Unhappy songs actually do hit in another way, do not they? Whereas music has the flexibility to evoke feelings in us like happiness, motivation and pleasure, it could possibly 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 track (or, in our case, a lot 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 want a tragic track for all types of various life occasions, whether or not it is navigating heartbreak, feeling misplaced in life, desirous about 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 quantity, get comfortable and put together to cry your eyes out to the next 47 tunes…
1. Teardrops on My Guitar by Taylor Swift
When: 2006
What: Okay, we all know that Taylor Swift has a complete 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 look at sooner or later. The lyrics have at all times pulled at our heartstrings a couple of lady 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.
Unhappy 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 individuals from her Tennessee residence city. The primary jist is that irrespective of how caught up you may get within the hustle of on a regular basis life, there may be at all times an possibility for a less complicated way of life that may maintain you grounded.
Unhappy ranking: 8/10
3. This Is Me by The Biggest Showman ensemble forged
When: 2017
What: Ever really feel like an outsider? Perhaps your variations have been ridiculed by others. Nicely, The Biggest Showman’s This Is Me is the last 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 track, the overwhelming impression of the lyrics has definitely made us shed a tear or two. I imply, working example: “I will not allow them to break me all the way down to mud. I do know that there is a place for us. For we’re wonderful.”
Unhappy ranking: 8/10
4. Let Her Go by Passenger
When: 2012
What: Let Her Go by Passenger took over the music business when it was launched with its poignant lyrics of coping with immeasurable remorse after letting somebody particular go. It is about coming to phrases together with your choices and understanding the tough lesson that typically it is too late to make issues higher.
Unhappy ranking: 10/10
5. Glimpse of Us by Joji
When: 2022
What: A darkish, haunting and extremely melancholic track which shortly turned TikTok viral. Within the track, Joji can not help however examine the dwindling love in his present relationship to the endless love he felt in his earlier one. His unhappiness stems from being unable to recreate the love for his present accomplice.
Unhappy ranking: 10/10
6. Somebody Like You by Adele
When: 2011
What: You could possibly hear a pin drop as Adele carried out Somebody Like You for the primary time on the BRIT awards in 2011. And effectively over a decade later, all the things appears to cease once we hear the heartwrenching, relatable lyrics of that particular somebody who received away. Stunning.
Unhappy ranking: 10/10
7. Overprotected by Britney Spears
When: 2001
What: Britney Spears could have been persevering with her reign as a pop princess in 2001 with this catchy tune about being overprotected, however realizing what we all know now about her previous life, this track makes us really feel particularly unhappy as a result of she was primarily making an attempt to inform us on the time how she was feeling managed and restricted in making her personal choices.
Unhappy 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 at the side of a Twinings tea advert, and it has stayed with us ever since. Actually, it is felony Charlene did not see extra chart success within the following years, as she has some of the stunning voices ever.
Unhappy ranking: 9/10
9. Matilda by Harry Types
When: 2022
What: Matilda from Harry’s third studio album Harry’s Home is one in all our favourites as a result of its intimately unhappy lyrics about somebody he knew in actual life and had likened to the character Matilda from the Roald Dahl e-book as a result of their troubled upbringing. The lyrics are cleverly articulated and undeniably despairing.
Unhappy 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 track sung by its lead actors, Girl Gaga and Bradley Cooper, equally destroyed us with its delicate and soul-crushing lyrics about contentment and communication.
Unhappy 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 might most likely be extremely just like P!nk’s Conversations With My 13 Yr Outdated Self. Something that makes us mirror on our experiences, worries and anxieties through the years 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.
Unhappy ranking: 9/10
12. Piece by Piece by Kelly Clarkson
When: 2015
What: After we say we received 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 sincere, devastating, tragic, and an emotional reminder that we are able to all obtain success irrespective of how unloveable we as soon as had been made to imagine.
