Sad Songs That Speak to the Heart
From sharing joyful times with people you love to isolated moments of sadness and reflection, only music enables such sweet surrender. While no one enjoys feeling sad, songs that embrace melancholy are known to spark loving memories and promote deep empathy. The best sad songs can open your heart and make you feel at one with the rest of the world.
In this article, we look at 30 good sad songs from all musical genres. From global pop hits to slow ballads and surprising covers, songs of sadness are great medicine at any time.
"Someone Like You" | Adele
“Someone Like You” is a stunning ballad full of pain and grace. In this song, Adele sings about the end of an intense romantic relationship. It’s an intimate window into the singer’s life as she struggles with moving on and letting go. This track was released in 2011 on Adele’s second studio album, the much-loved and hugely successful 21.
"Tears in Heaven" | Eric Clapton
This song by Eric Clapton was inspired by a real-life tragedy. Clapton lost his son, Conor, in 1991, when he fell from a window in New York City. It’s a personal expression of the singer’s grief, with the lyrics full of love and longing. Clapton stopped playing “Tears in Heaven” live in 2004, once he’d been through the healing process. If you’re looking for sad love songs to cry to, this track has it all.
"Hurt" | Johnny Cash
“Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails was never an obvious cover for country music legend Johnny Cash, but it fits him like a glove. This track is an absolute triumph, with Cash slowing down the original while imparting his deep and dignified voice. His cracking baritone resonates perfectly with lyrics of pain and defeat, as he channels a lifetime of precious memories and hard-won successes. Good sad songs like this are a rarity in the modern world.
"Yesterday" | THe Beatles
The Beatles aren’t normally associated with sad songs, especially during their early career. “Yesterday” is an exception, however, with the chords and lyrics of this song giving the band a melancholic aura. “Yesterday” is a ballad about a relationship breaking down, with McCartney lamenting for past times when his lover was by his side.
"The Scientist" | Coldplay
This track by British rock band Coldplay is about the desire to love. It was released on the band’s second album, A Rush of Blood to the Head, which came out in 2002 to great acclaim. “The Scientist” is a pop rock ballad, with its yearning piano riff blending perfectly with Chris Martin’s beautiful falsetto. Several remixes of this track have been released by other artists, and the iconic riff has also been widely sampled.
"Creep" | Radiohead
“Creep” was released on Radiohead’s debut album, Pablo Honey, from 1993, and it quickly became a hit. It’s a very 1990s track, with noisy blasts of electric guitar energizing gloomy lyrics of obsession and unrequited attraction. While this song was a breakthrough for Radiohead and their most successful single, the band grew to hate it over time.
"Hallelujah" | Jeff Buckley
This track is one of those rare examples where the cover version is — arguably — better than the original. “Hallelujah” was written by supreme lyricist Leonard Cohen in 1984, with Buckley creating this iconic version in 2008. “Hallelujah” is a fragile, melancholic track that’s also uplifting and joyous — something often attempted but rarely achieved. Be aware, this song will make you cry.
"Lazarus" | David Bowie
David Bowie released tons of great music throughout his career, including the album Blackstar just before his death in 2015. The track “Lazarus” is a standout from the record, with this haunting self-obituary full of beautiful darkness and cavernous depth. As Bowie sings, “Look up here, I’m in heaven,” it’s hard not to cry. When it comes to depressing songs, this one manages to be incredibly uplifting.
"I Will Always Love You" | Whitney Houston
This iconic track by Whitney Houston is full of human sadness and frailty. It was originally written and recorded by Dolly Parton in 1973, but most people are familiar with this version. “I Will Always Love You” is about a relationship breaking down, but it speaks of mutual respect rather than domestic turmoil. It was recorded by Houston for the 1992 film The Bodyguard, and it’s also covered by Linda Ronstadt, Kenny Rogers, and LeAnn Rimes. Sad love songs don’t get much better than this.
