Music Tropes/Tear Jerker: Difference between revisions

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Since other works of media generally have a soundtrack, it would only be natural for [[Tear Jerker|songs that can make you cry]] to show up there.

 

== [[Anime]] ==

*** No mention of [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=un_-kExsuRk&fmt=18 Aozora]?

* One can get teary-eyed upon listening to ''Hime murasaki'' by Nana Mizuki. It doesn't help it's the ending song for a VERY tragic anime series, ''[[Basilisk]]: Koga Ninpu Chuu''.

** The place where wishes come true is amazing

* "Blue" from the end of ''[[Cowboy Bebop]]''. Obviously has a lot of emotional impact as a part of the events, but the song is fairly tear jerking on its own.

*** [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_ngJDBdMpE The Atonement]. Poor Nina and Alexander

** ''[[Fullmetal Alchemist (manga)|Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood]]'' with "[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEiucbbXBUA The Requiem of the Brigadier General]", played during {{spoiler|Hughes' [[Meaningful Funeral|funeral]]}}. Also, "[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tm9CWguXl98 Happiness: Requiem of the Blind Alchemist]". It's basically a different version of the Brigadier General song, but that doesn't make it any less poignant, especially the back story behind the Blind Alchemist failed human transmutation and resulting blindness.

** What do you mean, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RshWLn7lN7o&feature=related except that one?] Do not underestimate [[Yoko Kanno]].

* "[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Trd-QmkDlSA Ai no Melody]" by Kokia, from Origin: Spirit of the Past, is already borderline tear-jerker, especially if you read the lyrics. But then you watch the video. And then halfway through, you realise exactly what the song is about {{spoiler|and that the reason that she's packing up the stuff isn't because he broke up with her}}.

** It's admittedly a bit of a [[Narm|narmy]] scene, but something about the [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbALBuuy91Y soft piano music] that plays right after L and Light come in from the rain in [[Wham! Episode|episode 25]] can get to some people.

** Two songs, one called "Coda" which played in the credits of the last episode, and "Light Lights up Light for Piano" which this troper does cannot remember what part was in. Both very heartwrenching...

* One can get that strange, "happy-depressed" feeling after listening to "World End" by FLOW (The second opening theme to [[Code Geass]] R2). Part of it is that you see all the main characters flying past in the intro, and it's like they're saying, "even though this is the end of Code Geass, we're all together and we'll still be here forever". Of course, around the time of episode 19, the opening ''really'' turns into a [[Tear Jerker]] because of {{spoiler|the [[Soundtrack Dissonance]] involved with such an upbeat song playing while it shows all those smiling people who don't have much to smile about within the show.}}

** Also, ''Masquerade'' by Hitomi Kuroishi. This song was playing in the background of episode 14 (season one), starting the moment Lelouch embraces Shirley, and continuing until the end of the episode, when they go their separate ways {{spoiler|as strangers}}. The lyrics are ''very'' appropriate.

** And now that [[Bittersweet Ending|we do know how it all went down]], "Continued Story" and "One More Chance!" have joined the ranks of WAAAAAH. '''Especially''' "One More Chance!"

* Thanks to ''[[Naruto|Naruto Shippuden]]'', we get the second opening, Distance by Long Shot Party. Since it is the Sai arc and how he is accepted....shit!;_;

** Followed by "Blue Bird" by Ikimono Gakari. "Aoi aoi ano sora..."

** Then Closer by Joe Inoue. I mean....gosh...

** Ikimono Gakari returns for Hotaru no Hikari...damnit all.

** "Long Kiss Good Bye" by halcali.

** "Shinkokyu" by Super Braver as the 9th ending followed the filler arc of the Three Tails. The Aesop of said arc was "Where someone thinks of you, that is a place to return to."...-sniff-

* "Encounter", the ending song to the original Gundam movie trilogy.

