I listen to a lot of music. Everything from America to Gwen Stefani to Frank Zappa.
There are a lot of great songs, many of which are mentioned here.
But what are those special songs that cause you to pause, to listen intently to the lyrics, to embrace the composition? These are the songs that bring a tear to your eye, not because of sadness, but because of the strong emotional resonance they evoke.
Hands down, these are the Top 15:
15. "Superman (It's Not Easy)" - Five for Fighting
Got major airplay during 9/11 timeframe, so it just stuck in my head and provided comfort.
14. "Ab's Song" - Marshall Tucker Band
"If I die at 23, will you bury me in the sunshine" says it all.
13. "Sugar Mountain" - Neil Young
"You can't be 20 on Sugar Mountain" is relevant whether you're 20 or 40.
12. "Dust in the Wind" - Kansas
Steve Walsh, in his prime, was one of rock's finest singers. This was his signature song and the soundtrack to junior and senior year.
11. "Alone" - Heart
Anne Wilson may just be the best rock singer to ever grace the planet. When she sings this live, glass truly shatters. Top country singer Carrie Underwood did this justice.
10. "Time of Your Life" - Green Day
Perfect song choice for "Seinfeld" finale. "It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right, I hope you had the time of your life."
9. "True Colors" - Cyndi Lauper
First song that brought a smile to my newborn's face as I rocked her in my arms. And just a great song.
8. "Crystal Ball" - Styx
Underrated band and my first concert. "I wonder what tomorrow has in mind for me, or am I even in its mind at all."
7. "Helplessly Hoping" - Crosby, Stills & Nash
No one sings better three-part harmony. No one. They are one person, they are two alone, they are three together, they are for each other."
6. "Friends" - Elton John
Lost 45. "It seems to me a crime that we should age. These fragile times should never slip us by."
5. "Can't Find My Way Home"- Blind Faith
Steve Winwood in fine form and music soundtrack for classic Johnny Depp "21 Jump Street" episode.
4. "Jungleland" - Bruce Springsteen
"Barefoot girl sitting on the hood of a Dodge drinking warm beer in the soft summer rain" may be the greatest lyrical phrase ever written.
3. "The Sound of Silence" - Simon & Garfunkel
Paul Simon's lyrics are as good or better than Bob Dylan's. "Because a vision softly creeping, left its seeds while I was sleeping."
2. "Thank You" - Led Zeppelin
My friend Sam sang this at our wedding at the foot of the mountains. "If the sun refused to shine, I would still be loving you. When mountains crumble to the sea, there will still be you and me."
1. "Landslide" - Fleetwood Mac
Stevie Nicks' finest moment. Beautiful melody and lyrics. "Well, I've been afraid of changing 'cause I've built my life around you. But time makes you bolder, children get older and I'm getting older too." There is nothing more listenable and this is always relevant.
I would add Stairway to Heaven. Maybe My Heart Will Go On although Celine Dion is a little campy.
Posted by: KarenW | June 06, 2007 at 06:14 AM
Also:
Your Song, Candle in the Wind - Elton John
Dream On - Aerosmith
In My Life - Beatles
Posted by: Trish | June 06, 2007 at 09:20 AM
Songs are such a subjective thing. You have a grand list and I'd not deign to suggest anything but what you've written as it is truly yours and yours alone.
Posted by: Cyn | June 06, 2007 at 09:21 PM
I agree that Candle in the Wind should be on this list.
Posted by: Keith L. | January 02, 2008 at 10:00 PM
Keith -- Candle in the Wind is a great choice, especially since he remade it for Princess Diana.
Posted by: Dan | January 06, 2008 at 02:31 PM
angles - robbie williams
Posted by: | September 15, 2008 at 05:45 AM
You all are fucking idiots this list aint shit with out
I Have Nothing- Whitney Houston
Posted by: Jason Ferguson | September 16, 2008 at 12:38 PM
Hi, honestly I think your list is way skewed towards rock and pop music. If you're looking for emotion in music, start with the soul, blues, country, and gospel genres, each of which is generally believed to carry emotion more readily than rock and roll.
A couple of quick examples would be "What More Can I Say" and "Either Way I Lose" both from Nina Simone's 1964 LP, "Wild Is The Wind", and "All Over Again" from B.B. King's 1999 compilation "King of the Blues".
Posted by: Lincoln | January 03, 2009 at 04:00 AM
i like
a drop in the ocean - ron pope
and
how to save a life - the fray
(it seems upbeat but it makes a lot of people emotional)
goodbye - mariah carey
sort of counts as emotional ?
