Sad songs actually do hit in a different way, do not they? Whereas music has the power to evoke feelings in us like happiness, motivation and pleasure, it will probably additionally make us cry on the drop of a beat.
Whether or not it is the lyrics, the melody or the accompanying music video, everybody has that one music (or, in our case, loads of these songs) that has the ability to crush our souls and make the tears stream down our faces.
And let’s face it, we’d like a tragic music for all types of various life occasions, whether or not it is navigating heartbreak, feeling misplaced in life, fascinated by the long run or reminiscing about previous occasions.
From soulful ballads and gritty rock anthems to deep hip-hop tracks and heartbreaking R&B numbers – unhappy songs are genre-free, and we have created a listing to show simply that.
So flip up the amount, get cozy and put together to cry your eyes out to the next 43 tunes…
1. Teardrops on My Guitar by Taylor Swift
When: 2006
What: Okay, we all know that Taylor Swift has an entire catalogue of emotional songs, however there was a sure one thing about her throwback 2006 hit Teardrops on My Guitar that hinted at her being one to observe sooner or later. The lyrics have at all times pulled at our heartstrings a couple of woman trying to come back to phrases with the truth that the man from her highschool that she’s in love with is in love with another person.
Sad ranking: 9/10
2. Half of My Hometown by Kelsea Ballerini
When: 2020
What: Generally good recollections and remembering your small-town roots can elicit tearful feelings. US Nation singer Kelsea Ballerini will get us all in our feels as she displays on the assorted pathways of the folks from her Tennessee dwelling city. The principle jist is that irrespective of how caught up you will get within the hustle of on a regular basis life, there’s at all times an possibility for an easier way of life that may preserve you grounded.
Sad ranking: 8/10
3. This Is Me by The Biggest Showman ensemble forged
When: 2017
What: Ever really feel like an outsider? Possibly your variations have been ridiculed by others. Effectively, The Biggest Showman’s This Is Me is the final word tune about accepting your self and displaying up for your self within the face of adversity. Whereas that is extra of an uplifting and inspirational music, the overwhelming influence of the lyrics has definitely made us shed a tear or two. I imply, living proof: “I will not allow them to break me right down to mud. I do know that there is a place for us. For we’re wonderful.”
Sad ranking: 8/10
4. Let Her Go by Passenger
When: 2012
What: Let Her Go by Passenger took over the music trade when it was launched with its poignant lyrics of coping with immeasurable remorse after letting somebody particular go. It is about coming to phrases along with your choices and understanding the troublesome lesson that typically it is too late to make issues higher.
Sad ranking: 10/10
5. Glimpse of Us by Joji
When: 2022
What: A darkish, haunting and extremely melancholic music which rapidly turned TikTok viral. Within the music, Joji can not help however evaluate the dwindling love in his present relationship to the unending love he felt in his earlier one. His unhappiness stems from being unable to recreate the love for his present associate.
Sad ranking: 10/10
6. Somebody Like You by Adele
When: 2011
What: You may hear a pin drop as Adele carried out Somebody Like You for the primary time on the BRIT awards in 2011. And nicely over a decade later, every part appears to cease after we hear the heartwrenching, relatable lyrics of that particular somebody who acquired away. Lovely.
Sad ranking: 10/10
7. Overprotected by Britney Spears
When: 2001
What: Britney Spears might have been persevering with her reign as a pop princess in 2001 with this catchy tune about being overprotected, however understanding what we all know now about her previous life, this music makes us really feel particularly unhappy as a result of she was primarily attempting to inform us on the time how she was feeling managed and restricted in making her personal choices.
Sad ranking: 9/10
8. Wherever You Will Go by Charlene Soraia
When: 2011
What: This haunting cowl of The Calling’s Wherever You Will Go had us sobbing when it was launched along with a Twinings tea advert, and it has stayed with us ever since. Actually, it is legal Charlene did not see extra chart success within the following years, as she has one of the crucial lovely voices ever.
Sad ranking: 9/10
9. Matilda by Harry Types
When: 2022
What: Matilda from Harry’s third studio album Harry’s Home is one among our favourites attributable to its intimately unhappy lyrics about somebody he knew in actual life and had likened to the character Matilda from the Roald Dahl guide attributable to their troubled upbringing. The lyrics are cleverly articulated and undeniably despairing.
