Nothing makes a sad song more emotionally moving than when you can feel its emotional undercurrents in its music, so close the curtains, get comfortable, and grab some Kleenex!
With an acoustic background and lyrics about cancer, this song will make you emotional. It will cause you to reflect upon all those who’ve ever felt helpless or alone in life.
1. ’Enjoy the Silence’ by Basildon
Enjoy The Silence is one of the greatest singles of the 1990s. Depeche Mode returned to the UK top 10 chart for the first time since their classic No One Compares 2 U and established them as truly global superstars. A precision engineered piece of dark pop, Enjoy The Silence remains their iconic hit single over three decades later; an absolute timeless masterpiece!
Anton Corbijn-directed music video depicting Dave Gahan wandering across Scotland and Portugal hillsides before sitting back down for some deck chair relaxation in Switzerland’s Alps was released as part of Remixes 81-04 in 2004.
Tori Amos and Lacuna Coil have both covered this song, but none has come close to capturing its meaning as do its original.
2. ‘Everybody Hurts’ by R.E.M.
Automatic for the People is a landmark album for The Cure that holds great emotional weight. While it largely avoids commercialism, its message still resonates today.
Many consider “Bangkok” an anti-suicide song. Co-writer Peter Buck claims it was written with teenagers in mind, with an aim of showing them they aren’t alone and things will get better eventually.
Pink and Kelly Clarkson performed the song at the 2017 American Music Awards to pay their respects to America’s first responders after an array of hurricanes, shootings and hate rallies that occurred since 2016. President Donald Trump used this meme without consulting R.E.M first or waiving any royalties to raise money for Haiti relief efforts.
3. ‘Landslide’ by Stevie Nicks
Stevie Nicks has made her mark as a legendary female rockstar and Fleetwood Mac songstress, with 1975 hit ‘Landslide’ serving as an influence for numerous musicians following its release; from The Smashing Pumpkins’ 1994 cover and chart-topping country rendition by Dixie Chicks to their hit country song rendition by The Dixie Chicks; its timeless message continues to reach listeners of all ages.
Nicks composed this track prior to joining Fleetwood Mac with Lindsey Buckingham in 1975 as her career appeared to be taking an unfavorable direction. It was inspired by a trip she took to Aspen where she felt overwhelmed by an avalanche threatening the area.
Landslide was written largely by Nicks to express her fear that her life might crumble and her dreams slip away. Although Buckingham wrote some lyrics for it as well.
4. ‘End of the Road’ by Culture Club
Move Away was Culture Club’s final hit in America and marked their decline from their meteoric rise. Their second album Kissing To Be Clever had also made it onto the charts but by 1986 the group seemed disinterested and had lost much of its edge.
George seems less convincing and his clothes less striking in this video, with shorter and spiked hair as well as lighter makeup to reduce his queerness and lessen its impact. He admits his preference for men.
Boy George will perform select dates this month with his reunited band, including Darien Lake on July 29. Bananarama, Lulu and Kim Wilde will join English pop legends Boy George for select shows; pre-sale tickets go on sale here on April 21. You can follow their progress via Facebook here.
5. ‘I’ll Always Be There’ by Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel once again proved his ability to create weird atmospheres on this album, unlike his Stones predecessors. Furthermore, it showed how mainstream and adult contemporary pop music could coexist alongside world beat and experimental sounds (albeit sometimes only subtly on most tracks).
Tony Levin was an absolute asset to this album – one of the finest session musicians ever seen on records – as his drumming was fantastic, whether playing straight rock drums, funk or ethnic-style lines, making this an enjoyable listening experience overall.
“Mother of Violence” stands out on this album as its most atmospheric track; its creepiness serves as an ideal precursor to many themes found within The Last Temptation, while its lyrics allude to Solsbury Hill, an area which some suspect of housing UFO activity.
6. ‘I Can’t Stop Thinking About You’ by Cyndi Lauper
Lauper’s legendary debut album She’s So Unusual skyrocketed to the pinnacle of 1980s pop-culture glory, yet her follow-up records faltered until “Time After Time”, where Lauper delivered an emotional yet catchy hit that remains timeless today.
Lauper plays the part of a young woman who leaves her boyfriend suddenly during the night, only to spend her next day wandering New York City alone, searching through memories and dreaming about what the future may hold for her. Griles’ video serves as an irrefutable reminder that even at our strongest points we may still feel disconnected and disoriented.
7. ‘You Should Have Said What I Wanted’ by Adele
Adele knows the world loves a good ballad sung beautifully. While she may not use elaborate costumes or elaborate stage sets, Adele excels at selling both herself and her album to media.
On this classic track, she laments about a lover who moved on without her, beseeching him not to forget her. It is an emotional ballad for anyone who has experienced heartache while also providing an opportunity for those trying to leave toxic relationships behind.
Adele is known to her fans for not taking herself too seriously and showing off her sense of humor – something SNL viewers particularly appreciated during an undercover moment and Graham Norton skit. Adele knows exactly how to entertain! All her fans appreciate this trait of hers.
8. ‘It’s All Over Now’ by Harry Styles
Harry Styles has taken the world by storm with his unique sound and captivating lyrics. After first rising to fame through boy band One Direction, he has gone on to establish himself as an independent artist with his own distinctive sound and style.
This song from Styles’ discography tells a poignant and heartfelt tale of unrequited love through delicate instrumentals and emotive vocals, creating an emotionally stirring piece that shows his talent to convey emotions through music.
Although released three years ago, this song remains as beloved as ever. Dubbed as a slow-grooving Laurel Canyon ’70s rock tune by fans and with deep meaning behind its lyrics; its video also showcases some of his iconic fashion looks. Watch below!
9. ‘Beautiful Days’ by Joni Mitchell
As soon as Joni Mitchell passed in 2016, people across the globe stopped to remember her music and reflect upon its remarkable legacy. For some this was cause for celebration while for others it offered an opportunity for reflection.
Mitchell is widely acclaimed for her ability to capture the beauty and complexity of daily life through song. Her lyrical observations of changing seasons are both heartwarming and soul-crushing, reflecting her struggles and human interactions.
At 23 years old, Mitchell wrote her first hit song that would become widely popular: Judy Collins recorded and released it as one of Mitchell’s songs; it has since been covered by many artists such as James Taylor; it even appears in movies such as Mad Men and You’ve Got Mail!
10. ‘Hold On’ by R.E.M.
Michael Stipe has reported being informed by people of all ages that R.E.M’s “This Song Will Lift Your Spirits” song helped them through difficult times. A sentimental track with a message of hopefulness, it has become one of their most successful hits.
This song by the band serves as an anti-suicide tune, making it a favourite among suicide prevention organizations. Additionally, its video is notable as it shows many people leaving their vehicles and walking.
R.E.M’s final album with drummer Bill Berry before he decided to pursue farming full time was Up, which featured drumming by an Univox drum machine and string arrangements provided by Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones (Low). Mayim Bialik recently used this track on The Big Bang Theory during an emotionally moving scene featuring Mayim Bialik’s character as well.