Posted by: belzie | March 27, 2009 at 05:54 AM
the beatles- hey jude
the police- i'll be watching you
James Blunt- goodbye my lover
James Blunt- you're beautiful
Tupac- dear mama
good list though
Posted by: k-milli | April 27, 2009 at 10:28 PM
annie lennox in to the west.
this song carried me through my fathers death. its deep and comforting at the same time. it still moves to this day. and its a song if you knew me you wouldn't expect.
Posted by: kenzie_zombie | May 12, 2009 at 03:38 PM
i can't believe tears in heaven by eric clapton isn't on here. It's about is freakin kid falling out a window and dying!
Posted by: Anoymous | October 19, 2009 at 08:06 PM
Don Henley - End of Innocence. is a great song.
Posted by: Suicidal-Not, Murdered | November 01, 2009 at 10:39 PM
Kellie Picker - I wonder
Posted by: rashmie | March 24, 2010 at 05:50 AM
Mike + The Mechanics - The Living Years
Posted by: DJ Storm | May 01, 2010 at 05:16 PM
"Hallelujah" the Jeff Buckley version. Sade "by your side"
Posted by: MB | May 21, 2010 at 02:55 AM
No Mad World by Gary Jules?
Posted by: Jordan | May 31, 2010 at 09:33 PM
Hurt- Christina Aguilera
Posted by: amber | June 17, 2010 at 01:13 AM
when u told me that u love me,by westlife
Posted by: yara | June 29, 2010 at 06:32 PM
i think candle in the wind should be added here.
also songs like tears in heaven and in my life., imagine(the beatles),
Posted by: demi | September 18, 2010 at 03:20 AM
Maggie by colin hey
Posted by: Dillon | December 26, 2010 at 10:10 AM
What Hurts The Most- Rascall Flatts
Posted by: BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA | January 16, 2011 at 03:28 AM
Concrete angel
Martina McBride.
Song makes me cry every time
Posted by: stef h | April 11, 2011 at 01:04 AM
(everything i do)i do it for you- bryan adams
Bryan Adams- heaven
My way- Frank Sinatra.. maybe?
Posted by: suthy | May 22, 2011 at 06:30 PM
Richie Havens - Freedom
Posted by: Stephen | June 10, 2011 at 07:49 PM
Edith Piaf - Non, Je ne regrette rien
Buena vista social club - chan chan
Posted by: Stephen | June 10, 2011 at 08:17 PM
The Beatles - Let it be
Posted by: Stephen | June 10, 2011 at 08:31 PM
LOVE this list, these songs strike the right chord with me
some other songs that put me in this same mood are
Pink Floyd - Wish you were here
Beatles - Here comes the sun
Posted by: Gina Maria | July 02, 2011 at 07:54 PM
the goo goo dolls - iris
Posted by: Kobus | July 23, 2011 at 10:07 AM
hello i have no idea what i am doing on this website lol im lost!!!! HELP ME!!!!!!
Posted by: summer | September 14, 2011 at 05:05 PM
you guys are douche...seriously more than half songs songs are watse!
Posted by: Jaddz | September 26, 2011 at 11:24 AM
OH shit
Jeremy-Pearl Jam
So far away-Avenged Sevenfold
Wish you were here-Pink Floyd
Into the Sky-Black Tide
Emotional doesnt mean that it has to be a love song, emotional means a song that gives a deep message, that the lyrics can touch your heart, for example you have a friend that comited suicide because of depression the perfect song is Jeremy, or you have someone who died too early So far away matches
Posted by: Hide Mi | November 01, 2011 at 12:02 PM
evanescence- my immortal, that would make most top 10 lists for emotional songs. I also like:
Alanis morrisette- you learn
Ed Sheeran- the a team
David Gray- this years love
Linkin Park- Numb
Ben.E King- stand by me
Daniel Merriweather- red
I could go on with loads, but each to their own. good list, theres quite a few i like there, green day spot on
Posted by: Kris J | December 21, 2011 at 06:54 PM
I like that someone said My Immortal and someone else said Mad World, Gary Jules. Amazing Grace, Elvis verion. In My Life or For No One are tied for Beatles' songs for me. Hallelujah, Jeff Buckley. Instead of I Have Nothing I would have said All at Once by Whitney Houston.
But I do like a lot of this list. All the ones I know, at least.
Posted by: Janee | February 20, 2012 at 04:50 AM
this list is broken.
no chance that black by pearl jam
is not a member of the list.
also lucky by radiohead.
good day.
Posted by: nim | April 05, 2012 at 09:02 AM
Cosmic Love by Florence + the Machine.
Gets me every time.
Posted by: Mary | July 05, 2012 at 09:17 AM
Eminem - cleaning out my closet
Posted by: shingoob | August 06, 2012 at 10:26 PM
The Beatles- Yesterday
Green Day- Wake Me Up When September Ends
blink-182- Adam's Song
Posted by: Alex | August 16, 2012 at 09:38 PM