"Hope Is a Dangerous Thing for a Woman Like Me to Have - but I Have It" | Lana Del Rey
The fabulous Lana Del Rey is the queen of feel-good sadness. On this number, she dissects a troubled romance and speaks about her complex relationship with fame. “Hope Is a Dangerous Thing for a Woman Like Me to Have – but I Have It” was originally named “Sylvia Plath” in honor of the great American poet. This song was released in 2019 on the Norman Fucking Rockwell! album.
"How to Disappear Completely" | Radiohead
This amazing track comes from Radiohead’s fourth studio album, Kid A, released in 2000. In this song, the band traversed novel territory far beyond their rock origins. While the band’s breakthrough album, OK Computer, wasn’t exactly happy, this track brought a new electronic form of melancholy into the mainstream. With unsettling synth sounds, real strings, and dream-like lyrics, “How to Disappear Completely” is a compelling masterpiece full of strange sadness.
"Disintegration" | The Cure
On this track, Robert Smith and his cohorts returned to dark lyrical themes and minimal hallucinogenic sounds. It’s the title track of their eighth studio album, which is seen by many as the natural successor to the earlier Seventeen Seconds and Faith records. “Disintegration” is a mesmerizing eight-minute song that twists and turns from beginning to end, and it may even make you cry.
"I Know It's Over" | The Smiths
Morrissey may not like his “miserable” pigeonhole, but this resilient tag exists for a reason. Together with his musical partner, Johnny Marr, he wrote some of the moodiest, gloomiest, and saddest songs of the 1980s. “I Know It’s Over” sees The Smiths dive deep into despair, questioning everything through tales of loveless beds and suicidal escape.
"I Can't Give Everything Away" | David Bowie
David Bowie was an incredible musician known for his artistic bravery and restless creative spirit. This is another track from his final album — because it’s just that good. As the final song from Blackstar, this was Bowie’s goodbye to the world. He was a giant of 20th-century music, with his incredible self-awareness and graceful death showcasing an incredible human spirit.
"Fix You" | Coldplay
Coldplay aren’t known for their dark lyrics, but this song’s an exception. “Fix You” was released in 2005 on the band’s third studio album, X&Y. It’s a profound meditation on grief, written by Chris Martin to provide comfort during a difficult time. It takes the form of a stately rock ballad, with anthemic chords building over time to bring solace and release. This is a great song to listen to when sad.
"Let Her Go" | Passenger
“Let Her Go” is a beloved song by English singer-songwriter Passenger. It was released in 2012 as the second single from the album All the Little Lights. This track is full of melancholy and reflection, with Mike Rosenberg delivering poetic lyrics over a folk rock beat. “Let Her Go” describes the romantic regret of a failed relationship, which is something many listeners will resonate with.
"The A Team" | Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran is mostly known for writing happy songs, but his debut is an exception. From 2011, “The A Team” presents the tale of a sex worker addicted to crack cocaine. This folk ballad was written by Sheeran after he visited a homeless shelter, with the singer transforming a real-life tragedy into a catchy hit song. The underlying harmonies on this track are rather upbeat, and the dark subject matter gives it depth and meaning.
"Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" | Elton John
This famous track by Elton John came out in 1974, on the singer’s eighth studio album, Caribou. It’s an expansive and poetic ballad that starts slowly before building with bright harmonies and propulsive rhythms. “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” is about feeling rejection and not understanding why. This great track sounds amazing, but it may make you cry.
"Skinny Love" | Bon Iver
The fabulous Bon Iver released the track “Skinny Love” in 2007. This term refers to a codependent relationship where both parties use the other for self-affirmation. Over the years, this song has become popular on TV and film soundtracks, and it’s also a popular tune for reality singing competitions around the world. If you’re looking for sad songs to listen to after a relationship breakdown, this track is ideal.
"Landslide" | Fleetwood Mac
This track comes from the band’s self-titled second album, which was released in 1975. “Landslide” was written by singer Stevie Nicks while visiting Aspen, Colorado. The band had just been dropped from their record contract after an unsuccessful debut, and life felt like it was crashing down. As Nicks looked out over the Rocky Mountains wondering what to do next, life really did feel like a “landslide.”
