Wanna Cry? This List Of Sad Songs Will Definitely Get You There
I'm not saying anyone wants to intentionally be sad, but have you ever just wanted to be in a funk? Run a bath and pull the covers over your head to songs that once got you through a breakup or the loss of a loved one? Even if you can't relate, it's those songs that make you think, "They just don't make them like this anymore." The ones that bring nostalgia and emotions that put you back into the first time you heard it.
It's no secret music has the power to pull on heartstrings, so if you want to feel sad, here are songs that make your soundtrack complete. Just grab a Kleenex first.
1.“One Sweet Day” - Mariah Carey ft. Boyz II Men
This is one of those songs that you belt out without realizing how sad it really is. The melody might be beautiful and nostalgic, but the lyrics are as sad as it gets.
2."Purple Rain" - Prince
Whew. From the guitar solo to the "oos" at the end, get ready to get all the way in your feelings.
3."Rainy Dayz" - Mary J. Blige ft. Ja Rule
It will have you looking out the window, shaking your head, and singing every word.
4."Backstabbers" - The O'Jays
It might not be a song about a breakup, but jealous "friends" you have to side-eye aren't necessarily fun either.
5."Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart" - Alicia Keys
Just the thought of sleeping with a broken heart is enough to make you sad. Alicia just takes it up a notch.
6."All Falls Down" - Kanye West ft. Syleena Johnson
The old Kanye had a way of getting us into our emotions, and this song, along with the video, was no exception.
7."I Have Nothing" - Whitney Houston
I mean, there are few songs that make us bare our souls like this one. It can leave you drained before you even realize what happened.
8."I Miss You" - Aaliyah
Who else felt that "Off to college, yes you went away" line every time?
9."Ain't No Way" - Aretha Franklin
Ready to love someone who refuses to let you (or love you back)? The legendary Aretha Franklin makes it OK to mourn that moment in this ballad.
10."Marvin's Room" - Drake
Drake is just as emotional as most of us, and he had no shame in showing his regrets with an ex.
11."Dance With My Father" - Luther Vandross
You didn't have to be grown to feel the gravity of Luther's emotions.
12."Hello" - Adele
If anyone can make you feel sad about your true love not answering your calls, it's Adele.
13."End Of The Road" - Boyz II Men
When the end of a relationship is too much to bear, Boyz II Men is there to help us cope.
14."Lost Ones" - J. Cole
Even if you don't know all of the words, the story itself is enough to be sad by the time the outro fades.
15."Un-Break My Heart" - Toni Braxton
Toni, Toni, Toni. This song is at the top of the breakup soundtrack.
16."See You Again" - Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth
There are fewer things worse than losing a close friend and not being able to share life's moments with them.
17."Broken-Hearted Girl" - Beyonce
When begging someone to stay just doesn't work.
18."When I Was Your Man" - Bruno Mars
You can literally feel the pain of a good thing gone bad.
19."Dreaming Of You" - Selena
When the love of your life may or may not feel the same way, the best thing you can do is dream about them.
20."Save The Best For Last" - Vanessa Williams
The song has its positive moments, but for some reason, it can put you in a mood.
21."Yo Side Of The Bed" - Trey Songz
If the song isn't enough to make you cry, the video will do it.
22."Ex-Factor" - Lauryn Hill
Every lyric is a monumental one to get you emotional.
23."Stay" - Rihanna ft. Mikky Ekko
You might as well cry yourself to sleep on this one.
24."Unpretty" - TLC
You might be sad, but you'll still be unapologetically you.
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Featured image by Shutterstock
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Charmaine Patterson is a journalist, lifestyle blogger, and a lover of all things pop culture. While she has much experience in covering top entertainment news stories, she aims to share her everyday life experiences, old and new, with other women who can relate, laugh, and love along with her. Follow Char on Twitter @charjpatterson, Instagram @charpatterson, and keep up with her journey at CharJPatterson.com .
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Rihanna Talks Shedding Expectations And Finding Balance As A Mother
Since becoming a mother in 2022, Rihanna has defined parenthood by her terms and hopes to pass that sense of autonomy on to her children.
For Vogue China’s April cover story, Rihanna shared her perspective on raising her two sons with A$AP Rocky, and how she hopes to preserve her children’s uniqueness, devoid of societal expectations.
"The most beautiful thing...is that [children] come into the world with their own individuality and sincerity, without any logic or conformity,” she told the publication. “Which usually makes you feel that you must fit into a certain group."
The “Work” artist, known for her trendsetting style and captivating persona, expressed her desire to support children in fully embracing their individuality and encouraging them to be whoever they want to be. "It's really beautiful to see and I want to continue to help them navigate that and make sure that they know they can be whoever they want to be,” she says.
She continues, “They should embrace it completely, because it's beautiful, and it's unique. I love them just that way."
From shattering music charts to shaking up the beauty industry, Rihanna has forged a path that has since created the “dream” life we see today. One that she says has made her parents proud of.
“I’m living my dream,” she continued. “My parents were very proud of that because they just wanted me to be happy and successful. So, I think the key thing is to find some kind of balance. Yes, balance is important. Do this and you get the best of both worlds. You can write your own life the way you want, and it will be beautiful. Sometimes, you just need to let go of everyone’s expectations and start living your own story.”
Rihanna, who shares sons, RZA, 23 months, and Riot, 8 months, with rapper A$AP Rocky, recently shared her vision for expanding her family in the future in Interview Magazine.
When stylist Mel Ottenberg asked about the number of additional children she hoped to have, Rihanna replied, "As many as God wants me to have.”
"I don't know what God wants, but I would go for more than two. I would try for my girl,” she adds. “But of course, if it's another boy, it's another boy."
Featured image by Neil MockfordWireImage
