Sad Songs and Heartbreak: Why You Should Listen
Music is one of the most powerful forms of art. We have created entire museums, apps, and even cities, based on music and its creation and consumption. Why do people love it so much? Some find it healing, some find it motivating, and others use it to fill a space in their lives. Whether you’re in the middle of a crowded bar or driving alone in the car, music is always there for you.
Music has a unique way of touching special parts of our hearts and minds. A song can transport you to a time or a place in your life and trigger memories and feelings unlike anything else. This profound impact is why music is so important to nearly everyone.
Heartbreak And Music
Listening to sad songs during a breakup invites us to feel our grief and pain. These feelings often need to be acknowledged to get closure and move forward. Many sad songs are beautifully produced and can help show the nuances of heartbreak. While painful, it is also a time of evolution and growth.
For example, “Scott Street” by Phoebe Bridgers is a popular song about running into someone you once loved and shared a life with. The lyrics tell the story of their encounter, asking about family members and things they used to enjoy. This song represents the growth that happens when two people part. The slow guitar melody and sounds of a train leaving the station at the end perfectly encapsulate the melancholic feeling of heartbreak.
The recipe for healing from heartbreak calls for spending time with people who love and care about us. In the same way, music can aid in this call for company. Studies show that listening to sad music creates feelings of empathy, compassion, and a desire for positive connections. Shifting your energy from the sadness to the strengths that you have can help you focus on the future.
Songs like, “My Tears Ricochet” by Taylor Swift, reflect this shift. She begins the song by talking about the deep love and devotion she felt for this person despite the turmoil they faced together. Later in the song, the tempo picks up, representing running away from the relationship and the thrill of freedom that came from that. She sings, “I can go anywhere I want / Anywhere I want / Just not home.” These lyrics show that while she can’t return to the partner that became her home, she has abundant possibilities for the future.
Music speaks in ways that are deeper than words. The emotions it makes us feel and the places it transports us are indescribable. Sad songs have the power to heal people and create a sense of connection and comfort. Whether you are going through a breakup, another form of heartbreak, or just enjoy the solace of sad music, there is beauty in it and the power of music is undeniable.