I've recently been sorting through my records, having some sort of 'summer clear out'. With 3 Dansettes broken.. that's right THREE broken, It's given me time to dust off records, alphabetise them and generally have a sort out. In doing this I begun to think about how I never seem to create many playlists for the blog and how I should start doing this... so.. you guessed it.. I am going to start now!
Now, the thing that has always made me passionate about music is that profound effect it can have on me, how a certain song can completely crush you, unwillingly bring back memories, emotions and thoughts that you'd always thought you'd buried. Of course I'm not alone in this, I recall many situations with dear friends and family where they've reacted in a very bizarre way just upon hearing the opening harmonies to a song... a certain someone I know can't listen to a certain Joy Division song without running out of a club, another certain someone is painfully reminded of a lost love anytime she hears a certain Four Tops song and breaks down into frenzied hysterics. We've all been there, when a song comes on and suddenly you're transported back into a nostalgic bubble you thought had burst a long time ago. With this in mind I begun to think about the songs that have that incredible hold on me, a sort of hold that renders me into a sudden state of awe and crushing melancholy, so with this in mind I present to you my musical kryptonite... My Top 10 Tearjerkers.
(A couple of tracks require you to click onto YouTube to watch them due to Copyright.. sorry too long to soundcloud all the tracks!)
The sheer power of Etta James' vocals in this song, the pleas of desperation transform into a sort of coming-to-terms melancholy towards the end of the song.. Amazing.
Even the opening to this song sends chills down my spine, the fragility in LWJ's voice with the dream-like melody leave this song with a lingering eerie-ness. Absolute heartfelt lyricism doesn't happen like this anymore!
The haunting piano intro gives me goosebumps, this song epitomises the madness of love.. desperation and longing.
Lyrically this song is easily one of the finest 'amicable break up' songs, a daunting prospect for most, one that Maxine Brown manages to brush off in this chill-enducing track.
I heard this song for the first time when I was about 10 or 11 and it's effected me deeply ever since, the haunting gospel style and deep soul sound has tearjerker written all over it. Not to mention that organ. So beautiful.
An all round beautiful song, with classic heartbroken 60s girl group lyricism, every girl should be able to relate.
Another classic 60s girl group sound from The Crystals, the harmonies in this are spine chilling! I became obsessed with this track at 16 years old, to this day it still has a profound effect on me.
This track was introduced to me by a dear friend, it's always blown my mind. The dreamy melody and desperation in the lyrics.. "..Insane... your kisses drives me mad.. Oh I need your love so bad". This track could reduce a grown man to tears.
Sam Cooke's stunning vocals combined with such gorgeous lyrics, this song brings me back insanely vivid memories... very haunting!
And finally, the ultimate tearjerker... this song can reduce me to tears in the most public of situations! Ironically this once came on 'shuffle' whilst I was driving with a dear friend of mine and simultaneously we both reached for the skip button for fear of the effect of this beauty. Otis' vocals never fail and I think everyone shares this song with someone somewhere in the world.
Enjoy & Be Well
Samira
PS. I'm intrigued to know your Tearjerkers!
Enjoy & Be Well
Samira
PS. I'm intrigued to know your Tearjerkers!
