Hope You Dance–Lee Ann Womack (makes me think of my grandma)
I’ll Be There For You–Bon Jovi (sang the chorus to comfort Granny while she was sick)