Tearjerkers and classic schmaltz
15/10/2015
tearjerker
noun, Informal. 1. a pathetic story, play, movie, or the like; an excessively sentimental tale. 1930-35 |
schmaltz
noun 1. Informal. exaggerated sentimentalism, as in music or soap operas. 2. fat or grease, especially of a chicken. 1930-35 |
By some strange coincidence, it turns out that both the words I chose to name my latest YouTube playlist are very modern, and also originated in the same half-decade!
I had thought, as I looked at what I was gathering, that I might have to rename the playlist, sticking with tearjerker and abandoning schmaltz, with its connotations of blandness and tasteless chicken fat. I found I was opting more often for stronger emotions, still in the field of sadness. But I will stick with both for their shared connotation of sentimentality, and excess, which is where I wanted to go.
Don't criticise if the one you like isn't here, I had to stop at some point, the list could go on and on, so much misery!
It is strange how songs dealing with such tragic and heart-wrenching emotions can be so popular. You would think people might wish to avoid such feelings, and shun such stark reminders of emotional trauma... but no!
"Bring it on!" they cry, "Make me feel another's pain, re-open my wounds, remind me of my losses, drive me to tears!"
I have been there myself, and still have recordings I seldom play now, which reflected my emotions at the time I bought them.
The explanation for this contradiction is that we are dealing here with what is called catharsis:
1. The purging of the emotions or relieving of emotional tensions, especially through certain kinds of art, as tragedy or music.
2. Medicine/Medical, purgation.
3. Psychiatry.
1. psychotherapy that encourages or permits the discharge of pent-up, socially unacceptable affects.
2. discharge of pent-up emotions so as to result in the alleviation of symptoms or the permanent relief of the condition.
The word has Greek roots with meanings purge, and purify.
I had thought, as I looked at what I was gathering, that I might have to rename the playlist, sticking with tearjerker and abandoning schmaltz, with its connotations of blandness and tasteless chicken fat. I found I was opting more often for stronger emotions, still in the field of sadness. But I will stick with both for their shared connotation of sentimentality, and excess, which is where I wanted to go.
Don't criticise if the one you like isn't here, I had to stop at some point, the list could go on and on, so much misery!
It is strange how songs dealing with such tragic and heart-wrenching emotions can be so popular. You would think people might wish to avoid such feelings, and shun such stark reminders of emotional trauma... but no!
"Bring it on!" they cry, "Make me feel another's pain, re-open my wounds, remind me of my losses, drive me to tears!"
I have been there myself, and still have recordings I seldom play now, which reflected my emotions at the time I bought them.
The explanation for this contradiction is that we are dealing here with what is called catharsis:
1. The purging of the emotions or relieving of emotional tensions, especially through certain kinds of art, as tragedy or music.
2. Medicine/Medical, purgation.
3. Psychiatry.
1. psychotherapy that encourages or permits the discharge of pent-up, socially unacceptable affects.
2. discharge of pent-up emotions so as to result in the alleviation of symptoms or the permanent relief of the condition.
The word has Greek roots with meanings purge, and purify.
Thus rather than scratching scabs off; delaying healing and risking infection, we are removing dressings to let in the air and light, anointing with tears and breathing deeply again.
Postscript 30/08/16
I just learned of a feature broadcast by Radio New Zealand "The World's Saddest Songs". Sadly, I missed it live, but it can be heard at the link, where you can also see their list of the thirteen songs played.
I just learned of a feature broadcast by Radio New Zealand "The World's Saddest Songs". Sadly, I missed it live, but it can be heard at the link, where you can also see their list of the thirteen songs played.