Corny songs that actually move you

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Fer instance...I don't know what it is about "Into The Great Wide Open," but something about it gives me goosebumps...

Ditto for every time John repeats a line in "Jealous Guy," ie "I was shivering inside / I was shivering inside"

Not so corny moments that give me chills: When Iggy says "somebody gotta save my soul," when Joey says "Well NYC really has it all oh yeah oh yeah" and every single second of "Peg," the greatest pop song of all time. Bring it.

roger adultery, Monday, 1 December 2003 07:50 (twenty-one years ago)

all of em

cinniblount (James Blount), Monday, 1 December 2003 07:54 (twenty-one years ago)

"cameltoe"

Eisbär (llamasfur), Monday, 1 December 2003 08:14 (twenty-one years ago)

"Sk8er Boi". Oh, I'm just sooooo hilarious. Y'all can euthanize me if you want.

latebloomer (latebloomer), Monday, 1 December 2003 08:22 (twenty-one years ago)

you didn't say carrottop = you don't get euthanized.

Eisbär (llamasfur), Monday, 1 December 2003 08:25 (twenty-one years ago)

Oasis "She's Electric"
Crash Test Dummies "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm"

dave q, Monday, 1 December 2003 08:42 (twenty-one years ago)

Dolly - "I will always love you"

Jacob (Jacob), Monday, 1 December 2003 08:43 (twenty-one years ago)

"hard candy cock"

Eisbär (llamasfur), Monday, 1 December 2003 08:44 (twenty-one years ago)

I totally second "I Will Always Love You"

luna (luna.c), Monday, 1 December 2003 08:46 (twenty-one years ago)

I second "She's Electric," and the lion's share of that particular album, actually. I just hate the fucking lyrics. It seems that Oasis write lyrics as if they expect a buncha loony fans to dissect them and read things into them, as if claiming that "She's got one in the oven / but it's nothing to do with me" will spur an NME "who's it about" frenzy. Too much Paul is Dead trippin', these lads. "Don't put your life in the hands / of a rock and roll band..." uhh, I don't think they need to worry so much. I mean, fucking really, lads.


More from me: "Melissa" and "Ramblin' Man," big time. But then, I'm a pretty big Allmans guy.


Jaheim's "Fabulous"


roger adultery, Monday, 1 December 2003 08:51 (twenty-one years ago)

There was this song by Collective Soul that had a video with this guy about to jump off a building but sees these little ants and decides not to kill himself. Corny as corny can be but for some stupid reason it made me shed a tear. I don't remember the name of the song (though it was a pretty big radio/MTV hit).

latebloomer (latebloomer), Monday, 1 December 2003 08:54 (twenty-one years ago)

the world I know?

luna (luna.c), Monday, 1 December 2003 08:54 (twenty-one years ago)

Yes, that's it! Thanks.

latebloomer (latebloomer), Monday, 1 December 2003 08:58 (twenty-one years ago)

I like that crash test dummies song but i never thought of that one as being corny.

Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Monday, 1 December 2003 09:06 (twenty-one years ago)

"Wuthering Heights" by KB

James Slone (Freon Trotsky), Monday, 1 December 2003 09:47 (twenty-one years ago)

Is 'Under the Bridge' cheesy? That moves me.

Debito (Debito), Monday, 1 December 2003 09:59 (twenty-one years ago)

here goes...

"Slide" by the Goo Goo Dolls

I make myself sick.

Will (will), Monday, 1 December 2003 10:12 (twenty-one years ago)

Tons.

"the last unicorn" by America. Probably a childhood thing as I loved that movie when I was small.

"I'm with you" by Avril Lavigne

"Bring me to life" by Evanescence

"The Silence" by Staind

"Iris" by the Goo Goo Dolls, whom I normally despise

Teen angst just never goes out of style in my little imaginary cinematic world. Tho I don't think any of those songs actually made me cry.

