If you need an emotional outlet, take some comfort in these heartbreaking songs that may bring on tears.
Nirvana excelled at crafting emotionally charged songs like this one about a father who didn’t make time for his son.
This deeply sad ballad demonstrates the power of lyrics over instrumentation. A simple piano and harmonica accompaniment allows Dylan’s emotive words to take center stage.
1. What Kind of Fool Am I? by Anthony Newley
If you’re still grieving a breakup or mourning the death of someone special, this song can provide comfort. With its soothing acoustic guitar, velvety strings and heartbreakingly beautiful lyrics combining to form an exquisite piece. In it, an ex-partner looks back on their life together only to realize it wasn’t what he expected it would be – creating an emotionally devastating track that breaks your heart.
No matter if you’re still hoping for that old flame or just need something soothing to listen to, Adele’s iconic ballad “Hello,” one of her signature power ballads, perfectly captures the heartache associated with failed relationships. Don’t just listen to a sad song – make an exception and listen to this classic instead.
Gordon Lightfoot composed this poignant track to memorialise the sinking of Edmund Fitzgerald. He set its tragic tale to an Irish folk tune popular at that time, further intensifying its melancholic feel. Acoustic guitar and light piano add their haunting sounds; simple chord progressions add tension.
In this heartbreak-ridden breakup song, the narrator expresses his heartbreak over being involved with someone already married. The combination of piano keys and plaintive vocals in perfect harmony makes this an exquisite song to listen to.
Three Dog Night originally recorded this song, yet Harry Nilsson’s version has become far more iconic. His husky voice almost seems desperate during its delivery and its powerful message can make you cry with him; this is an example of how great covers can outshone their original.
2. Home Sweet Home by Adele
Home is a sanctuary where one can escape from daily stresses, relax and unwind from life’s hectic pace. Home is where sweet potato pie and cotton picking await. This song explores memories of home and its associated emotions; popular among those grieving the loss of loved ones or having children who have relocated away.
No matter your relationship status or quarantine-related long distance drama, MJB’s Grammy-winning ballad will strike a chord. Boasting an emotive piano part and powerful vocals, this song can bring comfort. Natalie Imbruglia, The Corrs and Psychic TV have even covered it!
Fleetwood Mac always provide us with one of the saddest songs around – this track from them being no exception. Boasting an unsettling bassline, mesmerizing keyboards, and an unforgettable vocal melody – it speaks about ending relationships.
Linda Ronstadt’s emotional vocals make this classic song truly iconic.
Wish You Were Here is one of the iconic group’s signature songs and is guaranteed to become an earworm in no time. Even the music video captures this sentiment perfectly as we see band members leave their families due to illness; nonetheless, Wish You Were Here remains one of their most profound releases and remains one of their signature hits today.
3. I Can’t Move On by Robbie Capaldi
This iconic ballad may well be the most well-known sad song ever, capturing one person’s struggle with grief. Although written following her ex-partner’s passing away, its lyrics transcend any personal tragedy to resonate with anyone who has experienced loss of any sort.
This wonderful 70s song incorporates some of its finest instrumentation to convey a moving and heartfelt message about loss in relationships, featuring soulful vocals from a band with great soulful vocals and piano ballad accompaniment that capture the final stages of an otherwise loving relationship. A true masterpiece and undoubtedly one of the best sad songs from that decade!
A spine-tingling breakup ballad, this song follows a woman as she asks her lover what they should bring from their romantic getaway without knowing whether he will return or when. Barry Manilow’s signature crooning captures both his longing for her as well as their uncertainty as to when they might see each other again.
Damon Albarn’s synthpop band Blur occupy a grey area between sleaze and sadness, with their most emotionally moving songs often falling towards sadness. One such tune is “Enjoy the Silence”, with its slow buildup leading up to an explosive breakdown at its end that leaves its mark like no other tune on this list.
Sinead O’Connor’s powerful vocals and layers of weeping synth strings made this track one of the most heartbreaking and unforgettable sad songs from that era; its timeless message resonated deeply in gay communities throughout the AIDS crisis and remains one of the best sad songs ever.
4. What Is Love? by The Pretenders
Fleetwood Mac is one of the greatest bands of all time, so it would be foolish not to include them when discussing sad songs from the 70s. Their vocals and lyrics are exquisite – one song by them in particular is truly heartbreaking: this track depicts a man grieving the loss of love after an engagement has ended and will make you cry with its beautiful melody.
This song is an absolute classic, featuring some of the most emotive lyrics ever recorded by any artist. It tells a heartbreaking tale about a woman’s struggle with letting go of her lover – you feel her anguish fully when listening.
This song’s heart-wrenchingly beautiful harmonies make it an essential listen for fans of soul music. It tells the tale of a girl enamored with an affectionate young man but who does not know how to express them to her directly.
It was an emotional time in America when this song was first released, making us question what truly mattered in life. The powerful lyrics and melodies are hauntingly moving; definitely one of the saddest songs of all time.
This song was composed and recorded by Harry Chapin, but made famous by Three Dog Night when they covered it as a hit single. Three Dog Night’s version is more raw, featuring Nilsson’s moving vocals that create an air of desperation that is truly heartbreaking. Listen closely for its poignant conclusion — once heard you won’t forget this gem.
5. Bruises
Bollywood fans will recognize the inspiring melodies that accompany its films as familiar staples of soulful entertainment. Popular with audiences in the 1960s and 70s, slow songs quickly became part of Hindi cinema lexicon; many still remain beloved melodies that capture emotions and moods onscreen, captivating fans for generations.
Fleetwood Mac’s most beloved song and tribute to former member Syd Barrett who passed away due to mental illness in the 70s is one such emotional track that blends rock with jazz for a memorable musical journey.
One of the world’s most iconic and heartbreaking songs. Boasting an catchy melody and breathtaking vocals, it will definitely bring tears to your eyes as well as bring dancing pleasure!
At the outset of their careers, Lennon and McCartney showed an intuitive understanding of love affairs; working through scenarios in depth before offering verdicts or advice accordingly. Unfortunately, as time passed their internal quality control failed and this hilarious and winsome track, unexpectedly added to Let It Be’s B side, is evidence.