Sad ranking: 8/10
10. Shallow by Girl Gaga And Bradley Cooper
When: 2018
What: We do not know anyone who wasn’t crushed by the film A Star Is Born, and the music sung by its lead actors, Girl Gaga and Bradley Cooper, equally destroyed us with its delicate and soul-crushing lyrics about contentment and communication.
Sad ranking: 9/10
11. Conversations With My 13 Yr Outdated Self by P!nk
When: 2006
What: If all of us wrote a letter to our youthful selves, it could in all probability be extremely much like P!nk’s Conversations With My 13 Yr Outdated Self. Something that makes us replicate on our experiences, worries and anxieties over time makes us emotional, and simply the considered doubtlessly having the prospect to inform ourselves at a youthful age that issues would work out makes us sob.
Sad ranking: 9/10
12. Piece by Piece by Kelly Clarkson
When: 2015
What: Once we say we acquired goosebumps listening to this for the primary time, we imply it. Kelly Clarkson’s extremely private message to her father, who walked out on her at a younger age, is searingly trustworthy, devastating, tragic, and an emotional reminder that we will all obtain success irrespective of how unloveable we as soon as had been made to imagine.
Sad ranking: 10/10
13. After I Was Your Man by Bruno Mars
When: 2012
What: Boys will likely be boys, eh? We might not really feel too sorry for them, however one thing pulls at our heartstrings when Bruno sings about lacking his shot together with his dream woman and now watching another person deal with her like a Queen. Let this be a lesson…
Sad ranking: 7/10
14. Skyscraper by Demi Lovato
When: 2011
What: It is just like the world stands nonetheless after we hear Skyscraper, a fantastically poignant music about discovering energy inside your self regardless of all obstacles and hurdles that come your method. Relatable, inspiring and transferring.
Sad ranking: 9/10
15. 7 Years by Lukas Graham
When: 2015
What: 7 Years will get us all within the feels as Lukas displays on the seasons of life, from childhood nostalgia to the loneliness of previous age and every part in between. It additionally forces us to replicate on our previous and every part that we wish sooner or later.
Sad ranking: 10/10
16. Please Do not Say You Love Me by Gabrielle Aplin
When: 2013
What: Gabrielle’s delicate vocals are touching as she sings about taking a relationship gradual as she is simply too afraid of claiming the L phrase. Actually, all of us typically concern that if we let our emotions identified to somebody we care about too rapidly, it might not be reciprocated, so we will definitely relate to this music.
Sad ranking: 8/10
17. Summertime Disappointment by Lana Del Rey
When: 2012
What: Lana’s overwhelmingly intense and haunting lyrics inform the story of somebody who misplaced a particular particular person however cannot cease reminiscing about them and really feel as if they cannot stay with out them.
Sad ranking: 9/10
18. Brenda Had A Child by 2Pac
When: 1992
What: 2Pac was identified and cherished for his capacity to make clear the social and political issues of underprivileged African Individuals by his music, and Brenda Had A Child is a major instance. The monitor, which featured on his debut album, 2Pacalypse Now, is a couple of 12-year-old woman who falls pregnant after being sexually abused by her uncle and finally ends up giving beginning on her lavatory flooring earlier than throwing the new child within the bin. 2Pac’s graphic lyrics and the horrifying true story are sufficient to interrupt the hearts of even the coldest of us.
Sad ranking: 10/10
19. See You Once more by Charlie Puth ft Wiz Khalifa
When: 2015
What: This was on the Quick & Livid 7 soundtrack and is devoted to the franchise’s late star Paul Walker who died following a automotive accident in 2013. It performs on the finish of the movie as we watch his and Vin Diesel’s characters’ heartbreaking remaining trip collectively. The music has obtained over three billion views on YouTube and was Charlie Puth’s breakout hit. It is unimaginable to take heed to it with a dry eye – particularly for those who’re a Quick & Livid fan. Hear right here
Sad ranking: 9/10
20. When We Have been Younger by Adele
When: 2015
What: Let’s face it, Adele’s voice alone is sufficient to pull at our heartstrings. However the nostalgic lyrics of this music and the recollections of an previous love had been at all times going to tip us over the sting. Cross us the Kleenex, the tears are coming.
