Make me sob
April 27, 2023 9:53 AM Subscribe
I want media that will make me cry. Music (artists or specific songs), books, movies, TV shows... anything that really evokes an emotional response, hit me with it.
Doesn't have to be sad, could be happy tears, complex emotions, just anything that cuts really deep and exposes something about the human condition. Bonus for an interpersonal relationship element (does not have to be romantic; parent/child, friendship, anything goes).
Doesn't have to be sad, could be happy tears, complex emotions, just anything that cuts really deep and exposes something about the human condition. Bonus for an interpersonal relationship element (does not have to be romantic; parent/child, friendship, anything goes).
Music: The Pogues version of And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda
TV: Six Feet Under, especially the finale, though the finale only works if you've seen the show and know the characters.
Moves: The first 20 minutes of Up. Most other Pixar movies.
posted by bondcliff at 9:58 AM on April 27, 2023 [7 favorites]
TV: Six Feet Under, especially the finale, though the finale only works if you've seen the show and know the characters.
Moves: The first 20 minutes of Up. Most other Pixar movies.
posted by bondcliff at 9:58 AM on April 27, 2023 [7 favorites]
The BBC show Call the Midwife reliably makes me cry just about every episode - sometimes happy tears, sometimes sad. (This was true even before I had kids but is especially true now that I'm a parent.)
posted by Synesthesia at 10:04 AM on April 27, 2023 [9 favorites]
posted by Synesthesia at 10:04 AM on April 27, 2023 [9 favorites]
I'm sappy, but two movies that always do it for me are:
-Field of Dreams, when Kevin Costner says "hey dad, wanna have a catch?"
-It's a Wonderful Life, when Jimmy Stewart stands on the bridge and says "I want to live again". Also "to my big brother George, the richest man in town".
posted by kevinbelt at 10:04 AM on April 27, 2023 [9 favorites]
-Field of Dreams, when Kevin Costner says "hey dad, wanna have a catch?"
-It's a Wonderful Life, when Jimmy Stewart stands on the bridge and says "I want to live again". Also "to my big brother George, the richest man in town".
posted by kevinbelt at 10:04 AM on April 27, 2023 [9 favorites]
Things that have made me burst into tears.
The Amazing Catfish (movie from Mexico 2013)
Just Kids by Patti Smith
Almost anything sung by Nina Simone.
posted by brookeb at 10:07 AM on April 27, 2023
The Amazing Catfish (movie from Mexico 2013)
Just Kids by Patti Smith
Almost anything sung by Nina Simone.
posted by brookeb at 10:07 AM on April 27, 2023
Spanish Love Songs "Optimism (As A Radical Life Choice)" (Etc Version)
(pretty much the entirety of the Brave Faces Everyone Etc. album, but this one hits.)
posted by General Malaise at 10:08 AM on April 27, 2023
(pretty much the entirety of the Brave Faces Everyone Etc. album, but this one hits.)
posted by General Malaise at 10:08 AM on April 27, 2023
Pixar movies are seemingly engineered in a lab to squeeze tears out of unwilling subjects, and my favorite one is Inside Out.
posted by cakelite at 10:10 AM on April 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by cakelite at 10:10 AM on April 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
One of my favorites: Antonin Dvorák - Slavonic Dance op 72, Nr. 2
posted by Don_K at 10:12 AM on April 27, 2023
posted by Don_K at 10:12 AM on April 27, 2023
Yeah, a lot of Pixar movies are this.
I recently read Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, which made me cry so hard I threw up, but ymmv
posted by goodbyewaffles at 10:15 AM on April 27, 2023 [3 favorites]
I recently read Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, which made me cry so hard I threw up, but ymmv
posted by goodbyewaffles at 10:15 AM on April 27, 2023 [3 favorites]
The end of Crazy Rich Asians got to me.
The Last of Us, episode 3.
posted by Ms Vegetable at 10:19 AM on April 27, 2023 [7 favorites]
The Last of Us, episode 3.
posted by Ms Vegetable at 10:19 AM on April 27, 2023 [7 favorites]
The last episode of Station Eleven had everyone everywhere in tears. But yes, must watch the whole lead up.
Seconding Six Feet Under.
posted by cocoagirl at 10:20 AM on April 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
Seconding Six Feet Under.
posted by cocoagirl at 10:20 AM on April 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
I think that the song "Matthew 25:21" by the Mountain Goats is a pretty direct line to a good sob.
And for me so is the Florist album "Emily Alone."
And then "A Crow Looked at Me" by Mount Eerie but like make sure you're sitting down and you don't need to do anything productive all day.
posted by kensington314 at 10:21 AM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
And for me so is the Florist album "Emily Alone."
And then "A Crow Looked at Me" by Mount Eerie but like make sure you're sitting down and you don't need to do anything productive all day.
posted by kensington314 at 10:21 AM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
I had to come back to add the slow section of Liszt - Hungarian Rhapsody No.3 in D. This isn't my favorite performance, but YouTube didn't have many choices. Still great!
posted by Don_K at 10:23 AM on April 27, 2023
posted by Don_K at 10:23 AM on April 27, 2023
This one is better: Liszt - Hungarian Rhapsody No.3 in D. Sorry for an additional post.
posted by Don_K at 10:30 AM on April 27, 2023
posted by Don_K at 10:30 AM on April 27, 2023
The movie Gladiator, particularly the end, reliably makes me cry.
posted by MadamM at 10:30 AM on April 27, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by MadamM at 10:30 AM on April 27, 2023 [2 favorites]
Brandi Carlile - The Joke
posted by repoman at 10:33 AM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by repoman at 10:33 AM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
The Lumineers' album, III, makes me sniffly every time I listen to it. Not sure why (or if it's specific to me).
posted by gofordays at 10:34 AM on April 27, 2023
posted by gofordays at 10:34 AM on April 27, 2023
Just watched Billy Elliot again and I sobbed again, as usual.
