Powerful/moving songs

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justincredible

Honorable Admin

Mon, May 15, 2023 6:22 PM

There's a lot of stupid, meaningless music out there, and that is perfectly fine. I'm a big fan of silly pop/country/rock music that has no real meaning. But I definitely prefer music with a message, and I feel like most of my favorite artists tend to be very good songwriters. 

Post your favorite song(s) that aren't just feel-good fluff songs. Bonus points if it moves me to(wards) tears.

This one is at the top of my list right now. Fantastic music, and devastating lyrics. Iris DeMent is so underrated, I'd honestly be surprised if anyone on here is familiar with her stuff. She did a few duets with John Prine, who also has a few songs I'll be posting.

1

justincredible

Honorable Admin

Mon, May 15, 2023 6:36 PM

John Prine - Sam Stone

1

MontyBrunswick

Senior Member

Mon, May 15, 2023 6:39 PM

justincredible

Honorable Admin

Mon, May 15, 2023 6:42 PM
posted by MontyBrunswick

Laley23

GOAT

Mon, May 15, 2023 6:43 PM

Especially having a son… Harry Chappin’s Cats in the Cradle. 

Clapton - Tears in Heaven.

Rod Stewart - Forever Young

Van Morrison - Into The Mystic

Cat Stevens - Where Do The Children Play


Maybe not the most powerful, I’d have to scroll and think. But these ones have personal connections to me as well, and I love them all, so top of mind.

2

Ironman92

Administrator

Mon, May 15, 2023 7:24 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xP-Sxfntdb4


Not a huge Kenny fan but god damn this song was written about me, every damn verse…and almost perfect timing to go with it. 

1

Dr Winston O'Boogie

Senior Member

Mon, May 15, 2023 9:30 PM

White Buffalo “Wish It Were True” is one that’s been with me a lot recently.


https://youtu.be/d-8eHYpLzok

Gardens35

Senior Member

Mon, May 15, 2023 9:42 PM

Muskrat Love


"Nibblin' on bacon, chewin' on cheese" gets me in the feelz every time.

majorspark

Senior Member

Mon, May 15, 2023 10:23 PM
posted by Laley23

Especially having a son… Harry Chappin’s Cats in the Cradle.

How old is your son?

Laley23

GOAT

Mon, May 15, 2023 11:32 PM
posted by majorspark
How old is your son?

4. Not to the points in the song that would shape him, but just projecting on random nights when I’d put it on. Especially the opening lines of planes to catch.

When he was born, I was still traveling (talking 45+ weekends a year). I did just about 18 months of that before we (me and wife) hit a breaking point where I had to quit or get a new position at company. This song, consciously or unconsciously definitely played a role for me. 


CenterBHSFan

333 - I'm only half evil

Tue, May 16, 2023 3:59 AM

Daughter - Pearl Jam 

Really one of the coldest songs about a severe rift in a mother/daughter relationship. I don't know if I've ever heard another such a song akin to that topic.



birddog23

Senior Member

Tue, May 16, 2023 7:55 AM

Hurt - Nine Inch Nails

Letters From Home - John Michael Montgomery (hits home for those that have loved ones serving)

Mess Is Mine - Vance Joy

Slow Down - Nichole Nordeman (don't watch in public if you have kids...you will cry) 


Laley23

GOAT

Tue, May 16, 2023 8:29 AM
posted by CenterBHSFan

Daughter - Pearl Jam 

Really one of the coldest songs about a severe rift in a mother/daughter relationship. I don't know if I've ever heard another such a song akin to that topic.

I always wondered what made Eddie Vedder write/sing a song about dyslexia and child abuse. 

ernest_t_bass

12th Son of the Lama

Tue, May 16, 2023 2:56 PM

Clair de Lune - Claude Debussy

It is at the end of Ocean's 11.  Hit me in the feelz every time.  Every time. 

jmog

Senior Member

Tue, May 16, 2023 3:46 PM

The Dance - Garth Brooks


American Pie - Don McLean


I hate to be "that guy" but nearly anything by Evanescence with Amy Lee singing. Her rock ballad voice is just angelic.


Sound of Silence - Disturbed's edition


Cats in the Cradle - Harry Chaplin (having 3 boys, 2 of which are grown...and I travel a lot for work...so yeah read the lyrics if you don't know)


Clapton - Tears in Heaven


On the religious side...

Thank You For Giving to the Lord - Ray Boltz



Nearly anything by Casting Crowns but especially Scars in Heaven


ptown_trojans_1

Moderator

Tue, May 16, 2023 4:27 PM

Of Monsters and Men - Little Talks. 

Thought it was just a typical pop song and then read the lyrics...

It really hits home given the past few years in my family. The last verse always gets me. 

brutus161

The Navy Guy

Wed, May 17, 2023 9:32 AM
posted by birddog23

Hurt - Nine Inch Nails

Johnny Cash's version is much more haunting and meaningful
3

brutus161

The Navy Guy

Wed, May 17, 2023 9:39 AM

He Stopped Loving Her Today - George Jones

Black - Pearl Jam

They are two of my favorite heartbreak songs of all time


Lovely Day - Bill Withers

The Greatest - Kenny Rogers

On the other side, these are two of my favorite songs about positivity and optimism.

jmog

Senior Member

Wed, May 17, 2023 9:49 AM

I Can't Make You Love Me- Teddy Swims Cover

CenterBHSFan

333 - I'm only half evil

Thu, May 18, 2023 8:13 PM
posted by Laley23

I always wondered what made Eddie Vedder write/sing a song about dyslexia and child abuse. 

I think a lot of artists were just sick of the happy excesses of the 80's and decided to veer into the depressing side of things lol

TedSheckler

Emporium Entrepreneur

Fri, May 19, 2023 7:16 AM

The Star Spangled Banner - Francis Scott Key

1

justincredible

Honorable Admin

Fri, May 19, 2023 9:53 AM

This one always gets me. 

QuakerOats

Senior Member

Fri, May 19, 2023 11:57 AM

100 Years  - Five for Fighting (John Ondrasik)

The Riddle -    "     "      "           "         "

Solsbury Hill - Peter Gabriel

My Last Day on Earth - Michael Stanley

Hang On - NEEDTOBREATHE

Bonfire Heart - James Blunt

Clay Pigeons - John Prine




majorspark

Senior Member

Fri, May 19, 2023 10:25 PM
posted by Laley23

4. Not to the points in the song that would shape him, but just projecting on random nights when I’d put it on. Especially the opening lines of planes to catch.

When he was born, I was still traveling (talking 45+ weekends a year). I did just about 18 months of that before we (me and wife) hit a breaking point where I had to quit or get a new position at company. This song, consciously or unconsciously definitely played a role for me. 


Ment to get back to you on this.  Good to hear.  I still have a frog felt cut out with a cork circle sitting on my desk my son made me to set my coffee on when he was a kid.  I also have a piece of torn cardboard that he wrote "you are my hero".  I have a cork board that was in my office with a torn piece of paper tacked to it from my daughter when she was a kid.  It said "hi father".  These things are priceless to me today.  This song lands on your ears with some motivation.  Mine a little regret.

gut

Senior Member

Sat, May 20, 2023 1:12 AM

P-opera for me.

You may recognize this from Gladiator. I think this was originally intended as the theme song....but royalties or something:


And another from Pavarotti, with James Brown - just pure awesomeness:



superman

Senior Member

Sat, May 20, 2023 4:15 PM

Who You'd be Today by Kenny Chesney


For a Day- Chase Rice

This is a new song. If you have lost your father, don't listen to it in public.  


If Father Time had a daughter Walker Hayes