You know the moment. It strikes you unexpectedly—perhaps while you’re navigating the grocery store on a Saturday morning or enjoying a drink after a long day at work on a Friday night. For me, it might even hit while I’m browsing through a thrift shop on a mundane Monday afternoon.
One moment, you’re swaying down the cereal aisle to the Pet Shop Boys, reminiscing about carefree times spent with your friend Mia, drinking Seagram’s 7 and dancing until you felt dizzy, all while a guy who looked just like the charming one from A-ha caught your eye during “West End Girls.” You can’t help but smile, remembering that he was enjoying it, too.
Then, the mood shifts as a different song begins to play. Perhaps it’s the one you slow danced to at prom in your elaborate purple satin gown, or the tune that filled your room during a late-night rendezvous when your parents were away. It might even be the heartbreaking anthem you played on repeat, rewinding the cassette or carefully placing the needle back on the record while you poured your heart out onto the orange shag carpet.
And sometimes, it’s not about a boy at all. It brings back memories of the girl you promised to be best friends with forever—the one you sang with late into the night, chain-smoking and feeling invincible, yet haven’t seen in decades.
In an instant, you’re battling tears as you sort through jeans at the thrift store, searching for the perfect pair while hoping no one notices you singing along softly to that one lyric that tears at your heart. You know the one: the Ugly Cry Lyric.
Let’s revisit these classics that still get us:
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“Love Song,” The Cure
This poignant ballad resonated with those who loved the misunderstood boys, wrapped up in their angst and obscured by their long hair. It was a staple at prom, and that heart-wrenching line whispered into the ears of hopeful romantics remains unforgettable.
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 made this song so special? Perhaps it was the image of Nicholas Cage wooing Deborah Foreman. Who didn’t want to be the one who made him stop the world and melt with them? With its literal interpretation of love amidst chaos, this song was a favorite among those yearning for deep connections.
Ugly Cry Lyric: I’ll stop the world and melt with you. -
“In Your Eyes,” Peter Gabriel
You might remember the film, but did you know that boom box sales skyrocketed in 1989? This song became the soundtrack for many cherished moments, making you reminisce every time you heard it, and the heartbreak felt after parting was profound.
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
Come on, admit it. This song struck a chord with anyone who had an inkling of longing for someone else while in a relationship. The emotional turmoil it captured was undeniable.
Ugly Cry Lyric: Well I think that I’ve been true to everybody else but me. -
“The Flame,” Cheap Trick
The ultimate ’80s ballad, it provided solace during lonely hours spent waiting for that guy to come home. This song perfectly embodied the complicated nature of love before the age of instant communication.
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 Lauper was a fearless icon, and this song evokes tears for anyone who’s left a significant relationship behind.
Ugly Cry Lyric: If you’re lost, you can look and you will find me / Time after time.
Feel free to let it all out. No one’s watching. Grab a tissue!
Summary:
The ’80s brought us some of the most emotional songs that still resonate today, stirring memories of first loves, friendships, and heartbreak. From “Love Song” by The Cure to Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time,” these tracks continue to evoke strong feelings and nostalgia, reminding us of the power of music in our lives.