Haven’t you heard? Crying is the new “holding it together.” Human beings are built to emote and what better way to shed tears than to music written about crying, you know?
Despite the sad boi (and grrl) song selections, this set we made together is quite powerful, and may even get you dancing. So stream the archived show (👇) and get future requests in on the socials via WNXPNashville.
#ThematicStatic Playlist
Julia Gomez – “Cry Over You” – Wes requested this selection from our former #RecordoftheWeek, the debut album from local artist Julia Gomez.
Hana Vu – “Crying on the Subway” – Why is it so easy to get weepy in transit? Hana Vu gets it.
Shannon & The Clams – “All of My Cryin'” – Nathan said on Instagram that this is one of his favorites. Remember when this band came to the Sonic Cathedral?
Lesley Gore – “It’s My Party – This is for Felix and Jude, who both mentioned it on Instagram. It’s also for our own Emily Young, whose birthday party on Dec. 1 doubles as WNXP’s 2nd Anniversary party with Wet Leg, Twen and Veaux. We expect only happy tears on this evening, which is now SOLD OUT at Brooklyn Bowl!
Pom Pom Squad – “Crying” – Mia Berrin borrows elements from the classic pop/soul singers of yesteryear but adds soaring guitars on this one from Death of a Cheerleader. Here’s the video:
The Cure – “Boys Don’t Cry” – Britta asked for this ’80s classic from the King of Goth and his unmerry-makers in The Cure. But the thing is, no matter how you identify, crying is healthy and natural and shouldn’t be surpressed. Check out all sort of science linked up in this article about the physiological and mental health reasons we all — and boys should — cry.
Madi Diaz – “Crying in Public” (MUNA Remix) – Xander, Josh and Riley all asked for Madi, but I opted to air the club-ready MUNA Remix of this History of Feeling tear-jerker. (Side note for my Southeastern pals: sub in “Publix” and this still works, right? All the feels while browsing produce, we can’t help it.)
Amy Winehouse – “Tears Dry On Their Own” – This is also an upbeat way of chronicling the aftermath of a breakup, R.I.P. to Amy. Check out the chorus:
He walks away
“Tears Dry On Their Own”
The sun goes down
He takes the day, but I’m grown (I’m grown)
And in your way
In this blue shade
My tears dry on their own
Massive Attack – “Teardop” – Sheesh, this is just one of the best. Mark and Rex both asked for it, and while covers by Jose Gonzales and — more recently — Nashville’s own Hayley Williams are quite beautiful, too, nothing beats the original with The Cocteau Twins’ Elisabeth Fraser in the upper register. Here’s the creepy video shot… in utero?
The Pretenders – “Stop Your Sobbing” – Originally done by The Kinks in 1964, this song got the Chrissie Hynde treatment in 1979.
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles – “Tears of a Clown” – This is for you, Mom!
Roy Orbison and k.d. lang – “Crying” – This is the 30-year-old version of a song Orbison made famous first in 1962, adding modern crooner k.d. lang to up the star power and add harmonies, to boot. I die for it again and again, including this video from 1988’s Top of the Pops show:
Hawksley Workman – “No Reason to Cry Out Your Eyes” – I followed up k.d. with another Canadian songster, the lesser known (here in the U.S., at least) Hawksley Workman, whose 2001 record (Last Night We Were) The Delicious Wolves features this happy driving song. OK, but really, listen to this whole album. You won’t regret it.
Tearfully yours,
The weepiest public radio Morning Host there ever was