Everyone who watches This Is Us [1] knows that the show also doubles as a weekly crying session. While the series is filled with some pretty sad moments [2] and dramatic twists [3], it's also filled with a heartbreaking soundtrack [4]. From the house fire scene to William's death, these songs definitely made you a shed (or 10) during the past two seasons. As we emotionally prepare for season three [5], grab some times and recount the show's bittersweet soundtrack.
"Watch Me" by Labi Siffre
- When it made you sob: Season one, episode one, "Pilot"
- Why it made you sob: This scene is when everyone falls in love with the Pearson family. It's the moment we learn the show's big time twist [7], and it's the moment Rebecca and Jack decide to adopt Randall into their family.
"If Only" by Maria Taylor
- When it made you sob: Season one, episode nine, "The Trip"
- Why it made you sob: During a flashback of Randall's karate class, Jack is asked to do push-ups with his son on his back to physically show his dedication to holding his son up throughout his life. The heartwarming moment is juxtaposed with a voiceover of Rebecca writing to William telling him why he can't meet Randall.
"Blues Run the Game" by Janileigh Cohen
- When it made you sob: Season one, episode 16, "Memphis"
- Why it made you sob: In a heartfelt montage, we learn how William and Randall's mother meet and fall in love on the local bus.
"We Can Always Come Back To This" by Hannah Miller
- When it made you sob: Season one, episode 16, "Memphis"
- Why it made you sob: After William's heartbreaking death, the ending scene shows William reuniting with his mother in the afterlife while Randall cries in the car on the ride back home.
"One" by Damien Rice
- When it made you sob: Season two, episode one, "A Father's Advice"
- Why it made you sob: In the flash-forward at the end of the season two premiere [8], the series drops the first clue about Jack's death when Rebecca pulls up to their burnt house with his belongings in the passenger's seat. As she screams in the car over the death of her husband, you can't help but let out a loud sob as well.
"Be Here Now" by George Harrison
- When it made you sob: Season two, episode seven, "The Most Disappointed Man"
- Why it made you sob: After William learns he has terminal cancer, he is about to turn back to drugs when Randall shows up at his doorstep telling him he's the son he gave up. It's a sweet full-circle moment that definitely leaves you misty-eyed.
"Heartbeats" by José González
- When it made you sob: Season two, episode 10, "Number Three"
- Why it made you sob: After finally bonding with Beth and Randall, Deja has to say an emotional goodbye when she decides to live with her mother again. It's definitely bittersweet watching Randall and Beth hold back tears as she pulls out of the driveway.
"To Build a Home" by The Cinematic Orchestra
- When it made you sob: Season two, episode 13, "That'll Be the Day"
- Why it made you sob: In what might be one of the most saddest moments on the show [9], we finally learn that the house fire was started because of a faulty slow cooker. As if watching the Pearsons' home go up in flames wasn't bad enough, the song's lyrics about building a home with someone you love and watching it turn to dust perfectly sum up Rebecca and Jack's tragic love story.
"Watch Me" by Grey Reverend
- When it made you sob: Season two, episode 14, "Super Bowl Sunday"
- Why it made you sob: As Randall tells Tess how much she means to him and how she will always be his "number one," a flash-forward reveals that Tess eventually grows up to become a social worker to help foster kids find good homes.
"Alps" by Novo Amor & Ed Tullett
- When it made you sob: Season two, episode 18, "The Wedding"
- Why it made you sob: As Kate and Toby tie the knot in the season two finale, a flashback shows Jack talking to a young Kate about her future husband. While it's a beautiful father-daughter moment, it is especially sad when he adds that he will be there on her wedding day to walk her down the aisle and give her away.