r/AskReddit Jan 23 '25

What song never fails to make you cry?

138 Upvotes

557 comments sorted by

71

u/SmartNotRude Jan 23 '25

Travelin' Soldier by The Chicks

16

u/SidonceSaid Jan 23 '25

Didn't know it. Now I'm crying. Thank you.

5

u/FiveSeasonsFox Jan 23 '25

I love that one!

3

u/AussieRunning Jan 23 '25

Aaron Lewis’ cover is an emotional one too.

2

u/Mother_Example2606 Jan 24 '25

I’ve been looking for this song for years. Thank you

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48

u/PlayfulHoneybun Jan 23 '25

'Rainbow Connection' from The Muppets. Happy tears though. My dad used to sing it to me before bed when I was little. He wasn't a great singer, but man, hearing Kermit's voice brings back all those memories of being tucked in and feeling so safe.

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47

u/chickenLike Jan 23 '25

Whiskey Lullaby

7

u/Jack_Bartowski Jan 23 '25

Didn't see someone mentioned this already, this one gets me tearing up.

6

u/LordBigSlime Jan 23 '25

Posted my comment and immediately saw yours, so I'm gonna delete that and paste my answer here.

Whiskey Lullaby. I was just the right age when that came out and I saw the music video. I don't think young me knew how to handle the emotions it threw at me, so for that, it's managed to stick in my brain like 20 years later.

36

u/Fresh_List278 Jan 23 '25

Last Kiss.

4

u/TheWhaleAndWhasp Jan 23 '25

I can’t even listen to it. It gets on my nerves because it’s so tragic lol

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37

u/wanderlust1130 Jan 23 '25

Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol. It just… takes me to a different time.

3

u/OdysseyTag Jan 23 '25

Solid one

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40

u/wromit Jan 23 '25

Remember Me from Coco

9

u/SneachtaBan Jan 23 '25

I work in a nursing home and this song reminds me of the residents who are no longer with us 😭

6

u/Raktoner Jan 23 '25

When he sings it at the end for Coco without any accompanying band, just a slow sad guitar... 😭

33

u/No-Race-3534 Jan 23 '25

Cats in the cradle 

7

u/Sheriffja Jan 23 '25

I was hoping to see this. Dear God it’s a moving tune.

5

u/ThatOtherOtherGuy3 Jan 23 '25

I was traveling once with a few guys in a van. When that song came on we all sang out loud, but by the end of the song no one was singing and there wasn’t a dry eye.

3

u/Spiritual_Number_111 Jan 23 '25

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon...🎶

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57

u/hammond_egger Jan 23 '25

I Will Follow You Into The Dark - Death Cab For Cutie

6

u/angelbdivine Jan 23 '25

Second this

5

u/OdysseyTag Jan 23 '25

I swear half of DCFC's catalogue sends me places

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21

u/AdExpensive1624 Jan 23 '25

The theme song from THE LAND BEFORE TIME that plays when Littlefoot sees clouds/tree stars.

EMOTIONAL DAMAGE.

7

u/UsedEducator5063 Jan 23 '25

That whole movie and all old Disney is too dangerous to watch...

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21

u/Mountain-Credit5498 Jan 23 '25

Nutshell- aliceinchains

15

u/UsedEducator5063 Jan 23 '25

aliceinchains > nirvana

come at me

5

u/TheWhaleAndWhasp Jan 23 '25

An objective fact about subjective reality.

2

u/tannels Jan 23 '25

Correct take.

6

u/noktg Jan 23 '25

Unplugged in NY version for max impact

3

u/NitroNick93 Jan 23 '25

That’s a song that you do not get out of the car until it’s over.

20

u/OKHayFarmer Jan 23 '25

Puff the Magic Dragon- Peter, Paul and Mary.

7

u/is-your-oven-on Jan 23 '25

My husband pulled an illustrated book of this song out for me to read as a bedtime story the night before we were to take our baby to daycare for the first time. He was so confused about why I couldn't stop crying. DUDE!