Also rewatched all the Rocky movies and teared up at the end of every one of them, just like when I was a kid. But the first one really got me and I cried for a long time after that one.
posted by dawkins_7 at 10:37 AM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
Also rewatched all the Rocky movies and teared up at the end of every one of them, just like when I was a kid. But the first one really got me and I cried for a long time after that one.
posted by dawkins_7 at 10:37 AM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
Very little in media makes me cry but these were exceptions:
Cathartic - The movie After Life (Japanese title is Wonderful Life), directed by Kore-eda Hirokazu. One of my favorite movies; I only cried the first time through.
Super super sad - The Studio Ghibli animated film Grave of the Fireflies (my spouse and I have never cried so hard during a movie). Also, another Kore-eda movie called Nobody Knows, which is even sadder knowing it was based on a true story. I don't think I can ever watch these again, so proceed with caution if this is not the crying you're looking for.
posted by sencha at 10:40 AM on April 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
Cathartic - The movie After Life (Japanese title is Wonderful Life), directed by Kore-eda Hirokazu. One of my favorite movies; I only cried the first time through.
Super super sad - The Studio Ghibli animated film Grave of the Fireflies (my spouse and I have never cried so hard during a movie). Also, another Kore-eda movie called Nobody Knows, which is even sadder knowing it was based on a true story. I don't think I can ever watch these again, so proceed with caution if this is not the crying you're looking for.
posted by sencha at 10:40 AM on April 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
This amazingly beautiful story of a rural Chinese girl learning violin (from This American Life)
JUST TRY not to cry at the end (and some of the middle) of Homeward Bound
(Tearing up just thinking about it and I haven't seen it in many years!)
YouTubes:
This 2012 live Lip-Dub Proposal
Hi Ren (mental health related music video, 9 minutes, watch to end if you can - starts a little weird!)
Chalk Outlines (mental health related)
posted by Glinn at 10:40 AM on April 27, 2023 [2 favorites]
JUST TRY not to cry at the end (and some of the middle) of Homeward Bound
(Tearing up just thinking about it and I haven't seen it in many years!)
YouTubes:
This 2012 live Lip-Dub Proposal
Hi Ren (mental health related music video, 9 minutes, watch to end if you can - starts a little weird!)
Chalk Outlines (mental health related)
posted by Glinn at 10:40 AM on April 27, 2023 [2 favorites]
The song Kintsugi by Lana Del Rey has been hitting me square in the feels lately.
I also read In The Unlikely Event by Judy Blume recently and teared up on numerous occasions.
I'm a very, very infrequent cryer under normal circumstances so hopefully there might be some potential tears in these recommendedations for you!
posted by terretu at 10:45 AM on April 27, 2023
I also read In The Unlikely Event by Judy Blume recently and teared up on numerous occasions.
I'm a very, very infrequent cryer under normal circumstances so hopefully there might be some potential tears in these recommendedations for you!
posted by terretu at 10:45 AM on April 27, 2023
a couple of tracks from Innuendo, Queen's last album with Freddy Mercury.
"These Are The Days of Our Lives" -- Freddy is clearly ailing here but his elegance shines through like a nebula star. and Brian May's guitar solo is perfect ... soaring and sad.
"The Show Must Go On" -- 50% mourning, 50% defiance, an amazing swan song for an amazing performer.
posted by Sauce Trough at 10:45 AM on April 27, 2023 [3 favorites]
"These Are The Days of Our Lives" -- Freddy is clearly ailing here but his elegance shines through like a nebula star. and Brian May's guitar solo is perfect ... soaring and sad.
"The Show Must Go On" -- 50% mourning, 50% defiance, an amazing swan song for an amazing performer.
posted by Sauce Trough at 10:45 AM on April 27, 2023 [3 favorites]
TV/Movies (Spoiler warning if you have not seen what leads up to these scenes):
Lord of the Rings: Return of the King: "You bow to no one" .
The Expanse: Season 6, episode 5. The "Fuck you..." scene between Drummer and Nagata.
Music:
Missy Higgins: Everybody's Waiting
Star Trek: First Contact Theme
Books:
The Tsar of Love and Techno, by Anthony Mara
posted by SegFaultCoreDump at 10:45 AM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
Lord of the Rings: Return of the King: "You bow to no one" .
The Expanse: Season 6, episode 5. The "Fuck you..." scene between Drummer and Nagata.
Music:
Missy Higgins: Everybody's Waiting
Star Trek: First Contact Theme
Books:
The Tsar of Love and Techno, by Anthony Mara
posted by SegFaultCoreDump at 10:45 AM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
From the Church of the Cosmic Skull: Everybody's Going To Die
a song which is a weird lovely mix of mourning and affirmation.
posted by Sauce Trough at 10:48 AM on April 27, 2023 [2 favorites]
a song which is a weird lovely mix of mourning and affirmation.
posted by Sauce Trough at 10:48 AM on April 27, 2023 [2 favorites]
In the film "The Killing Fields" there is a scene where a group of international journalists are in an abandoned embassy scrambling to get the Cambodian journalist out of the country before he can be arrested. There was audible sobbing in the movie theatre. I was emotionally spent at the end of that film. What a ride.
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 10:49 AM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 10:49 AM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
"Plainsong" by the Cure
posted by TwilightKid at 10:53 AM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by TwilightKid at 10:53 AM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
If you want to cry, Korean dramas are made for you (K-drama)! Just play any K-drama on Netflix and GO.
posted by ichimunki at 10:55 AM on April 27, 2023
posted by ichimunki at 10:55 AM on April 27, 2023
I'm currently reading Maybe You Should Talk to Someone and my eyes have been leaking BIG TIME.
posted by tafetta, darling! at 11:04 AM on April 27, 2023
posted by tafetta, darling! at 11:04 AM on April 27, 2023
Leaving Las Vegas is the most depressing movie I've ever seen. I didn't like it, because I didn't take anything from it beyond, "Let's watch these depressed people being self-destructive," but most critics loved it.