Blood and sparkles (bloodandsparkles), Monday, 1 December 2003 10:16 (twenty-one years ago)

hi, i like U2

stevem (blueski), Monday, 1 December 2003 10:47 (twenty-one years ago)

tho most of the time the movement in their tracks comes more down to the work of The Edge rather than Bono's lyrics and vocals.

stevem (blueski), Monday, 1 December 2003 10:48 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh, and a good half of Built to Spill's "Nothing Wrong With Love" album - but that may just be college nostalgia. Still, "Reasons," "Car," and even "Big Dipper" make me very very emotional for some reason.


It must be college for sure, tho, now that I think about it, because large parts of the Working Holiday compilation and two or more Versus albums have a similar effect.

roger adultery, Monday, 1 December 2003 11:30 (twenty-one years ago)

Extreme's "More Than Words" gets me every damned time.

CharlieNo4 (Charlie), Monday, 1 December 2003 11:50 (twenty-one years ago)

good to see some goo goo dolls in there. They are ridiculously cheesy but somehow they can be emotional.

robby, Monday, 1 December 2003 12:23 (twenty-one years ago)

The Bangles: Eternal Flame is just so fucking great, I can't believe it.

Jay Kid (Jay K), Monday, 1 December 2003 12:34 (twenty-one years ago)

Also: Ricky Martin & Mya: Private Emotion. *ducks*

Jay Kid (Jay K), Monday, 1 December 2003 12:35 (twenty-one years ago)

Stand By Your Man...esp. the lead into the chorus.

Jez (Jez), Monday, 1 December 2003 13:20 (twenty-one years ago)


'dont cry for me argentina'.

since when was 'she's electric' corny ?!!!

piscesboy, Monday, 1 December 2003 13:56 (twenty-one years ago)

Don't know if it qualifies as corny, but Kate Bush's "This Woman's Work" moves me to tears every time. Every time.

Alex in NYC (vassifer), Monday, 1 December 2003 14:15 (twenty-one years ago)

Oasis ARE corny!

Jay Kid (Jay K), Monday, 1 December 2003 14:17 (twenty-one years ago)

"Shannon"-Henry Gross

Arthur (Arthur), Monday, 1 December 2003 14:36 (twenty-one years ago)

i always found "pale blue eyes" (vu) corny. but i love it.

Sean M (Sean M), Monday, 1 December 2003 15:32 (twenty-one years ago)

"I'm Not in Love" by 10cc

Alex in NYC (vassifer), Monday, 1 December 2003 16:39 (twenty-one years ago)

I love "Shannon"!

Sonny A. (Keiko), Monday, 1 December 2003 16:44 (twenty-one years ago)


"You're Still the One"

Josh Timmermann (Josh Timmermann), Monday, 1 December 2003 17:19 (twenty-one years ago)

daniel bedingfield - "if you're not the one"

his whole album, really.

typo acapulco (gcannon), Monday, 1 December 2003 17:21 (twenty-one years ago)

"fooled around and fell in love." goodly portions of the elton john songbook.

Eisbär (llamasfur), Monday, 1 December 2003 17:32 (twenty-one years ago)

Wyclef Jean _Perfect Gentleman_

alext (alext), Monday, 1 December 2003 17:34 (twenty-one years ago)

About fifty percent of REM's output.

Stupid (Stupid), Monday, 1 December 2003 18:37 (twenty-one years ago)

alexT - that's so funny... I get the same vibe from that song, although the lyrical content is so preposterous. Something about those chords.

"Time After Time" by Cyndi Lauper kicks me in the ass every time.

Ben Boyer (Ben Boyer), Monday, 1 December 2003 18:40 (twenty-one years ago)

elton john: 'have mercy on the criminal'. i'm a sucker for the drama of this one.

Jay Kid (Jay K), Monday, 1 December 2003 19:13 (twenty-one years ago)

Sinead O'Connor's rendition of Elton John's "Sacrifice" is pretty moving, actually.

