Emotions are a powerful thing, sometimes we can’t escape them, no matter how hard we try. Feeling sad is just a natural part of life and sometimes we want to amplify our emotions by relating to a song, giving us a sense that we are not alone.
While some choose to break their sadness with something upbeat and cheerful, some choose to amplify those emotions and dig deep. Having a song that relates to the feeling you’re experiencing is a somewhat great coping mechanism for most people.
Let’s take a look at 20 songs to listen to when you’re sad.
Contents
- 1. “The Scientist” by Coldplay
- 2. “Your Song” by Elton John
- 3. “Praying” by Ke$ha
- 4. “When The Party’s Over” by Billie Eilish
- 5. “Jar Of Hearts” by Christina Perri
- 6. “My Immortal” by Evanescence
- 7. “Against All Odds” by Phil Collins
- 8. “Say Something” by A Great Big World
- 9. “Dancing On My Own” by Calum Scott
- 10. “Everybody Hurts” by R.E.M.
- 11. “Someone Like You” by Adele
- 12. “Stay With Me” by Sam Smith
- 13. “Wake Up Alone” by Amy Winehouse
- 14. “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston
- 15. “I’ll Never Love Again” by Lady Gaga
- 16. “Liability” by Lorde
- 17. “I Will Remember You” by Sarah McLachlan
- 18. “The End Of Love” by Florence & The Machine
- 19. “She Used To Be Mine” by Sara Bareillis
- 20. “Goodbye” by Secondhand Serenade
- Conclusion
1. “The Scientist” by Coldplay
Starting this list in the best way possible – with Coldplay. Their song “The Scientist” was released in 2002 on the album “A Rush of Blood to the Head”.
The song tells a longing tale for love and apology. It’s the perfect song to listen to when you need a good cry. Coldplay truly put work into their songs and you can relate to most of them, usually because they come from real-life experiences.
2. “Your Song” by Elton John
Right after this truly remarkable Coldplay song is the ever-great Elton John. His song “Your Song” was released in 1970 on the album “Elton John”. The song is about young love and the romantic thoughts of an innocent persona.
It’s a classic that has been remade many times, but no one does it like Elton John himself. This is a happy-sad song, in the sense that it will make you feel nostalgic and longing for a love that seems so simple.
3. “Praying” by Ke$ha
The next song on the list is by Ke$ha. Her song “Praying” was released in 2017 on the album “Rainbow”. The song is about Ke$ha’s struggles in the past with negative thoughts and hoping everyone can heal from their wounds.
It is a very powerful song that will resonate with many people. It is sad, but also empowering and uplifting, which is sometimes exactly what you need in those dark moments.
4. “When The Party’s Over” by Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish has certainly transcended the world of music. Her song “When The Party’s Over” was released in 2018 on the album “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?”.
The song is about the struggles of party life and how it can be so empty and destructive. It’s a relatable song for anyone who has ever felt like they’re just going through the motions. Sometimes, we need to break free from bad habits and get back on track.
5. “Jar Of Hearts” by Christina Perri
Most likely everyone knows Christina Perri and her amazing song “Jar Of Hearts”. The song was released in 2010 on the album “Lovestrong”.
The song is about past love and the pain that comes with loving someone so deeply and then losing them. Christina Perri’s voice is so raw and emotional in this song, that it’s impossible to not be moved by it and the overall story of trying to reconnect with someone.
6. “My Immortal” by Evanescence
If a song truly encompasses a sad feeling, then it’s Evanescence’s “My Immortal”. The song was released in 2003 on the album “Fallen”.
The song is about losing someone you love and not being able to move on. It’s a song that will make you cry, but it’s also incredibly beautiful and haunting. Just hearing the piano melody at the start will make most people tremble and break.
7. “Against All Odds” by Phil Collins
If there is one individual that made songs across a variety of styles and genres, it’s Phil Collins. His song “Against All Odds” was released in 1984 on the album “Against All Odds”.
The song is about trying to win back the love of your life. It’s a powerful ballad that has Phil Collins’ signature sound all over it. This is a song for when you’re really feeling heartbroken and need to just let it all out.
8. “Say Something” by A Great Big World
The next song is a widely used song for capturing sad moments in TV series and movies. A Great Big World’s “Say Something” was released in 2013 on the album “Is There Anybody Out There?”.
The song is about saying goodbye to someone you love and feeling lost without them. It’s a song that tugs at the heartstrings and will leave you in tears. A truly memorable song that many can relate to.
9. “Dancing On My Own” by Calum Scott
You probably remember Calum Scott from the talent show, the boy who took everyone’s breath away. His cover of “Dancing On My Own” came around the year 2010 with the original being from Swedish singer Robyn.
