Maximum Personal Emotional Reaction to Particular Recording

Ron Resnick · Jul 2, 2024

To which genre of music do you experience the greatest emotional connection?

Is there a particular genre of music which, in general, tends to make you tear up?

Are there one or two or three particular tracks, regardless of genre of music, which make you tear up?

If you are primarily a classical music listener, is there any rock or pop track which makes you tear up?

If you are primarily a rock/pop music listener, is there any classical track which makes you tear up?

Do your answers to these questions change whether you are listening to the tracks in question live or listening to the tracks in question on your stereo?

Ron Resnick · Jul 2, 2024

I'll go first:

I am primarily a rock/pop music listener. I am extremely lyrics-oriented (which is not a surprise if my favorite genres of music are pop and rock).

There is not a single classical music or jazz music track I have heard live or in front of a stereo which makes me tear up. The closest would be the finale of Mozart Jupiter Symphony No. 41, both live and in front of a stereo.

For decades I felt the saddest song I've ever heard in my entire life is the Freedom Sessions version of "Hold On," on Sarah McLachlan's album Fumbling Toward Ecstasy, The Freedom Sessions. This statement held true until just a few months ago when Elliot Goldman introduced me to the song "She Used to be Mine," the main song Sara Bareilles wrote for her musical, Waitress.

I have listened to "She Used to be Mine" via original performances by Sara Bareilles as well as by at least 10 different covers by other singers, over 150 times in the last few months. My emotional reaction to this song is unlike anything I've ever experienced before in music.

One reason I've been listening to it over and over and over is to try to inure myself to it so that my emotional reaction is dampened over time.

hopkins · Jul 2, 2024

Most of the music that strikes a chord for me is performed by artists that are no longer alive, so I can't know whether I would feel any differently hearing them live.

This is going to sound corny, but it's a dark world we live in - there is so much cruelty, despair, mediocrity, etc... Art, in general, moves when it reaches what I consider to be a state of perfection - then I am simply amazed at what we, humans, CAN accomplish. There are, of course, many different forms of expression, and "genres", so perfection is not an "absolute" - many artists reach perfection in their own medium and "style". As a result, I can be moved by any art form: dancing, music, literature, painting...even sports!

This sense of perfection is accompanied by a sense of awe, of astonishment - it is incredible, in the sense that we can hardly believe it is possible.

There are no need for examples. But concerning music, I'll add that great systems are not required to experience these emotions.

The movie "Philadelphia" has a great scene in which Tom Hanks plays Maria Callas, and communicates those feelings which I think many viewers as a result have experienced while watching that scene:

hopkins · Jul 2, 2024

There are many movie scenes that illustrate, often by "contrast", the emotional power of music.

Ground Control · Jul 2, 2024

There are many songs from musicals that make me tear up but I think many have the support of a visual influence that make them strike deep to the soul so I don’t count them.
Other than these,
Joni Mitchell, “Court and Spark”
Beatles “For No One”
Since I listen 70% classical, 15/15 jazz/rock.
Brahms, Cello Sonata no. 1 E minor op. 38 “Wigmore Hall” is very emotional for me, but no tears.

thedudeabides · Jul 16, 2024

Leonard Cohen / Live in London / If it be your will.

Young Skywalker · Jul 17, 2024

To which genre of music do you experience the greatest emotional connection? Classical

Is there a particular genre of music which, in general, tends to make you tear up? Orchestral works from the Romantic period

Are there one or two or three particular tracks, regardless of genre of music, which make you tear up? The final movement from Mahler's Symphony No. 2; the Adagietto movement from Mahler's Symphony No. 5; the Allegretto movement from Beethoven's Symphony No. 7; the Poco adagio movement from Saint-Saens' Symphony No. 3

If you are primarily a classical music listener, is there any rock or pop track which makes you tear up? "Angel" by Sarah McLachlan (heard live and on home stereo).