21

u/Beefyknee Jan 23 '25

The Night We Met by Lord Huron will always destroy me.

2

u/ganjaman50 Jan 27 '25

Hits hard

18

u/Inside_Statement_725 Jan 23 '25

My immortal by evanescence

2

u/suckerloveheavensent Jan 23 '25

came here to say this

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18

u/jlelvidge Jan 23 '25

Fix you by Coldplay. Released when my mum died, listening to it on the bus as I came home from work one day and sobbed really ugly all the way home especially at the line ‘when you lose something you can’t replace’ i had a lot of guilt issues with my mum’s death especially how I had treated or thought badly of her before she died.

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15

u/OdysseyTag Jan 23 '25

A Perfect Circle - Weak and Powerless

2

u/[deleted] Jan 23 '25

I see a man of culture

2

u/OdysseyTag Jan 23 '25

We're a dying breed I've been told

2

u/[deleted] Jan 23 '25

I swear, it amazes me how many people miss out on one of the greatest bands, if not the greatest of all time :(

2

u/TheWhaleAndWhasp Jan 23 '25

How about Disillusioned?

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16

u/Lonely-Dirt-9046 Jan 23 '25

wish you were here

14

u/ollieballz Jan 23 '25

The Cranberries. Zombie, When listened to with the official video.

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14

u/SunflowerStateFan Jan 23 '25

Maggie’s Song by Chris Stapleton, especially after having to put down a dog I had for 10 years.

5

u/TJeffersonsBlackKid Jan 23 '25 edited Jan 23 '25

Run, Maggie, Run!

Edit: Also, when I first heard this song, my dumb ass did not realize it was about a dog until the last verse. I thought he had found and adopted a kid or something and was so disturbed.

3

u/degensfromtown Jan 23 '25

Misting up just thinking about it.

2

u/Mr_lojorising11 Jan 23 '25

Same, i love this song and hate it at the same time

2

u/SwimmingRich2949 Jan 23 '25

Still can’t listen to it

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12

u/farlurker Jan 23 '25

Hurt performed by Johnny Cash

10

u/Love2readalot Jan 23 '25

REM. Everybody Hurts

19

u/Expensive-Notice-509 Jan 23 '25

Adele - Someone like you

8

u/swaggers23 Jan 23 '25

“When we were young” for me

5

u/SwimmingRich2949 Jan 23 '25

All I ask of you - for me

9

u/numaricleorder Jan 23 '25

“Beauty and the Beast.” Not ashamed to admit it.

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7

u/bizidevv Jan 23 '25

I love Pippins song from the Lord Of the Rings

7

u/[deleted] Jan 23 '25 edited Jan 23 '25

Hero of War - Rise Against

2

u/StyrianDriver Jan 23 '25

Rise Against*

2

u/ccorder92 Jan 24 '25

Omg EVERY time 😭

8

u/cheesy_way_out Jan 23 '25

I'm with you by Avril Lavigne. Heard this song all thorugh my teenage and I have cried every single time. When you feel absolutely alone and are just this close to a breakdown but try to keep your composure, you just pray for someone to come and save you but you don't know who that is. Or when you will be saved.

7

u/ne0muhae Jan 23 '25

Slipping through my fingers by ABBA

9

u/Messier-1 Jan 23 '25

The main theme of schindlers list

6

u/flx20250120 Jan 23 '25

Bohemian rhapsody and empire state of mind

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7

u/PinkCat240 Jan 23 '25

I know I'm not the only one - Sam Smith

7

u/clickrick39 Jan 23 '25

Dance with my father - Luther Vandross. I luckily still have both of my parents, but when my grandfather passed away from cancer, my mom began playing that song here and there. I felt my own pain and hers. RIP granddad.