Alex in NYC (vassifer), Monday, 1 December 2003 19:17 (twenty-one years ago)

1. "Innocent" Our Lady Peace
2. "It's Too Late" The Streets
3. "Last Goodbye" Jeff Buckley
4. "Waiting in Canada" Jann Arden
5. "Is She Really Going Out With Him" Joe Jackson
6. When Sanchez sings Tracy Chapman
7. "Kiss of Life" Sade
8. "Must I Paint You a Picture" Billy Bragg
9. "Nightswimming" R.E.M.
10. "Truly Madly Deeply" Savage Garden
11. "Wouldn't It Be Good" Nik Kershaw

--I could go on, but I'll stop now.

cybele (cybele), Monday, 1 December 2003 19:23 (twenty-one years ago)

I'll second Shania Twain - "Still the one"

I'll add:

George Michael - "One more try"
Bonnie Tyler - "Total eclipse of the heart"
Spice Girls - "Viva forever"
Backstreet Boys - "As long as you love me"
Whitney Houston - "Greatest love of all"
Madonna - "Crazy for you"
Olivia Newton-John - "Hopelessly devoted to you"
Corey Heart - "Never surrender"

Seb, Monday, 1 December 2003 20:32 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh and lots of Abba too, esp. Winner takes it all and Knowing me knowing you.

Seb, Monday, 1 December 2003 20:38 (twenty-one years ago)

November Rain (GNR) - This used to be my playground (MADONNA)

kinski (kinski), Monday, 1 December 2003 20:40 (twenty-one years ago)

r. kelly - the world's greatest!

brian badword (badwords), Monday, 1 December 2003 20:50 (twenty-one years ago)

"This used to be my playground" seconded!

Seb, Monday, 1 December 2003 21:04 (twenty-one years ago)

why is there an "actually" in the thread title? songs have to have some corn in them in order to move you, if they're totally uncorny then what's there to be moved by?

M Matos (M Matos), Monday, 1 December 2003 21:06 (twenty-one years ago)

Clarence Carter - Patches

mason r butler, Monday, 1 December 2003 22:27 (twenty-one years ago)

Somebody should cover Whitesnake's "Here I Go Again". If Johny Cash had done it on his last album, I would've probably checked out before he did.

dave q, Monday, 1 December 2003 22:32 (twenty-one years ago)

Kate Winslet - What If
Take That - Babe

ArchCarrier, Wednesday, 11 January 2017 18:08 (eight years ago)

Is "Brandy" corny or just cheesy?

― Iago Galdston, Tuesday, January 10, 2017 6:46 PM (yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

i don't know and i don't know if it "moves me" per se but i do love it unironically and unabashedly. it's also a #1 karaoke jam.

na (NA), Wednesday, 11 January 2017 18:14 (eight years ago)

this is essentially "songs we're afraid to admit we listen to while drinking cognac in the bathtub and sobbing" right?

Neanderthal, Wednesday, 11 January 2017 18:17 (eight years ago)

Willeke Alberti - 'Samen zijn'

― ArchCarrier, Wednesday, January 11, 2017 5:36 PM (one hour ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

OMG.

(this song used to freak me out when I was kid. I was too young to fully grasp the meaning but its intrinsic loneliness really got to me. Wasn't it on a prominent Dutch children's tv show in the 80s?)

Le Bateau Ivre, Wednesday, 11 January 2017 18:55 (eight years ago)

this is essentially "songs we're afraid to admit we listen to while drinking cognac in the bathtub and sobbing" right?
everyone wallows in their own special way but i guess?

weird woman in a bar (La Lechera), Wednesday, 11 January 2017 18:58 (eight years ago)

all of em
― cinniblount (James Blount), Monday, 1 December 2003 07:54 (thirteen years ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Pretty much.

Eats like Elvis, shits like De Niro (Tom D.), Wednesday, 11 January 2017 19:30 (eight years ago)

Pretty much all of the G+R ballads.

Gorvernment Stoodge (Old Lunch), Wednesday, 11 January 2017 20:05 (eight years ago)

And 'Beth'.

