There's nothing like a sad, slow song to aid in a post-breakup cry or be the soundtrack to a bad day. It's a well-known fact that music is made to bring out emotions in all of us, but what may come as a surprise is that sad music can have the opposite effect from what you would expect: it can actually make you feel happy.
According to Andrew Rossetti, PhD, a board-certified music therapist and supervisor of the music therapy program in radiation oncology at The Louis Armstrong Centre for Music and Medicine at Mount Sinai Beth Israel, it's proven science that music can be a mood regulator. "Music is something that affects the human organism in a systems way, which means that pretty much the entire organism is affected, either directly or indirectly, by listening to music or by performing music," he explained, per Women's Health Magazine [1]. "Our emotional brain is activated, our limbic system [the part of the brain involved in behavioural and emotional responses] is activated, motion is activated along with cognitive and associative processes."
Music is the sonic gift that allows us to reflect and even feel a sense of consolation during bad times, whether it sounds sombre or upbeat. Luckily for us, there are some really amazing sad songs out there — because what are life and love without a bit of heartache?
Ahead, see the saddest songs out there that you can add to your playlist.
— Additional reporting by Katelyn Evans and Njera Perkins
Sad Songs: "Special" by SZA
"Special" appears on SZA's second studio album, "SOS [3]," which made history as the first female R&B album to spend four consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
Sad Songs: "Breaking Point" by Leon Thomas
"Breaking Point" is a breakup anthem by famed singer/songwriter/producer Leon Thomas.
Sad Songs: "To Be Loved" by Adele
"To Be Loved" appears on Adele's "30" album [4].
Sad Songs: "Mother I Sober" by Kendrick Lamar feat. Beth Gibbons of Portishead
"Mother I Sober" appears on Kendrick Lamar's "Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers" album [5].
Sad Songs: "Please Do Not Lean" by Daniel Caesar feat. BadBadNotGood
"Please Do Not Lean" is a single that was released by Daniel Caesar in 2022.
Sad Songs: "Exile" by Taylor Swift feat. Bon Iver
Taylor's Swift "Exile" appears on her Grammy-winning 2020 "Folklore" album.
Sad Songs: "You Don't Know Me" by Summer Walker
"You Don't Know Me" is a song off Summer Walker's 2021 "Still Over It" album [6].
Sad Songs: "Lost One" by Jazmine Sullivan
"Lost One" was the first single released from Jazmine Sullivan [7]'s Grammy-winning "Heaux Tales" album.
Sad Songs: "Lonely" by Justin Bieber and Benny Blanco
"Lonely" appears on Justin Bieber's 2021 "Justice" album.
Sad Songs: "Know That You Are Loved" by Cleo Sol
"Know That You Are Loved" appears on Cleo Sol's 2021 "Mother" album.
Sad Songs: "I'm Not OK" by H.E.R.
"I'm Not OK" by H.E.R. is featured on her 2018 "I Used to Know Her: Part 2" EP.
Sad Songs: "Runnin' Away" by Blood Orange
"Runnin' Away" by Blood Orange is a sombre song off the "Queen & Slim" movie soundtrack.
Sad Songs: "Beetlejuice" by Mariah the Scientist
"Beetlejuice" is a breakout song featured on Mariah the Scientist's 2019 debut album, "Master."
Sad Songs: "Goodbyes" by Jorja Smith
"Goodbyes" appears on Jorja Smith's 2018 "Lost & Found" album.
Sad Songs: "Missin Out" by Brent Faiyaz
"Missin Out" appears on Brent Faiyaz's 2017 "Sonder Son" album.
Sad Songs: "Stone Cold" by Demi Lovato
"Stone Cold" appears on Demi Lovato [8]'s 2015 album, "Confident."
Sad Songs: "Godspeed" by Frank Ocean
"Godspeed" appears on Frank Ocean's 2016 "Blonde" album.
Sad Songs: "Cranes in the Sky" by Solange
"Cranes in the Sky" appears on Solange's 2016 album, "A Seat at the Table."
