My brother, Jay, recently posted some of his favorite songs of sadness, and I found the opportunity the opportunity to reflect on my own personal playlist strangely enjoyable. Then this morning, I was bicycling into the city and listening to music on my headphones, I was actually moved to tears (in a good way) by one of the songs. So I thought it might be fun to share more of the "Songs that Make Me Cry," paying homage to the powerful emotional influence that music can have on us. Here are five of my personal favorites:

"Waters of Babylon," by Don McLean

This is the ultimate song of lament: words of the ancient Hebrew Scriptures set to a haunting, circular tune by 1970s folk song-writer Don McLean. The words themselves don't make so much sense in a contemporary context -- but even so, somehow they reflect the character of a people who were deeply acquainted with sorrow and suffering. If you read the stories behind the lyrics (see Psalm 137 and the Old Testament history of the Babylonian Exile), then you can appreciate the sorrow even further. But in any event, McLean's "Waters of Babylon" is one of the most sad, and most beautiful songs that I know.

"Aubrey," by Bread

The 1970s musicians, Bread, were masters of sad songs. I could just as easily have mentioned their songs, "Diary" or "Dismal Day," but this one resonates with me particularly strongly because of its association with the miscarriage that Marci and I experienced in November of 2003. We never really named the child that we lost, but if we would have done so, I think the name would have been Aubrey. That autumn was a really sad season for us: because of the miscarriage, but also because of other factors. Whenever I hear this song, I am transported back to the emotions from that season of life.

"The Art Teacher," by Rufus Wainwright

I love story-songs, and I think this story about a high school girl who falls in love with her art teacher is an especially beautiful story-song. It speaks to issues of expectations, regrets, ideals, and unrequited love. The song is especially meaningful to me because it was given to me by my brother, Jay, who just so happens to be an art teacher himself -- but even without that connection, it would be a powerful song in its own right.

"Blessed Be the Name," by Matt Redman

I have to say that I actually prefer the Chris Smith version of this song (though I don't know of any recording for such a version), but I'll give the props to Matt Redman since he wrote the song. This song also has a strong connection with a particularly challenging season of my life -- the summer of 2003 -- when I had to really put my faith to the test and see if I could genuinely bless the name of the Lord, even in the midst of difficulty. Almost every time this song is sung in a church worship gathering, I feel myself getting choked up... in a good way.

"Barcelona," by Queen

I honestly have no real idea why this song hits me the way it does. I actually feel kind of silly when this song brings out the tears in me, and I can't fully explain the reasons why... But it does. This is the song that I heard on my headphones this morning, and I had a good cry over it. I just love the chorus, when the band bursts into the word, "Barcelona." There's such power and emotion in that section for me. My earliest recollection of the song is from the 1992 Olympics, so maybe the tears have something to do with that experience or that time period in my life; but I genuinely can't explain it logically. It just makes my list because it's one of those "Songs that Make Me Cry."

What about you? What are some of your favorite sad songs -- or perhaps I should ask in terms of emotionally-overwhelming songs? What are some songs that make you cry? Perhaps with some friends' recommendations, I can add to my playlist.