Unhappy ranking: 10/10
13. After I Was Your Man by Bruno Mars
When: 2012
What: Boys will probably be boys, eh? We could 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 lady and now watching another person deal with her like a Queen. Let this be a lesson…
Unhappy ranking: 7/10
14. Skyscraper by Demi Lovato
When: 2011
What: It is just like the world stands nonetheless once we hear Skyscraper, a fantastically poignant track about discovering energy inside your self regardless of all obstacles and hurdles that come your manner. Relatable, inspiring and transferring.
Unhappy 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 all the things in between. It additionally forces us to mirror on our previous and all the things that we wish sooner or later.
Unhappy 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 recognized to somebody we care about too shortly, it will not be reciprocated, so we are able to definitely relate to this track.
Unhappy 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 can not reside with out them.
Unhappy ranking: 9/10
18. Brenda Had A Child by 2Pac
When: 1992
What: 2Pac was recognized and cherished for his potential to make clear the social and political issues of underprivileged African Individuals via 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 lady who falls pregnant after being sexually abused by her uncle and finally ends up giving start on her toilet ground 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.
Unhappy 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 last experience collectively. The track has acquired over three billion views on YouTube and was Charlie Puth’s breakout hit. It is inconceivable to hearken to it with a dry eye – particularly when you’re a Quick & Livid fan. Pay attention right here
Unhappy 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 track and the recollections of an previous love had been at all times going to tip us over the sting. Move us the Kleenex, the tears are coming.
Unhappy ranking: 7/10
21. Harm by Christina Aguilera
When: 2009
What: This track is in regards to the lack of a cherished one and the painful considered by no means with the ability to do over among the errors you’ve got made with that particular person. Whereas many individuals imagine the track is about Christina’s personal experiences together with her abusive father, singer/songwriter Linda Perry who helped pen the track, revealed in an interview that it really stemmed from the lack of her personal father, who died a 12 months previous to the making of it.
Unhappy ranking: 8/10
22. {Photograph} by Ed Sheeran
When: 2014
What: Good ol’ Ed is aware of how one can 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 accomplice to recollect their good instances collectively when issues get robust by taking a look at {a photograph}. The track’s nostalgic video, made up of residence clips from his childhood, can also be assured to have you ever all up in your feels.
Unhappy 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.
Unhappy ranking: 8/10
24. A Thousand Years – Christina Perri
When: 2011
What: A Thousand Years isn’t solely the flagship track 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.
Unhappy ranking: 8/10
25. Runaway Love by Ludacris ft Mary J. Blige
When: 2006
What: The narrative of this track and the video mixed will flip you right into a blubbering mess. The monitor focuses on the difficulty of kid abuse as Ludacris walks us via the lives of three younger women who flee from horror.
Unhappy ranking: 10/10
26. Lay Me Naked by Stormzy
When: 2017
What: Each nice artist has that one track the place they’re fully susceptible and share their private demons with the world. For Stormzy, it is the ultimate track on his debut album Gang Indicators & Prayers. On the monitor, we hear the grime star rap about all the things 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 and not using a tear in your eye.
Unhappy 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 authentic model of Hallelujah. His voice has us sobbing for DAYS.
Unhappy ranking: 10/10
28. Again To Black by Amy Winehouse
When: 2007
What: The ache in Amy’s voice all through this monitor, matched together with her heartbreaking lyrics, is strictly what has earned Again To Black a spot on this checklist. The track 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 he or she went again to “a really black few months, doing foolish issues”, as she stated in an interview.
Track ranking: 7/10
29. Wild Wolves by Athlete
When: 2009
What: Any true Gossip Woman followers will recognise this track from the tip of the thirteenth 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 really like you, Chuck.” Ahh, our hearts 💔
Unhappy ranking: 6/10
30. Repair You by Coldplay
When: 2005
What: This track 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 making an attempt to place me again collectively after my dad died,” the actress revealed in an interview.
Unhappy 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 track is: deep. It tells the story of three youngsters who had nice potential however had been robbed of their future as a result of their private circumstances and household conditions.
Unhappy ranking: 7/10
32. All By Myself by Celine Dion
When: 1996
What: Two phrases: Bridget Jones. That is all there may be to say.
Unhappy ranking: 8/10
33. I might Relatively 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 together with her eyes closed. Within the 2009 film Cadillac Information, Bey carried out Etta James’ traditional I might Relatively Go Blind, and let’s simply say that if heartbreak was an individual, it might be her proper there.
Unhappy ranking: 10/10
34. Earth Track by Michael Jackson
When: 1995
What: Within the phrases of MJ himself, “[‘Earth Song]‘ is my probability to just about let individuals hear the voice of the planet.” The track 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 track greater than sobworthy.
Unhappy 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 reside with out them both. In case you’re a real romantic like us, it’s going to hit you the place it hurts.
Unhappy ranking: 7/10
36. Mockingbird by Eminem
When: 2004
What: Eminem’s Mockingbird is an sincere, 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 mother and father. The video sees him reminiscing with previous photographs and options the household’s actual residence movies. If all that does not set you off, we do not know what is going to.
Unhappy ranking: 10/10
37. How To Save A Life by The Fray
When: 2005
What: The track 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 way of life and his selections, and form of relating them to my very own life and my very own tales,” he stated in 2005.
Unhappy 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 kind. Too Good At Goodbyes is the last word break-up track. It is about pushing the particular person you like away earlier than they get an opportunity to harm you. It’s going to have you ever sobbing inside seconds.
Unhappy 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 via or has overcome struggles with melancholy. Unsurprisingly it’s been used as a soundtrack to many gut-wrenching movie and TV moments through the years.
Unhappy 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.
Unhappy ranking: 8/10
41. Untitled by Easy Plan
When: 2005
What: The music video to Easy Plan’s single reveals a drunk driver killing a girl after crashing into her, however the highly effective lyrics might relate to so many eventualities. It’s inconceivable to not really feel unhappiness and remorse once you’re listening to this one.
Unhappy ranking: 10/10
42. What Was I Made For? by Billie Eilish
When: 2022
What: The long-lasting soundtrack providing for Greta Gerwig’s juggernaut of a blockbuster Barbie, Billie’s reflective monitor explores what a girl is supposed for, made for, exploited for, and it catches each girl within the feels TBH.
Unhappy 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 track, 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 desirous about it.
Unhappy ranking: 9/10
44. So Lengthy, London by Taylor Swift
When: 2024
What: It is just about sure that Taylor wrote this one about her cut up with Joe Alwyn – they cut up in spring 2023 after six years collectively. The track is not only a goodbye to her relationship with him, and the way she felt in direction of the tip, but in addition a goodbye to town she lived in with him.
Unhappy ranking: 8/10
45. Landslide by Fleetwood Mac
When: 1975
What: Nothing beats a little bit of Stevie Nicks. This track is a traditional, all in regards to the uncertainties that are available life and love – beautiful lyrics, a deal with to hearken to and ideal when you simply have to let all of it out.
Unhappy ranking: 7/10
46. Dancing on my Personal by Calum Scott
When: 2016
What: An iconic cowl of Robyn’s 2010 monitor. As a result of tempo and lack of electropop vibes, this model simply is sadder. And when would not seeing the particular person you like kissing another person devastating? Calum sung this monitor for his Britain’s Received Expertise audition, and the remainder is historical past.
Unhappy ranking: 8/10
47. I will By no means Love Once more by Girl Gaga
When: 2018
What: The completely devastating track that Girl Gaga sings on the finish of A Star Is Born. If you have not watched it, we cannot spoil what the track is about, however primarily it is about an all-consuming love that’ll make you’re feeling such as you’ll by no means need anybody else in the identical manner. Girl Gaga is heartbreaking performing it.
Unhappy ranking: 10/10. Definitely.