If you are primarily a rock/pop music listener, is there any classical track which makes you tear up? N/A

Do your answers to these questions change whether you are listening to the tracks in question live or listening to the tracks in question on your stereo? No, same reaction whether live or on my home stereo rig, although possibly more intense with live. The reaction also includes goosebumps and chills through arms and legs.

Tangram · Jul 17, 2024

Classic singer-songwriter songs are what hit me hard. Little Green by Joni Mitchell, Strawberry Blonde by Ron Sexsmith, Solid Air by John Martyn, that sort of thing.

Holmz · Jul 17, 2024

Does the Boomtown Rats, “I don’t like Mondays” count?

I was listening to 91X out of Tijuana back in the day.
I was right at the edge of reception in LA county.
I teacher from Poway called in to dedicate a song to his students.
The song was “Beat on the Brat” by the Ramones.

Rexp · Jul 18, 2024

Ron Resnick said:
To which genre of music do you experience the greatest emotional connection?

Is there a particular genre of music which, in general, tends to make you tear up?

Are there one or two or three particular tracks, regardless of genre of music, which make you tear up?

If you are primarily a classical music listener, is there any rock or pop track which makes you tear up?

If you are primarily a rock/pop music listener, is there any classical track which makes you tear up?

Do your answers to these questions change whether you are listening to the tracks in question live or listening to the tracks in question on your stereo?

I remember tearing up when Courtney Pine played Round Midnight during a live perfomance. Tried to replecate the experience at home with a CD, no luck.
I have teared up playing vinyl many times, playing various types of music.
I never get emotional listening to the radio. Now I'm just streaming, it only happens when playing the track below which seems to affect many judging by the YouTube coverage. I listen to the MQA version, I don't get affected by the Qobuz version, nor the YouTube version.

hopkins · Jul 19, 2024

@je2a3 made a wonderful video of him playing with his father conducting, along with family pictures, and it got me teary, thinking of my father:

stellavox · Jul 19, 2024

Biebl's "Ave Maria" - Cantus. Most recently "Lord Take My Hand" - Purity (Quintet) - T minus 5 entertainment (an IsoMike recording).

Another test involving emotional response - what piece of music "raises the hair on the back of your neck"?
For me, "Stimela" hands down and Arnold Overtures (Tape Project). The better the system, the more intense the response.

In thinking more about the Ron's question - I can get an emotional response for two different reasons. The first (exemplified by the selections above) has to do with the beauty and presentation of the music itself. The other has to do with the MEMORIES it brings back, which may actually have little to do with the music itself.

unboxed · Jul 19, 2024

Emmylou Harris "Boulder to Birmingham"

Zero000 · Jul 19, 2024

Love/Hate by Nine Black Alps is an emotional rollercoaster of indie rock personal relationship themed goodness I feel.

Drink too much beer and play loud for best effect!

ravenacustic · Jul 19, 2024

Ron Resnick said:
To which genre of music do you experience the greatest emotional connection?

Is there a particular genre of music which, in general, tends to make you tear up?

Are there one or two or three particular tracks, regardless of genre of music, which make you tear up?

If you are primarily a classical music listener, is there any rock or pop track which makes you tear up?

If you are primarily a rock/pop music listener, is there any classical track which makes you tear up?

Do your answers to these questions change whether you are listening to the tracks in question live or listening to the tracks in question on your stereo?

Tough topic for me because I can be moved to that level of emotion by so much music and performance mostly in a live venue. So let’s just say I have been very moved in Carnegie Hall over many years with different music and performers. But then again I have heard performances on the car radio which were wonderful. I guess for me it’s a mixed bag regarding music, performer, venue beit live or recorded which moves me.

