What’s the saddest song of all time? (2024)

FAQs

What’s the saddest song of all time? ›

Of course, R.E.M.'s anthemic 'Everybody Hurts' takes the second spot, but the saddest song of all time, according to science, is Nirvana's 'Something In The Way'. Recorded on a four-string charity shop guitar, the track, recorded for Nevermind, remains a gut-wrenching tune.

Of course, R.E.M.'s anthemic 'Everybody Hurts' takes the second spot, but the saddest song of all time, according to science, is Nirvana's 'Something In The Way'. Recorded on a four-string charity shop guitar, the track, recorded for Nevermind, remains a gut-wrenching tune.

"Friday" has been widely described as the worst song ever recorded, attracting derision for its lyrical content and heavy use of Auto-Tune. The song became an Internet meme and the subject of multiple parodies and ridicule. Missing Andy singer Alex Greaves named this the worst track ever.

Every person is different, and if you notice that sad songs are making you feel worse, it may be advisable to stop listening to them and seek the support of a mental health professional. However, research suggests that in general, listening to sad music may actually be beneficial for those with symptoms of depression.

Can songs trigger crying? ›

But first you should know that brain and music research has proven a strong link exists between songs and feelings. And if you're a music lover, you know that certain songs can sound “sad” and may put a lump in your throat or tears in your eyes. This is no accident.

These create a safe space for us to be vulnerable and express difficult feelings without the fear of being judged or feeling too exposed. Basically, a good sad song makes you feel like you're not alone, whether you're going through a rough phase in life or just thinking back to it.

Determining whether or not it is healthy to listen to music that brings us to tears can depend on the basis of our emotion. Some people cry to music because they feel sad; others because they feel “awe.” People who experience awe were more likely to be with others when music made them feel like crying.

Feeling like crying—an experience ranging from feeling like one might cry, such as getting a lump in the throat or having tears welling up, to actually crying—is a common response to the arts in general (Nusbaum & Silvia, 2014; Pelowski, 2015; Trimble, 2012) and to music in particular.

When the researchers sorted the data, they found that people who ranked high on the neuroticism scale experienced sadness when they had been moved to tears by music, and people who scored high in the openness to experience scale felt like crying because the music provoked a profound sense of awe.