Sad songs

A handful of songs can take your breath away with the emotion they elicit.

This is normal, right? You feel it too?

Whether they're evocative of a time, a place, a feeling ... here are a few, in no particular order, that can and have instantly led to tears. 

Stardust, Nat King Cole -- This song was written by Hoagy freaking Carmichael in 1927. An unforgettable classic that's been recorded by (per Wiki) 1,500 artists. Willie Nelson's version is pretty good, but nothing touches this.

Start with the opening string arrangement. Cole's sturdy voice sings lyrics about loss and heartbreak. Just writing these words makes me tear up thinking about this song. 

Thank U, Alanis Morrisette -- Some of the songs people "feel" this way relate to very specific times in their lives.

When Alanis dropped this in 1998 my life was falling apart. The entirety of "Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie" hit me like a ton of bricks, and this song was the Lead Brick. When I got through that stuff, I could not listen to this without crying from the opening notes.

It's a song about self-discovery, about grappling with whatever shit you're going through, and trying to keep it together and keep moving forward. It ain't as easy as it sounds.

A few years ago I had the great opportunity to see Alanis' "Jagged Little Pill" musical at the A.R.T. in Cambridge, and this song was a natural fit for that magical play. I think that was when I finally touched down.

"How 'bout unabashedly bawling your eyes out?" This one will do it.

I'm going to think on this and consider more songs.

What are yours?