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 11:05 AM on April 27, 2023
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 11:05 AM on April 27, 2023
Sad tears:
Movie: Dancer in the Dark
Book: A Little Life
posted by greta simone at 11:06 AM on April 27, 2023 [3 favorites]
Movie: Dancer in the Dark
Book: A Little Life
posted by greta simone at 11:06 AM on April 27, 2023 [3 favorites]
The segment "Really Long Distance" from This American Life had me unexpectedly sobbing in my car. It's about a phone booth (not connected to anything) that has attracted people whose loved ones died in the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
posted by Synesthesia at 11:13 AM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Synesthesia at 11:13 AM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
Individually nearly every song, and taken all-at-once as a whole Tori Amos' Boys for Pele brings me all the tears every single time.
posted by riverlife at 11:14 AM on April 27, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by riverlife at 11:14 AM on April 27, 2023 [2 favorites]
Music: The Virtute cycle by The Weakerthans / John K. Samson (Plea from a Cat Named Virtute, Virtute the Cat Explains Her Departure, and Virtute at Rest).
posted by Alterscape at 11:14 AM on April 27, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by Alterscape at 11:14 AM on April 27, 2023 [5 favorites]
Song:
Keep Me in Your Heart by Warren Zeavon, written and performed after learning of his terminal diagnosis
Book:
The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai, about a friend group (mostly) of gay men in 1980s Chicago dealing with the AIDs epidemic with a timeline involving some of the survivors of that group in 2015.
posted by the primroses were over at 11:15 AM on April 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
Keep Me in Your Heart by Warren Zeavon, written and performed after learning of his terminal diagnosis
Book:
The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai, about a friend group (mostly) of gay men in 1980s Chicago dealing with the AIDs epidemic with a timeline involving some of the survivors of that group in 2015.
posted by the primroses were over at 11:15 AM on April 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
The Michael Pollan Netflix documentary series How to Change Your Mind based on his book about psychedelics includes interviews with people reflecting on their past server mental illness, and how psychedelics have radically helped them. I just watched an episode last night, where a man who once suffered with OCD so severe he was barely functional and unable to enjoy becoming a father, took psilocybin once, and now it totally cured and has his life back - he starts crying tears of joy recalling his trip, which made me start to cry.
posted by coffeecat at 11:18 AM on April 27, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by coffeecat at 11:18 AM on April 27, 2023 [2 favorites]
Ettore Scola's A Special Day is an excellent film that will make you feel a lot. I can also recommend the whole of Dekalog, but if you don't have time to watch it all (its total runtime is about 10 hours, split in 10 episodes), I can particularly recommend I, III, and VI. Other than those two, Two Days, One Night, Still Walking, Through the Olive Trees (part of a trilogy), and The Naked Island come to my mind immediately.
I wouldn't say any of the films I mentioned are universal tearjerkers, but if you happen to be on the same wavelength as they are, you will find them incredibly affecting.
posted by limoni at 11:22 AM on April 27, 2023
I wouldn't say any of the films I mentioned are universal tearjerkers, but if you happen to be on the same wavelength as they are, you will find them incredibly affecting.
posted by limoni at 11:22 AM on April 27, 2023
Kitbull makes me cry every time. It's an wonderful animated short film about a friendship between a stray kitten and a pitbull -- and instead of saying more, I'll let the little story speak for itself.
posted by cnidaria at 11:25 AM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by cnidaria at 11:25 AM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
Latter Days by Over the Rhine
Unfortunately (fortunately for me) I’ve pushed a lot of the sad media stuff out of my mind for self-preservation because I can get drawn down into it too easily.
posted by glaucon at 11:27 AM on April 27, 2023
Unfortunately (fortunately for me) I’ve pushed a lot of the sad media stuff out of my mind for self-preservation because I can get drawn down into it too easily.
posted by glaucon at 11:27 AM on April 27, 2023
Seconding Lana Del Rey’s new album, Kintsugi, yes, but also the title track, Fingertips, and other songs.
And pretty much the entire discography of Aimee Mann and Gillian Welch. I love me some sad music, but I’ve learned I have to budget myself because if I listen to too much at once I get depressed, which is not the effect I want!
posted by rikschell at 11:30 AM on April 27, 2023 [3 favorites]
And pretty much the entire discography of Aimee Mann and Gillian Welch. I love me some sad music, but I’ve learned I have to budget myself because if I listen to too much at once I get depressed, which is not the effect I want!
posted by rikschell at 11:30 AM on April 27, 2023 [3 favorites]
Puff the Magic Dragon hits me HARD as an adult. I'm taking rivers of tears.
posted by kimberussell at 11:30 AM on April 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by kimberussell at 11:30 AM on April 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
Oh, and from Hamilton, “It’s Quiet Uptown” has NEVER not made me openly weep.
posted by rikschell at 11:32 AM on April 27, 2023 [9 favorites]
posted by rikschell at 11:32 AM on April 27, 2023 [9 favorites]
Watch Tonya Harding nail the triple axle, then watch to the end.
Watch Kelly Clarkson perform "Piece by Piece" live
Songs:
"Elephant" by Jason Isbell
"Life is Sweet" and "The King of May" by Natalie Merchant
"Hard Times" by Gillian Welch
posted by TrarNoir at 11:34 AM on April 27, 2023
Watch Kelly Clarkson perform "Piece by Piece" live
Songs:
"Elephant" by Jason Isbell
"Life is Sweet" and "The King of May" by Natalie Merchant
"Hard Times" by Gillian Welch
posted by TrarNoir at 11:34 AM on April 27, 2023
"The Curse" by Josh Ritter always slays me. Bonus points for the beguiling marionettes in this video.
