A Playlist For When You’re Sad And Lonely

Maybe you hate your job, or your coworkers, or classes have just been really rough. Maybe you just feel a little ‘off’ today and you can’t really explain why. I offer you this playlist in hopes of easing (or heightening) your pain.

By Brianne McDonald

Updated 11 years ago, March 3, 2014

Sometimes life just really sucks.

It just. Really. Freaking. Blows.

Maybe your girlfriend/boyfriend/wife/husband/dog/lover/whatever just broke things off with you. Maybe you hate your job, or your coworkers, or classes have just been really rough. Maybe you just feel a little ‘off’ today and you can’t really explain why. I offer you this playlist in hopes of easing (or heightening) your pain.

1. Happiness – The Fray

Happiness is a fickle son-of-a-bitch. He’s that friend you always really want at your house parties but he usually only shows up for like, half an hour, tops, before taking all the ‘fun’ and ‘cool’ with him as he rushes off to be somewhere much more exciting. The Fray thinks you probably shouldn’t chase him down the street, though, because otherwise he’ll be too creeped out to come back.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cym52I0pD9M&w=584&h=390%5D

2. Gale Song – The Lumineers

Sometimes the girl you love is chosen by your corrupt dystopian society to participate in a fatal death match on national television and there’s nothing you can do about it. To make matters worse, maybe she falls in love with a man named after slightly leavened wheat bread. If so, this song is for you.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hw2llfhKtq4&w=584&h=390]

3. Skinny Love – Bon Iver

Go ahead, drown in that self-pity and a sudden, all-consuming certainty that we are all, actually, alone in the universe. This stumbling tune, that also sports difficult to understand lyrics while remaining oddly catchy, should help ease the pain a little. Or make it worse, whichever.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssdgFoHLwnk&w=584&h=390]

4. Restless Dream – Jack’s Mannequin

I love this song waaaay too much to mock it. The feels; they get me every time. I mean with lyrics like, “It’s funny how the words we never say can turn into the only thoughts we know,” how can my romantic heart resist? This song is so true my teeth hurt. Whatever that means.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhtgLa3Ql4U&w=584&h=390]

5. You – Switchfoot

Ah, what would this list be without a shout out to my angst ridden teenage years? This song never fails to ignite a burning wave of inexplicable guilt and regret, not to mention memories of braces and confusing hormonal urges. /shudder

(As an added bonus, this video features a montage from the movie A Walk To Remember. You’re welcome.)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDadO8xKBEQ&w=584&h=390]

6. The Longer I Run – Peter Bradley Adams

I can’t decide if I think this song is uplifting or not. Maybe wistful or hopeful would be more fitting. Maybe I just think it’s pretty. Meh, whatever.

7. I Want To Know Your Plans – Say Anything

Say Anything is kind of an… acquired taste. Personally, I think he’s a lyrical genius, but I’m weird, so that could be part of it. Anyway, it’s a little different, but give it a chance, I think the message is really sweet.