6

u/sh3nto Jan 23 '25

Carry on my Wayward Son by Kansas

6

u/Dorkitron Jan 23 '25

Leaves From the Vine

2

u/otysmygoats Jan 23 '25

Correct answer

6

u/jskrilla Jan 23 '25

You’ve got a friend in me from Toy Story

2

u/Injectpudding Jan 23 '25

randy newman actually has a lot of really amazing and emotional songs. check out she chose me. that song levels me everytime.

5

u/killersoda Jan 23 '25

One More Light by Linkin Park will never not make me cry like a bitch.

2

u/The_Canadian Jan 24 '25

They have a number of songs that hit pretty hard. "Leave out all the rest" comes to mind.

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5

u/BeyondAddiction Jan 23 '25

Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd

6

u/Restlessforinfinity Jan 23 '25

Iris- Goo Goo Dolls is my sad girl song when I need a good cry but also my happy song as well a I love hearing it and recently I found Barton Carroll- Those days are gone.

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10

u/Leesiecat Jan 23 '25

He Stopped Loving Her Today by George Jones. My late husband sang it to me.

10

u/samemamabear Jan 23 '25

What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong

2

u/AllReihledUp Jan 23 '25

OMG yes...

5

u/sigrid-3 Jan 23 '25

Show must go on - Queen Love of my life - Queen

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6

u/Jack_Bartowski Jan 23 '25

Whisky Lullaby by Brad Paisley. Country music isn't really for me, but this song reminds me about my grandpa.

5

u/Leftylady79 Jan 23 '25

Hallelujah by Kaylee Rogers

2

u/Similar_Set_6582 Jan 23 '25

I will never not associate this song with Shrek.

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6

u/Teenyweeny291 Jan 23 '25

Cats in the Cradle by Harry Chapin

4

u/steelvike Jan 23 '25

Don't Follow - Alice in Chains

5

u/kewissman Jan 23 '25

The Living Years by Mike and The Mechanics

2

u/Kangaroo-Parking Jan 24 '25

The first time I ever saw my dad cry. The song that was playing was the living years. I'm making the mechanics. I asked my dad mind. He was crying and he said that he was sad. He never got to have a good relationship with his dad. Something changed in me that day.

8

u/django2605 Jan 23 '25

Fade into you by mazzy star…

4

u/Beneficial_Twist8842 Jan 23 '25

Wake Up by Mad Season

5

u/External-Belt-9824 Jan 23 '25

Amazing grace and Oh Canada… I’m not even nationalist or religious.

4

u/PianoAltruistic8071 Jan 23 '25

breathe me - Sia

4

u/sweetsloverr3838 Jan 23 '25

The Christmas Shoes by NewSong. Gets me every time!! 😢

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4

u/SkyBug_0121 Jan 23 '25

Peice by Peice by Kelly Clarkson

4

u/just5ft Jan 23 '25

Amazing Grace. Played at my grandma’s funeral.

4

u/rsm6130 Jan 23 '25

Creep-Radiohead

4

u/Z_e_e_e_G Jan 23 '25

Springsteen's "The Rising"

4

u/Frequent_Flyer_Miles Jan 23 '25

I Giorni by Ludovico Einaudi...

You try playing that over a memorial slideshow or at a funeral and tell me that doesn't affect you and everyone there. If it doesn't you're not human.

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4

u/tehkitryan Jan 23 '25

Last Kiss - Pearl Jam

4

u/Witty-Zebra-1374 Jan 23 '25

Collective soul “the world I know”

3

u/TheRiotBadger Jan 23 '25

Don't You (Forget about me) by Simple Minds. Only because I lost my cat of 18 years a while back and now whenever I hear it, it makes me think of him.