"Makers" by Rocky Votolato is another highlight from the Tearjerkers playlist you've inspired me to start compiling.
posted by HillbillyInBC at 11:35 AM on April 27, 2023
"Makers" by Rocky Votolato is another highlight from the Tearjerkers playlist you've inspired me to start compiling.
posted by HillbillyInBC at 11:35 AM on April 27, 2023
The saddest songs I can think of:
-Don't This Look Like the Dark by Songs: Ohia. Sample lyric: "I can't start to count the things I said I'd never be/But I became them all the night you quit counting on me.
-The Warming Sun by Grandaddy.
-I Loved You Better Than You Knew by The Carter Family.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 11:40 AM on April 27, 2023
-Don't This Look Like the Dark by Songs: Ohia. Sample lyric: "I can't start to count the things I said I'd never be/But I became them all the night you quit counting on me.
-The Warming Sun by Grandaddy.
-I Loved You Better Than You Knew by The Carter Family.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 11:40 AM on April 27, 2023
It's a song about loneliness and isolation so Brian and Robert always makes me tear up, especially live. This one was recorded during the pandemic, which kind of gave the song new meaning.
posted by bondcliff at 11:45 AM on April 27, 2023
posted by bondcliff at 11:45 AM on April 27, 2023
The whole of the episode "The Body" from Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Season 5, episode 16), but especially the scene where Anya is trying to understand the rituals around death.
Song: Colin Hay's "Maggie"
Show: The Last of Us, "Long Long Time"
posted by jzb at 11:46 AM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
"But I don’t understand! I don’t understand how this all happens. How we go through this. I mean, I knew her, and then she’s, there’s just a body, and I don’t understand why she just can’t get back in it and not be dead anymore! It’s stupid! It’s mortal and stupid! And, and Xander’s crying and not talking, and, and I was having fruit punch, and I thought, well Joyce will never have any more fruit punch, ever, and she’ll never have eggs, or yawn or brush her hair, not ever, and no one will explain to me why."It never fails to hit me like a sledgehammer.
Song: Colin Hay's "Maggie"
Show: The Last of Us, "Long Long Time"
posted by jzb at 11:46 AM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
Ugh. Atonement and Never Let Me Go are auto-crying for me. (Equally so for the book versions.)
posted by BlahLaLa at 11:56 AM on April 27, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by BlahLaLa at 11:56 AM on April 27, 2023 [3 favorites]
I cried so hard at the novel The Great Believers that I am a little afraid to ever read it again
[oop on preview that's a double]
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 12:02 PM on April 27, 2023
[oop on preview that's a double]
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 12:02 PM on April 27, 2023
You don't know it, but what you want is Au Hasard Balthazar.
posted by dobbs at 12:08 PM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by dobbs at 12:08 PM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
The saddest recent-ish films I can think of, with links to them on FanFare. (I added the top four to FF while I was at it.)
-Lemonade, 2018, by Ioana Uricaru. A Romanian immigrant nurse in the US marries one of her patients and is accused of having a sham marriage.
-Tyrannosaur, 2011, by Paddy Considine. An angry, violent man finds respite and friendship with an abused woman.
-Lion, 2016, by Garth Davis. Echoing the rec above for this. Harrowing and sad, but ultimately uplifting story of a young boy, lost from his family in India, who in unwavering in his years long search to find them.
-Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father, 2008, Kurt Kuenne. A medical student is murdered, so his filmmaker friend started this documentary as a gift to the man's unborn son.
-A Dark Song, 2016, Liam Gavin. This is actually a horror movie that is scary and sort of seedy, until towards it's not. The end is famously sad and beautiful. To watch this one, you'd have to be okay with a scary movie that take a third act turn into something sad.
-I, Daniel Blake, 2016 by Ken Loach. A widower who has recently suffered a heart attack finds that the UK government wants to grant him neither work nor disability benefits.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 12:12 PM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
-Lemonade, 2018, by Ioana Uricaru. A Romanian immigrant nurse in the US marries one of her patients and is accused of having a sham marriage.
-Tyrannosaur, 2011, by Paddy Considine. An angry, violent man finds respite and friendship with an abused woman.
-Lion, 2016, by Garth Davis. Echoing the rec above for this. Harrowing and sad, but ultimately uplifting story of a young boy, lost from his family in India, who in unwavering in his years long search to find them.
-Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father, 2008, Kurt Kuenne. A medical student is murdered, so his filmmaker friend started this documentary as a gift to the man's unborn son.
-A Dark Song, 2016, Liam Gavin. This is actually a horror movie that is scary and sort of seedy, until towards it's not. The end is famously sad and beautiful. To watch this one, you'd have to be okay with a scary movie that take a third act turn into something sad.
-I, Daniel Blake, 2016 by Ken Loach. A widower who has recently suffered a heart attack finds that the UK government wants to grant him neither work nor disability benefits.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 12:12 PM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
Going way back in time, here, but Wildfire made me cry so much in middle school that my mother turned the radio off in the car the minute she heard it start.
posted by mygothlaundry at 12:31 PM on April 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by mygothlaundry at 12:31 PM on April 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
Old Partner (2008), Korean, about an old rural couple and their ox. Directed by Lee Chung-ryoul. It’s a howling weepy. Your library may have it, and there’s a DVD for sale on eBay. If anyone knows where it’s streaming, please sing out.
posted by xaryts at 12:41 PM on April 27, 2023
posted by xaryts at 12:41 PM on April 27, 2023
A book for kids (but really for all people) about grief: Ida, Always.
posted by CiaoMela at 12:43 PM on April 27, 2023
posted by CiaoMela at 12:43 PM on April 27, 2023
The song "A Boy and His Frog", written in the immediate aftermath of Jim Henson's death, by folksinger Tom Smith (and introduced to me by fellow mefite tzikeh):
https://tomsmith.bandcamp.com/track/a-boy-and-his-frog
That page can stream it, or you can purchase a download, and the lyrics are there as well. It's about grief, and creation, and love, and loss, from Kermit's point of view.
posted by theatro at 12:53 PM on April 27, 2023 [2 favorites]
https://tomsmith.bandcamp.com/track/a-boy-and-his-frog
That page can stream it, or you can purchase a download, and the lyrics are there as well. It's about grief, and creation, and love, and loss, from Kermit's point of view.
posted by theatro at 12:53 PM on April 27, 2023 [2 favorites]
Children's author Robert Munsch's "Love You Forever" has been making people cry for years.
