30 March, 2012

Sad Songs That Awaken My Soul

As I posted yesterday, Diane at Spunk on a Stick is hosting a Sad Songs Blogfest today. A music blogfest? I'm so in.

This list is both personal and writing-wise for me. Some songs pull at my heart because they have special meaning while others have added that perfect push to a story or novel.

Listen and enjoy (I won't tell if you cry, too).


The Play and the Flight

Finding Neverland is one of my favorite movies. I laugh and cry at the same spots every time I watch it. But it's this song that particularly touches my heart. It expresses a poignant ache for something more that maybe once was filled but can never be now.




I See The Light

I can't watch this scene in Tangled or listen to this song without at least one tear. This song is me - it tells the story of my past pain and new-found freedom. It resonates with me on a much deeper level than many a "serious" song.




The Giving

Michael W. Smith's Freedom album was a work of art and genius. But it was The Giving that caught my imagination and released a story of sacrifice from my muse. It is so clear to me that this song is about someone giving of themselves in the most absolute of ways. Beautiful, but sad because they won't be there anymore when it is done.




Innocence

Avril Lavigne's song is another impossible coincidence that tells my story of finding freedom from abuse. I feel as if I could have written the words myself. Another tear-bringer.




Loch Lomond

This Scottish tune is heartbreaking. I've never cried through this one but I have been forced to be still and muse on my own thoughts after listening to it. I think it touches a primal piece of humanity.




Escape

I've never seen the movie, Plunkett & MacLeane, but I've listened to its soundtrack a dozen times over. The title suggests that this song is supposed to be epic. It touches a deep, emotional spot in me that makes my writing muse sing when I hear it.




Love

I don't like everything he has produced but Joss Whedon was a genius when he wrote and produced the Firefly universe. This song is from the movie, Serenity. To me, it sums up everything that this world and its characters are about. And I get teary every time.




The Grey Havens

Disclaimer: I have decided that I dislike the Lord of the Rings movies. I just can't handle them. But Howard Shore is another musical genius. The Grey Havens has a bittersweet melody that expresses Tolkien's Middle-earth beautifully. I have been known to cry over this one, as well.




Shine Your Light

I first heard Robbie Robertson's song in the movie, Ladder 49. I fell in love with it even as I bawled my eyes out. More than that, it has remained a source of writing inspiration through the years.




Butterfly Kisses

Perhaps choosing Bob Carlisle's song is a bit of a cliche in certain circles but I can't get over it. It's so sweet and innocent and poignant. I've never cried over it but it does touch the sad vein in my heart.




And there you have it: the top 10 saddest songs that are certain to reduce me to a blubbering, awe-stricken mess.

What is the saddest or most heart-touching song you've ever heard?


35 comments:

  1. Your score/classical pieces... amazing choices... the rest of your list is strong. I love a lady who knows here score music...

    Please Check out My Sad Song List...
    Jeremy [Retro-Zombie]
    Visit The Madness:
    iZOMBIE

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    1. Thanks, Jeremy! Score music has got to be one of my top faves, right up there with the classics.

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  2. some good ones there... but-
    YOU DON'T LIKE LOTR!?!?!?!?!?
    whoah!!!
    :P
    just wanted to say the art in your header is FANTASTIC!
    wowza!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha...yeah, I don't like the movies. I'm a die-hard fan of the books, though. Which...is why I don't like the movies. Every time I watch them, I try. By the end, I'm cursing at my TV and complaining to anyone who will listen about the 900,000+ wrongs Peter Jackson has committed against Tolkien.

      So...I figure it's best to admit defeat and go about my business. ;)

      Thanks for the compliment! I have to admit, though, that it's not mine. They're free commons images from 1940's vintage magazines. I'm only guilty of splicing them together into a header. :)

      Delete
  3. I hate to admit it, but yes, I teared up big time watching Tangled. I blame the music, totally.

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    1. It's a classic Disney movie - fun, tear-causing, good times. Or should I not have admitted that I tear up over classic Disney movies?

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  4. Some sweet songs. The Fellowship of the Ring soundtrack is the one that gets me. And I loved that song from Tangled.

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    1. I had a hard time choosing only my top faves from both movies. Honestly, I like all of them.

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  5. Some great song choices there. I love the music from LotR.

    And I love the films.

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    1. The films, by themselves, I don't mind. In fact, I think the cinematography is absolutely breathtaking. Unfortunately, I can't forgive all the changes Peter Jackson made to the story. I hold Tolkien as almost sacred and well...that makes me one of *those* people.

      But feel free to like it all you want! I promise to not say anything - I'll just think it. ;)

      Thanks for stopping by!

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  6. I think you've tapped something--some songs that go with OTHER stories, some with your own--those are the songs that touch me most, too.

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    1. It's true that there's something about the songs that tell a story and when they combine with your own storytelling...it's inspiring.

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  7. Browsing the Sad Song blogfest list. Nice song choices.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thanks for stopping by! I love your "Whatever" blog - especially the recipe at the top. Cute and funny.

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  8. Aw the Tangled choice was sweet. And I think Avril Lavigne's 'Nobody's Home' is sadder than 'Innocence', but that's a great choice too!

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    1. I did have a hard time choosing between those two Avril Lavigne songs but "Innocence" just has greater meaning to me.

      Love your site, by the way! And now I have another book to add to my growing reading list. :)

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  9. Welcome, Karen!

    I did know that Loch Lomond was written about the two soldiers. For me, that's what makes it so sad and arresting.

    Thanks for visiting!

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  10. Hi, Jessica! I cry every time I watch that part of Tangled. My sons always look at me like I'm nuts...so does my hubby.

    Nice meeting you. I'm a new follower. :)

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    1. Hi Emily! Thanks for visiting and following!

      Yeah, I'm a sucker for that movie. Fortunately, my hubby gets that that's just what's going to happen when I watch it and just holds my hand quietly. :)

      Delete
  11. I love your header. There's something about Irish songs that are kind off melancholy in general, but that one is really sad. Ooo! Serenity. Goodness I still miss that show so much.

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    1. Another Serenity fan! Love it! Thanks for stopping by and for the header compliment.

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  12. Great list!! Love Butterfly Kisses. That was the second song my dad and I danced to at my wedding!

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    1. That's so sweet! It's the perfect song for that.

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  13. You had me at Serenity. Genius.
    HMG

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  14. Wow, a really great and varied list!

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    1. Thanks and thanks for taking the time to read/listen to it!

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  15. Loch Lammon is also a favorite of mine - and Plunket and McLean is not a good movie. But the music is nice!

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    1. I've heard that Plunkett and MacLeane isn't good, which is why I've never bothered. I love the music, still, though.

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  16. These are great choices. Some of the songs on this list, I never heard before. I'm glad that I've stopped on your blog at this time. Nice post!

    www.modernworld4.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Gina! I always love getting new song suggestions.

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  17. Hi Jessica
    Nice to meet you. Great choices. Many of your songs I also love.
    Nancy

    ReplyDelete
  18. Wow, what an amazing post! I'm following you now :) I found you through the A - Z challenge.

    There is a song called Svo Hljótt by Sigur Ros that makes me cry, it just sounds so sad! Homeless by Maria Mena used to make me cry, you should look it up if you haven't heard it, she has a beautiful voice!

    I love the film Finding Neverland, thank you for reminding me about it!

    It's really nice to meet you, I look forward to following your posts!

    Nikki – inspire nordic

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    1. Thanks, Nikki and thanks for having a look around!

      I think I've heard that one before. If I remember correctly, I had a few tears, as well.

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