Sad ranking: 7/10
21. Damage by Christina Aguilera
When: 2009
What: This music is in regards to the lack of a cherished one and the painful considered by no means with the ability to do over a number of the errors you’ve got made with that particular person. Whereas many individuals imagine the music is about Christina’s personal experiences along with her abusive father, singer/songwriter Linda Perry who helped pen the music, revealed in an interview that it truly stemmed from the lack of her personal father, who died a yr previous to the making of it.
Sad ranking: 8/10
22. {Photograph} by Ed Sheeran
When: 2014
What: Good ol’ Ed is aware of the best way to write a tearjerker, however {Photograph} is his stand-out ballad in our eyes. It is a nod to all of those that have skilled a long-distance relationship and the struggles that include it. Ed urges his associate to recollect their good occasions collectively when issues get robust by taking a look at {a photograph}. The music’s nostalgic video, made up of dwelling clips from his childhood, can also be assured to have you ever all up in your feels.
Sad ranking: 7/10
23. Chasing Automobiles by Snow Patrol
When: 2006
What: Who can neglect that gut-wrenching scene in Gray’s Anatomy when Alex lifts Izzie away from the physique of her lover Denny and holds her whereas she cries? Chasing Automobiles is used because the soundtrack for this, and it shatters our hearts into 1,000,000 items each time.
Sad ranking: 8/10
24. A Thousand Years – Christina Perri
When: 2011
What: A Thousand Years is just not solely the flagship music to The Twilight Saga: Breaking Daybreak Half 1 however the one monitor all ‘Twihearts’ felt represented Bella and Edward’s relationship. It is romantic and heartbreaking on the identical time.
Sad ranking: 8/10
25. Runaway Love by Ludacris ft Mary J. Blige
When: 2006
What: The narrative of this music and the video mixed will flip you right into a blubbering mess. The monitor focuses on the problem of kid abuse as Ludacris walks us by the lives of three younger ladies who flee from horror.
Sad ranking: 10/10
26. Lay Me Naked by Stormzy
When: 2017
What: Every nice artist has that one music the place they’re utterly susceptible and share their private demons with the world. For Stormzy, it is the ultimate music on his debut album Gang Indicators & Prayers. On the monitor, we hear the grime star rap about every part from his battle with melancholy to rising up within the midst of violent gang tradition and his strained relationship together with his absent father. You will not make it to the second verse with out a tear in your eye.
Sad ranking: 8/10
27. Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley
When: 1994
What: It has been coated by fairly actually everybody. However nothing beats the emotion behind Jeff Buckley’s unique model of Hallelujah. His voice has us sobbing for DAYS.
Sad ranking: 10/10
28. Again To Black by Amy Winehouse
When: 2007
What: The ache in Amy’s voice all through this monitor, matched along with her heartbreaking lyrics, is precisely what has earned Again To Black a spot on this record. The music is in regards to the late singer’s tough patch with then-boyfriend (and later husband) Blake Fielder-Civil. He went again to an ex, and she or he went again to “a really black few months, doing foolish issues”, as she mentioned in an interview.
Track ranking: 7/10
29. Wild Wolves by Athlete
When: 2009
What: Any true Gossip Lady followers will recognise this music from the top of the 13th episode of season three when Chuck shares the ache of by no means having a mom with Blair, prompting her to say, “that does not imply you are alone. I like you, Chuck.” Ahh, our hearts 💔
Sad ranking: 6/10
30. Repair You by Coldplay
When: 2005
What: This music actually pulls at our heartstrings, and never simply because it was the soundtrack to Caleb’s dying in The O.C. Chris Martin wrote this for his then-wife Gwyneth Paltrow following the dying of her father. Repair You was about him attempting to place me again collectively after my dad died,” the actress revealed in an interview.
Sad ranking: 8/10
31. Stole by Kelly Rowland
When: 2002
What: Stole was the second single from Kelly Rowland’s debut solo album Merely Deep, and that is precisely what the music is: deep. It tells the story of three youngsters who had nice potential however had been robbed of their future attributable to their private circumstances and household conditions.