* The ending theme to [[Violinist of Hameln]] 's [[Direct to Video]] half-hour movie, ''Ame no Chi Hareruya'' (a linguistic pun that can both mean "After the rain, hallellujah" and "After the rain the sky clears"). The movie itself is a majorly plotless funny sidequest (as opposed to the Wangsty and overly serious TV series), but the ending tune is just about perfect and true to the manga's spirit, talking about how people should have fun even in rainy days, and in every painful moment, they should hold hands and sing. Then the pre-chorus really kicks it in by going "''See, the faraway sky is getting brighter''..." Anyone who has read as far as the 15 volume will break down, and the rest of the series only adds to it.

* From [[Axis Powers Hetalia]], China's character song "Aiyaah, 4000 years", which is about China and Japan's relationship and how Japan had betrayed China. The music and lyrics make it even worse.

I always want to... gaze at the same moon as you." }}

* [[Porco Rosso]] gives us [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYpeAnSxI5s Les Temps des Cerises], the French song Gina sings in her first appearance. Aside from being absolutely beautiful, when the lyrics are translated they give a deep, painful insight to her life when you take into account that none of her husbands have come back from war.

* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGOA1H9Gfmc Shine On], an unused song for the (then planned) [[Saint Seiya]]'s final story arc adaptation. It sounds so mellancholic and beautiful, as a perfect closing theme for the entire series. Made even more heartwrenching by a farewell speech by Masami Kurumada himself.

* [[Fate/stay night]]'s anime adaption gives us the [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkgjc9HdTZ0 La Sola] ending theme. [[Bittersweet Ending|"Are you dreaming now,]] {{spoiler|[[King Arthur]] }}? [[Tear Jerker|Are you still dreaming the same dream?"]].

* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxKaa6cEQLY Always be With Me in Mind] from the first ''[[Bleach]]'' movie is pretty rough on its own but when you see what happens at the end of the movie? Yeah, tears will be shed.

* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxmRiVdB-EI Yasashii Boukyaku (Tender Oblivion)], from [[Haruhi Suzumiya]] (specifically, [[The Movie]]) of all things.

[[Please Don't Leave Me|Please don't forget...please don't forget."]] }}

 

* But Brian Tyler's "Battle Adagio" brought a sad, tender humanity and a sense of hope to the finale of ''[[Rambo]]'' movie that shod many manly tears from the audiences at various theatres.

* Frigging John Williams and his frigging "Across the Stars" from ''[[Star Wars|Attack of the Clones]]''. Forget that it's the Leitmotif for ''the'' [[Romantic Plot Tumor]] -- this is the music to what the love story should have been. Particularly coming in at full blast after the glorious rendition of the Imperial March. It's telling that the most evocative sequences in the [[Romantic Plot Tumor]] are those with ''no'' dialogue... just lovely, lovely music.

** Also, the soft viola version of the Imperial March subtly underscoring Darth Vader's death in ''Return of the Jedi''. A beautiful reversal of what is essentially ''the'' iconic "Bad Guy Theme".

** [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRt-dieB3rs "Anakin's Betrayal"], the hauntingly sad music that played in the Order 66 sequence.

** John Williams' score for ''[[Born On the Fourth of July]]''.

* "Ashokan Farewell", a 1980s slow waltz, was used to heartbreaking effect in the Ken Burn's documentary ''Civil War'' numerous times, most notably over the infamous Sullivan Ballou letter.

** "Into The West" is made even better (worse?) when you see its documentary: While they were writing the song the production company discovered a teenaged filmmaker and were impressed by his skills; unfortunately he was [[Littlest Cancer Patient|dying of cancer]]. He managed to make several short films (or long trailers) before he died, and parts of his funeral are shown (complete with his mates doing a ''haka'' at his graveside).

** How about "The Steward of Gondor"?

** "Evenstar", "Amon Hen", and "The Bridge of Khazad Dum" are three more.

** The Shire's theme. ''Especially'' the snippet of it at the end of "May It Be" by [[Enya]]

* The "''[[Forrest Gump]]'' Suite".

* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mbKjV5OChA "The Last Waltz"] by Jo Yeong-Wook, the end credits theme from [[Oldboy]]. It could be described simply as "music to cry to". An anthem for sadness itself.

* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9cCABTE18E "There You'll Be" by Faith Hill]. From ''[[Pearl Harbor]]''.

* "[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4H0JDomv8ac Arrival To Earth]", from the ''[[Transformers Film Series]]''. Something about the incredibly awe-inspiring choir in the background as the Autobots find a new home rarely fails to produce tears in fans.

* "Gabriel's Oboe" from ''The Mission''. It's an extremely powerful song... especially when you realize that Ennio Morricone took the random on-screen oboe-pantomiming of Jeremy Irons and turned it into such a beautiful piece.

** Someone apparently sung the piece into something called "Nella Fantasia". It basically ''doubles'' the tear-jerking and heartwarming factor.

* "We Have All The Time In the World", also by [[Louis Armstrong]], ''especially'' in the context that it was the backing to [[James Bond (film)|James Bond]]'s and Tracy's happy moments together in ''[[On Her Majesty's Secret Service]]''... [[Film/Tear Jerker|until...]]

* James Horner has brought people to the brink of tears at two particular times. The closing score/opening score for ''[[Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan|Star Trek II the Wrath of Khan]]'', ''[[Star Trek III: The Search For Spock|Star Trek III the Search For Spock]]'', and ''[[Braveheart]]''. That man is a talent.

** A special mention needs to go to [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPLcZ5Rk3Lg "Nearer My God To Thee"].

* The main score from [[Pixar]]'s ''[[Up]]''. If you've seen the film, there is no way you'll be able to hear [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoEMx_-ccR0 this breezy] (or dare I say "buoyant") little tune again without getting all teary.

** [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-_dkKK062w "Stuff We Did".] This song is just so...sentimental. It's beautiful.

* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkirtbpz5h4&feature=related Bright Eyes], From the film of ''[[Watership Down]]''.

* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7JvL2ap3Cg "Baby Mine"] from ''[[Dumbo]]''. The first lines are "Baby mine, don't you cry" and it doesn't help.

* "[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSFLZ-MzIhM The Rainbow Connection]", by Kermit the Frog in ''[[The Muppet Movie]]''. You have no soul if you don't shed a tear.

** Gonzo's "[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryEjm3k6uY0 I'm Going to Go Back There Someday]", from the same movie, can also be oddly affecting.

Each time someone shows that he cares." }}

* The soundtrack of ''[[Brokeback Mountain]]'', especially the beautiful instrumental tracks and "A Love That Will Never Grow Old", sung by Emmylou Harris. It was sad when the film originally came out, but it's even more heartbreaking now because film is a [[Funny Aneurysm Moment]].

** It should be said that "If Today Was Your Last Day" by Nickelback not only makes you appreciate being alive, but brings upon you the perspective of those that don't have very long.

* The instrumental version of "A Day in the Life" that plays in ''[[Across the Universe (film)|Across the Universe]]'' when Jude goes back to Liverpool. The song can make some people cry ''anyway'', but with the raw sadness showed in that part of the movie... Waah.

* "When She Loved Me" from the [[Toy Story 2]] soundtrack. Never mind that it's a sad [[Sarah McLachlan]] song, but the montage that goes with it can make one go home from the theater and hug her old teddy bear.

* The theme to ''Brian's Song'', especially considering the story.

* Depending on your mood (and your awareness of the story), "A Place For Us" from the ''Bridge To Terabithia'' soundtrack can be an excellent example of this.

* The Dubliners' "On Raglan Road" set to {{spoiler|Ken's suicide}} in ''[[In Bruges]].''

* The theme from ''[[To Kill a Mockingbird]]''..... [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5cKSMI6_8k To Kill A Mockinbird].

* Even a staunch atheist can be consistently reduced to tears by the end of the first stanza of "God Help the Outcasts" from Disney's ''[[The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Disney film)|The Hunchback of Notre Dame]]'', particularly the line, "Still I see your face and wonder, were you once an outcast too?" addressed to a statue of Mary and Jesus.

