Songs That Make Men Cry

A recent U.K. poll has named R.E.M.’s “Everybody Hurts” the song that makes men cry the most. The 1992 hit from the alt-rock legends topped 10 tear-jerkers by the likes of Eric Clapton, U2 and Bruce Springsteen, according to Spinner.com.

The survey was organized by PRS for Music, a company that collects and pays royalties to more than 70,000 members. “A well-written tear-jerker is one that people can relate to and empathize with,” PRS for Music chairman Ellis Rich said in a statement. “It is this lyrical connection that can reach deep down emotionally and move even the strongest of men.”

The Top 10 songs that make men cry the most:

1. “Everybody Hurts,” R.E.M.
2. “Tears in Heaven,” Eric Clapton
3. “Hallelujah,” Leonard Cohen
4. “Nothing Compares 2 U,” Sinead O’Connor
5. “With or Without You,” U2
6. “The Drugs Don't Work,” The Verve
7. “Candle in the Wind,” Elton John
8. “Streets of Philadelphia,” Bruce Springsteen
9. “Unchained Melody,” Todd Duncan
10. “Angels,” Robbie Williams

Rob wrote:

“Nothing Compares 2 U,” Sinead O’Connor

Really? Maybe they're crying because that song is so bad.

A few of these I've never even heard. None of the others get me emotional, except for maybe "Hallelujah." And I don't even know what that's about.

bethandmanly wrote:

Rob wrote:

“Nothing Compares 2 U,” Sinead O’Connor

Really? Maybe they're crying because that song is so bad.

Cheryl!! LOL!!

Rob wrote:

A few of these I've never even heard. None of the others get me emotional, except for maybe "Hallelujah." And I don't even know what that's about.

Well, you know I love that song, but for the life of me I don't either. I just like it because it's a great song.

I'm thinking these are some pretty sappy guys that actually CRY over these songs, I'm sorry. Rob, the only one on that list that I might even get misty over is Hallelujah. Everybody Hurts IS emotional---I can kind of see that one. But still....I don't know, it takes a special kind of song to get me to the full blown 'cry', so I'm just thinking that either this survey is kind of lame, or the guys taking it are.

Amy!

I haven't heard several of the songs, but none of the songs that I've heard from the list make me cry. Unchained Melody makes 'em cry?? I do find it pretty interesting, though. I'd like to see a similar polling result taken in the U.S. and compare the lists.

Tears in Heaven can definitely make me teary-eyed. Especially when I think about the reason behind this song; it being written after the death of Eric Clapton's 4 year old son.

pamh36 wrote:

Tears in Heaven can definitely make me teary-eyed. Especially when I think about the reason behind this song; it being written after the death of Eric Clapton's 4 year old son.

I agree that it is a very sad song. How awful that something like that happened. Just goes to prove that having money doesn't mean you won't experience tragedies.

I think the only songs that can move me emotionally are Amazing Grace, How Great Thou Art, and Mary, Did You Know?.

One piece of classical music that always gets me emotional is the last few minutes of Gustav Mahler's massive second symphony, The Resurrection. Here's Leonard Bernstein conducting. This is obviously a very emotional thing for ol' Lenny, too.

One request: PLAY IT LOUD!

One Song that get me teary-eyed is Room with a View By Carolyn Dawn Johnson (It reminds just what my brother went through when he was Sick)

Savannah wrote:

You find some of the most interesting articles, Rob!

Too much time on his hands, obviously!!!!

This song makes me bawl my eyes out every time I hear it. My uncle brought the cd to my mom's funeral and we played it during the service. It is such a beautiful song, but it brings back the emotion I felt after losing my mom every time I hear it. So, I grabbed the embed code, but I couldn't listen.

I swear on my honor, I was just listening to "Everbody Hurts".

Wow, that's cool.

bethandmanly wrote:

Rob wrote:

“Nothing Compares 2 U,” Sinead O’Connor

Really? Maybe they're crying because that song is so bad.

Is it cuz you're Catholic? Personally, I don't care their religious beliefs. But I'm listening to Sinead sing Last Day of our Acquaintance.

"Everybody Hurts"? Really? Actually that is my reaction to all of those songs except for "Tears in Heaven". That is the only song on that list, in my opinion, that I can see getting someone to become emotional. I just can't visualize a man crying to REM. Knowing the story behind "Tears in Heaven", and listening to the lyrics - along with the melody - that song is horribly sad and depressing.

flatbroke wrote:

I swear on my honor, I was just listening to "Everbody Hurts".

Wow, that's cool.

Seriously?! Well, did ya cry?

MissOleson wrote:

"Everybody Hurts"? Really? Actually that is my reaction to all of those songs except for "Tears in Heaven". That is the only song on that list, in my opinion, that I can see getting someone to become emotional. I just can't visualize a man crying to REM. Knowing the story behind "Tears in Heaven", and listening to the lyrics - along with the melody - that song is horribly sad and depressing.

You know, I'm not sure how I missed that one, but you and Pam are right....it IS a sad one.

MissOleson wrote:

"Everybody Hurts"? Really? Actually that is my reaction to all of those songs except for "Tears in Heaven". That is the only song on that list, in my opinion, that I can see getting someone to become emotional. I just can't visualize a man crying to REM. Knowing the story behind "Tears in Heaven", and listening to the lyrics - along with the melody - that song is horribly sad and depressing.

Never said I was crying. Just listening. But one cries to a song that's sad that they can relate to. And I think I qualify as a man on all levels.

But then, you didn't actually single me out, you just made a general statement.

But I have shed a tear to Everybody Hurts a time or two. Depends on what's on my mind.

You're right about mood, Larry....sometimes it totally depends on what kind of frame of mind we're in. I can definitely see where "Everybody Hurts" would make someone cry, but I am just surprised it's number one on the list.. It seems there are much 'sadder' songs out there, I'm thinking.

When I was a young'un, this was the tearjerker that ruled the airwaves. Honey, by Bobby Goldsboro.

Well, you did warn us that it was a tearjerker...

I've never heard Tears in Heaven, but just the reason for it being written could make me cry.

Well, for American men, the Star Spangled Banner always comes to my mind. It is a very evocative piece of music that stirs up so many memories.

I can't forget the Armed Forces Medley. It always makes me tear up.

Army Forces Medley

Awesome, Samantha! I sent this to my dad---he'll love it!