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 1:05 PM on April 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 1:05 PM on April 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
I don't know about a crying response but Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings is practically the official music for public grieving.
Composer David Bruce chased down "The Saddest Concerto of All Time" .
posted by SemiSalt at 1:10 PM on April 27, 2023 [3 favorites]
Composer David Bruce chased down "The Saddest Concerto of All Time" .
posted by SemiSalt at 1:10 PM on April 27, 2023 [3 favorites]
The scene in Meet Me In St. Louis where the little girl is so upset about moving. Kills me, reminds me of when I had to move about that age.
From The Young and the Restless: JT saves Colleen and hands her to Brad (her father).
Downton Abbey Season/Series 5, Episode 8: After the war memorial is unveiled, Robert reveals a memorial to Mrs. Patmore's nephew Archie, who had shell shock and was shot for desertion. It makes me cry every time.
The end of the movie The Quiet Girl.
posted by jgirl at 1:14 PM on April 27, 2023
From The Young and the Restless: JT saves Colleen and hands her to Brad (her father).
Downton Abbey Season/Series 5, Episode 8: After the war memorial is unveiled, Robert reveals a memorial to Mrs. Patmore's nephew Archie, who had shell shock and was shot for desertion. It makes me cry every time.
The end of the movie The Quiet Girl.
posted by jgirl at 1:14 PM on April 27, 2023
Neck Deep's song 19 Seventy Sumthin'
I've yet to make it through that song without crying
posted by poppunkcat at 1:16 PM on April 27, 2023
I've yet to make it through that song without crying
posted by poppunkcat at 1:16 PM on April 27, 2023
Oh man, Arcade Fire's The Suburbs video gives me a lump in my throat Every. Damn. Time.
Another dependable one is the scene in the first Incredibles movie where she has the kids in the plane with her and they are trying to shoot them down and she's screaming Abort! Abort! Abort! and wraps herself around them. Unsure if people who do not have children will be similarly affected.
posted by SinAesthetic at 1:21 PM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
Another dependable one is the scene in the first Incredibles movie where she has the kids in the plane with her and they are trying to shoot them down and she's screaming Abort! Abort! Abort! and wraps herself around them. Unsure if people who do not have children will be similarly affected.
posted by SinAesthetic at 1:21 PM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
Let me recommend to you a song about a parent's love for their children, When Mac was Swimming by the Innocence Mission and a song about loving a partner If We Were Vampires by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
posted by procrastination at 1:24 PM on April 27, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by procrastination at 1:24 PM on April 27, 2023 [3 favorites]
The song How Can I Help You Say Goodbye by Patti Loveless. Go Rest High on That Mountain by Vince Gill.
posted by Sassyfras at 1:39 PM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Sassyfras at 1:39 PM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
When I needed to get some tears out recently, this ASMR Comforting You While You Cry was really, really helpful (I didn't need to be even more sad, I just needed to stop bottling it up a bit).
I haven't seen it since the 90s but I sobbed through the entirety of Truly, Madly, Deeply.
posted by mimi at 2:01 PM on April 27, 2023 [2 favorites]
I haven't seen it since the 90s but I sobbed through the entirety of Truly, Madly, Deeply.
posted by mimi at 2:01 PM on April 27, 2023 [2 favorites]
Here you go. It'll take less than four minutes. Cat's In The Cradle.
posted by lpsguy at 2:07 PM on April 27, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by lpsguy at 2:07 PM on April 27, 2023 [5 favorites]
The second movement of Gorecki's Symphony of Sorrowful Songs:
No, Mother, do not weep,
Most chaste Queen of Heaven
Support me always.
Zdrowas Mario (Ave Maria)
posted by Martha My Dear Prudence at 2:09 PM on April 27, 2023
No, Mother, do not weep,
Most chaste Queen of Heaven
Support me always.
Zdrowas Mario (Ave Maria)
posted by Martha My Dear Prudence at 2:09 PM on April 27, 2023
A few more from my aforementioned playlist as it takes shape:
"Follow You To Virgie" by Tyler Childers
"Sam Stone" by John Prine
"Yuma" by Justin Townes Earle (CW: suicide)
posted by HillbillyInBC at 2:23 PM on April 27, 2023
"Follow You To Virgie" by Tyler Childers
"Sam Stone" by John Prine
"Yuma" by Justin Townes Earle (CW: suicide)
posted by HillbillyInBC at 2:23 PM on April 27, 2023
Ctrl+F: Bluey
Results: 0
o_O
Bluey, the Australian cartoon about a family of dogs, is some of the most beautiful, emotional and lovely TV I have seen in a very long time. It reliably makes me sob. I am an adult with no children - you don't have to be a child or a parent to appreciate the genius of this wonderful show. I cannot stop singing its praises.
Episodes that will particularly tug on your heartstrings
1. Sleepytime (be prepared... this will wreck you. It wrecks me. In a good way, but still.)
2. Onesies (CW: implied infertility)
3. Space
4. Bike
5. Handstand
6. Baby Race
7. Flatpack
8. Weekend
9. Butterflies
10. Dance Mode
posted by unicorn chaser at 2:29 PM on April 27, 2023 [5 favorites]
Results: 0
o_O
Bluey, the Australian cartoon about a family of dogs, is some of the most beautiful, emotional and lovely TV I have seen in a very long time. It reliably makes me sob. I am an adult with no children - you don't have to be a child or a parent to appreciate the genius of this wonderful show. I cannot stop singing its praises.