 

 

== [[Live Action TV]] ==

* "[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7jH45JVdTw Admiral and Commander]" by Bear McCreary, from the ''[[Battlestar Galactica]]'' soundtrack, especially at the end when the drums kick in.

** Similarly, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EQXEIoZrZE Something Dark Is Coming], off the Season 2 soundtrack can be heartbreaking.

** That music that plays in ''Logopolis'' when the Doctor {{spoiler|falls off a giant telescope and has to regenerate.}}

** Don't forget "Madame de Pompadour", "Father's Day" and "This is Gallifrey: Our Childhood, Our Home". Murray Gold is honest to god ''aiming'' for this trope.

** The hymns from Gridlock. Especially the version of Abide with Me that plays in the background as the Doctor is describing Gallifrey to Martha. Though this troper hopes for her own sake that neither that nor Old Rugged Cross are played in church anytime soon for fear that she'll burst into tears.

** "The Rueful Fate of {{spoiler|Donna Noble}}" belongs here, especially with it's reminiscence of "Doomsday"

* Half the songs towards the end of ''[[Wicked (theatre)|Wicked]]'', in particular "For Good" -- especially if you lost someone that you loved.

* The reprise of "I'll Cover You" from ''[[Rent]]'' is one of the most heartbreaking songs she knows due to its [[Dark Reprise]] status. If you aren't visibly devastated by the time Collins sings ''When your heart has expired,'' you do not deserve to call yourself human. Almost ''everyone'' who watches RENT admits that this song has shaken them up horribly -- the emotional impact triples when you remember the happiness of the original song.

** ''RENT'''s "Halloween" is all about Mark's fear of ending up alone and have all of his friends, [[Ho Yay|especially Roger]], dying on him.

* The entire second half of Lou Reed's [[Rock Opera]] ''Berlin'', where in the space of three songs, a woman falls into a drug habit to cope with her husband's abuse to her "friends'" chilling indifference, finally runs away, falls into prostitution, loses her children, and finally kills herself, all while the narrator (a bitter ex) essentially tells her she has only herself to blame. The finale, called "Sad Song," may actually be the most cheerful song on the side.

** "Do You Hear the People Sing?" is depressing not in the song itself, but if you know what happens after this optimistic anthem...

** "Turning" is a horribly depressing song, especially the line:

Where's that new world, now the fighting's done?" }}

** "Drink With Me" is another one, especially Grantaire's solo illustrating the futility of it all:

Is your life just one more lie..." }}

** Then there are "A Little Fall of Rain":

*** What makes it ten billion times worse is the final line between the two of them, Eponine doesn't finish, and Marius just gives a defeated 'grow', and then the oboe comes in... So sad.

** As well as "Bring Him Home".

** "Javert's song {{spoiler|Suicide}} is another one. Sure, he's the antagonist, but you have to feel sorry for him with lyrics like

And the [[Ironic Echo|stars]] are black and cold<br />

As I stare into the void<br />

I'll escape now from that world, from the world of Jean Valjean<br />

There is nowhere I can turn, there is no way to go on..." }}

* An oldie but a goodie: "[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpKXC8NnP_E Try to Remember]", from ''[[The Fantasticks]]''.

** Another one: Near the end of the show, during act 2, Matt re-appears, battered and bruised, singing a [[Dark Reprise]] of the intro to "I Can See It" - except while El Gallo tells Luisa of the world's grandness, he sings about what the world is really like to the audience (an inversion of their roles in the song's original appearance), after being beaten by Mortimer and Henry earlier in the show, during "Round and Round" as a metaphor for the world hurting him. It's really awful considering how excited he was to go out and see the world on his own, earlier in the show. Luisa then returns to the stage, after leaving to pack her things, and sees that El Gallo has left her, and begins to cry, while Matt goes over to comfort her. El Gallo then appears behind the central action, and recites a poem about how he had to hurt Matt and Luisa to make them realize what love is, and how he hurt himself in the process, and the two realize that everything they wanted was each other, leading into the song "They Were You". Matt and Luisa then sing a reprise of "Metaphor", with a deeper understanding of life. The Fathers then return and are about to tear down the wall, when El Gallo reminds them that the Wall must stay, as a way of telling them just to leave things as they are, concluding with a reprise of the final verse of "Try to Remember".