"I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" | Hank Williams
When it comes to song titles, “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” by Hank Williams is among the most miserable. Williams is intense and direct in delivery, singing of personal loneliness and misplaced emotion in a cold, hard world. His honest singing was revolutionary back in 1949, and it laid the groundwork for the future of country music. This track was released as the B-side to the blues track “My Bucket’s Got a Hole in It” — an up-tempo number much more suitable for the jukebox.
"With or Without You" | U2
Bono and his band get sad and moody on this track, which was an absolute smash upon release in 1987.
“With or Without You” is a song about troubled love, inspired by Bono’s conflicting double life as a touring musician and domestic man. Along with its heartfelt lyrics, this song is famous for featuring a prototype of the Infinite Guitar. With long, sustained notes, this instrument allowed the band to explore different emotions.
"Only Love Can Break Your Heart" | Neil Young
The iconic voice of Neil Young shines through on this great track. “Only Love Can Break Your Heart” is very poignant, with the singer’s voice cracking anew with each listen. This track is sung in Young’s familiar husky tone, and it moves forward at a slow pace. “Only Love Can Break Your Heart” is about the end of a relationship — between Young’s bandmate, Graham Nash, and Canadian folk heroine, Joni Mitchell.
"Both Sides Now" | Joni Mitchell
On this track, the one and only Joni Mitchell sings of love, loss, and heartbreak. It’s about the realization her husband is having an affair and all the feelings that arise as a result. It was released in 1969 on the singer’s studio album Clouds, and it’s been covered by Dion and Paul Young, among other artists.
"Sara" | Fleetwood Mac
Soft rock royalty Fleetwood Mac are known for their gentle grooves and folk mystique. This track is an early, moody addition to their catalog, coming from the band’s 1979 Tusk double LP. “Sara” was originally conceived as a poem without any music. Singer Stevie Nicks references an affair between her partner, Mick Fleetwood, and a friend named Sara, which ended their relationship “within the wings of a storm.”
"Isolation" | Joy Division
The deep turmoil of Joy Division culminated with singer Ian Curtis’ suicide in 1980. Like all of the band’s music, “Isolation” is extremely desolate and really sad. It blends icy synth lines with a rolling bass line and fascinating vocal delivery. Many Joy Divisions tracks would feature on a depressing songs list, including the iconic “Love Will Tear Us Apart” and the harrowing “New Dawn Fades.”
"Take It All" | Adele
Pop queen Adele has created lots of popular sad songs over a long and incredible career. There’s nothing better than this one, however, which manages to pull all the right heartstrings. “Take It All” is deep and heart-wrenching from beginning to end. Feeling really sad, Adele asks her lover not to leave her behind.
"Breathe Me" | Sia
This 2004 track by Sia was released on the Colour the Small One studio album. It’s a beautiful, haunting number with a strong groove and emotional spirit. Like many Sia songs, “Breathe Me” remains delicate despite its incredible power. Lots of great remixes have been produced of this track, including versions by Four Tet and Mylo. This is one of the best sad songs to listen to by yourself.
"Nothing Compares 2 U" | Sinead O'Connor
Originally created by Prince in the mid-80s, this song had a new lease of life thanks to Sinead O’Connor. The Irish singer channeled real grief from the death of her mother, delivering a superb vocal performance full of naked sorrow and soulful weeping. This is one of the most iconic sad songs to cry to of all time.
"It's Not Just Me, It's Everybody" | Weyes Blood
The amazing Weyes Blood makes sad songs that make you feel alive. On this track, she uses her soft, ghostly vocals to great effect. “It’s Not Just Me, It’s Everybody” is about anxiety and doom, feelings that arise from being lonely in the middle of a crowd. Orchestral strings and tinkly harp lines lead the song to a comforting conclusion — that hurting is the most shared experience of them all.
Final Thoughts
Regardless of their age or genre, the best sad songs offer emotional comfort and relief when it’s needed the most. From popular sad songs to lesser-known gems, the tracks on this list are among the best sad songs of all time. If you’re ready to embrace your emotions and let it all out, these great tracks are ideal for any sad music playlist.