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Sob Stories: 20 Sad Songs Guaranteed to Bring You to Tears

Music has the ability to evoke different emotions in people. Whether it’s the lyrics or the production, listeners usually have that one song that gets them in their feels.

While some songs can make people feel happy, calm, and/or celebratory, other songs can make the listener feel sad. Here is a list of some of the saddest songs that can bring any listener to tears.

1 of 20

“Come Back to Earth” by Mac Miller

“Come Back to Earth” by Mac Miller

Rick Kern/WireImage

Mac Miller’s 2018 track “Come Back to Earth” is always a bit difficult to listen to, considering how tragically the rapper’s life ended with an accidental overdose. On the track, Miller reflects on how he sometimes deals with stress and depression in hopes of returning to his true self. As he says in the first verse, “I wish it was nice outside, but it looks like it’s raining / Gray skies are blowing, they don’t live forever / They told me it only gets better.”

2 out of 20

“Imagine Me” by Kirk Franklin

“Imagine Me” by Kirk Franklin

Scott Dudelson/Getty Images

Kirk Franklin’s 2005 track “Imagine Me” is a song about self-love, healing and trusting in a higher power. The piano-driven piece is about people letting go of any hurts and insecurities and completely accepting themselves as they are. As the gospel choir sings, “Imagine me being strong / And not letting people break me / You won’t have that joy this time (No, no) / Can you imagine me / In a world.” (in a world) where…”No one has to live in fear.”

3 out of 20

“One Sweet Day” by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men

“One Sweet Day” by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men

Jim Steinfeldt/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men’s “One Sweet Day” is one of the most successful songs in Billboard chart history. It’s one of those timeless classics that people love to play when they’re grieving the loss of a loved one. On the track, the singers reflect on dealing with the death of a loved one, but also realize that they took life for granted and now wished they had more time with them.

4 out of 20

“Someone Like You” by Adele

“Someone Like You” by Adele

Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for Adele

In Adele’s previous discography, fans knew that the singer would make a song that could make any listener feel her way. Adele’s hit song “Someone Like You” is no different. On the track, Adele reflects on a past relationship; Her ex-lover has moved on, but she wonders if there’s a chance to rekindle what they once had.

5 out of 20

“Stole” by Kelly Rowland

“Stole” by Kelly Rowland

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In 2002, Kelly Rowland released her heartbreaking song “Stole.” On the track and in the video she reflects on various scenarios in which young people’s lives are stolen. Rowland touches on topics like bullying, depression, gun violence and suicide, and the video is even sadder because it matches the lyrics.

6 out of 20

“Hurt” by Christina Aguilera

“Hurt” by Christina Aguilera

Shlomi Pinto/Getty Images

In 2006, Christina Aguilera released her album Back to basics, with the hit ballad “Hurt.” Written by Aguilera along with Mark Ronson and Linda Perry, Aguilera reflects on the loss of a loved one and feels torn over the fact that the last time they saw each other they left on bad terms. As she sings on the hook, “Oh, I’m sorry I blamed you / For everything I just couldn’t do / And I hurt myself by hurting you.”

7 out of 20

“Livin’ in a World (They Didn’t Made)” by Janet Jackson

“Livin' in a World (They Didn't Made)” by Janet Jackson

Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images for MTV

Although it was not released as a single from Janet Jackson’s album Rhythm Nation 1814, “Livin’ in a World (They Didn’t Make)” is one of the singer’s saddest songs in her discography. She uses the title to highlight how children are born innocent, but they encounter a cruel world that is supposed to be handled and protected by adults, but unfortunately that is not always the case. Towards the end of the song, Jackson uses audio from a news segment discussing a school shooting.

8 out of 20

“Yesterday” by the Beatles

“Yesterday” by the Beatles

Mark and Colleen Hayward/Redferns

In 1965, the rock band The Beatles released their hit “Yesterday.” On the track, the band sings about coming to terms with a broken relationship and how they wish they could return to better times. As they sing on the bridge, “Why she had to go / I don’t know, she wouldn’t say / I said something wrong / Now I long for yesterday.”

9 out of 20

“Dance with My Father” by Luther Vandross

“Dance with My Father” by Luther Vandross

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On Luther Vandross’ 2003 single “Dance With My Father,” the soulful singer reflects on his childhood and wishes he could have spent more time with his father. He sings it from the perspective of someone whose father has passed away and who wishes he could have just one more moment with him. As he sings on the hook, “If I could get another chance / One more walk, one more dance with him / I’d play a song that would never end.”

