Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Songs that deliver a gut punch

249 replies

IntelligentInputDarling · 17/12/2025 20:07

Sorry for weird title.
Just wondering if there are any songs, when heard unexpectedly, has the power to hit you in the gut and render you an emotional wreck.
I heard Separate Lives (Phil Collins/Marilyn Martin) earlier today and the emotions it brought up are still with me now.

Songs eh. Powerful stuff.

OP posts:
Balloonhearts · 19/12/2025 08:51

Held by Natalie Grant. Cannot hear it without crying. Such a painful song.

MrsMAFs · 19/12/2025 08:56

Benjithedog · 18/12/2025 15:13

I’m so sorry for your loss

Thank you.

Dollymylove · 19/12/2025 08:57

Cliff Richard, Miss you nights ❤️

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

MrsMAFs · 19/12/2025 08:57

IntelligentInputDarling · 18/12/2025 16:17

@MrsMAFs I'm so sorry for your loss xx

Thank you.

everdine · 19/12/2025 09:17

onpills4godsake · 18/12/2025 06:07

Runaway train
round here counting crows
tori Amos winter

As a teenager I lived Tori Amos!
Loved Winter and China and Me and a Gun.
Her voice and lyrics made me feel so much!

IntelligentInputDarling · 19/12/2025 09:19

ThisJadeBear · 19/12/2025 08:49

I love their Missing as well. Tracey has a beautiful voice!

She does.

I love that they're married (to each other!) with 3 kids!

OP posts:
Stompywompy · 19/12/2025 09:19

If you could read my mind

2000 miles

everdine · 19/12/2025 09:21

Song To The Siren Tim Buckley. Is beautiful!

everdine · 19/12/2025 09:40

MrsMAFs · 18/12/2025 13:32

This time of year - silent night. Had a stillborn and it just makes me think of my silent baby. Uncontrollable tears.

So sad, I’m really sorry.

OverlyFragrant · 19/12/2025 16:24

And who can forget Love of My Life by Queen

It just takes me to a place remembering those painful breakups.

thedogdaysareover51 · 19/12/2025 16:40

Sunshine on Leith by the Proclaimers. I remember watching a documentary about Covid on TV in about 2021/2022 with this song playing in the background. It filmed families separated, schools closing, funerals, the whole depressing lot. I worked throughout Covid in ICU and I think I bottled everything up until I saw this on TV and heard that song. I collapsed in a sobbing heap and feel the same every time I listen to it.

Coaster1 · 19/12/2025 18:18

everdine · 19/12/2025 08:21

The Day Before You Came by ABBA
I think it was written as a farewell.

I think this too! I dont think it’s joyful as all my friends believe it is . It speaks to me of normality before a bombshell is dropped

everdine · 19/12/2025 18:50

Coaster1 · 19/12/2025 18:18

I think this too! I dont think it’s joyful as all my friends believe it is . It speaks to me of normality before a bombshell is dropped

Definitely, they broke up soon after.

IntelligentInputDarling · 19/12/2025 21:54

@thedogdaysareover51 Sunshine on Leith is a great song.

OP posts:
Cherrybomb00 · 19/12/2025 23:45

How Long Will I Love You by Ellie Goulding
One More Light by Linkin Park

Lougle · 20/12/2025 00:00

Piano man (Billy Joel)
"Yes, they're sharing a drink they call loneliness
But it's better than drinkin' alone"

Breathe 2AM (Anna Nalick)

"There's a light at each end of this tunnel" you shout
"'Cause you're just as far in as you'll ever be out
And these mistakes you've made, you'll just make them again"
If you only try turning around

2 AM and I'm still awake, writing a song
If I get it all down on paper, it's no longer inside of me
Threatening the life it belongs to
And I feel like I'm naked in front of the crowd
'Cause these words are my diary screaming out loud
And I know that you'll use them however you want to

But you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable
And life's like an hourglass glued to the table
No one can find the rewind button now
Sing it if you understand
And breathe, just breathe
Oh, breathe, just breathe

Surface Pressure (Jessica Darrow)

"Pressure like a drip, drip, drip that'll never stop, whoa-oh
Pressure that'll tip, tip, tip 'til you just go pop, whoa-oh-oh-oh
Give it to your sister, it doesn't hurt and
See if she can handle every family burden
Watch as she buckles and bends but never breaks
No mistakes, just
Pressure like a grip, grip, grip, and it won't let go, whoa-oh
Pressure like a tick, tick, tick 'til it's ready to blow, whoa-oh-oh-oh
Give it to your sister and never wonder
If the same pressure would've pulled you under
Who am I if I don't have what it takes?
No cracks, no breaks
No mistakes!
No pressure!"

Anything by Amy Winehouse and Whitney Houston. Amy was so young. I remember watching Whitney on the X factor and thinking she looked completely drugged up and how awful it was that they let her on stage like that. She was dead soon after.

LynseyDenton · 20/12/2025 02:34

mumofoneAloneandwell · 18/12/2025 16:31

Steph singing 'about you now' by the sugababes, at max's funeral in Hollyoaks, has stayed with me

Oh my god me too. Totally changed that song and its meaning for me.

deeahgwitch · 20/12/2025 09:22

I love Piano Man @Lougle
So descriptive.

dooflepops · 20/12/2025 13:58

Send Me a Sign by Sam Clegg. I’ve had a bereavement this year and this song encapsulates grief perfectly. I listen to it occasionally, when I feel like releasing some of the sadness. The whole song is perfectly written but that one line ‘I don’t think that I will ever get over you’ fills my eyes with tears every time.

Fibrous · 20/12/2025 21:51

walking in the air from the snowman

neilyoungismyhero · 20/12/2025 22:10

In my life - beatles

Hallywally · 20/12/2025 23:36

End Credits by Chase & Status & Plan B 😭

Lougle · 21/12/2025 09:42

Nights in White Satin - I remember the first time I saw the Heartbeat episode where a farmer loses all his cattle to Foot and Mouth disease, then he kills himself. It was so sad.

IntelligentInputDarling · 21/12/2025 18:14

Here With Me - Dido

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread