General Gregory N. Pigott: Late Night Music Halloween Edition Part 74........"Here Come Those Tears Again"

Not just because of Halloween, but I decided to write about the human emotions of crying this time. Not just because we love scaring little kids at Halloween and see them cry, but I thought about something the late Jim Valvano once said in his speech at the 1993 ESPY Awards when he talked about how to really experience life. He said that you should "have your emotions moved to tears, whether it be joy or sadness". In addition to deep thought and laughing, Jimmy V said that those 3 emotions in your life every day will lead you have a happy joyous life. I've always wondered about that, and I can see how someone dying of cancer, as he was at the time, could say that and truly believe it. Remember, tears aren't always a bad thing, as they are simply our body and soul's way of releasing emotion when we can't hold it in anymore.

In order to be considered for this list, the SONG TITLE had to feature the word "Tear" at some point and be referring to crying, not breaking something. Also receiving votes in this category were "Tears Don't Fall" by Bullet For My Valentine, "Diamonds For Tears" by Poets Of The Fall, "Tears Are Falling" by Kiss, "Tears" by The Isley Brothers, and "Tears In The Rain" by Jennifer Rush. NOT RECEIVING VOTES was "Tears of Joy" by Rick Ross. Sorry, that song sucks.

"Here Come Those Tears Again"- Jackson Browne. Jackson Browne is a forgotten singer of the 70's, and he is now the first artist I've ever used twice for blog titles "And we'll fill in the missing colors in each other's paint by number dreams" and now this one. While he was already moderately popular, Jackson Browne shot to the mainstream spotlight in 1976 with his album "The Pretender". I was always perplexed that the album only had 8 songs, but yet was still widely popular. This album was extremely personal, as it was recorded and released shortly after the suicide of his first wife. This song here was actually co-written by her mother, Nancy Farnsworth shortly after her death. Really good live version here. Bonus points for the piano player looking like Kenny Rogers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzNo7Ol4zTA

"Fistful Of Tears"- Maxwell. Early this year, Maxwell released the final single from his stellar album "BLACKSummer's Night", "Fistful Of Tears". Like most of the album, and the previously featured "Pretty Wings", this immensely personal song is about bad timing and heartbreak. The song begins almost sarcastically by him thanking the person for breaking up with him by saying "how can I repay you?". However, there is so much pain in this song, all he feels he has to offer is a fistful of tears. Great mood on this video with the black and white with just Maxwell and a microphone. One of the coolest men in music......period.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KabCkV_oW48

"Tears In Heaven"- Eric Clapton. Eric Clapton wrote this song after the tragic death of his son Conor who feel from a 53 story window in New York City. While he was known for his rock and roll and blues guitar riffs, this song takes a new look into the soul of Clapton, as it was very different from any of his other songs. The song was also featured for the soundtrack of the 1991 movie "Rush", which featured Eric Clapton exclusively as the only songwriter for the album. While Eric Clapton gave several memorable performance of this song, including his famous "Unplugged" album and his DVD he filmed in Madison Square Garden, Clapton stated in 2004 that he will no longer play the song or his other "memorial song" "My Father's Eyes" live because he has "moved on from the pain".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxPj3GAYYZ0

"Teardrops On My Guitar"- Taylor Swift. I don't know how she managed to sneak her way on here again, but she did. I really like this song, and I have to admit I was always impressed that a high school kid could sing a catchy tune but still write such deep lyrics and actually have a pretty meaningful video but at the same time appeal to her age bracket. You gotta give her props, she is definitely talented.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKCek6_dB0M

"Each Tear"- Mary J. Blige feat. Jay Sean. YES! Another Mary J. Blige video! This was the third single off of her 2009 album "Stronger With Each Tear", and was pushed hard in international releases by featuring duet versions for all the international versions with stars from that region. This video here is the British version with Jay Sean. They have pretty good chemistry, and like I've said 100 times, Mary J. Blige is a perfect example of a woman who has gotten more elegant as she gets older. I love how inspirational her music can be for so many people. This video and song are definitely inspirational. I think I'm gonna listen to this CD next time I'm in the car.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xvash3C5G9c

"Tears Of A Clown"- Smokey Robinson and the Miracles. In 1967, Barry Gordy and Motown were looking for hit single for Smokey Robinson and the Miracles because Smokey Robinson had grown tired of the group and wanted to break out on his own after the release of their album "Make It Happen". While the song was included on that album, it was not released as a single until Motown's British offices released it as a single in 1969 because of the high demand for a new Miracles single. After it quickly shot to the top of the charts, Motown released the single in the United States in 1970 where it reinvented the Miracles and kept them together until 1972 when Smokey Robinson finally went solo. Pretty good live version here, but maybe it was a sign of things to come because we see no closeups of the group, and don't even a good shot of their faces, with all the focus being on Smokey.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2kxlZDOHeQ

"So Many Tears"- 2pac. I've always liked 2pac, but I have to admit I had never heard this song until today. This single was released off of "Me Against The World" in 1995. During the filming of this video, all file footage of 2pac was used for the making of the video due to Tupac being in prison at the time. Probably his saddest song- pretty good foreshadowing about his life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tbs7wWLXLpw

"Tracks Of My Tears"- Boyz II Men. In order to avoid featuring the same group twice, I featured the 2007 cover of Smokey Robinson and The Miracles hit that was recorded by Boyz II Men for their Motown tribute album "Motown: Hitsville USA". I still have trouble getting used to them as a trio, because who is singing the bass part? Also, while they are always one of the best groups ever, they really need to stop dancing and just focus on singing. Shawn is ok, but Nathan and Wanya need to stop. I also learned recently that Boyz II Men is one of the VERY RARE groups in music that functions with no agent and they represent themselves and have always trusted each other handling finances. That's amazing that they have stood by each other all this time with all the pulls of greed in the music business- that's real friendship.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnDnqEdjPNM

"Lonesome Tears"- Beck. Beck has always been a strange cat. He was known in the 1990's for his strange lyrics and musical instrument experimentation, as he himself plays several of the instruments on each track. However, with his 2002 album "Sea Change", Beck stuck with simpler lyrics and music and drastically changed his sound, but having been called by several publications the "Best Album Of the 00's". It is said that Beck was so moved by French singer Serge Gainsbourg's album "History de Melody Nelson", that he decided to make a concept album based on how much it influenced him. I love how Beck can change his sound but still have creative videos that seem like the same person in so many ways. Bonus points for using all white in the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWe6bMVvTzk

"Black Tears"- Hands On Approach feat. Ana Free. Portuguese band Hands On Approach used fellow Portugal native and internet sensation Ana Free and her 21 million youtube views to contribute to the lead single from their latest album "High And Above". These guys really remind me of a cross between Maroon 5 and of The Rocket Summer. For some reason, the girl in the bathtub creeps me out and reminds me of creepy scenes from "Dexter" and of course "Saw"- maybe because it's close to Halloween.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3WzDp-1ZwE

"Tears Are Not Enough"- Northern Lights. Wow, I found a way to get this on here for a third time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJN3u1wAWIk

"Down To My Last Teardrop"- Tanya Tucker. Just for you country fans- man she was one awesome cougar! What was Glen Campbell thinking?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YplH9jhwNHA

BONUS VIDEO- "Somebody's Watching Me"- Rockwell. Just for Halloween.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YvAYIJSSZY