No matter if it’s for a break-up or just plain sobbing, nothing beats an emotional song and its accompanying tearjerker music video as an effective form of release.
Watching MCR’s Gerard Way bemoan his brother’s death is one of the most heartbreaking scenes ever captured on video, telling several interlinked tales of youth suicide and depression. This video provides powerful yet poignant testimony.
Green Day’s “Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)”
Green Day’s Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life) marked an unexpected but major turning point in their career, representing an unconventional change from their signature punk sound and becoming a smash hit at radio. It suggested both that they were maturing as musicians as well as that audiences were open to new directions they were exploring.
Lyrically, this song was inspired by Billie Joe Armstrong’s former flame who relocated to Ecuador, while onstage Billie Joe Armstrong downed an entire case of beer before showing it in front of an enthusiastic New Jersey audience.
As a result, it quickly achieved multi-platinum status and soundtracked episodes of ER, the PGA Tour, sitcoms and even 1998 New Year’s Eve broadcasts. Graduation ceremonies, proms and weddings often use it. An anthem for heartbreak and missed opportunities alike, yet also remembering those who were with us through it all is also featured within its lyrics.
The Rolling Stones’ “Lazarus”
Just days before his death in January 2016 from pancreatic cancer, David Bowie released this single from his final album Blackstar as an emotional farewell to fans and his musical career. This song can be taken as an ode to them both.
This song’s lyrics depict a man who has lost everything and is looking for new opportunities, with haunting and introspective music serving as an effective tribute to Bowie’s legacy.
Lazarus is an imaginative musical that explores the afterlife. This imaginative production marries stunning visuals with talented performances in an imaginative staging that won positive reviews in London. Michael C. Hall and Sophia Anne Caruso earned high marks for their jukebox musical genre work while Lazarus earned praise for its lighting and set design; making this must-see show for Bowie fans.
David Bowie’s “Lazarus”
The title of this song makes a nod to Jesus restoring Lazarus four days after his death; its video depicts Bowie as a character struggling against mortality.
The song’s imagery echoes themes found throughout Scripture and suggests how musical legacy can transcend death. Additionally, this piece seems to make a comment on celebrity lifestyles that often seem empty of substance.
Lazarus was an Off-Broadway musical featuring Michael C. Hall under the direction of Ben Renck that premiered at a theater in NYC and produced its cast album featuring songs from its catalogue arranged by Henry Hey, including versions of Space Oddity as well as other popular tunes; its sale can be found on Amazon and is dedicated to Bowie who passed away just two days before his birthday and one week after Blackstar – his last studio album release – was made available to public audiences.
Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well”
Taylor Swift is an American country pop singer-songwriter best known for her pop music that explores themes such as love, loss, friendship and more. Her songs often explore complex subjects like romance, grieving and betrayal.
Swift has earned numerous accolades and awards, such as CMA Entertainer of the Year award and Grammy awards. Fearless has received critical acclaim; The New York Times described it as “an expert blend of pop and country, held together by Swift’s firm yet pleading voice.”
In 2020 she released folklore, an album recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic in isolation with her “besties”, Aaron Dessner of The National and Jonathan Low. It quickly rose to #1 on both Billboard’s Digital Song Sales and Country Streaming Songs charts.
Maroon 5’s “Girls Like You”
Maroon 5’s song and music video “Girls Like You” promote women empowerment by featuring an assortment of girls from diverse backgrounds, ages, races and cultures celebrating each woman for her unique qualities.
Adam Levine and producers Cirkut and Jason Evigan wrote the track together as part of Red Pill Blues, their sixth studio album. It marks its release with this single.
The video for Levine’s song features various female athletes, scientists, politicians and entertainers – from athletes and scientists to politicians and entertainers – dancing and lip-syncing along to its song. Starting off by Levine singing alone at the microphone before her female celebrity friends appear one by one to dance and lip-sync to its lyrics, making an empowering tribute to all women who make a difference in our world today and receiving praise for its feminist message and positive portrayal.
The Beatles’ “With a Little Help From My Friends”
Not often recognized, “This Beatles Song” stands as one of their finest works. First released as a single in 1968 and reaching #1 on UK charts; later covered by Joe Cocker, Wet Wet Wet and Sam and Mark among others, its popularity continues today.
On 29 March 1967, just prior to posing for their Sgt Pepper album cover photo op, The Beatles recorded this song over 10 takes and completed recording at 5:45am.
It begins as a fade-in from the title track, designed to look as though Sgt Pepper were actually performing together on stage. Ringo Starr sang lead vocals under his stage name “Billy Shears,” with music written by both John Lennon and Paul McCartney who collaborated for this song on an entire album – their only true collaboration ever!
Fleetwood Mac’s “Another Day In Paradise”
Three Days Grace’s song, “Painkiller,” shares an opening riff similar to that from Fleetwood Mac’s “Go Your Own Way.” While this could simply be coincidence, it is nonetheless fascinating.
Oscillator X’s chorus “Crimson and Clover” resembles that of ABBA’s “Trouble Is a Friend.” Additionally, Impaled Northern Moonforest’s “Return of the Necrowizard” features the same opening riff from Mayhem’s “Freezing Moon.”
Gestort aber GeiL has transformed Fleetwood Mac’s Another Day in Paradise into a thrilling EDM track with their Remix of Another Day in Paradise into EDM! Boasting celestial melodies and pulse-pounding bass lines, this song will delight fans of dance music alike! Available for purchase through Polydor Records, listeners won’t want to miss listening once! Production quality is top notch while its unique synths add even more charm – once heard it will hook them!
Joni Mitchell’s “Lake of Fire”
Courtney Love recognizes Kurt Cobain and Lana Del Rey as two musical geniuses, but Joni Mitchell might even surpass them both. At 79-years-old singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell has become an expert at infusing folk songs with atmospheric arrangements that heighten her words and melodies.
This early 60s classic explores one man’s desire for his lover to become “fire meet gasoline.” Though one of the more subdued examples on our list, this song packs powerful emotional impact.
Seger never revealed exactly what his song meant, but many have taken it as being about male homosexual relationships. If that is indeed the case, it makes this song particularly important; there has long been social stigma against LGBT communities; however, this song demonstrates how such barriers can be overcome with love. Furthermore, its lyrics are both poetic and profound.
Elton John’s “Another Day In Paradise”
Phil Collins’ 1989 song “Another Day In Paradise” is an emotionally powerful and profound track that explores the disparity between wealthy lives and poor lives. The lyrics tell the tale of a woman who goes hungry on her journey searching for food and shelter; yet those around her don’t notice her struggle for survival on the streets. Listeners may wish to reflect upon their own wealth and privilege as well as consider the impact of turning away from those in need.
This music video for this song by Phil Collins depicts scenes of a homeless woman being ignored by various individuals as she attempts to get food from cafes and alleyways. This powerful black-and-white clip serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of charity and kindness; one of Phil Collins’ rare hits with a socially responsible message.