This may just be me, but I have a whole playlist created for when sad hours occur. We all have those days where you just don’t feel right, where we feel a good cry is necessary. These songs are my top ten songs to listen to when I am struggling and need a reminder that I am not alone.
- “Power”- Isak Danielson
-
I came across this song while randomly skipping through a YouTube playlist one night and the title couldn’t be more accurate, especially with how powerfully moving the lyrics are. Danielson’s voice is one that brings goosebumps to my skin automatically. In this song, he expresses the surrender to emotional abuse and how one comes hand in hand with turbulent love. He explains the power his love has over him until he has the realization this his lover’s power no longer has an effect on him.
“You’re the one that seduced me, lured me in with your beauty, now I know that you used me, I’m ready now.”
- “Afterlife”- Hailee Steinfeld
-
This song will make your eyes water without any realization. Hailee’s voice is incredible, especially when overlayed to a strong beat. In this song, Steinfeld expresses her questions on whether her seemingly unappreciative lover will fully commit to her until death does them part. She also poses the question whether or not her love will be taken for granted after she’s gone. The meaning of the song is slightly morbid, but the underlying meaning of commitment is very important.
“Will you promise me you’ll search for us, will you find me afterlife?”
- “Head High”- Alexander Jean
-
This is one of the songs that I listened to religiously after my cancer diagnosis 2 years ago. This is one of those somber songs with a meaning that picks you back up again. The pair expresses that there is more to life than ups and downs, as well as happiness and sadness. They refer to the idea that if you keep your head high, you’ll soar higher than you ever expected.
“When you’re down and feeling low, just hold your head high.”
- “Home”- Daughter
-
At first, you may think this song is about a one-night stand, but as the lyrics go on; you’ll notice this song is a story about a girl reinitiating intimacy with someone from her past. At first, she depicts resentment and self-consciousness towards this person, stating she should be focusing more on herself than her hatred for this ex-lover. She then goes on to express how past flames should not be reignited and the overwhelming emotion she feels when this person is close to her and how she fears they will notice the power they hold over her. The reference to home she makes is meant to express the want for this person to make her feel at home and comforted as they once did. This song is very bittersweet, sensual, and intimate while also reminiscent and sad.
“Burned out flames should never reignite, but I thought you might take me home.”
- “Fractures- ILLENIUM & Nevve
-
While having a catchy beat and an EDM vibe, the lyrics have a much deeper meaning. In my interpretation, this song expresses needing a fresh start. Whatever changes you may have to make, you have to tackle them head-on but in “tiny fractures.” These tiny fractures are small improvements you may make in your life to obtain the achievements you desire, essentially breaking out of the shell you’re trapped in.
“Burning everything I know, desperate for a change, what comes after, tiny fractures.”
- “Life Goes On”- BTS
-
This is one of those songs I instantly think of when I need a pick-me-up. BTS is a K-pop group that advocates for self-love, respect, and living life to the fullest. This song represents having strength during difficult times. It’s a fitting anthem for what’s going on in the world today! No matter what the world brings or whatever you are going through, life goes on and you have the strength to fight.
“Life goes on, like an arrow in the blue sky, 또 하루 더 날아가지.”
- “Carried Away”- H.E.R.
-
H.E.R. is an incredible artist with powerful messages. In this song, she is reflecting her caution when falling in love due to unreciprocated love in her past. She doesn’t want to lead her love interest on while trying to figure out if she can put her trust in another person. She is expressing her wariness of being “carried away,” and her confusion of what love truly is. This song has a meaning that many of us have dealt with in our lives, which makes it that much more emotional.
“Don’t let it be for nothing before we get carried away.”
- “Who”- Lauv & BTS
-
This song is one that you listen to when you’re reminiscing on people you’ve let go of in the past. This song is a story of a man missing the girl he fell in love with, who has changed through time negatively. The narrator of this story is expressing how he no longer recognizes his love and continues to ask who they’ve turned into. What the lyrics boil down to is: the relationship is no longer in tune and the couple has grown apart. The lyrics mixed with the somber melody is definitely one for the books.
“Who are you? Cause something has changed, you’re not the same, I hate it.”
- “You’re Somebody Else”- Flora Cash
-
This song’s lyrics have such a deep meaning, it’s incredible. This song expresses how when you’re dealing with emotional or psychological issues, you feel like an alien to yourself. This song was written as sort of a self-therapy, meaning when we struggle; there are so many ways we can feel alienated and it is important to notice.
“You look like yourself, but you’re somebody else.”
- “Skin”- Sabrina Carpenter
-
Sabrina Carpenter released this song earlier this year and I have been obsessed with it ever since. Carpenter expresses a lot of emotion throughout this song and it shows. This song expresses an ugly love triangle. She explains how she could’ve been friends with her lover’s ex if there wasn’t an ugly battle between them. She goes on to explain that this person’s comments and arguments cannot get “under her skin” because she refuses to let it bother her when she is happy with how her life is going. It definitely has a good message but also has a bittersweet sadness to it.
“I wish you knew that even you, can’t get under skin if I don’t let you in.”