* "[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZE5SYscpzNE Send in the Clowns]" from ''[[A Little Night Music]]''.

* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hw7G4MIr5sE Thunderchild] from Jeff Wayne's [[War of the Worlds]] musical. It may be hard not to shed at least one tear at "Farewell Thunderchild!"

THUNDER CHILD!" }}

** Then there is this part:

Over graves in waves defiled..." }}

* "Not A Day Goes By" from Sondheim's musical ''Merrily We Roll Along'' is an incredible kick to the gut tear-jerker. It can be hard to listen to it without being made utterly useless for several minutes afterwards.

* ''Vanities'': [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdowkUh31hk Cute Boys with Short Haircuts], [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eoMAgYmNh0 Friendship Isn't what it Used to Be], and to a somewhat lesser extent, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=317uQH1YoC0 Looking Good].

* Just watch the last sequence of Yentl. Particuarly when your grandmother used to be a stage singer -- and could then ''rival'' Striesand with this song.

* The finale of ''Funny Girl'' can do it.

 

** [[M There]]'s a moment {{spoiler|1=at the end of MGS4, where Snake and Liquid are fighting. First using music from MGS1, then 2, then 3. Then, at the end of the fist-fight, when both are utterly exhausted and barely alive, yet ''still'' fighting, the music switches to The Theme of Old Snake.}} Wow. Floodgates.

** Then there is {{spoiler|"Father and Son," the theme played during Big Boss' death.}}

** No mention of "[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGlSak7hG0U Heavens Divide]" from ''[[Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker]]'' yet?! This song, especially when it plays after {{spoiler|Peace Walker's mammal pod makes a [[Heroic Sacrifice]] ([[It Makes Sense in Context]])}}, is absolutely heart-breaking. [[Manly Tears|Where's my Kleenex again?]]

** [[Mother 3]]'s "Love Theme".

** It's ''surprising'' to not have seen a single mention to [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-EKQp4Hedk It Is Finished]. The simple context in which this song is inserted will make you very, ''very'' depressed.

** The original game's "All That I Needed (Was You)".

** "[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmobfd3hiUk Bon Voyage, Amigo]", making you cry for recruiting a party member.

** Also from Hyadain, "Bubble Man, I'm Bubble Man!", set to [[Captain Obvious|Bubble Man's]] stage theme from ''[[Mega Man 2]]''. So what if it's about Bubble Man having [[Foe Yay|unrequited love for Mega Man]], the song still manages to make it completely ''heartrending''. The video makes the whole thing even more heartbreaking then the song already is, especially the final scene... [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hK4q30e9N9s This video] has English subtitles.

*** Less "unrequited love", more "Oh god I'm so lonely down here thank you Rock Man for being the only one who bothered to acknowledge my existence". So yeah, [[Your Mileage May Vary]], but it's still a Tearjerker.

** [[Dr. Mario|Fever]] is, yet, another one..

** Also [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YHFp7pXxtQ Feelings for] [[Dragon Quest IV|Cynthia]].

** One can tear up at the ''opening theme''. Not to mention the between-level storybook segments' "Eee-yaay-yo" thing.

* Adagio For Strings (Homeworld) is another one. That recording can really do it, even without the scene it plays during.

* "Cradle of the Ivory Moon" from the [[Soul Nomad and The World Eaters]] soundtrack. Not helped by the fact that it's the credits theme to one of the saddest endings in any Nippon Ichi game. (And that's saying ''[[Disgaea|a]] [[Makai Kingdom|lot]]''.)