Gorvernment Stoodge (Old Lunch), Wednesday, 11 January 2017 20:06 (eight years ago)

And 'Mama, I'm Coming Home'. I didn't realize I had such a soft spot for hard rock ballads.

Gorvernment Stoodge (Old Lunch), Wednesday, 11 January 2017 20:07 (eight years ago)

John Paul Young - Love Is in the Air

gass mccoombes (qiqing), Wednesday, 11 January 2017 20:51 (eight years ago)

"the living years" is a great upthread pick, occasionally that one hits me in the right spot

― who is extremely unqualified to review this pop album (BradNelson)

that used to, but now stuff like that sets me off. i'll spare y'all the rant, though.

increasingly bonkers (rushomancy), Wednesday, 11 January 2017 20:54 (eight years ago)

afaik this thread is for when it (the emotional manipulation of a corny song) is still working, or works unexpectedly or without your consent. i didn't want to feel emotional and i wasn't trying to access my emotions when i heard "magnet and steel" (i was getting ready for work/getting dressed), i just did and then became obsessed with it being stuck in my head. so corny!

weird woman in a bar (La Lechera), Wednesday, 11 January 2017 20:58 (eight years ago)

i actually talked about it with as many people as would listen and revived this thread as a last resort

weird woman in a bar (La Lechera), Wednesday, 11 January 2017 20:59 (eight years ago)

John Paul Young - Love Is in the Air

Is this corny? It's fkn genius, that much I know.

Eats like Elvis, shits like De Niro (Tom D.), Wednesday, 11 January 2017 21:05 (eight years ago)

"Dance With My Father" doesn't count as corny, right?

example (crüt), Wednesday, 11 January 2017 21:14 (eight years ago)

Oh I think it's fab, but it does have a hint of corniness to it

xpost

gass mccoombes (qiqing), Wednesday, 11 January 2017 21:29 (eight years ago)

One of my favourite things about 'Love Is in the Air' is that it was co-written and produced by George Young, elder brother of Angus and Malcolm. The air must've been pretty thick with snark at the family's Christmas barbecue that year.

Vast Halo, Wednesday, 11 January 2017 21:40 (eight years ago)

Vanda and Young wrote songs in just about every genre imaginable afaict.

Eats like Elvis, shits like De Niro (Tom D.), Wednesday, 11 January 2017 21:42 (eight years ago)

... and had hits with them too.

Eats like Elvis, shits like De Niro (Tom D.), Wednesday, 11 January 2017 21:43 (eight years ago)

Indeed. 'Walking in the Rain' and 'Waiting for a Train' are both dear to my heart.

Vast Halo, Wednesday, 11 January 2017 21:45 (eight years ago)

Moby - Memory Gospel (Southland Tales soundtrack)

Everything Moves Towards The Sun (Ross), Thursday, 12 January 2017 00:56 (eight years ago)

'say it ain't so joe'

dynamicinterface, Thursday, 12 January 2017 00:59 (eight years ago)

night moves

mookieproof, Thursday, 12 January 2017 01:04 (eight years ago)

Go West - King of Wishful Thinking

Neanderthal, Thursday, 12 January 2017 01:08 (eight years ago)

Simply Red - Fairground (the chorus, shutup)

PhD - I Won't Let You Down

gass mccoombes (qiqing), Thursday, 12 January 2017 01:49 (eight years ago)

Wasn't it on a prominent Dutch children's tv show in the 80s?

Yep. My kids love it :)

ArchCarrier, Thursday, 12 January 2017 07:24 (eight years ago)

"kiss me," sixpence none the richer

(The Other) J.D. (J.D.), Thursday, 12 January 2017 07:33 (eight years ago)

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
Led Zeppelin - Going to California

sarahell, Thursday, 12 January 2017 09:08 (eight years ago)

Patience & Prudence - Tonight You Belong To Me

MaresNest, Thursday, 12 January 2017 11:12 (eight years ago)

Yep. My kids love it :)

― ArchCarrier

Oh my, blast from the past that one!