“Dancing On My Own” is about seeing the person you love moving on without you. It’s a sad song, but it’s also incredibly catchy. It’s the perfect song to boost your emotions and maybe let some out.
10. “Everybody Hurts” by R.E.M.
The next entry is a bit of a cliché, but clichés are clichés for a reason. R.E.M.’s “Everybody Hurts” was released in 1993 on the album “Automatic for the People”.
The song is about how everybody experiences pain and hurt in their lives. It’s a song that is meant to be uplifting, but it can also be incredibly sad. Sometimes, we all need to know that we’re not alone in our struggles.
11. “Someone Like You” by Adele
When on the topic of way-too-familiar songs, Adele’s “Someone Like You” falls under this category. The song was released in 2011 on the album “21”.
The song is about seeing your ex-partner with someone new and feeling the pain of loss all over again. It’s a relatable song for many people who have gone through a break-up. Adele’s voice is so raw and filled with emotion, that it’s impossible to not be moved by this song.
12. “Stay With Me” by Sam Smith
Sam Smith is behind some of the most mellow and emotion-evoking songs in recent years. His song “Stay With Me” was released in 2014 on the album “In the Lonely Hour”.
The song is about wanting someone to stay with you, even though you know they’re going to leave. It’s a sad but beautiful song that will resonate with many people. Sam’s vocals just embody the song very well and produce a truly emotional song.
13. “Wake Up Alone” by Amy Winehouse
Surely everyone has heard of Amy Winehouse. She left behind some great tunes, most notably for this occasion, her song “Wake Up Alone”. The song was released in 2006 as part of her second album, “Back to Black”.
It has a pretty interesting story behind it. The song is about the struggles with addiction and waking up alone, feeling empty inside, knowing that your actions have negative consequences.
14. “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston is famously known for her many songs, but probably best known for her version of “I Will Always Love You”. The song was released in 1992 for the movie “The Bodyguard”.
The song is about a woman who is leaving her lover, but she will always love him. It’s a song about parting respectfully. Whether it’s Dolly Parton’s original version or Whitney’s, the song evokes a lot of emotions.
15. “I’ll Never Love Again” by Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga has done it all so far, from pop-crazed hits to mellow ballads. Her song “I’ll Never Love Again” was released in 2018 for the movie “A Star Is Born”.
The song is about a woman who has loved and lost, and she swears she’ll never love again. It’s a heartbreak song that tugs at your emotions. This is truly a song that will deepen your emotional state, Lady Gaga’s angelic voice makes this even more true.
16. “Liability” by Lorde
The song on the list is “Liability” by Lorde. The song was released in 2017 as part of her album “Melodrama”.
The song tells the tale of being too much for someone. Lorde captures this moment in a very real sense and that’s what makes this song so emotional and great. The New Zealand singer certainly has some great tunes under her belt.
17. “I Will Remember You” by Sarah McLachlan
Some might have forgotten about Sarah McLachlan but her song “I Will Remember You” still hits hard. The song was released in 1995 for the movie “The Brothers McMullen”.
The song is about a woman who is leaving her lover, but she will always remember him. It’s a sad song that makes you think about the ones you’ve loved and lost. I know this may seem counterproductive but letting those emotions out can be beneficial.
18. “The End Of Love” by Florence & The Machine
If there is a singer that will leave you trembling, it’s Florence Welch. Florence & The Machine’s song “The End Of Love” was released in 2018 as part of her album “High As Hope”.
The song is about a relationship that has ended and the heartache that comes with it. Florence’s voice is so powerful and emotive, that it will leave you feeling all sorts of emotions. The soft and vibrating timbre of her voice simply leaves you speechless.
19. “She Used To Be Mine” by Sara Bareillis
Sara Bareillis is a great, emotional singer. If you’re a fan of the TV series Smallville then you already know a few songs like “Breathe Again”. Her song “She Used To Be Mine” was released in 2015 and is from her album “What’s Inside: Songs from Waitress”.
The song is about a woman who is struggling to let go of the past. It’s a sad and emotional song that will resonate with you.
20. “Goodbye” by Secondhand Serenade
The last song on the list is by Secondhand Serenade. The song “Goodbye” was released in 2008 as part of his album “A Twist in My Story”.
The song is about a man who is saying goodbye to his love. It’s a sad and emotional song, but it’s also a bit uplifting. Secondhand Serenade has some great songs that are sure to tug at your heartstrings.
Conclusion
Feeling sad or emotional is a natural part of life. We all experience these emotions at some point or another. And while we may not like feeling them, they can actually be beneficial for us. They can help us deal with difficult situations and help us grow as people.
There are many songs out there that can help us to feel our emotions more deeply. And while some of them may be sad or heartbreaking, they can also be cathartic and help us to heal.
If you’re feeling down, don’t be afraid to listen to some emotional songs. They just might help you feel better.