10 out of 20

“7 Years” by Lukas Graham

“7 Years” by Lukas Graham

Frank Hoensch/Redferns

In 2015, the pop band Lukas Graham released their hit single “7 Years”. On the track, the band reflects on the nuances of a person’s youth and takes advice from people about what they should do as they grow older.

11 out of 20

“We Fall Down” by Donnie McClurkin

“We Fall Down” by Donnie McClurkin

David Surowiecki/Getty Images for eOne

Donnie McClurkin’s 2000 track “We Fall Down” is the kind of song that repeats the same lines, but there’s a buildup that takes the listener to another realm. In the song, McClurkin thinks about how people make mistakes all the time, but what’s important is how they get back up and do things differently.

12 out of 20

“Fix You” by Coldplay

“Fix You” by Coldplay

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In 2005, the rock band Coldplay released their third album X&Y with the dark single “Fix You”. Frontman Chris Martin wrote the organ-accompanied track to help his then-wife Gwyneth Paltrow grieve the loss of her father. Martin knows he will do his best to help and support his partner in her time of need.

13 out of 20

“A Song for Mama” by Boyz II Men

“A Song for Mama” by Boyz II Men

Mike Coppola/Getty Images for CMT

There’s no doubt that Babyface is one of the greatest songwriters of all time – he knows exactly how to evoke different emotions in the listener. This is evident on “A Song for Mama,” a track he wrote and produced for Boyz II Men. Along the way, the group reflects on the love and support they give their mothers and how much they appreciate them.

14 out of 20

“Everybody Hurts” by REM

“Everybody Hurts” by REM

Vinnie Zuffante/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

On the 1993 REM track “Everybody Hurts,” the band highlights how much people go through life, but it’s important to remain steadfast because there’s always a better tomorrow. In the first verse they sing, “When your day is long / And the night, the night is yours alone / When you’re sure you’ve had enough of this life / Now wait.”

15 out of 20

“Heaven” by Beyoncé

“Heaven” by Beyoncé

Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Parkwood

Everyone has to deal with the loss of a loved one – it’s part of life. Beyoncé reflects on the loss of a loved one in her 2013 song “Heaven.” Many people believe that the song was written after Beyonce suffered a miscarriage, which she talked about in her 2013 documentary Life is just a dream. While it is hard for people to deal with loss, sometimes Heaven needs people more.

16 out of 20

“Lonely” by Justin Bieber and Benny Blanco

“Lonely” by Justin Bieber and Benny Blanco

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Justin Bieber shows a more vulnerable and honest side on the Benny Blanco-assisted single “Lonely.” On the track he reflects on his life in the spotlight and how it seems like celebrities have it all, but in reality it can sometimes be a sad and lonely world. As he sings on the hook, “What if you had everything but no one to call?” / Maybe then you’d recognize me ’cause I had everything / But no one listens and that’s just damn lonely.”

17 out of 20

“Hurt” by Johnny Cash

“Hurt” by Johnny Cash

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

In 1995, the rock band Nine Inch Nails released the song “Hurt.” However, it was in 2002 that Johnny Cash released his successful, critically acclaimed cover. The track tells the protagonist’s perspective as he deals with self-harm.

18 out of 20

“All In Love Is Fair” by Stevie Wonder

“All In Love Is Fair” by Stevie Wonder

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images For All Money In Records and Atlantic Records

Stevie Wonder produced and wrote one of the best love ballads in 1973, “All In Love Is Fair.” He highlights the different nuances of love, how people vow to be together but sometimes time and fate change things.

19 out of 20

“Angel” by Sarah McLachlan

“Angel” by Sarah McLachlan

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People probably know this 1998 tearjerker best because they’ve heard it on ASPCA commercials. However, the song was actually inspired by Sarah McLachlan, who read about how musicians sometimes hurt themselves when they feel like they can’t cope with the world. “Angel” is about a person who finds some kind of comfort and peace in the midst of chaos.

20 out of 20

“It Gets Better (With Time)” by The Internet

“It gets better (with time)" from The Internet

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

The 2018 Internet track “It Gets Better (With Time)” is the kind of track a listener should play when they need a little pick-me-up. In the song, the narrator can see that her loved one is feeling bad, and she emphasizes with a little love that there is always a better tomorrow.

Mya Singleton is a freelance music journalist and social strategist based in the Bay Area with experience in R&B and hip-hop. Her reporting has appeared in several publications including Yardbarker, The Sports Fan Journal, AXS and Hollywood Unlocked. Over the course of her decade-plus career, she has covered concerts across the West Coast and interviewed some of the entertainment industry’s leading figures, including Anderson .Paak, Nonstop Da Hitman, Laurieann Gibson and Floyd Mayweather. She talks about all things music and sports on Twitter at @MyaMelody7.

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