Sad ranking: 7/10
32. All By Myself by Celine Dion
When: 1996
What: Two phrases: Bridget Jones. That’s all there’s to say.
Sad ranking: 8/10
33. I might Reasonably Go Blind by Beyoncé
When: 2009
What: If there’s one factor Beyoncé can grasp time after time, it is pouring her feelings right into a heavy ballad. She will be able to do it along with her eyes closed. Within the 2009 film Cadillac Data, Bey carried out Etta James’ traditional I might Reasonably Go Blind, and let’s simply say that if heartbreak was an individual, it would be her proper there.
Sad ranking: 10/10
34. Earth Track by Michael Jackson
When: 1995
What: Within the phrases of MJ himself, “[‘Earth Track]‘ is my likelihood to just about let folks hear the voice of the planet.” The music highlights the truth that people are mistreating the planet. The visible results of the video, in addition to MJ’s cry for assist, make this music greater than sobworthy.
Sad ranking: 8/10
35. With Or With out You by U2
When: 1987
What: With or With out You is in regards to the struggles of a relationship the place you may’t be with the particular person however cannot stay with out them both. When you’re a real romantic like us, it’s going to hit you the place it hurts.
Sad ranking: 7/10
36. Mockingbird by Eminem
When: 2004
What: Eminem’s Mockingbird is an trustworthy, open letter to his daughter Hailie and his niece Laney. Sounding at his most susceptible, he raps about lacking out on moments of their childhood and apologises to his daughter for what she’s needed to witness between her dad and mom. The video sees him reminiscing with previous pictures and options the household’s actual dwelling movies. If all that does not set you off, we do not know what is going to.
Sad ranking: 10/10
37. How To Save A Life by The Fray
When: 2005
What: The music is predicated on lead singer Isaac Slade’s expertise at a teenage shelter. “I used to be paired up with one child particularly. His story was simply superb. All of the relationships that he had put in danger due to the selections he made, and ultimately […] the price of his life-style and his decisions, and sort of relating them to my very own life and my very own tales,” he mentioned in 2005.
Sad ranking: 8/10
38. Too Good At Goodbyes by Sam Smith
When: 2017
What: That is Sam Smith’s extremely anticipated comeback and the debut single from his second studio album, and he is returned in true Sam Smith type. Too Good At Goodbyes is the final word break-up music. It is about pushing the particular person you’re keen on away earlier than they get an opportunity to harm you. It will have you ever sobbing inside seconds.
Sad ranking: 8/10
39. Breathe Me by Sia
When: 2004
What: Lengthy earlier than Chandelier, an unknown Sia launched Breathe Me. The haunting monitor will resonate with anybody who’s going by or has overcome struggles with melancholy. Unsurprisingly it’s been used as a soundtrack to many gut-wrenching movie and TV moments over time.
Sad ranking: 9/10
40. I’ll Be Lacking You by Puffy Daddy, Religion Evans & 112
When: 1997
What: Launched shortly after the homicide of hip-hop legend Biggie, I’ll Be Lacking You speaks to anybody who’s misplaced somebody near them. It’s a traditional.
Sad ranking: 8/10
41. Untitled by Easy Plan
When: 2005
What: The music video to Easy Plan’s single exhibits a drunk driver killing a lady after crashing into her, however the highly effective lyrics may relate to so many situations. It’s unimaginable to not really feel unhappiness and remorse once you’re listening to this one.
Sad ranking: 10/10
42. What Was I Made For? by Billie Eilish
When: 2022
What: The enduring soundtrack providing for Greta Gerwig’s juggernaut of a blockbuster Barbie, Billie’s reflective monitor explores what a lady is supposed for, made for, exploited for, and it catches each lady within the feels TBH.
Sad ranking: 8/10
43. How To Cry by Sam Smith
When: 2023
What: This one strikes a chord with anybody who’s needed to let somebody they love go. All through the music, Smith realises a relationship is not working, that somebody they love is incompatible with them, and explores what occurs when somebody you care deeply for deceives you. We’re sobbing simply fascinated by it.
Sad ranking: 9/10