4

u/kikizazaa Jan 23 '25

Long Long Time- Linda Ronstadt

3

u/[deleted] Jan 23 '25

The Scientist and Fix You by Coldplay

4

u/CuriousGuyPMnudes Jan 23 '25

Who knew by Pink. It reminds me of my auntie who was very sick at 33 and I was adamant that, since she was young, she would be fine and they were ALL WRONG. I miss her everyday ♥️

3

u/Yarnsmith_Nat Jan 23 '25

No more i love yous by Annie lennox

8

u/No-Sun-3156 Jan 23 '25

Eric Clapton Tears in Heaven

3

u/BeyondAddiction Jan 23 '25

Because the background behind that song is heartbreaking 😭

7

u/Reinhardt_Mane Jan 23 '25

Aragorn singing at the end of RotK then: My friends, you bow to no one

7

u/[deleted] Jan 23 '25

Fourth of July by Sufjan Stevens

7

u/johnwalkersbeard Jan 23 '25

My mom used to beat the shit out of me when I was a little kid. When I moved out, I ghosted her for a while. She called me one day out of the blue and apologized. We reconciled. Became quite good friends. She found out in September of 2021 that she had late state stomach cancer. By Black Friday she was gone.

A few months later, I found this song. About a guy with a substandard mom that he patched up his relationship with just before she died of stomach cancer. Gee, what's that like..

It destroys me ever time I hear it.

2

u/[deleted] Jan 23 '25

Sorry to hear your story. I’m glad you guys patched it up in the end, you didn’t deserve that.

May she rest in peace.

Also what a coincidence!

2

u/hannahyogananda Jan 24 '25

All of Carrie and Lowell is so sad and so real.

3

u/spiteup Jan 23 '25

Make it Stop by Rise Against

3

u/PostalBean Jan 23 '25

Fetch the Bolt Cutters - Fiona Apple

3

u/Frost-on-the-Willow Jan 23 '25

Concrete Angel by Martina McBride

3

u/Real-Bell2164 Jan 23 '25

see you again. i just love paul walker

3

u/Plastic_Swordfish_57 Jan 23 '25

18-wheeler by Alabama.

3

u/skiballerina Jan 23 '25

I was going to play "Dear Theodosia" from Hamilton for my kids's Bat Mitzvah, but I'm afraid I will start ugly crying and ruin my makeup.

3

u/VampireOnHoyt Jan 23 '25

The Mountain Goats, "Up the Wolves." I have never made it through the chorus without choking up.

3

u/whickwithy Jan 23 '25

'what's the matter here' by 10,000 maniacs

3

u/[deleted] Jan 23 '25 edited Jan 24 '25

[deleted]

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3

u/workerbee223 Jan 23 '25

Chuck Berry, My Ding-A-Ling

3

u/Jorost Jan 23 '25

"What's the Matter Here?" by 10,000 Maniacs. About living next to an abused/neglected kid. Hits me right in the feels, especially the last line:

And instead of love and the feel of warmth
You've given him these cuts and sores
That don't heal with time or with age

2

u/[deleted] Jan 24 '25

[deleted]

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3

u/TillyTeckel Jan 23 '25

Give a Girl a Dog, by Brittany Moore. Listen with caution if you've ever lost a pet :(

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3

u/trtzbass Jan 23 '25

“Time” by Tom Waits

3

u/PerformerIcy4966 Jan 23 '25

NIN/Johnny Cash, Hurt

3

u/ConclusionAlarmed882 Jan 23 '25

Wild Horses by the Rolling Stones.

Hello Young Lovers sung by Frank Sinatra.

And the winner is: Good Year for the Roses by George Jones. I can't even think about it in public without melting down.

3

u/AdCreative7760 Jan 23 '25

The house that built me by Miranda lambert

3

u/superficial_user Jan 23 '25

Nobody’s Hero, Rush.

3

u/Staudly Jan 23 '25

Long Long Time - Linda Ronstadt

I wasn't familiar with the song until that episode of The Last Of Us, but damn does it make me emotional.

3

u/Yayhahahooo Jan 23 '25

Lord huron - the night we met

3

u/Tizedgen Jan 23 '25

Dust in the Wind & Mama I'm Coming Home.