Episodes that will particularly tug on your heartstrings
1. Sleepytime (be prepared... this will wreck you. It wrecks me. In a good way, but still.)
2. Onesies (CW: implied infertility)
3. Space
4. Bike
5. Handstand
6. Baby Race
7. Flatpack
8. Weekend
9. Butterflies
10. Dance Mode
posted by unicorn chaser at 2:29 PM on April 27, 2023 [5 favorites]
There is a song by Canadian pianist Jean-Michel Blais called "chanson" that has had me break down on numerous occasions...
posted by aspiring_person at 2:39 PM on April 27, 2023
posted by aspiring_person at 2:39 PM on April 27, 2023
The Rainbow Connection makes me tear up just thinking about it. Just the banjo opening gets me going.
The Girl with the Flaxen Hair makes me cry also, it's so beautiful and sad and hopeful.
posted by woot at 2:47 PM on April 27, 2023 [5 favorites]
The Girl with the Flaxen Hair makes me cry also, it's so beautiful and sad and hopeful.
posted by woot at 2:47 PM on April 27, 2023 [5 favorites]
2 songs I cannot listen to without bursting into tears, but YMMV
Iron and WIne, Upward Over the Mountain
Decemberists, Dear Avery
posted by mygothlaundry at 2:47 PM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
Iron and WIne, Upward Over the Mountain
Decemberists, Dear Avery
posted by mygothlaundry at 2:47 PM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
OOOH, also "Daddy, What If" which is a country song written by Shel Silverstein. It was originally performed by Bobby Bare and his son, Bobby Bare Jr. I like the version Bobby Bare Jr. did later with his daughter Isabella.
This one makes my spouse blubber inconsolably.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 2:59 PM on April 27, 2023
This one makes my spouse blubber inconsolably.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 2:59 PM on April 27, 2023
It’s Quiet Uptown from the Hamilton soundtrack still makes me sob.
posted by victoriab at 3:11 PM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by victoriab at 3:11 PM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
Shannon got to me once I realized that the singer is grieving over his dog.
posted by SPrintF at 3:14 PM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by SPrintF at 3:14 PM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
Michelle Zauner's memoir Crying in H-Mart is full of all kinds of feels and elicits a lot of emotion for me. Just thinking about the essay (archive) it's based on is enough to make me tear up. It's about her relationship with her mother and her experience as a Korean-American. After you read it, listening to her sing this song in Korean may elicit joyous tears
posted by okonomichiyaki at 3:24 PM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by okonomichiyaki at 3:24 PM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
Tanya Tagaq makes me weep with unknown emotion.
Thanks for the great question / free therapy!
posted by i_mean_come_on_now at 4:04 PM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
Thanks for the great question / free therapy!
posted by i_mean_come_on_now at 4:04 PM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
Sintel absolutely wrecks me.
Also (and unrelated): Korelia's Song
posted by sourcequench at 4:10 PM on April 27, 2023
Also (and unrelated): Korelia's Song
posted by sourcequench at 4:10 PM on April 27, 2023
It's been decades, but I will never watch it again, especially THAT SCENE; "Sophie's Choice" the movie.
"Marley and Me". As a pet owner...oof.
posted by annieb at 4:14 PM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
"Marley and Me". As a pet owner...oof.
posted by annieb at 4:14 PM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
Lori McKenna's Never Die Young has never not left me sobbing uncontrollably
Cry Cry Cry's version of Cold Missouri Waters
and relatedly Richard Shindell's You Stay Here and Reunion Hill
posted by kitten kaboodle at 4:17 PM on April 27, 2023
Cry Cry Cry's version of Cold Missouri Waters
and relatedly Richard Shindell's You Stay Here and Reunion Hill
posted by kitten kaboodle at 4:17 PM on April 27, 2023
Sunrise, sunset from Fiddler on the Roof
Baby Mine from Dumbo
You'll Be in My Heart Phil Collins from Tarzan
Somewhere Out There from An American Tail
(I think I see a theme here...)
posted by evilmomlady at 4:37 PM on April 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
Baby Mine from Dumbo
You'll Be in My Heart Phil Collins from Tarzan
Somewhere Out There from An American Tail
(I think I see a theme here...)
posted by evilmomlady at 4:37 PM on April 27, 2023 [4 favorites]
I played less than two seconds of this while making sure it was the right version for this link. It STILL almost made me sob. My eyes are still stinging.
It's the original version of the theme song for Disney's Lion King.
posted by amtho at 4:43 PM on April 27, 2023 [3 favorites]
It's the original version of the theme song for Disney's Lion King.
posted by amtho at 4:43 PM on April 27, 2023 [3 favorites]
Oh gosh, Andor is tailor made for the OP. Especially the episodes "One Way Out" and "Rix Road" which pay off a couple of the show's big storylines.
It's not just great Star Wars, it's great TV period. The show is so good at creating emotionally grabby characters; the triumphs are well-earned fist-pumpers and the tragedies are fucking heartbreaking.
posted by Sauce Trough at 6:08 PM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
It's not just great Star Wars, it's great TV period. The show is so good at creating emotionally grabby characters; the triumphs are well-earned fist-pumpers and the tragedies are fucking heartbreaking.
posted by Sauce Trough at 6:08 PM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
On behalf of Australians of a certain age, I give you this gem that was played on ABC TV most mornings just in time for small children to suffer an existential crisis before school:
Art Garfunkel - Bright Eyes - Watership Down
(But hey, we also got this.)
posted by some little punk in a rocket at 8:24 PM on April 27, 2023 [3 favorites]
Art Garfunkel - Bright Eyes - Watership Down
(But hey, we also got this.)
posted by some little punk in a rocket at 8:24 PM on April 27, 2023 [3 favorites]
Seconding Dancer in the Dark. I'm a crier, I cry at all sorts of movies and shows, and I've never cried so hard then while watching this.
posted by Adifferentbear at 8:54 PM on April 27, 2023
posted by Adifferentbear at 8:54 PM on April 27, 2023
songs:
Sufjan Stevens - Casimir Pulaski Day
Okkervil River - John Allyn Smith Sails
Kevin Morby - This is a Photograph
movie:
A.I.