Le Bateau Ivre, Thursday, 12 January 2017 13:45 (eight years ago)

Simply Red - 'Holding Back the Years'

Gorvernment Stoodge (Old Lunch), Thursday, 12 January 2017 13:48 (eight years ago)

Led Zeppelin - Going to California

I know that "corny" is necessarily a subjective term, but still, I don't understand how anybody could apply it to 'Going to California'. There's nothing clichéd or sentimental about it, lyrically or musically.

Vast Halo, Thursday, 12 January 2017 21:59 (eight years ago)

beyonce - listen

monotony, Friday, 13 January 2017 04:16 (eight years ago)

especially alexandra burke x-factor duet version lol

monotony, Friday, 13 January 2017 04:17 (eight years ago)

Bad English - When I See You Smile

Neanderthal, Friday, 13 January 2017 04:18 (eight years ago)

Right Here Waiting - Richard marx

Flamenco Drop (VegemiteGrrl), Friday, 13 January 2017 04:18 (eight years ago)

Hot Chocolate - It Started With A Kiss

Kitchen Person, Friday, 13 January 2017 04:24 (eight years ago)

Glenn Medeiros - Nothing's Gonna Change My Love For You

ArchCarrier, Friday, 13 January 2017 12:53 (eight years ago)

hahaahaha otm

Neanderthal, Friday, 13 January 2017 14:01 (eight years ago)

Billy Vera - At This Momrent

rip van wanko, Friday, 13 January 2017 14:54 (eight years ago)

'say it ain't so joe'

Yes yes yes!! One of the great over-the-top ballads. Murray Head can sing, fer sure.

kornrulez6969, Friday, 13 January 2017 15:49 (eight years ago)

one year passes...

St Elmo's Fire

fuck the NRA (Neanderthal), Saturday, 5 May 2018 12:52 (seven years ago)

U2 - All I Want Is You

Its corniness is enhanced but it being used to compliment what is supposed to be THE MOST EMOTIONAL part of Reality Bites. But I love it. The guitar is wonderful and an overwrought Bono vocal delivery actually works for me for a change.

triggercut, Saturday, 5 May 2018 15:18 (seven years ago)

Some folks up in here have an odd definition of “corny”!

Also, this is gr8;

I was gonna start a thread on the most melodramatic pop songs. "Total Eclipse of the Heart" being the obvious champ. My #2 would be "Making Love Out of Nothing At All" , Air Supply

― rip van wanko, Tuesday, January 10, 2017 4:30 PM (one year ago)

So far you're just starting a Jim Steinman thread.

― Ⓓⓡ. (Johnny Fever), Tuesday, January 10, 2017 4:35 PM (one year ago)

i’m still stanning (morrisp), Saturday, 5 May 2018 17:33 (seven years ago)

I can't even remember how the verses go in St Elmo's Fire (brat pack not eno)

I am Larry Bird I always make the trey (rip van wanko), Saturday, 5 May 2018 17:41 (seven years ago)

Growin' up you don't see the writing on the wall
Passin' by, movin' straight ahead you knew it all
But maybe sometime if you feel the pain,
You'll find you're all alone everything has changed

fuck the NRA (Neanderthal), Saturday, 5 May 2018 18:01 (seven years ago)

I cant f/w Tim Tebows Fire tho

fuck the NRA (Neanderthal), Saturday, 5 May 2018 18:02 (seven years ago)

still can't find the melody in my head and I am not looking that song up no offense

I am Larry Bird I always make the trey (rip van wanko), Saturday, 5 May 2018 18:06 (seven years ago)

here goes...

"Slide" by the Goo Goo Dolls

I make myself sick.

― Will (will), Monday, December 1, 2003 4:12 AM (fourteen years ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

lol still true

constitutional crises they fly at u face (will), Saturday, 5 May 2018 18:12 (seven years ago)

Longpigs - On and On

raise my chicken finger (Willl), Saturday, 5 May 2018 18:24 (seven years ago)


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