It may strike you unexpectedly during a weekend grocery run or while enjoying a drink on a Friday night. For some, like me, it might hit on a mundane Tuesday afternoon at a thrift store. One moment, you’re happily dancing down the cereal aisle to the sounds of the Pet Shop Boys, reminiscing about nights spent with friends, sipping Seagram’s 7, and feeling invincible as you danced until dawn. You can’t help but grin, recalling a guy who bore a striking resemblance to the cute lead singer of A-ha, who was more than happy to join in the fun.
Then, the mood shifts as a new tune begins to play. Perhaps it’s the ballad you swayed to in your purple satin prom dress, complete with a voluminous hoop skirt and lace gloves. Or maybe it’s the song that filled the air during your first late-night hangout with a crush, where you spent hours cuddling and watching late-night movies. It might even be the track you played on repeat, rewinding the cassette or carefully moving the needle back on your vinyl as you lay on the floor, pouring your heart out onto the orange shag carpet.
Or perhaps your tears are not tied to romantic love at all. Maybe it’s about that best friend you swore would always be by your side, the one with whom you belted out songs in the dark, chain-smoking as if the world was yours, yet now it’s been decades since you last connected. Suddenly, you find yourself fighting back tears while sorting through jeans at the thrift shop, searching for the perfect pair of Levi’s, hoping no one hears you as that one devastating lyric plays—your personal “Ugly Cry Lyric.”
Join me as we revisit these emotional anthems:
-
“Love Song,” The Cure
This haunting melody resonated deeply with those who fell for boys shrouded in angst, their faces obscured by unkempt hair. That one poignant line whispered sweetly into the ears of prom dates everywhere still echoes.
Ugly Cry Lyric: However far away / I will always love you / However long I stay / I will always love you. -
“I Melt With You,” Modern English
What is it about this nostalgic song? Maybe it’s the image of a young Nicholas Cage wooing Deborah Foreman that comes to mind. Who wouldn’t want to be the reason someone would stop the world and melt away with them?
Ugly Cry Lyric: I’ll stop the world and melt with you. -
“In Your Eyes,” Peter Gabriel
This iconic track is forever linked to that unforgettable movie moment, yet it also evokes memories of quiet intimacy shared with someone special. After they’ve gone, the lyrics hit harder than ever.
Ugly Cry Lyric: Love, I don’t like to see so much pain / so much wasted and this moment keeps slipping away. -
“Hold On to the Nights,” Richard Marx
Admit it, this one stirs up feelings you might want to deny. It’s a reminder of longing for someone you couldn’t be with, especially when your heart was tied to a floppy-haired boy.
Ugly Cry Lyric: Well I think that I’ve been true to everybody else but me. -
“The Flame,” Cheap Trick
This classic torch song provided solace during those late hours spent waiting for someone to return home, filled with hope and sadness.
Ugly Cry Lyric: I’m going crazy, I’m losing sleep / I’m in too far, I’m in way too deep over you. -
“Time After Time,” Cyndi Lauper
Cyndi was undeniably unique, and this heartfelt anthem makes you weep for those you’ve left behind.
Ugly Cry Lyric: If you’re lost, you can look and you will find me / Time after time.
So go ahead, let the tears flow—no one’s watching. Grab a tissue.
For those interested in the journey of parenthood, you might want to explore more on this topic at Intracervical Insemination. Additionally, if you’re looking for a comprehensive guide on home insemination, check out Make a Mom. For valuable insights into fertility and pregnancy, consider visiting Johns Hopkins Medicine.
In summary, the emotional resonance of these ’80s hits continues to tug at our heartstrings, reminding us of love, loss, and nostalgia.