The 30-Day Song Selection Spectacular: #7, A Song That Breaks Your Heart With The First Few Notes

American Songwriter participates in affiliate programs with various companies. Links originating on American Songwriter’s website that lead to purchases or reservations on affiliate sites generate revenue for American Songwriter . This means that American Songwriter may earn a commission if/when you click on or make purchases via affiliate links.

Mary Margaret O’Hara, “Help Me Lift You Up”

Videos by American Songwriter

Ugh. Not only does this beautiful song seem to be about a painful love affair (“So sorry if I can’t stop pretending/So sorry if I don’t let you go”) but it is a visceral reminder of a doomed love affair of my own for which this entire album provided the soundtrack. Mopers, listen at your own peril!

Bonus material: this used to make me feel vapory and morose when I heard it on the radio as a little kid, even though I loved it (and still do)

Paul Simon, “Mother & Child Reunion”

#1 (Intro/Favorite Cover Version)
#2 (Favorite Love Song)
#3 (Favorite Movie Song)
#4 (Favorite Breakup Song)
#5 (A Song You Hear Shopping)
#6 (A Song You Can’t Listen To Just Once)

Singer-songwriter and American Songwriter contributor Paula Carino lives in Brooklyn, NY. Her latest album, Open On Sunday, is available at paulacarino.com.

Log In