Have you ever woken up and known that your day is going to be bad? Maybe you overslept and missed the bus to work, or maybe you studied the wrong topic and failed your test, or maybe there’s no reason for it, you just feel bad. No matter the case, here are five songs from five different genres you can listen to, so, with the help of a good cry, your bad day gets better.
Rap: Bleach by BROCKHAMPTON
Opening with the singer longing to cry, “Bleach” earnestly explores the singer’s emotional pain and his struggle to change. The song paints a picture many of us can relate to, with the singer holed up in his house and isolated from his friends as he grapples with the changes in his life. With lyrics such as “We taste the wind for when it’s cold enough to kill our flame” and “Where do you draw the line for when it’s better days?”, this song is perfect for joining the singer in processing your pain.
Alternative Rock: Understanding in a Car Crash by Thursday
A car crash is devastating in itself, but it’s infinitely worse when you lose someone you love. Along with the narration of the circumstances of the crash — the setting sun, the smashed windows, the implied drug use — deep grief brims under the surface. With this song’s story of heavy loss and raw vocals, you will be sure to tear up along with the singer.
Pop: Someone Like You by Adele
In this song, multiple Grammy-award-winning singer Adele illustrates heartbreak perfectly. With her smooth vocals and stirring lyrics, you join her in her journey of recovering as her old love moves on. Whether you have experienced the same heartbreak or just feel hangry, this song will be sure to stir your heart.
Indie: I Bet on Losing Dogs by Mitski
Dog fights are brutal, betting on and watching the losing dog be wrestled to the ground even more so. Using this apt metaphor, Mitski addresses her love, or “my baby,” as “someone to watch [her] die.” With multiple layers and sorrow awaiting you on each one, this song is the perfect mixture of yearning, self-destruction, and devastation to get those tear ducts flowing.
Classical: Adagio for Strings, Op. 11 by Samuel Barber
Used at the funeral of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Robert F. Kennedy, and Princess Grace of Monaco, this song is a beautiful ode to grief and loss. With a swelling string orchestra and a haunting melody, Adagio for Strings is a perfect wordless sound for your wordless pains. Come lay down your sorrows, daydream of better days, and listen to a song that author Alexander J. Morin says “rarely leaves a dry eye.”
