Make me cry...

This week is going to be a little different. While I have a few posts already written for the next few weeks (it's a self-care thing), this week I have decided not to review a musical. Instead, I'm going to take a look at some of the sad songs that I love from my favorite musicals. I received word about 3:30am today that my grandfather has passed away after a couple of tough years battling pancreatic cancer. I want sad songs right now and I have a musical blog, so, indulge me.

In no particular order...

"I Can't Recall" from A Tale of Two Cities (concept album)
I knew nothing about the plot before I sat and listened to this album and after I finished this song I was kind of devastated that he died and by the way he died. The song is gorgeous and takes the beautiful famous lines almost directly from the ending of the book. Granted, the songs have changed a bit since the concept album, but it's the one I like the best.

"Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" from Les Miserables
So, who DOESN'T tear up during this song? Honestly, almost every version I've heard is gorgeous (I say almost...), but I cried honest to God tears during the movie version. While I love Michael Ball (OMG YES!! LOVE LOVE LOVE!) and Steve Shocket, I love the more quiet quality that Eddie Redmayne brings to the screen. And he cries. And his freckles. He's adorable. (P.S. Sorry for the crappy video quality.)

"Some Things are Meant to Be" from Little Women
The fact that Beth dies in Little Women has always been a bit of an afront to me. Why the heck does BETH have to be the one to die? Anyways, I love the song that Beth and Jo share before Beth's death.

"I am the One (Reprise)" from Next to Normal
This whole play just makes me cry. I believe I'll go more into this show next week. It's a tough show for me to watch, this last scene in particular where the father acknowledges his dead son by name after his wife decides to leave. Holy crap; it's just a powerful moment.

"I'll Cover You (Reprise)" from Rent (movie soundtrack)
I pretty much spent the last 30 minutes of this movie crying. It is so heartbreaking when Angel dies and Colin singing their song by himself is so sad.

"I'll Forget You" from Scarlet Pimpernel
I know that this wasn't on the original cast album that I have, but I somehow managed to get this song into my iTunes from a friend. I don't know how or when or what recording it comes from (and, frankly, I'm not going to go looking for it right now), but it is so gorgeous. In other news, it's also a really fun song to sing (when I'm home alone with my youtube karaoke list).

"Left Behind" from Spring Awakening
Anything dealing with the aftermath of dealing with suicide is tough, and this song kind of captured it. This and "Those You've Known" are both beautifully sad.

"Back to Before" from Ragtime
Most of the sad songs on here deal with death, but this song from Ragtime is about the death of a relationship between a husband and wife. It's sad to see how her she has essentially outgrown her husband who can't match her new pace in life after his return from his own explorations.

"God Knows Why" from Romeo and Juliet (London Cast)
This isn't my favorite version of Romeo and Juliet (not by a long shot). The lyrics from the whole show are just,... off. The translation leaves a lot to be desired. HOWEVER, this one song is so, so pretty.

"Gethsemane" from Jesus Christ Super Star
I have a confession: I've never listened or watched the entirety of Jesus Christ Super Star. I don't know why. It's just never happened. But I heard Michael Ball sing it in a video of an Andrew Lloyd Webber Celebration at Albert Hall. It's such a gorgeous and soulful song. Plus Michael Ball. He is very talented.

Of course there are a million more (and, I mean, some musicals themselves are just SAD). Any recommendations for my sad playlist?