Sad Songs: "Feeling Whitney" by Post Malone
"Feeling Whitney" appears on Post Malone [9]'s 2016 "Stoney" album.
Sad Songs: "The Heart Wants What It Wants" by Selena Gomez
"The Heart Wants What It Wants" appears on Selena Gomez [10]'s 2014 "For You" album.
Sad Songs: "Don't Let Me Down" by Amel Larrieux
"Don't Let Me Down" is a 2009 single that was released by Amel Larrieux.
Sad Songs: "Stay" by Rihanna feat. Mikky Ekko
"Stay" is a ballad that appears on Rihanna [11]'s 2012 "Unapologetic" album.
Sad Songs: "Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst" by Kendrick Lamar
"Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst" by Lamar is a track from his 2012 debut album, "Good Kid, M.A.A.D City."
Sad Songs: "Marvins Room" by Drake
Drake's hit breakup anthem "Marvins Room" appears on his 2011 "Take Care" album.
Sad Songs: "Someone Like You" by Adele
"Someone Like You" appears on Adele's Grammy-winning "21" album.
Sad Songs: "Supermarket Flowers" by Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran's "Supermarket Flowers" appears on his 2017 album, "÷," aka "Divide."
Sad Songs: "Perfect" by Selena Gomez
"Perfect" by Gomez appears on her 2015 "Revival" album.
Sad Songs: "Unhinged" by Nick Jonas
"Unhinged" appears on Nick Jonas [12]'s 2016 album, "Last Year Was Complicated."
Sad Songs: "Chainsaw" by Nick Jonas
Jonas's "Chainsaw" also appears on his "Last Year Was Complicated" album.
Sad Songs: "Stay With Me" by Sam Smith
"Stay With Me" is Sam Smith's debut single off their "In the Lonely Hour" album. The track won record of the year and song of the year at the 2015 Grammy Awards and is certified diamond.
Sad Songs: "Sober" by Demi Lovato
"Sober" by Lovato appears on the "Fresh Hits Jesień 2018" compilation album.
Sad Songs: "Last Kiss" by Taylor Swift
"Last Kiss" appears on Swift's 2010 Grammy-nominated "Speak Now" album.
Sad Songs: "All of Me" by John Legend
John Legend [13]'s Grammy-nominated song "All of Me" appears on his 2013 "Love in the Future" album.
Sad Songs: "All Too Well" by Taylor Swift
Swift's "All Too Well" appears on her 2012 Grammy-nominated "Red" album.
Sad Songs: "Skinny Love" by Birdy
Birdy's "Skinny Love" is a cover of Bon Iver's 2007 version of the song.
Sad Songs: "Everybody Hurts" by R.E.M.
"Everybody Hurts" by R.E.M. appears on the rock band's 1992 "Automatic For the People" album.
Sad Songs: "Good Woman" by Cat Power
"Good Woman" appears on Cat Power's 2003 "You Are Free" album.
Sad Songs: "Samson" by Regina Spektor
"Samson" appears on Regina Spektor's 2002 "Songs" album.
Sad Songs: "Breathe Me" by Sia
Sia's "Breathe Me" appears on her 2004 "Colour the Small One" album.
Sad Songs: "You Were Mine" by The Chicks
"You Were Mine" by The Chicks appears on the group's 1998 "Wide Open Spaces" album.
Sad Songs: "Hey Mama" by Kanye West
"Hey Mama," an ode to Kanye West [14]'s late mother, Donda, appears on his Grammy-winning "Late Registration" album.
Sad Songs: "Nothing" by Brandy
"Nothing" appears on Brandy's 2002 "Full Moon" album.
Sad Songs: "Twilight" by Elliott Smith
"Twilight [15]" appears on Elliott Smith's 2004 album, "From a Basement on the Hill."
Sad Songs: "The Sounds of Silence" by Simon & Garfunkel
"The Sounds of Silence" by Simon & Garfunkel appears on the duo's 1964 "Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M."
Sad Songs: "Flightless Bird, American Mouth" by Iron & Wine
"Flightless Bird, American Mouth" appears on Iron & Wine's 2007 "The Shepherd's Dog" album.
