Music and Tears
Music is one of the most reliable ways to induce crying. But why do certain combinations of sounds trigger such powerful emotional responses?
Musical Triggers for Tears
Research identifies specific musical elements that induce crying:
1. Appoggiaturas
- "Leaning" notes that clash before resolving
- Create tension and release
- Common in Adele's music
2. Unexpected Chord Changes
- Harmonic surprises trigger emotional responses
- Minor chords in major progressions
- Deceptive cadences
3. Melodic Contour
- Rising then falling melodies mimic crying
- "Sighing" musical figures
- Descending phrases suggest sadness
4. Dynamic Swells
- Building from quiet to loud
- Creates overwhelming sensation
- Releases tension physically
The Prolactin Response
Sad music triggers prolactin release—the same hormone associated with:
- Comfort and nurturing
- Post-crying relief
- Bonding and attachment
This creates pleasure from sadness—without real-world consequences.
Personal Associations
Songs make us cry when connected to:
- Memories of lost loved ones
- Past relationships
- Life transitions
- Nostalgia for earlier times
The music itself may be neutral, but associations make it devastating.
Famous Tear-Jerkers
- "Hallelujah" - Leonard Cohen
- "Tears in Heaven" - Eric Clapton
- "The Show Must Go On" - Queen
- "Hurt" - Johnny Cash version
- "Landslide" - Fleetwood Mac