Drown Your Civil Wars Tears With These Other Songs

It is a sad day for music fans: On Tuesday, as The Civil Wars announced they're broken up for good, and no, there is no hope for any reunion tour or album whatsoever. It is oddly fitting that a band known for such sad songs would give sad news — it's the soundtrack that wrote itself. The Grammy award winning duo left an official statement on their website and wrote a lengthy heartfelt message to their fans on Facebook. They write:

The Civil Wars — made up of duo partners Joy Williams and John Paul White — have regretfully decided to permanently part ways. The difficult decision ends a tumultuous period for the four-time Grammy Award-winning band, who has been on indefinite hiatus since late 2012.

Williams and White are each currently pursuing individual projects, and encourage fans to follow them individually for updates. While their new, personal music will undoubtedly be beautiful, there was something so, so haunting and painful — in the most beautiful way — when those two harmonized together.

So beautiful, in fact, that when I heard the news of the two breaking up for good, I thought, "Great. Well, now what will I cry to?"

Fortunately, for people like myself who enjoy basking in the salt of their own tears, there is a whole world of music out there for us and our sobs. While The Civil Wars is a band with its own unique musicality that will never be duplicated, here are some other suggestions for when you want a good cry. (BRB — gotta grab a copious amount of tissues to prepare myself.)

City And Colour

This guy's voice is evocative and his music is really beautiful, too. Go ahead, cry. You're probably feeling something.

Daughter

Not every song by Daughter will turn you into a raging sob-machine, but "Peter," above, is quiet and powerful. Tears may happen.

Glen Hansard

Not all of Hansard's songs are tearjerkers, but this duet with Marketa Irglova from the Once soundtrack gives me chills and a tear-stained face every time. The harmonies!

Tori Amos

When in doubt, go to Tori. She knows you wanna cry. She's known for decades. "China" will definitely make shed a tear or a hundred.

Radiohead

Another old tear-stained standard. In your loneliest hours of high school, you may have even written the lyrics to "Creep" on your notebook." "How To Disappear Completely" (above) is especially poignant.

Bright Eyes

"Waste of Paint" is filled with anguish — perfect for when you're filled with anguish, too.

Elliott Smith

The late artist was brilliant, and sure knew a thing or two about striking an emotional chord with his music.

"Someone Like You" by Adele

Essentially the golden pop standard for "I feel like crying right now."

But nothing's stopping you from listening to old Civil Wars songs, either...

And one more for good — er, crying — measure. "Poison and Wine" (below) should headline your emotional playlist.

SO. SO. SAD. Okay. See? You'll always have something to cry to. Music was made for tears.