I don’t know about you, but I like for the music I listen to strike a nerve – move me in some way. Otherwise, I feel sort of eh about it. The problem is, the type of gripping songs I like are few and far between.
I mean, what’s the point of listening to music just because it makes good background noise anyway? Don’t you want to be affected, engrossed and possibly changed by the songs?
There are some sad ones in here, you might even shed a tear or two. So grab your box of tissues and check out the top 10 most obscure, yet emotionally moving music videos on YouTube:
Chet Atkins – I Still Can’t Say Goodbye…
The first time I heard this song, I was at one of Chet’s last live shows. It was a year or two before he died. But when he played this song, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
Miss Saigon Bui Doi
Kim and I caught the musical Miss Saigon when we were up in New York a few years ago. She liked it a lot more than I did. However, there was one song – Bui Doi that gets you on so many levels it’s just not fair. This is a video of that song from a live performance. Aside from educating you on some victims of the aftermath of the Vietnam conflict, it hits you right in the gut. In this video singer Peter Polycarpou nails it – absolutely nails it… whew.
Gladiator ~ Lisa Gerrard ‘Now We Are Free’
When I first saw the movie Gladiator, I thought it had to be the most brutal movie I had ever watched. It was so brutal that I didn’t get the underlying themes of the man fighting for his dead family. Having watched the movie 3-4 more times, I finally get it. This video accompanied by the song Now We Are Free brings home the powerful subthemes of the movie – and might just bring a tear to your eye.
“Bright Eyes” – Watership Down
Those of you born after 1980 may have never heard this song. It was the song that basically “sold” the moving Watership Down. Kids from all over wanted to see the movie after hearing this heartbreaking song, but many of us regret seeing it for the adult violence and situations. The song, however will remain one of my favorites of all time.
Simon and Garfunkle: April Come She Will
Another song sung by Art Garfunkle, April Come She Will is a moving masterpiece. A simple guitar played by Paul Simon and the fragile voice of Art Garfunkle lends longing to loves lost.
Run – Snow Patrol
I liked the song Run the first time I heard it. I ran out and bought the album the same day. This video based on Dr. Who is surprisingly well made for a YouTube compilation. The great song and video take you to another place. And almost make me want to watch Dr. Who – which is an amazing feat in and of itself.
Sun Kil Moon: The Last Tide
One of the songs that gets caught in my head and doesn’t let up. Sun Kil Moon’s The Last Tide is like a modern e.e. Cummings poem. The photos in the video express some of the emotion in the song. (but the boy in the goggles needs to go.)
NEIL FINN & JOHNNY MARR : There is a light
What if a 10 ton truck killed you and your beloved? Well, There is a light asks that question and answers it with a resounding “YES”! This song always puzzled me – since the band The Smiths made it. It had such a whimsical melody but such a serious topic. Overall, it leaves you wondering whether you should laugh or cry. The Finn brothers and Johnny Marr put a new and possibly better spin on the old song.
Damien Rice at Four Seasons – Cold Water
We can argue about what this song is about. I think Cold Water is about death and dying. But whatever your opinion about the subject, you have to admit, it is quite a moving tune. I especially like the female vocalist. What a perfect voice… 
Roy Orbison – A Love So Beautiful…
Roy Orbison’s voice was called haunting. This song exemplifies that and then some. About his true love that “slipped away” this song will strike a nerve with anyone who’s loved and lost.
Do you know of any sad or emotionally moving videos on YouTube? Or are there some songs you think should have been included? If so, please post a comment. I’m always on the lookout for some emotional masterpieces.
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{ 3 comments }
Hi,
a song that always touched me deeply is the title track of the animated movie “The Last Unicorn”. As I’m writing this I have tons of goosebumps all over listening to the song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tweZLEuAf0k&feature=related
“Bright eyes”… that was a trip down memory lane. However, I seem to remember some other scenes in the video clip, like one of the rabbits getting out of some shrubs, and then being picked off by a hawk or something. Maybe that’s the censored version on YouTube…
George Michael in MTV Unplugged singing “I Can’t Make You Love Me.”