Easily reduced to tears?
Discussion
As a male of advancing years, I find that I'm easily reduced to tears by certain music. I've always been slightly prone to this and I wonder if I'm alone in this but also perhaps whether this a sign of depression? I can only describe these pieces of music as so beautiful they have an emotional effect on me. Currently it's this one, best listened to with headphones. There are several versions of this song by various artists including Townes Van Zandt.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILfCEPL-9Oo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILfCEPL-9Oo
This one gets me every fking time, since I first heard it forty odd years ago, to right now, when I found the YouTube link. Dolly, you bd.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=CBq1s1AB2Uc
https://youtube.com/watch?v=CBq1s1AB2Uc
Me too.
I suffered from a period of severe stress and anxiety a few years ago to the point that I would suddenly burst into tears randomly and for no apparent reason (there was probably undiagnosed depression in there too). I'm now completely over it in almost every respect except for when I hear certain songs and the tears well up uncontrollably. I've learned to live with the embarrassment now if it happens in public and can appreciate the beauty of music that can have that power.
I have quite a mix of these trigger songs, like others, a few early "cowboy" songs such as "The Tennessee Waltz
https://youtu.be/-XCvfy6Huyc?feature=shared
, and songs where the words have relevance to me such as Don Williams' "You're My Best Friend"
https://youtu.be/yWGDeBFLsf8?feature=shared
seem to do it for me, but more than any of, this one gets me every time from the very first note.
https://youtu.be/Bld215FnvtM?feature=shared
I suffered from a period of severe stress and anxiety a few years ago to the point that I would suddenly burst into tears randomly and for no apparent reason (there was probably undiagnosed depression in there too). I'm now completely over it in almost every respect except for when I hear certain songs and the tears well up uncontrollably. I've learned to live with the embarrassment now if it happens in public and can appreciate the beauty of music that can have that power.
I have quite a mix of these trigger songs, like others, a few early "cowboy" songs such as "The Tennessee Waltz
https://youtu.be/-XCvfy6Huyc?feature=shared
, and songs where the words have relevance to me such as Don Williams' "You're My Best Friend"
https://youtu.be/yWGDeBFLsf8?feature=shared
seem to do it for me, but more than any of, this one gets me every time from the very first note.
https://youtu.be/Bld215FnvtM?feature=shared
Edited by Desiderata on Monday 5th February 22:11
It could be a depression thing and worth looking into, but could be nothing.
I've had my unfair share of anxeity and depression and yeah sometimes music brings out the sadness. I also find sad TV and Film is more likely to make me cry when I'm feeling low.
Music I think more than anything brings out memories and they arent always good.
Counting Crows Mr Jones I can barely listen to. Was a favourite of a friend of mine who died aged 18. Was her favourite.
Moody Blues Knights in White Satin I find sad for no reason at all, don't even know what it's about.
I've had my unfair share of anxeity and depression and yeah sometimes music brings out the sadness. I also find sad TV and Film is more likely to make me cry when I'm feeling low.
Music I think more than anything brings out memories and they arent always good.
Counting Crows Mr Jones I can barely listen to. Was a favourite of a friend of mine who died aged 18. Was her favourite.
Moody Blues Knights in White Satin I find sad for no reason at all, don't even know what it's about.
Happens to me regularly. Doesn't have to be sad or melancholy either. I'm 60 and I think it's more prevalent when I hear music that triggers a memory of when I was much younger. Maybe its a subconscious way of recognising that time is passing and feeling a little nostalgic (perhaps wishing also of a simpler time, no responsibilities etc).
lornemalvo said:
As a male of advancing years, I find that I'm easily reduced to tears by certain music. I've always been slightly prone to this and I wonder if I'm alone in this but also perhaps whether this a sign of depression? I can only describe these pieces of music as so beautiful they have an emotional effect on me. Currently it's this one, best listened to with headphones. There are several versions of this song by various artists including Townes Van Zandt.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILfCEPL-9Oo
My brother and I are prone to this too so wondered if it was genetics! I did Google it a few times over the years, but it just comes up with the usual, music can make you cry. But you mean, quite regularly when listening to some songs right? I’m very much not depressed, and for me, its happened all my life - plenty of songs can just ‘get to me’! You’re very much not alone! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILfCEPL-9Oo
Ezra said:
Happens to me regularly. Doesn't have to be sad or melancholy either. I'm 60 and I think it's more prevalent when I hear music that triggers a memory of when I was much younger. Maybe its a subconscious way of recognising that time is passing and feeling a little nostalgic (perhaps wishing also of a simpler time, no responsibilities etc).
Same here, it probably happens to loads of blokes but men perhaps are not comfortable admitting it. For me it's normally songs that do relate to particular times of my life indeed but this modern one gets to me every time too:Edited by nickfrog on Monday 5th February 23:09
Glad I'm not alone in this, although I never really worried about it affecting my masculinity in any way. Some songs definitely affect me because of memories. The Seekers' Morningtown Ride takes me straight back to a Christmas I spent in a children's home as one of the girls was always playing it. With other songs it's different. Amazing Grace with bagpipes always gets me. This song is also so nostalgic and plaintive it always gets me. It's also the best pop song ever written and performed in my opinion. The song, the voice, the production values. Just perfection. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvWiiUgT8Nk
There is another song that gets me every time. I'm not sure whether it's because of its intrinsic beauty or because it's played during the footage of the funeral of Abraham Lincoln in the superb series of The Civil War by Ken Burns. I'm familiar with two versions, although there are many on Youtube, one played by the composer Jay Ungar and the other by a full scale orchestra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kZASM8OX7s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtsgVqH77KI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kZASM8OX7s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtsgVqH77KI
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