* The songs "Icaro" and "Moon Love Flower" from ''[[Shadow Hearts]]: Covenant''. The most surprising thing is these are from a game that's for the most part a rather silly romp through [[Ho Yay]], [[Fan Service]], [[Ninja Pirate Zombie Robot]], [[Large Ham|Large Hamminess]] and historical inaccuracy. (That said, the title of "Moon Love Flower" sounds like [[Narm|something you'd find on Babelfish]]. The actual song's still very good, though)

* Step 1: Play through ''[[Gears of War|Gears of War 2]]'' -- specifically, the section "Hive: Answers". Step 2: Go to [[YouTube]] (if you don't already have the soundtrack) and listen to the heart-breaking scene's accompanying music, "With Sympathy" while reading the [[Tear Jerker]] articles on this site. Step 3: Cry.

* The "To Zanarkand" segment of "Ending Theme" from ''[[Final Fantasy X]]''. Part of it has to be the oboe ostinato or something because in any version it's left out the effect is just not the same.

*** Also from ''[[Final Fantasy VI]]'', [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3vcEd1PRb8 Celes' theme].

*** Even the final part of ''Dancing Mad'' counts. After three grand, magnificent, and dramatically rising movements, it starts off reprising the opening theme of ''[[Final Fantasy VI]]'' to signal impending doom. A crazed, frantic tune follows, but suddenly, upon reaching a high note, the music breaks down, as if in despair. The chords become slow and solemn and the melody rings out a sad lament of the [[Nietzsche Wannabe|futility of everything]].

* "[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6-Ok2nsROA Farewell to Sue]" a music piece from Noroyuki Iwadare for the JRPG ''[[Grandia (video game)|Grandia]]'' can really do it, even when not thinking about the heartbreaking scene to which it played.

* The ''[[Virtual On]]'' ending theme "Burned By The Fire" to be one of the most tragic sounding 1:34 of soundtrack from any game. The fact that it plays over the wreckage of your chosen [[Humongous Mecha|Virtuaroid]] as it drifts through space doesn't help.

* The [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuPJm2XQT0A Torvus Bog] music from ''[[Metroid Prime]] 2'' can be really depressing, but the [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VG4Nvv8w6gc metal version] kinda reduces it.

* ''[[Resident Evil]]''. "There was a friendly but naive king..."

* The theme music for Lemuria of ''[[Golden Sun]]'' is generally melancholy in-game, but the [http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=8_K5V_CByas this] rendition on piano may be even more heart-wrenching.

* If you know the lyrics to the Japanese ''Pikmin'' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esYm9q-bi4wtheme song "Ai No Uta"] and you can't feel sorry for the Pikmin, you have no soul.

** Likewise, the end credits music that plays after {{spoiler|Midna returns to the Twilight Realm and breaks the Mirror of Twilight.}}

** [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBTu_y850q0 Departure] and [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB6wEv1daJ4 Epilogue] from ''[[The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker|The Legend of Zelda the Wind Waker]]''. Both start out sounding heroic, and wind up making the player/listener want to cry.

* "Lullaby for You" from TWEWY may not seem so sad if you listen to it out of context. However, if you listen to it in-game, right after The Reveal...oh God. "[[You Are Not Alone]]..."

* The song "[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnwBx0L1hBE Hikari no Naka ni]", or "Within the Light", from Ar Tonelico 3 can be a tearjerker on a musical level -- but try listening to it while reading the lyrics.

* From the ''[[Half Life|Half-Life 2]]'' soundtrack, "Triage At Dawn". Comes in both [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Twld751ckOI original] and [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iy61r3Qkm6o remix] for extra tear-jerking.

* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHRpwZeJ7xk The sequel to Cirno's Perfect Math Class] from ''[[Touhou]]'' can really do it.

Frustration is ruining my body."]] }}

** The ''[[Touhou]]'' fan game ''Concealed the Conclusion'' takes the series through a rather [[Dream Apocalypse|dark and tragic turn]], and the music reflects it. That final stage music, "[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mziE9ScZy9A Blue Sea of 53 Minutes]" proves, as one reviewer put it, that "it's hard to dodge [[Danmaku]] while crying." For the last boss, you get to experience the main character and her dying best friend having one final duel before the end of the world, set to the simultaneously epic and heartbreaking "[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJqdUILsT8Q G Free ~ Final Dream]". And after ''that'', you get "[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgQRTxhOwUM The Purest Sky and Sea]" for credits music.

