Caught out today.

My mother was not a fan of the music I loved as a teenager in the sixties, but for some reason she loved Reach Out I’ll be There by the Four Tops. She was close to both my DD, and when they were getting dressed for their weddings it came on the radio both times, and often when we’re all together. It’s not a song that’s played often, but I like to think it’s her way of letting us know that she’s there. She died when she was only 62 and over forty years on I still miss her every day.

Fields of Gold, Eva Cassidy was one of my mum's funeral songs.

Songs do seem to come on at random that tug at our heart strings.

Well! This week I was in a store, nothing to do with the one I was in when I made this original post and miles away.

Again I was browsing, looking at the paint and the colours - as before. And the very same song came on over the speakers again!

Couldn't believe it. 'Valerie' by Steve Winwood isn't current, nor have I heard it for years. I stood still and just listened holding back the tears, feeling the loss of her so much.

I'll never forget her but it seems she is going to make sure of that! Or else she wants me to get on with painting the kitchen.

I can't listen to Three Times A Lady because it was played at the funeral of my friend's 14 year old daughter. She had been knocked down by a car while walking home. It was an awful time and the funeral was one of the rare occasions that was even worse than I feared it would be.

To Lettice. So sorry about your dil. I started to cry wen i read your song: aint no sunshine when she's gone. That's how I feel about my lovely Son. 😢

I can't listen to music from the Sound of Music, as a tape of the music was put on as background music by Mum's care home staff while we sat with her for her last couple of hours. She passed on as the Wedding march from the film was playing, and I like to think she was once again going to be with Dad. Oh dear, tearing up as I write this!

I cry a lot. A tune can set me off or even a scent. Don’t worry because you are not alone.
White Christmas just needs to be played and I’m in floods of tears. Memories of happy times. Hugs.

Fields of Gold was the song played at my daughters funeral.
I wish I could cry, but I can't, just feel numb 😢

I've shed quite a few tears reading through all these postings. It's been lovely reading them though.

My daughter-in-law died nine years ago at only 33. She was such a happy person, positive, funny, loving. "Aint no sunshine when shes gone" absolutely floors me. We had her such a short time really yet she made the biggest impact on my life than any other person. I am careful when and how I deal with my grief as my son struggles with his own. I don't hide it, but I don't want to upset him more.

Grandma2002

One of the greatest regrets after my DH died was that he never listened to music, claiming he was tone deaf and didn't enjoy or understand it. So I do not have any music triggers to help me let off steam. I find I rely on little things like his scrubbing the pots so vigorously in the sink that the window regularly became spotted with suds, or having to do anything myself that he used to do. Thank you everyone for your lovely musical memories I have been able to share a weep.

I have exactly the opposite, my late DH had music on all day every day, all different kinds from classical, 60’s music, even flamenco or choral requiems . Even after 5 years I find it very hard to listen to music but when DS is here the music goes on and I really enjoy it . I sometimes listen to his playlist he left for me it’s on his iPad and I need to find a way to transfer it as the iPad is on its last legs.

My son died 2 months ago (and husband 6 months ago) songs on heartbeat remind me of hubby. After my son died, west end girls came into my mind? Wen i asked my eldest son about it, he said it was my eldest son's favourite group. 2 days later i had Aha sing in my head( i had told my sin it was one of my favourites a few months b4 he died). He was a musician, si i knew he would send me music.

My last words in my eulogy to my Mother were 'Walk in Fields of Gold, Mum'.

More memories set off now! In a good way.

A few weeks ago at the end of my yoga class, "Fields of Gold" was played. There were at least 6 of us profoundly disturbed! Lots of unprocessed grief there! Can't say I felt better after it but perhaps would have been if I had been able to just let it out - as it was, we were all 'recovering' from meditation and trying not to disturb each other!

For ever and ever by Perry Como resonates with me. My mum and dad used to sing it to each other with such obvious affection. I had it played at mum's funeral as dad's ashes were being buried with her and so they were together again.

One of the greatest regrets after my DH died was that he never listened to music, claiming he was tone deaf and didn't enjoy or understand it. So I do not have any music triggers to help me let off steam. I find I rely on little things like his scrubbing the pots so vigorously in the sink that the window regularly became spotted with suds, or having to do anything myself that he used to do. Thank you everyone for your lovely musical memories I have been able to share a weep.

LinAnn52 -I totally agree about "If tomorrow never comes" by Ronan Keating. Reminds me of my late husband and I cry every time I hear it.

I can’t listen to “If tomorrow never comes” by Ronan Keating. It was played frequently on the radio when I was at home recovering from a heart attack, and still feeling very vulnerable. This was 23 years ago but I still think “what if”.

Grief is the price we pay for love.

The BBC radio programme (available on BBC Sounds) has a wealth of wonderful and moving stories of the impact of particular songs on people (as well as interesting information on the background to the song - who wrote it, et cetera).

When ever I hear the deadwood stage by Doris Day I always end up sad, as that was a song my DMIL used sing at parties also her name was Doris and we all still miss her.

Know exactly how you feel. Any time I hear a song played at my daughter's funeral I have to escape from wherever I am. Have ended up in changing rooms, toilets, back seats of a bus. Now I'm off again just thinking about it.

Slipping through my fingers by Abba always brings a tear to my eyes for no particular reason.

Music is 'the' special art - nothing else really does that. I almost resolved to go to no more funerals after one last year where it was mainly music and every one was a wrencher.

If she'd seen me in a sudden emotional heap in the middle of B&Q as her name blared out through the loudspeakers would have amused my cousin.

Reminds me of the day I was at my cousins house and we were talking about our recently passed beloved Grandmother, saying how much we missed her [both of us were her favourites!]...and her kitchen ceiling crashed down!

[Unknown long term leak in bathroom above caused it. But to choose that moment to collapse made us think Granma was probably listening!].

I started weeping in the supermarket after my mother died, when I heard a child calling "Mummy", and I realised I would never see or talk to her again.