GSOphile · Jul 20, 2024

Eva Cassidy - "Fields of Gold"
Gladiator Soundtrack - "Elysium"/"Honor Him"
We Were Soldiers Soundtrack - "Mansions of the Lord"
Richard Strauss - Four Last Songs ("Bein Schlafengehen"), Janowitz/ BPO/Karajan
Puccini - "O mio bambino caro" - Sarah Brightman/ LSO

astrotoy · Jul 20, 2024

As a classical music fan, I also love Eva Cassidy Fields of Gold. Heard the original Sting version and Cassidy wins IMHO. Larry

Zuman · Jul 20, 2024

To which genre of music do you experience the greatest emotional connection?
-It's generally jazz or "lounge" solo vocals with small instrumental combos, where the singer's emotions and personality are laid bare and every inflection adds to the story. Blues sometimes does it (and I love blues), but sometimes it feels like the singer is led by the format, rather than vice-versa. As The Who famously said "It's the singer, not the song / that makes the music move along..."

Is there a particular genre of music which, in general, tends to make you tear up?
-I wouldn't say any genre consistently makes me tear up, but the above has the greatest likelihood.

Are there one or two or three particular tracks, regardless of genre of music, which make you tear up?
-I really like Becca Stevens & Elan Mehler's Nuvelle album "Pallet On Your Floor." Many of those tracks have the potential to do the job, especially if it's late and bourbon or Laphroaig is involved. Donny Hathaway's live cut of "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" is poignant, especially knowing his story. There's some good stuff on Ray Charles' "Genius Loves Company" - I don't think his vocal partners phoned it in or did it for the money. I like his "You Don't Know Me," with Diana Krall.

If you are primarily a rock/pop music listener, is there any classical track which makes you tear up?
-Mahler's No. 2 ("Resurrection") can do it. It requires the right mood, a time commitment, and a willingness to go where it wants to take you. Sometimes Elgar's Enigma Variations can do it, and Handel's "Messiah." I associate all of these with my late father, who introduced me to good music, so that might play a role.

Do your answers to these questions change whether you are listening to the tracks in question live or listening to the tracks in question on your stereo?
-I'm more likely to get emotional in private, so for me it's the stereo that does it. On the other hand, I can certainly get into the crowd energy at a rock concert and sometimes, in a club, you (I?) can make a connection with a particular musician, particularly during a solo, and do a bit of a mind-meld with him or her.

ravenacustic · Jul 20, 2024

GSOphile said:
Eva Cassidy - "Fields of Gold"
Gladiator Soundtrack - "Elysium"/"Honor Him"
We Were Soldiers Soundtrack - "Mansions of the Lord"
Richard Strauss - Four Last Songs ("Bein Schlafengehen"), Janowitz/ BPO/Karajan
Puccini - "O mio bambino caro" - Sarah Brightman/ LSO

ravenacustic said:
Tough topic for me because I can be moved to that level of emotion by so much music and performance mostly in a live venue. So let’s just say I have been very moved in Carnegie Hall over many years with different music and performers. But then again I have heard performances on the car radio which were wonderful. I guess for me it’s a mixed bag regarding music, performer, venue beit live or recorded which moves me.

Nordic songs sung by Jussi Bjorling in Swedish. Maybe anything sung by Bjorling.

adrianywu · Jul 20, 2024

I am primarily a classical listener. The final movement of Tchaikovsky's symphony no. 6, interpreted by Mvravinsky, always evokes a response. It is in knowing that Tchaikovsky would die a few weeks after the premier performance, probably by suicide, and the era of this recording at the height of the cold war and just after Stalin's terror that the conductor and the members of the orchestra had just lived through. The irony of this symphony is that just before the end, there was a glimmer of hope, which was cruelly extinguished by the tragic and hopeless ending. This is perhaps more relevant now than ever.
Another powerful performance is the 24-year-old violin prodigy Michael Rabin playing the slow movement of Wieniawski concerto no. 2. Such beautiful playing, and knowing that his life would end before his 36th birthday, a deep sense of loss.
For rock/folk, Eva Cassidy singing Danny Boy always brings tears to my eyes.

Maximum Personal Emotional Reaction to Particular Recording

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