book:
Ouida - A Dog of Flanders
posted by Redstart at 8:56 PM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
Sufjan Stevens - Casimir Pulaski Day
Okkervil River - John Allyn Smith Sails
Kevin Morby - This is a Photograph
movie:
A.I.
book:
Ouida - A Dog of Flanders
posted by Redstart at 8:56 PM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
Someone already said Episode 3 of "The Last of Us"
A couple of oldies but goodies -- "Titanic" and "Brokeback Mountain"
posted by virve at 9:27 PM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
A couple of oldies but goodies -- "Titanic" and "Brokeback Mountain"
posted by virve at 9:27 PM on April 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
I've read The House at Pooh Corner out loud to my kids a couple times now and after the first reading I just had my oldest read the last chapter because I knew I wouldn't be able to get through it. Christopher Robin isn't going to want to play with his stuffies anymore because he's going to school!!! I'm tearing up just thinking about it. I get the same way at the end of The Polar Express (the book, not the movie), even more so now because it makes my son cry too which is just incredibly dear. But these may be sappy mom cries.
Dancer in the Dark is the only movie I've seen where I could hear multiple strangers sobbing in the theater. I was sobbing too. Memorably unpleasant experience.
posted by potrzebie at 12:30 AM on April 28, 2023
Dancer in the Dark is the only movie I've seen where I could hear multiple strangers sobbing in the theater. I was sobbing too. Memorably unpleasant experience.
posted by potrzebie at 12:30 AM on April 28, 2023
Of Monsters and Men - Little Talks Song about one of a couple dying and other left alone, makes tears run down my face.
posted by meepmeow at 12:34 AM on April 28, 2023
posted by meepmeow at 12:34 AM on April 28, 2023
Other (non-western) regions have started adopting it, but especially if you need something that's less than 20 mins and essentially nuclear-grade short films of exactly what you ask for (and you're okay with captions), then you need Southeast Asian advertisements especially the ones for the high holidays. Thai ones are especially lethal: this list is a good start. Here's a Filipino one. Malaysia tends to have more than one season for it, so this is an Eid list. For independence day. Chinese New Year. (This CNY list is for the sinophone Asia not just Malaysia). People do annual lists so you can google by year.
Anyway, next time you need some emotional release just look for Asian short films masquerading as ads.
posted by cendawanita at 1:19 AM on April 28, 2023 [2 favorites]
Anyway, next time you need some emotional release just look for Asian short films masquerading as ads.
posted by cendawanita at 1:19 AM on April 28, 2023 [2 favorites]
"It's Quiet Uptown" from Hamilton just breaks me, and I see I'm in good company here.
The Lord of the Rings films, all of them in places, particularly the whole ending stretch of RotK.
Terri Clark, "She didn't have time". Pretty sure I got this from an answer in here years ago in the first place, it's not the kind of music I listen to. The climax gets me every time.
posted by sailoreagle at 3:40 AM on April 28, 2023 [1 favorite]
The Lord of the Rings films, all of them in places, particularly the whole ending stretch of RotK.
Terri Clark, "She didn't have time". Pretty sure I got this from an answer in here years ago in the first place, it's not the kind of music I listen to. The climax gets me every time.
posted by sailoreagle at 3:40 AM on April 28, 2023 [1 favorite]
Amanda Fucking Palmer.
Nth'ing Rainbow Connection and Sunrise, Sunset. And Call the Midwife.
I'll Come Running by Brian Eno also has me sobbing every time.
Oh, and Circle of Life. It's a good day if I can make it through the first verse without crying. EDIT: on scrolling up, THE VERSION amtho LINKED. THAT ONE. AAA I'M CRYING ALREADY.
EDIT AGAIN OH GOD WHY evilmomlady WHY DO YOU HAVE SUCH A PERFECT LIST?! I CRY TO THOSE TOO.
For me, the crying songs are relative to who/what they're attached to. Said attachments are different now that I have a kid.
posted by OhHaieThere at 6:36 AM on April 28, 2023 [2 favorites]
Nth'ing Rainbow Connection and Sunrise, Sunset. And Call the Midwife.
I'll Come Running by Brian Eno also has me sobbing every time.
Oh, and Circle of Life. It's a good day if I can make it through the first verse without crying. EDIT: on scrolling up, THE VERSION amtho LINKED. THAT ONE. AAA I'M CRYING ALREADY.
EDIT AGAIN OH GOD WHY evilmomlady WHY DO YOU HAVE SUCH A PERFECT LIST?! I CRY TO THOSE TOO.
For me, the crying songs are relative to who/what they're attached to. Said attachments are different now that I have a kid.
posted by OhHaieThere at 6:36 AM on April 28, 2023 [2 favorites]
Whale Rider. There's a scene that totally destroyed me. Like, ugly crying destroyed. And I wasn't a crier most of my life (now I have kids and everything makes me weepy).
posted by that's candlepin at 6:45 AM on April 28, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by that's candlepin at 6:45 AM on April 28, 2023 [1 favorite]
I Still Do, by Stu Davis. A Canadian country song sung by the ghost (?) of a man to his dying wife, reflecting on their long, happy life together and looking forward to their reunion in the afterlife.
posted by The Card Cheat at 7:10 AM on April 28, 2023
posted by The Card Cheat at 7:10 AM on April 28, 2023
Death Cab for Cutie - What Sarah Said
Death Cab for Cutie - Flirted With You All My Life (a cover of a Vic Chestnutt song, Vic has an absolutely tragic story.)
😭
posted by tybstar at 8:36 AM on April 28, 2023 [1 favorite]
Death Cab for Cutie - Flirted With You All My Life (a cover of a Vic Chestnutt song, Vic has an absolutely tragic story.)