3

u/JuanG_13 Jan 23 '25

Sissy's Song by Alan Jackson

Don't Take The Girl by by McGraw

Whiskey Lullaby by Allison Krauss and Brad Paisley

3

u/augustus175 Jan 23 '25

ABBA Chiquitita. Written by a parent to their child of divorce, gets me every time..

3

u/Lomadh_an_Luain_ort Jan 23 '25

In the Arms of an Angel by Sarah McLachlan

3

u/Next_Journalist_8075 Jan 24 '25

Nightswimming by REM

4

u/OdysseyTag Jan 23 '25

Audioslave - Be Yourself

2

u/muskyandrostenol Jan 23 '25

Falling by Harry Styles

2

u/Signal-Substance8331 Jan 23 '25

The live audio tree version of “Go Home” from Julien Baker…rips me into pieces every time. If you’ve ever struggled with mental illness and substance abuse, be warned before taking that journey…it’s a doozy

2

u/frizzinghere Jan 23 '25

Prince of Egypt theme song. Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey.

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2

u/Impressive_Ratio_221 Jan 23 '25

Comfortably Numb or Everybody Hurts

2

u/MrGamer74 Jan 23 '25

Not never fails but sometimes maybe man. Ajr

2

u/Packfan1967 Jan 23 '25

Queen - Who wants to live forever

Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods - Billy, don't be a hero

Guns & Roses - November Rain

2

u/SkyBug_0121 Jan 23 '25

Alyssa Lies by Jason Michael Carroll

2

u/UsedEducator5063 Jan 23 '25

There's no such song that always makes me cry, but Steeldrivers - where rainbows never die, and Jamey Johnson - In Color have done it.

2

u/Most-Principle-4994 Jan 23 '25

Now Comes The Night by Rob Thomas. My mother picked that for her funeral before she passed away. I can’t listen to it without wanting to cry now

2

u/kymilovechelle Jan 23 '25

Clair de Lunes

2

u/dantownsend88 Jan 23 '25

Sam by Sturgill Simpson

2

u/AnspiffanyStilts Jan 23 '25

Thank You Jesus For The Blood - Charity Gayle. That song is so beautiful.

2

u/Specialist_Budget_35 Jan 23 '25

Time by Hans Zimmer

2

u/expectobrat Jan 24 '25

Hearing this live back in September was the thrill of a lifetime!

2

u/SatanicLoki Jan 23 '25

Like you by evanescence

2

u/marycem Jan 23 '25

Wind beneath my wings

2

u/javierpeter Jan 23 '25

Wind beneath my wings by Bette Middler. Was my grandmothers favourite song. 9 years later it still hits the same

2

u/Willyworm-5801 Jan 23 '25

Mahalia Jackson singing Motherless Child. So sad..

2

u/1i73rz Jan 23 '25

Enter One, Sol Seppy.

I miss you, Avacato.

2

u/rainydayszs Jan 23 '25

The funeral- band of horses

2

u/[deleted] Jan 23 '25

My Father's Eyes - Eric Clapton

2

u/Deadbeat699 Jan 23 '25

In Dreams - Roy Orbison, and Cruz de Olvido - Vicente Fernandez

2

u/prampusher Jan 23 '25

Supermarket Flowers by Ed Sheeran.

2

u/over_it_saurus Jan 23 '25

Growin up raising you - immediate tears while pregnant and now as a FTM

Butterfly kisses - always listened to this with my dad

2

u/oskel95 Jan 23 '25

"Paper Hearts" by Tori Kelly

2

u/Robeditor Jan 23 '25

The times they are a changing - Bob Dylan

2

u/WhiskeyintheWarRoom Jan 23 '25

"Walking in Memphis" - Mark Cohn

I'm not religious in the slightest, but the way the composition and lyrics combine is just so beautiful to me and convinces me that this man had a genuine spiritual experience there. It fills me with hope and always brings me happy tears.

2

u/Beaux7 Jan 23 '25

Don't Take the Girl

2

u/LeftyFrizzell Jan 23 '25

Puff the Magic Dragon. Saddest song ever.

