REM tops songs that make grown men cry

[sebmelmoth2003]

and guess what's number three?

not sure how valid this `poll` is.

Top ten songs that make men cry

1. Everybody Hurts – REM
2. Tears in Heaven – Eric Clapton
3. Hallelujah – Leonard Cohen...

http://www.prsformusic.com/aboutus/pres ... encry.aspx

[John Etherington]

I saw this in one of the newspapers earlier this week. I must say that it's a reasonably acceptible bunch of songs as far as these things go (with a slight question mark over "Angels"). Though, anyone who considers "Hallelujah" to be a tearjerker probably doesn't understand the song or where it's coming from!

[MaryB]

This 'poll' was also aired on CNN Live yesterday. There was something said about LC, but as the place was noisy, I couldn't hear what was said. Maybe they were were voicing what you said John. Anyway, in all my years, I have yet to see a man cry over any of the songs on the list.

[sebmelmoth2003]

anyone who considers "Hallelujah" to be a tearjerker probably doesn't understand the song or where it's coming from!

so what is it about, John?

executive summary, please.

[John Etherington]

Hi sebmelmoth2003,

In a nutshell it's a song about a failed or struggling relationship that encompases spiritual yearning, irony and dark humour. Coming from Leonard, I don't think it was intended to be a weepy weepy sort of song. Having said that, certain Leonard songs have brought tears to my eyes..."Anthem", in particular.

All good things, John E

[Steven]

If there are tears around "Hallelujah," they'd most likely be those resulting from an upsurge of emotions
from taking in the beauty of the song, akin to what some people experience when seeing
the Grand Canyon and other extraordinary works of natural and manmade art. For a real tearjerker,
a proven song is the late country artist, Red Sovine's "Teddy Bear."

[Diane]

Hi sebmel, Mary, John, Steven. Just looked up Teddy Bear - very touching. I like the country songs that tell an engaging story like that.

Yes, Hallelujah is so beautiful it made God cry at one of LC's Irish concerts.

Out of those ten songs listed, the only other one - imo - that has a deeper meaning that disqualifies it from being a "tearjerker", is Streets of Philadelphia.

Ain't no angel gonna greet me
It's just you and I my friend
And my clothes don't fit me no more
I walked a thousand miles
just to slip this skin

The night has fallen, I'm lyin' awake
I can feel myself fading away
So receive me brother with your faithless kiss
or will we leave each other alone like this
On the streets of Philadelphia

I think "faithless" here is meant in the sense of without hope or expectation; just for what it is. He has walked a thousand miles trying to avoid his circumstance and he needs someone else to help him face himself, faithlessly. It is a remarkable song about the loneliness of dying.

[Steven]

Hi Diane,

Hadn't thought of "faithless" that way. Your take on how it fits in the song is very reasonable, though, to me.
The way I thought of it (for no good reason, really, not having seen the movie nor having given much thought to
the particular meaning of the word in the song) is that faithless was along the lines of being deceitful --
maybe a kiss-of-death kind of a thing (literally and metaphorically).

[Diane]

Hi Steven. Here's Neil Young's 'tearjerker', that reminds me of the ending of Philadelphia (movie), even though it was years ago I saw it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHpQFF_Et4s

[Steven]

Hi Diane,

The Neil Young song is sad. Hadn't heard it before. The song reminds me of Art Garfunkel's
"99 Miles From L.A." from his "Breakaway" album, not because of similar content but because
of the vocal quality and overall feel.

[sebmelmoth2003]

from the august edition of tatler - back inside page.

jamie cullum - questions and answers :

what music makes you cry?

anything by leonard cohen
----------------
i don't think i know a track called `anything` but i'm sure jamie's appreciation is welcomed.

[Roy]

If You Leave Me Now and Baby What A Big Surprise by Chicago. Written by Peter Cetera.

[sebmelmoth2003]

nick clegg likes crying to music but doesn't specify his choices - tie a yellow ribbon?

...At home, in the evenings, he likes to read novels and says he "cries regularly to music"...

http://www.newstatesman.com/uk-politics ... ition-life

there'll be plenty more crying opportunites for nick over the next few months i hope!

[musicmania]

Hi sebmelmoth2003,

In a nutshell it's a song about a failed or struggling relationship that encompases spiritual yearning, irony and dark humour. Coming from Leonard, I don't think it was intended to be a weepy weepy sort of song. Having said that, certain Leonard songs have brought tears to my eyes..."Anthem", in particular.

All good things, John E

Interesting take on Hallelujah John and quite similiar to mine but I also see it as mans (Leonard's) struggle between religion and relationships and the conflicting ideas in the bible and his own experiences. It does make me cry but that is because I love it so much not because I find it weepy and I agree with you that Leonard did not intend it to be.

If there are tears around "Hallelujah," they'd most likely be those resulting from an upsurge of emotions from taking in the beauty of the song, akin to what some people experience when seeing
the Grand Canyon and other extraordinary works of natural and manmade art. For a real tearjerker,
a proven song is the late country artist, Red Sovine's "Teddy Bear."

You sum it up perfectly here Steven, well for me anyway! I cannot get through a live performance without shedding tears during this song and never more so than at Lissadell and it was my reaction to Hallelujah in Lissadell which gave me the courage to go to Katowice alone having never left Ireland before!
Interesting you mention The Grand Canyon as I went there only a couple of hours after meeting Leonard in Las Vegas so even before I set foot in the place I was already very emotional though I don't recollect shedding any tears but was certainly overwhelmed by the whole experience.

Songs I do find to be tearjerkers are Art Garfunkel Bright Eyes, Kenny Rogers Coward of the County, Colin Rayes Love Me and James Keelaghan McConvilles way. I can't find this on YouTube or I'd link it in as I doubt too many outside Canada has even heard of him. It was through the music website I write for that brought him to my attention.

[sebmelmoth2003]

according to the london evening standard, clegg is more than familiar with the crying game.

...haven't we heard all this stuff about crying before? Clegg was interviewed by Radio 4's Eddie Mair on the eve of the general election last year and was asked when was the last time he cried. "When did I cry last? Um. When did I cry last? Er. I think ... well, I think the last time I probably cried was to some particularly moving music. I don't remember the day and the time. A lot of music moves me so I am afraid if I start giving a list of music I find moving we will be here all day"...

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/ ... l-music.do