A song that was written in 1974 just took my breath away, literally

[PeaceLoveAndCandy]

I went out for a long walk and had Spotify making suggestions. This song came up, never heard it before, and it stopped me on my tracks. I had to slow down as I was crying. This song was written in 1974 and I am 50. How have I not come across this song before? The song by the way is Diamonds and Rust by Joan Baez. Has this happened to you and what was the song?

Interlude by Siouxie and Morrissey

May The Circle Be Unbroken

'Undertaker please drive slowly because I hate to see her go'
Reminds me of taking my mum to the hospice and wanting the ambulance journey not to end because then I'd have to admit she wasn't coming back again.

The song has some hope in it too fundamentally that The Circle of Life is Unbroken and she lives on in her family.

Lots of versions but I like The Staples Singers (there's a live version of them with Jonny and June cash that is amazing) and also the Pentangle version.

@LadyGAgain

He ain't heavy, he's my brother. Gets me every time. I have a sister but the sentiment is the same for me.

Apparently it was written after seeing a boy bent over carrying his disabled brother. He was asked if he was OK and he replied "he ain't heavy, he's my brother"

@SleepingStandingUp

Spiegel im spiegel - Arvo Part. A piano piece. I heard this years ago on the radio, loved it but missed the name and couldn't find it. Alexa randomly played it the other day so now it's on my most played. It's stunning

Wires by Athlete. Has heard it but suddenly HEARD it one day and it made me sob. I love it.

It's so easy to not hear the words of songs

oh goodness I'm shivering, so powerful.

Also, this one (though it has a bit of rap and is quite new) is lovely.

My big brother sent it to me one day when I was going through a particularly bad patch last year (not that I'm doing much better this year lol - well doing good for the past 2 days!!!).

It's a nice one if someone's feeling down. He just sent it to me with no comment and I cried like a baby

It's Dermot Kennedy - Outnumbered

Another pretty sad song (basically about suicide I suppose) is How to save a Life by The Fray

I find a lot of people tell you that they'll be there for you any time but generally are not when the chips are down sadly.

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And again, sadly on the same theme is Hurt by Nine Inch Nails. Interesting fact - most people think it's a cover as Johnny Cash also sang it, but Nine Inch Nails were the original.

The uplifting part of it is the fit body of the lead singer, which would lift the weariest of hearts (though the video footage isn't great).

Another vote for "Time in a bottle" by Jim Croce

I've always thought it was a sad song but loved it anyway.
One day it came on the radio just as I was parking in Sainsburys and the dedication was for a family who had played it at the funeral of their baby - I cried in the car then went home..... Just so sad and beautiful.....

A recent one and one I wouldn’t share with anyone publicly as they have no idea I have a soft spot for James blunt of all people but his song Monsters which is about his dad passing away

@CovoidOfAllHumanity

May The Circle Be Unbroken

'Undertaker please drive slowly because I hate to see her go'
Reminds me of taking my mum to the hospice and wanting the ambulance journey not to end because then I'd have to admit she wasn't coming back again.

The song has some hope in it too fundamentally that The Circle of Life is Unbroken and she lives on in her family.

Lots of versions but I like The Staples Singers (there's a live version of them with Jonny and June cash that is amazing) and also the Pentangle version.

Shit that's made me tear up 🥲

@BarelyMerry

Disturbed do a phenomenal version of Sound of Silence. Can't get to the end without sobbing

I top tune

I struggle to listen to wires ever since DS was in hospital last year age 3 having numerous transfusions

Thank you for this thread, I have learned so much!
Mine is Beth Nielsen Chapman, Sand and Water. Can’t listen to it without crying

‘All alone I heal this heart of sorrow
All alone I raise this child
Flesh and bone, he's just
Bursting towards tomorrow
And his laughter fills my world and wears your smile’

Nine Inch Nails were the original artists for Hurt, but even they relinquished it to Johnny Cash. It was just perfect and they acknowledged that, how lovely.

You have been Loved by George Michael makes me tearful, its so moving (sniffling now). A mother mourning for her son.

[quote nomorecheese]I'm on a roll now (sorry)

This. Gives me shivers.

[/quote] I love that version even more than the original, creepy though.

I understand. I had this recently with This women’s work by Kate Bush. I had heard it vaguely before but this time I really listened to it. Beautiful

I'd never heard this until it was on the Handmaid's Tale. Then I listened to it so many times. It is beautiful.

SendHelp30

It was Linkin Park - One more Light.

I have just been compelled to join mumsnet after lurking for 10 years on the strength of this thread 😂 I have only got to page 12, but so far have added all the songs mentioned up til then on a Spotify Playlist which I’ve made public. It’s at 14 hours already!

It’s called PeaceLoveAndCandy -
open.spotify.com/playlist/2qBJCpQPanamihhTrVNhPr?si=xnKYtuy9SkWQfpmXXEyW4A

Some Fantastic Place by Squeeze.

George Michael - Jesus to a Child. So so beautiful

Nothing Compares To You - The Prince and Rosie Gaines live version (I know that's not popular ha!)

El Condor Pasa and The Sound of Silence.. Simon & Garfunkel
Forbidden Colours..David Sylvian & Ryuichi Sakamoto
Have I told you lately...Van Morrison. Played at the end of my brothers funeral.

Mine is Gorecki by Lamb. I’d been unable to listen to it for the last 20 years as I knew I’d never find love like in the song. Then I did! It’s not so painful now

‘Speak to Me Someone’ by Gene makes me ugly-cry. it’s just so heartfelt and i would love to be loved like that.

a little more mainstream is ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’ by Elton John which always reminds me of my Dad, who died 2 years ago.

oh! also ‘My Secret Life’ by Leonard Cohen. i love a bit of Leonard Cohen, me.

Lots of the ones already mentioned thus far, but also:

Jesse by Janis Ian
Woman by John Lennon
Infinite & Unforeseen by k d lang
Ruby's Arms by Tom Waits

I see a few of you have mentioned This Woman's Work

This is a brilliant version and again, the first time I had heard the song. Incidentally, and probably not the best audience here on MN but the woman singer is a transwoman.

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Another one from The Voice (Ireland) is a male duet of Wuthering Heights.

Dolores O'Riordan was one of the judges - hard to believe she's gone now. I would have chosen the other singer to win as I felt the winning guy seemed more vocally trained rather than his rawer and grittier counterpart. Worth a listen.

And on the funeral theme:

Here's two versions of the same song - The Parting Glass

and this version played on the same show originally hosted by Gay Byrne on the show after his death

The lyrics are very apt for someone who has lived a long life maybe.

The Way Old Friends Do by ABBA always puts a lump in my throat