Songs that give me the feels, June 2015 edition
June 12, 2015 12:03 PM Subscribe
Based on this motley assortment of songs that I really get the chills from, can you recommend more?
I find that lately I'm really getting the feels/chills from a handful of songs, and I'm looking for more in this "genre." If I had to guess at what they had in common, I'd say: probably written on a piano, features a fairly high-pitched male vocalist, has at least one or two unexpected vocal hooks/turns-of-phrase, and are unabashedly emotional (both in terms of the performance and the lyrics).
The examples are:
All I Know by Art Garfunkel
Netherlands by Dan Fogelberg
Lost Without Your Love by Bread
The Ballad of Jayne by L.A. Guns
A Little Bit of Everything by Dawes
So ... what other songs can I add to this list?
I find that lately I'm really getting the feels/chills from a handful of songs, and I'm looking for more in this "genre." If I had to guess at what they had in common, I'd say: probably written on a piano, features a fairly high-pitched male vocalist, has at least one or two unexpected vocal hooks/turns-of-phrase, and are unabashedly emotional (both in terms of the performance and the lyrics).
The examples are:
All I Know by Art Garfunkel
Netherlands by Dan Fogelberg
Lost Without Your Love by Bread
The Ballad of Jayne by L.A. Guns
A Little Bit of Everything by Dawes
So ... what other songs can I add to this list?
Okay, also, again, practically everything by Joe Henry, but here are a couple of my favorites:
Our Song (this gets me super emo every time)
God Only Knows
Scar this one is about how love leaves a permanent mark on each of us
Time is a Lion
posted by janey47 at 12:32 PM on June 12, 2015
Our Song (this gets me super emo every time)
God Only Knows
Scar this one is about how love leaves a permanent mark on each of us
Time is a Lion
posted by janey47 at 12:32 PM on June 12, 2015
Damn Yankees - High Enough. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=l_uh8XjgLTE
posted by Sassyfras at 1:04 PM on June 12, 2015
posted by Sassyfras at 1:04 PM on June 12, 2015
Poison - Something to Believe In. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=G5uamDMoW4o
Also I think Guns N Roses - Don't Cry, November Rain and Estranged - all have that piano.
posted by Sassyfras at 1:20 PM on June 12, 2015
Also I think Guns N Roses - Don't Cry, November Rain and Estranged - all have that piano.
posted by Sassyfras at 1:20 PM on June 12, 2015
For me, I have always had that certain "feel" with Brian Wilson's God Only Knows from the BB Pet Sounds album. I don't know of a better song, with such incredible simplicity, that evokes such strong emotion. I only recently read an article that said Paul McCartney considers it the best rock song in history. He had already said it was the best BB song that had a profound influence on him. And they were "rivals." Anyway, God Only Knows does it for me. All the chills, tingles, etc. The layered texture and harmony with simple lyrics that just say so much. Does it every time for me.
posted by Gerard Sorme at 1:45 PM on June 12, 2015 [6 favorites]
posted by Gerard Sorme at 1:45 PM on June 12, 2015 [6 favorites]
Maybe some Antony and the Johnsons - Hope There's Someone
posted by twoporedomain at 1:46 PM on June 12, 2015
posted by twoporedomain at 1:46 PM on June 12, 2015
I hate to double-dip here, but looking at your song examples (what great taste you have!) I thought of another that "fits" your style.
One Summer Dream
(Gotta listen from start to finish)
Your listing Fogelberg's Netherlands as an example really brought back memories. Yes, definite chills.
posted by Gerard Sorme at 1:58 PM on June 12, 2015
One Summer Dream
(Gotta listen from start to finish)
Your listing Fogelberg's Netherlands as an example really brought back memories. Yes, definite chills.
posted by Gerard Sorme at 1:58 PM on June 12, 2015
These songs are pretty different from each other, but I think they incorporate most of the elements you were asking about. They all have that same chill-inducing feeling for me:
That Lonesome Road--James Taylor
Perfect Moment--Art Garfunkel
To Build a Home--Cinematic Orchestra (featuring Patrick Watson)
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 3:35 PM on June 12, 2015
That Lonesome Road--James Taylor
Perfect Moment--Art Garfunkel
To Build a Home--Cinematic Orchestra (featuring Patrick Watson)
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 3:35 PM on June 12, 2015
A little indirect, but still may have what you need:
Black Eyed Dog-- Nick Drake
I Can't-- Ben Sollee
Dive For Your Memory -- Go Betweens
No Distance Left To Run -- Blur
posted by frumiousb at 4:57 PM on June 12, 2015
Black Eyed Dog-- Nick Drake
I Can't-- Ben Sollee
Dive For Your Memory -- Go Betweens
No Distance Left To Run -- Blur
posted by frumiousb at 4:57 PM on June 12, 2015
I'll suggest much of The Innocent Age by Dan Fogelberg
posted by 2 cats in the yard at 7:54 PM on June 12, 2015
posted by 2 cats in the yard at 7:54 PM on June 12, 2015
Doh, too late to edit. I realize that my previous suggestion kinda foregoes the 'simple' part.
I was going to suggest Ray LaMontagne. It works for me, but again, Guitar, not Piano.
posted by DigDoug at 6:54 AM on June 13, 2015
I was going to suggest Ray LaMontagne. It works for me, but again, Guitar, not Piano.
posted by DigDoug at 6:54 AM on June 13, 2015
I'm far from an expert and I don't have a specific song in mind but… piano + male high-pitched voice + unabashedly emotional wouldn't be equal to Queen / Freddie Mercury?
posted by OrangeCat at 7:44 AM on June 13, 2015
posted by OrangeCat at 7:44 AM on June 13, 2015
You probably know that Bread wrote the song, but Nilsson did the definitive version:
Without You
Assuming some leeway with specifics in favor of overall emotional tone, you might like some of these:
Randy Newman - Marie
Aimee Mann - Wise Up, Save Me
Billy Joel (L. Cohen cover) - Light as the Breeze
Jake Bug - Broken
Just rediscovered this perfect bit of 60's pop, Herb Albert's cover of Burt Bacharach's This Guy's in Love with You.
Lastly, my latest obsession: Bryan Ferry's cover of Robert Palmer's Johnny & Mary. Absolutely haunting.
posted by Bron at 9:24 AM on June 13, 2015 [2 favorites]
Without You
Assuming some leeway with specifics in favor of overall emotional tone, you might like some of these:
Randy Newman - Marie
Aimee Mann - Wise Up, Save Me
Billy Joel (L. Cohen cover) - Light as the Breeze
Jake Bug - Broken
Just rediscovered this perfect bit of 60's pop, Herb Albert's cover of Burt Bacharach's This Guy's in Love with You.
Lastly, my latest obsession: Bryan Ferry's cover of Robert Palmer's Johnny & Mary. Absolutely haunting.
posted by Bron at 9:24 AM on June 13, 2015 [2 favorites]
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posted by janey47 at 12:21 PM on June 12, 2015