2

u/RandyMintaka93 Jan 23 '25

Dont take the girl - Tim McGraw

2

u/et_hornet Jan 23 '25

Whiskey Lullaby and Don’t Take the Girl

2

u/12Clawlok Jan 23 '25

The Rose by Conway Twitty

2

u/Adrift_Aardvark04 Jan 23 '25

Puff the Magic Dragon

2

u/Necessary-Crab-5573 Jan 23 '25

Glimpse of Us - Joji

2

u/befitstayyoung Jan 23 '25

“Tears in Heaven” by Eric Clapton. Just writing this makes me sad.

2

u/Such-Problem-4725 Jan 23 '25

He stopped loving her today

2

u/Practical-Lunch7371 Jan 23 '25

Three wooden crosses by Randy Travis

2

u/Lacainam Jan 23 '25

Right now, in the midst of a divorce, Levitate by Sleep Token. "Where my love doesn't matter" hits really, really hard.

2

u/amour_lynn3 Jan 23 '25

skin (sarabeth) by rascal flatts.

my mom told me the first time she heard this song she had like a gut feeling that she would relate this to something someday, but couldn't figure out what the feeling was or why she felt it. 2 years later, she had my sister who got leukemia twice, and after she passed my mom listened to the song again, and it hit her hard.

ever since she told me this story I physically can't listen to the song without sobbing. amazing and beautiful song, but it hits so close to home that it's hard to hear.

2

u/[deleted] Jan 23 '25

The night we met - Lord Huron

2

u/WeakCalligrapher336 Jan 23 '25

One Sweet Day, Mariah Carey/BoyzIIMen.

2

u/SuspiciousDistrict9 Jan 24 '25

Snuff -Slipknot

Mad World - Gary Jules

Hurt - Johnny Cash

Failure- Breaking Benjamin

Dear Agony - Breaking Benjamin

Hate Me- Blue October

Congratulations - Blue October

Adam's Song -Blink 182

He Stopped Loving Her Today - George Jones

Whiskey Lullaby - Allison Krauss

Concrete Angel- Martina McBride

2

u/[deleted] Jan 24 '25

“As” - Stevie Wonder. It was my mom’s song for me and it’ll be my song for my children God willing.

2

u/TippyTapBoo Jan 24 '25

When She Loved Me from Toy Story 2

Somewhere Out There from An American Tail

2

u/Mooseycanuck Jan 24 '25

"How to save a life" by The Fray. This is the song they played during a very emotional moment in Scrubs, which makes it even more powerful to me because I remember that scene.

2

u/CatacombsRave Jan 24 '25

I Know You Care - Ellie Goulding.

2

u/ApplicationKlutzy208 Jan 25 '25

My heart will go on - Celine Dion.

It was HUGE around about the time a friend died. We were just shy of our 15th birthdays (she was 1 day older than me) and she had a diabetes related heart attack and died. It was played at her funeral - several times - and I've never been able to listen to it without crying since.

5

u/crazycatlady331 Jan 23 '25

Ronan by Taylor Swift.

If you don't cry during this song, something is wrong with you.

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2

u/Rickofitall Jan 23 '25

Nothing Else Matters by Metallica, a good friend of mine passed away when he was 17 of cancer, we learned to play drums together for 5 years straight and they played it at his funeral. Even know almost 20 years on if it comes on, I just cry

4

u/hotzombiegirl Jan 23 '25

daddy by korn, i never listen to it but whenever the song starts before i skip it i start crying

2

u/TheDevirgination Jan 23 '25

Crazy they just jammed on Jon’s sobs at the end for like 5 minutes lmao

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2

u/FartstheBunny Jan 23 '25

Send in the clowns

2

u/Morganbanefort Jan 23 '25

Lord Huron's The Night We Met

1

u/alicedied Jan 23 '25

Routine by Steven Wilson (watching the music video with it is imperative )

1

u/Takoshi88 Jan 23 '25

The Thing That Would Save You - gates