The best sad songs of 2019 for when you need a good cry

It’s fine, everyone needs to wallow sometimes

Esquire: We’ve all been there. Some days are meant for staying in a sad mood, and the best way to wallow in it is with a good playlist, right? For better or worse, 2019 has delivered songs worthy of a good melancholy, rainy day. Whether you’re bummed over a recent break up or just the fact that you’re an adult and have do function in a world that’s a hell of a lot more complicated than you remember as a kid, the list of songs below should give you a solid start toward your next sad song playlist. Sometimes being sad for a minute is the beginning of bouncing back

Judah & the Lion

Judah & the Lion – ‘Pictures’ (feat. Kacey Musgraves)

Who hasn’t had that painful experience of putting away the pictures of someone after a break up? Good news. Someone has quite literally made a song about it. The alternative band paired up with Kacey Musgraves for this heart crusher to detail the ins and outs of a painful breakup. Who knew that a banjo could sound so damn sad?

Billie Eilish – ‘When the Party’s Over’

Sure, Billie Eilish’s ‘When the Party’s Over’ got its initial drop in late 2018, but it started gaining steam in 2019 and it’s part of her LP ‘When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?’ which dropped this year, so it counts. ‘When the Party’s Over’ is about the fragile final stages of a relationship.

Khalid – ‘Bluffin’’

‘Bluffin’’ is one of those tracks that dares to ask the uncomfortable questions no one wants to ask. Stuck in the in between of breaking up and staying together, the Free Spirit track gets that uneasy, awkward feeling that you get when you’re not sure if it’s time to call a relationship or try to keep the fire of it burning.

Vampire Weekend – ‘Hold You Now’

Nothing like a good affair to ruin a wedding day, right? But instead of the affair being exposed, ‘Hold You Now’ is just about the affair coming to an end after one last night together. There’s also something inherently sad about the choir-like performance that serves as an interlude between the two narrators. So if you’re out there getting busy with someone else’s fiancee, Vampire Weekend has your back.

AJR – ‘Don’t Throw Out My Legos’

At first listen, this sounds like it might have been misplaced on this list. The brotherly trio that makes up AJR is known for their strange mixture of sounds, but underneath the experimental pop sound is the sad nostalgia of growing up. Essentially, if you’ve ever had a tough time letting go of the contents of your childhood bedroom, this is the song for you. And by the time it’s finished, the upbeat tempo might actually trick you into a better mood.

Ariana Grande – ‘Ghostin’’

In perhaps her most thoughtful album to date, Ariana Grande fully opens up on thank u, next, but it’s when she cuts past the melancholy of break up shenanigans and gets to the core that she really takes off. While “fake smile” is also a solid sad song venture, ‘Ghostin’’ is the most heart-breaking track on the album. Dealing with the ramifications of loss, it’s one of the most powerful songs about the ripple effect that comes along with mourning.

Lewis Capaldi – ‘Someone You Loved’

Across the pond, Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi is bursting on the sad song scene with ‘Someone You Loved’. No specific premise here—just good sad music about a break up and love lost. And while the minimum requirement for a sad song hinges on a sad story (which is 100% present here), Capaldi’s raspy screams offers a couple layers of added sadness. Pour yourself a whiskey and settle in.

Duncan Laurence – ‘Arcade’

Do you love to love someone who doesn’t love you back? Do you also love skee ball or that basketball game where you shoot at super close distances? Great. ‘Arcade’ is going to be your sad bop of the summer. Released as the winning entry from the Eurovision song contest, Duncan Laurence’s sad drum-heavy ballad is dramatic and heart-breaking and also worthy of getting stuck in your head.

Anderson .Paak – ‘Come Home’ (feat. Andre 3000)

If you want something sad with a bit more of an R&B influence, look no further than Anderson .Paak’s ‘Come Home’. A break up is sad, but begging to reconcile a relationship that is over might be even sadder. The first half is a refrain that argues “nobody begs anymore”.

Lizzo – ‘Truth Hurts’

Sometimes being sad means getting a little angry. Admittedly, it’s hard for Lizzo to get into a sad space (Cuz I Love You is essentially one inspirational track after another), but if you want to get pissed about being the side piece in a relationship try this one out. If you want to ditch whoever has been dragging you along and insult them in the process, this is definitely your jam.

Catie Turner – ‘Prom Queen’

Sure, it skews a bit younger in subject matter, but who among us hasn’t felt the crushing pressure of social irrelevance? Turner’s 2019 single is proof that some good song-writing can make even the most high school topics relevant in adult life. For those days when shit is just bad, crank up ‘Prom Queen’. No one’s judging.

Jenny Lewis – ‘Heads Gonna Roll’

Formerly of Rilo Kiley, Jenny Lewis’ ‘Heads Gonna Roll’ is a singer-songwriter ode to friendship lost. Perhaps a little romantic, Lewis’ single from her 2019 LP, On the Line is full of all the pared down sadness that you’re looking for from a strained relationship that has fully fallen apart.