😭
posted by tybstar at 8:36 AM on April 28, 2023 [1 favorite]
Futurama episode 407: "Jurassic Bark"
Link to ending to just inject the pain right in.
posted by Drosera at 8:52 AM on April 28, 2023
Link to ending to just inject the pain right in.
posted by Drosera at 8:52 AM on April 28, 2023
The music video for Kodaline - Brother is my go to for generating tears. Other Kodaline videos might also work.
posted by snusmumrik at 9:01 AM on April 28, 2023
posted by snusmumrik at 9:01 AM on April 28, 2023
Books: Fall on your Knees by Anne Marie McDonald, and Trumpet, by Jackie Kay
Song: The Lost Word's Blessing, by Karine Polwart. Most things by Karine Polwart to be honest - Sorrowlessfield, Terminal Star.
Movie: Dancer in the Dark. Oh and speaking of Lars Von Trier - also bloody Breaking the Waves. Couldn't cycle home afterwards - had to walk my bike because I was crying so much. I have not watched any more of his films :(
Play - The Guid Sisters, which is a version of Québécois writer Michel Tremblay's play Les Belles-Soeurs. I saw this at the theatre and it was gutting. I still remember one of the speeches by (i think) Karen Dunbar. Not sure it's even possible to watch now, but it was party hilarious, and very, very sad.
Gosh, good thread though.
posted by sedimentary_deer at 10:02 AM on April 28, 2023
Song: The Lost Word's Blessing, by Karine Polwart. Most things by Karine Polwart to be honest - Sorrowlessfield, Terminal Star.
Movie: Dancer in the Dark. Oh and speaking of Lars Von Trier - also bloody Breaking the Waves. Couldn't cycle home afterwards - had to walk my bike because I was crying so much. I have not watched any more of his films :(
Play - The Guid Sisters, which is a version of Québécois writer Michel Tremblay's play Les Belles-Soeurs. I saw this at the theatre and it was gutting. I still remember one of the speeches by (i think) Karen Dunbar. Not sure it's even possible to watch now, but it was party hilarious, and very, very sad.
Gosh, good thread though.
posted by sedimentary_deer at 10:02 AM on April 28, 2023
"Lydia" - Slaid Cleaves
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 11:24 AM on April 28, 2023
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 11:24 AM on April 28, 2023
Terms of Endearment
It's a Wonderful Life
Lisa: Bright and Dark
Ordinary People
The Last Hurrah
(Mostly happy tears)
posted by JimN2TAW at 1:29 PM on April 28, 2023
It's a Wonderful Life
Lisa: Bright and Dark
Ordinary People
The Last Hurrah
(Mostly happy tears)
posted by JimN2TAW at 1:29 PM on April 28, 2023
20th Century Women, and Never Rarely Sometimes Always. I watched them on a plane so YMMV.
posted by lolibrarian at 4:12 PM on April 28, 2023
posted by lolibrarian at 4:12 PM on April 28, 2023
So, I like cheap, go-for-the-gut sentiment for these purposes and will recommend the movie of The Joy Luck Club.
posted by less-of-course at 7:03 PM on April 28, 2023
posted by less-of-course at 7:03 PM on April 28, 2023
‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ by Sinead O’Connor wrecks me completely.
posted by Salamander at 7:16 PM on April 28, 2023
posted by Salamander at 7:16 PM on April 28, 2023
"Story Of Your Life" by Ted Chiang absolutely destroyed me. Not in a depressing way but in a "humbled by the magnitude of love a person can feel" way. Even thinking about it makes me teary again. Please excuse me for a moment...
The back half of Angel Olsen's 2016 album MY WOMAN makes me cry in a powerfully heartbroken way.
Jane the Virgin must have come from the lab next door to the one where they make whatever substance is in Pixar movies that wrings you out like a washcloth.
Call Me By Your Name (2017).
posted by moonbeam at 8:19 PM on April 28, 2023
The back half of Angel Olsen's 2016 album MY WOMAN makes me cry in a powerfully heartbroken way.
Jane the Virgin must have come from the lab next door to the one where they make whatever substance is in Pixar movies that wrings you out like a washcloth.
Call Me By Your Name (2017).
posted by moonbeam at 8:19 PM on April 28, 2023
Came in to say "Hamilton," and yes, "It's Quiet Uptown," but for goodness' sake - watch the whole thing, for maximum crying impact. You will cry at "It's Quiet Uptown," but also during the last song.
I love, love, love that show, and my goodness does it make me cry.
posted by kristi at 4:09 PM on April 29, 2023 [1 favorite]
I love, love, love that show, and my goodness does it make me cry.
posted by kristi at 4:09 PM on April 29, 2023 [1 favorite]
Also, seconding Pixar movies, but especially Up - and AFTER you've seen it, you might enjoy reading this FPP about it, Without doubt one of the most moving film sequences of the past 20 years.
Also, the wonderful short story Tomorrow is Waiting tends to make me cry (more happy tears than sad), even on re-read.
posted by kristi at 4:13 PM on April 29, 2023 [1 favorite]
Also, the wonderful short story Tomorrow is Waiting tends to make me cry (more happy tears than sad), even on re-read.
posted by kristi at 4:13 PM on April 29, 2023 [1 favorite]
My two standbys:
The song, Calling All Angels by Jane Siberry w/ K.D. Lang (and that video, featuring clips from "Wings of Desire", makes it oh so much moreso...)
Charlie Kaufman's masterpiece Synechdoche, New York. The priest’s monologue scene is kinda the emotional climax, for a taste.
posted by Bron at 12:46 PM on April 30, 2023
The song, Calling All Angels by Jane Siberry w/ K.D. Lang (and that video, featuring clips from "Wings of Desire", makes it oh so much moreso...)
Charlie Kaufman's masterpiece Synechdoche, New York. The priest’s monologue scene is kinda the emotional climax, for a taste.
posted by Bron at 12:46 PM on April 30, 2023
This thread is closed to new comments.
Especially recommended if you've ever sucked at sports.
posted by avocet at 9:56 AM on April 27, 2023 [2 favorites]