A musical should leave an impression. You should be invested in the characters and their fate and the songs should either getting your toes tapping or your eyes welling. Musicals do sadness so very well. You can feel it all – regret, fear, anger, unrequited feelings – everything that colors love. I love a good tearjerking song so here’s my pick of the most beautifully sad tunes from the musicals.
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1. Somewhere
Musical - West Side Story
The brilliance of Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim shines through in this modern retelling of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
2. Last Night of the World
Musical - Miss Saigon
A fitting song for a love story that doesn’t have a happy ending.
Frequently asked questions
Oh, there are so many! Some of the most heart-wrenching ones have to be 'I Dreamed a Dream' from Les Misérables, 'Memory' from Cats, and 'On My Own' from Les Misérables. They always make me reach for the tissues!
Definitely! 'On My Own' from Les Misérables is my top pick. 'I Can't Make You Love Me' from Bonnie and Clyde is another one that really tugs at the heart strings.
Oh, you can't go wrong with 'I'm Here' from The Color Purple. It's got such raw emotion and depth. And 'With You' from Ghost the Musical is another beautiful, heart-wrenching solo piece.
'Empty Chairs at Empty Tables' from Les Misérables always gets me. It's so emotional and haunting. And 'Maria' from West Side Story is another one that's deeply touching in its own way.
Oh yes, 'Maybe This Time' from Cabaret is an absolute classic. Liza Minnelli's performance is so powerful and emotional, it just hits you right in the feels!
3. Tell Me It’s Not True
Musical - Blood Brothers
This is one of those songs that will break your heart into a million pieces even if you don’t know the story.
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The emotional crescendo of Blood Brothers peaks with "Tell Me It’s Not True," a soul-stirring lament that channels the agony of a broken family. This poignant ballad captures the essence of the musical's heartrending narrative—twins separated at birth, destined for disparate paths that tragically converge. As the song unfolds, the raw emotions of love, loss, and lament wash over the audience, leaving few eyes dry. Sung with a fervent plea for the nightmare to be a mere illusion, the sheer power of this piece solidifies its place in theatergoers' hearts as an unforgettable anthem of sorrow and hope.
4. Send in the Clowns
Musical - A Little Night Music
One of my favorite songs ever and this performance by Barbra Streisand is stunning.
5. As Long as He Needs Me
Musical - Oliver!
Nancy sings a declaration of unconditional love for a man who beats her and it is not easy listening.
6. On My Own
Musical – Les Misérables
An urchin walks Paris at night pretending her crush walks beside her - an ultimate anthem of unrequited love.
7. Something Wonderful
Musical – The King and I
Lady Thiang tragically tries to find the good in her husband who is a bit of an asshat despite being the King of Siam.
8. Don’t Cry for Me Argentina
Musical – Evita
I think this version by Julie Covington is the very best of them all.
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"Don’t Cry for Me Argentina" captures the complex emotions of Eva Perón, the First Lady of Argentina, as she reflects on her life and relationship with the people of her country. With a melody that tugs at the heartstrings and lyrics that hint at vulnerability and power, it's no wonder audiences are left reaching for tissues. Julie Covington's rendition brings a richness and authenticity that resonates deeply, striking a perfect balance between theatrical flair and genuine sentiment. As Evita's voice fills the theater, you’re enveloped in her world, feeling every word she sings—making it an unforgettable Broadway tearjerker.
9. What I Did for Love
Musical – A Chorus Line
Not a song about romantic love but a tale of when dancers realize their careers can end in an instant with the simplest injury. They sing how much they love their craft and will be free of regret doing what they do out of love.
10. Losing My Mind
Musical – Follies
A woman reminisces on her infatuation—now obsession—for her former lover who chose to marry her roommate instead of her.
11. Your Daddy’s Son
Musical – Ragtime
Not a dry eye in the house. A woman apologizes to her infant child for burying him in the ground because he reminded her of his father.
12. I Don’t Know How to Love Him
Musical – Jesus Christ Superstar
The torch ballad of Mary Magdalene. In the musical she is presented as bearing an unrequited love for the title character.
13. Memory
Musical – Cats
So much pain and it really makes you forget this is a musical about cats.
14. I’m Here
Musical – The Color Purple
A torch song for a woman who, despite all the hardships she has faced over the course of the musical, feels a deep love for herself at last.
15. You’ll Never Walk Alone
Musical – Carousel
If you’re an English soccer fan, this song has lost its tearjerkiness because it was adopted by Liverpool Football Club as its anthem and it doesn’t have the poignancy as in the musical.
16. There Will Be a Miracle
Musical – See What I Wanna See
Not a blockbuster musical but this number has stayed with me ever since I saw it performed in London.
17. As if We Never Said Goodbye
Musical – Sunset Boulevard
So happy, and yet so sad at the same time…and a beautiful melody.
So, please tell me – your favorites?
Comments
Cathleen: For me it's "I'm Going Home" from the Rocky Horror Show. The last time I saw this on stage was in London though in September this year with the incredible David Bedella though the whole cast were amazing!
Cathleen: Christina, for me a close second is "don't dream it, be it", also from Rocky Horror
Faiii: @Eponine agreed! Was looking for that throughout the list
RhondaJames: Not very familiar with some of these but good choices from the musicals I do know.
Abby: I can play Somewhere on my saxophone
shanianawaz: Blood Brothers is an amazing show and Tell me it's not true is heartbreaking. Memories gets me every time too.
Christina: Cathleen, I couldn't agree with you more, that song is so emotional!
Payton: One my favorites it's from IF/THEN. It's called Always Starting Over. Very moving!
Bobbie: Great selection
Eponine: Um...Hello, What about For Good from Wicked? That song makes me sob every time I hear it.
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