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?

"It makes me wonder what other hidden gems there are out there for me to discover!"
@sithee that's an exciting thought isn't it. I discovered Nick Cave at a very low point in my life and had the same thought. I know his music isn't hidden, he is hugely popular, but I had missed it up to that point.

One I can avoid ever hearing in public, Headlights by Eminem. My knees wobble and my face leaks, but at least only in private. I don't think I've ever heard it in a shop, coming from a passing car or floating out from somebody's balcony.

But being reduced to tears by Con Te Partirò (Andrea Bocelli) is a "loss of dignity" hazard when you live in Lombardia during a pandemic.

Bad. U2..the original Let It Go
Follow Me Follow You. 1978. Genesis. I was too young when this came out to notice, but now I hear it and its like coming home to the early 1980s, when I first listened to pop.

'Don't Worry About Me' by Frances kills me everytime!

Also,
Ed Sheeran - Afire Love
Snow Patrol - Open Your Eyes (the long instrumental version) morbid, but I want this played at my funeral!

Dance With My Father Again
In The Ghetto
Perfect Day
Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)

The Hollies "he ain't heavy , he's my brother".
Kamakawiwoole "somewhere over the rainbow" definitely one for the tears.

Some lovely choices, am listening and discovering great ones.

Time in a Bottle - Jim Croce
Whenever I call you Friend - Kenny Loggins and Stevie Nicks (the intro gives me goosebumps)
Something so Right - Paul Simon
How to Save a Life - The Fray
More Than Words - Extreme
Diary - Bread (the words are so sad)
Them Blues Done Gone Missed a Call - Dave Loggins - the lyrics are about a wife/girlfriend who has just died (don't know if it's autobiographical) and it's just so poignant

@Florawest

The Hollies "he ain't heavy , he's my brother". Kamakawiwoole "somewhere over the rainbow" definitely one for the tears.

Some lovely choices, am listening and discovering great ones.

The Hollies "The air that I breathe" does it for me... from the opening guitar to the last note...

Days by the kinks.

I lost my mum in August 2019 and we played it at her funeral. My dad died 6 months later and now there are so many songs I can't listen to but Days is probably the worst/best of them!

Roberta Flack ... The First Time I Ever Did See Your Face .

I can remember it coming on the TV when i was quite literally miscarrying and loosing lots of blood.

It really breaks me that songs does.

Tracy Chapman - Sorry . Just literally makes my heart physically hurt .

Forgot Joylene by Dolly Parton ans As Tears Go By, Rolling Stones

Don't cry daddy Elvis (see below)

Lady in Red my mum died when I was 8 and wore a lot of red/was cremated in Red. This song came out the month before she died (accident) and my dad used to play it to her and lots afterwards too.

The Living Years

The Power of Love Jennifer Rush - Mum loved this and played it to my Dad

If I should fall behind - Bruce Springsteen

@Hatstrategicallydipped, Luke Kelly was one of the original members of The Dubliners, and one of the best balladeers ever. A true artist, he was taken far too young.

Another song sung unforgettably by him is Raglan Road, a poem by Irish poet Patrick Kavanagh set to music:

'..Oh I loved too much, and by such, by such, Is happiness thrown away...'

I'd like to add a few more songs.

Both of these are from movie soundtracks:
'Streets of Philadelphia' by Bruce Springsteen. I think this recording is his best.
'The Weary Kind' by Ryan Bingham, a song about desperation, if I heard it right.

Also -
Those Were the Days - Mary Hopkin

'Rise up' by Andra Day was a pull the car to the side of the road moment for me when I first heard it. I was at a very low point but having to plaster on a smile as so many people were depending on me. I had no choice but to be okay for everyone else and was bone tired with relentless responsibilities. The lyrics and melody spoke straight to my heart. It made me feel listened to and gave me a kick out of self pity and made me feel victorious over the situation. The power of music is amazing.
I've been cured of the initial gut punch of the song since it's been covered endlessly, and often not well, on tv talent shows.

'The winner takes it all' by ABBA is too raw for me to listen to still after I heard it and knew that it spoke the truth about a relationship coming to end. We were both in the car listening to the song and came to the realisation silently that we had run our course. Ooof.

The tune of Raglan Road is the trad Irish 'The Dawning of the Day' (Fáinne Geal an Lae)

Squeeze "Labelled with Love" and 10cc I'm Mandy Fly Me". No idea why I always cry at that one?

Shameless marking so I can come back to listen to some of these!

Also : Question by The Moody Blues.

When I was young the song My Heart is Low was quite popular. Never really thought about it again until I had a miscarriage and ERPC a couple of years ago and it popped into my head, and although it's not about that it gave me some comfort to think of all the other women who know how low a woman's heart can be.

My heart is low, my heart is so low
As only a woman's heart can be
As only a woman's, as only a woman's
As only a woman's heart can know
The tears that drip
From my bewildered eyes
Taste of bitter sweet romance
You're still in my hopes
You're still on my mind
And even though I manage on my own
My heart is low, my heart is so low
As only a woman's heart can be
As only a woman's, as only a woman's
As only a woman's heart can know
When restless eyes
Reveal my troubled soul
And memories flood my weary heart
I mourn for my dreams
I mourn for my wasted love
And while I know that I'll survive alone
My heart is low, my heart is so low
As only a woman's heart can be
As only a woman's, as only a woman's
As only a woman's heart can know
My heart is low, my heart is so low
As only a woman's heart can be
As only a woman's, as only a woman's
As only a woman's heart can know

@mathanxiety

The tune of Raglan Road is the trad Irish 'The Dawning of the Day' (Fáinne Geal an Lae)

First tune I learned on the auld feadóg stáin!

Do re mi mi mi......... re mi so so fa!

He's a legend and there's a singer you might appreciate if you like Luke Kelly. If you have FB, this is a link to an entire live gig she dedicated to him www.facebook.com/meadhbhwalshmusic/videos/358731768794841

She's only 19!

@GreenSlide

When I was young the song My Heart is Low was quite popular. Never really thought about it again until I had a miscarriage and ERPC a couple of years ago and it popped into my head, and although it's not about that it gave me some comfort to think of all the other women who know how low a woman's heart can be.

My heart is low, my heart is so low
As only a woman's heart can be
As only a woman's, as only a woman's
As only a woman's heart can know
The tears that drip
From my bewildered eyes
Taste of bitter sweet romance
You're still in my hopes
You're still on my mind
And even though I manage on my own
My heart is low, my heart is so low
As only a woman's heart can be
As only a woman's, as only a woman's
As only a woman's heart can know
When restless eyes
Reveal my troubled soul
And memories flood my weary heart
I mourn for my dreams
I mourn for my wasted love
And while I know that I'll survive alone
My heart is low, my heart is so low
As only a woman's heart can be
As only a woman's, as only a woman's
As only a woman's heart can know
My heart is low, my heart is so low
As only a woman's heart can be
As only a woman's, as only a woman's
As only a woman's heart can know

There's a whole album called 'A woman's heart' named after one of the songs - the one you've quoted. All are female singers and some brilliant songs.

Keep having to come back and add more...
‘Me and Magdalena’ by the Monkees is just lovely (written for them by death cab for cutie’s Ben Gibbard.)

Forever Autumn by Jeff Wayne and Justin Hayward and Richard Burton, from War of the Worlds.

In the Ghetto ..Elvis
Ballad of Lucy Jordan ..Dr Hook.