Joni Mitchell/Tear Jerker

This Canadian singer/songwriter has a few very emotional songs.

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• "The Magdalene Laundries" is based on the real-life indignities suffered by inmates of the Magdalene Asylums in Ireland.
• "Big Yellow Taxi" (also covered by Counting Crows and Amy Grant).
• "Both Sides Now" is another one.

I've looked at love from both sides now
From give and take, and still somehow
It's love's illusions that I recall.
I really don't know love at all.

• "Little Green" is about the child Joni had and gave up for adoption. They were reunited later on, but something about Joni's voice and the fact that she obviously thought she'd never see the child again is just heart-wrenching.
• And "River", holy crap. Strangely enough, a lot of artists cover it on Christmas albums.
• Also: "The Circle Game", "Down To You", "The Last Time I Saw Richard", and "The Silky Veils of Ardour".
• For this Troper, Joni's version of "Woodstock" counts.