** Composer Yasunori Mitsuda has reportedly said that he himself was brought to tears upon seeing exactly how the piece was used, particularly in the Dead Sea sequence and the associated nostalgic imagery from ''Chrono Trigger''.

** Speaking of ''[[Chrono Trigger]]'', the closing credits song, "[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyemxHCJUNg To Far Away Times"/"Outskirts of Time]" can also do it.

*** Wait, Reuben Kee... [[Player Punch|uh]].

** [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5F3nbbdlv4 "To Good Friends"]. It's bad enough with its music box melody...but [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_HMLvLB7b0 when used at the climax of someone's marriage proposal], it results in happy tears.

** ''Cross'''s "[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-xrTeCB0hg Leaving the Body]", played over Dario's grave, is quite poignant...and made all the better for foreshadowing its powered-up heroic remix, "[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKaCk7wn13U Dragon Rider]."

* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-A23EkKlSQ This] performance of the song "Eight Melodies" from the Mother video game certainly applies. And, yes, those are supposed to be the voices of the characters in the game. Made even sadder when you realize {{spoiler|that's Giygas singing mournfully at the end.}}

* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDJnlP80IXQ Amongst The Dead] from ''[[Medal of Honor]]: Underground'', fittingly played on the level after Jacques' death. It is also [[Nightmare Fuel]] with its ghostly [[Ethereal Choir]]. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRM-eWWty2g After The Drop] and [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whqXv24iQlA Arnhem] from ''Frontline'' also use melancholy [[Cherubic Choir|boy's choir]], which add an element of [[Soundtrack Dissonance]].

* ''[[Sonic Adventure]]'' has a cutscene song entitled ''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPbtnGU30fE Sadness]'' which is [[Exactly What It Says on the Tin]], particularly since it sounds so childlike and innocent. Also from the ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' series, there's the introspective [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2sOpyF1nF4&feature=related E-102 Gamma theme], the remorseful [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUJEQX2dyO4 Slightly Hero ending theme] of ''[[Shadow the Hedgehog]]'', and also [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hln4V3IFAyw&feature=related I Am... The Story Is Over] from the same game.

 

== Web Series ==

 

== [[Western Animation]] ==

* ''[[Futurama]]'''s infamous use of Connie Francis' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLmnyRozFKk I Will Wait For You] in its sci-fi re-telling of the story of [[wikipedia:Hachiko|Hachiko]].

Every hour we spent together lives within my heart." }}

* In [[Batman The Animated Seres]], Clayface's [[Leitmotif]]. Just a simple set of descending chords, but so tragic. Particularly when it was used after {{spoiler|Clayface's death}} in ''Mudslide''

* "Little Soldier Boy" from ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender]]''.

** "The last Agni Kai" Played in the final battle between siblings Zuko and Azula http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFnnNijn_OI

* The use of "Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac at the end of the [[South Park]] episodes "You're Getting Old" and "Ass Burgers" is just... Gut wrenching.

* "[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqLvNrnTA5s When Christmas Comes to Town]" from [[The Polar Express]] can really do it.

* "[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jldngb69BTc It Changes]", from the [[Peanuts]] movie [[Snoopy Come Home]], after Charlie Brown has an early morning [[Heroic BSOD]] after Snoopy leaves him (permanently, it seems) to stay with his first owner, Lila.

* It sounds unbelievable at first, but "The Branding of the Gear" from ''[[Metalocalypse]]''; notable in that it isn't a sad song at all, but a loyalty anthem (face it, if you've ever dedicated yourself to someone who pays no attention to you, this is the song you wish they'd play for you). Also doubles as [[Crowning Music of Awesome]] for the scene in the show it plays in. Plus, it's metal.

You're one of us..." }}