Sad Songs: "This Year's Love" by David Gray
"This Year's Love" appears on David Gray's 1998 album, "White Ladder."
Sad Songs: "I Will Remember You" by Sarah McLachlan
"I Will Remember You" appears on Sarah McLachlan's 1993 "Fumbling Towards Ecstasy" album.
Sad Songs: "Lost" by Michael Bublé
"Lost" appears on Michael Bublé's 2007 "Call Me Irresponsible" album.
Sad Songs: "Make You Feel My Love" by Adele
"Make You Feel My Love" by Adele appears on her 2008 album, "19."
Sad Songs: "Fix You" by Coldplay
"Fix You" appears on Coldplay's 2005 "X&Y" album.
Sad Songs: "Heart" by Stars
"Heart" by Stars appears on the band's 2003 album of the same name.
Sad Songs: "God Only Knows" by The Beach Boys
"God Only Knows" appears on the The Beach Boys's 1966 "Pet Sounds" album.
Sad Songs: "Crown of Love" by Arcade Fire
"Crown of Love" by Arcade Fire appears on the rock band's 2004 "Funeral" album.
Sad Songs: "Say Something" by A Great Big World feat. Christina Aguilera
"Say Something" appears on A Great Big World's 2014 album, "Is There Anybody Out There?"
Sad Songs: "I Will Follow You Into the Dark" by Death Cab For Cutie
"I Will Follow You Into the Dark" by Death Cab For Cutie appears on the band's 2005 "Plans" album.
Sad Songs: "Wish You Were Here" by Pink Floyd
"Wish You Were Here" is the title track off Pink Floyd's 1975 album.
Sad Songs: "Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac
"Landslide" appears on Fleetwood Mac's self-titled 1975 album.
Sad Songs: "Guess I'm Doing Fine" by Beck
"Guess I'm Doing Fine" appears on Beck's 2002 "Sea Change" album.
Sad Songs: "Goodbye My Lover" by James Blunt
"Goodbye My Lover" appears on James Blunt's 2004 album, "Back to Bedlam."
Sad Songs: "Whiskey Lullaby" by Brad Paisley feat. Alison Krauss
"Whiskey Lullaby" by Brad Paisley appears on his 2003 "Mud on the Tires" album.
Sad Songs: "Something in the Way" by Nirvana
Nirvana's "Something in the Way" appears on the band's 1991 album, "Nevermind."
Sad Songs: "River" by Joni Mitchell
Joni Mitchell's "River" appears on her 1971 "Blue" album.
Sad Songs: "Creep" by Radiohead
"Creep" appears on Radiohead's 1992 album of the same name.
Sad Songs: "The Blower's Daughter" by Damien Rice
"The Blower's Daughter" appears on Damien Rice's 2002 "O" album.
Sad Songs: "The Needle and the Damage Done" by Neil Young
"The Needle and the Damage Done" appears on Neil Young's 1972 "Harvest" album.
Sad Songs: "I Can't Make You Love Me/Nick of Time" by Bon Iver
"I Can't Make You Love Me/Nick of Time" appears on Bon Iver's 2011 album, "Bon Iver, Bon Iver."
Sad Songs: "Poison & Wine" by The Civil Wars
"Poison & Wine" by The Civil Wars appears on the duo's 2009 "Live at Eddie's Attic" album.
Sad Songs: "If You Say So" by Lea Michele
"If You Say So" by Lea Michele [16] appears on her 2014 "Louder" album.
Sad Songs: "Temporary Home" by Carrie Underwood
"Temporary Home" appears on Carrie Underwood [17]'s 2009 "Play On" album.
Sad Songs: "Liability" by Lorde
"Liability" appears on Lorde [18]'s 2017 "Melodrama" album.
Sad Songs: "Dreaming With a Broken Heart" by John Mayer
John Mayer [19]'s "Dreaming With a Broken Heart" appears on his 2006 "Continuum" album.
Sad Songs: "Never on the Day You Leave" by John Mayer
"Never on the Day You Leave" by Mayer appears on his 2017 album, "The Search For Everything."
