For this Featured Friday, we’re diving into a collection of deeply emotional songs that explore love, heartbreak, regret, and the complexities of relationships. Whether it’s the haunting vulnerability of Weyes Blood or the soul-stirring, orchestral ballads of Florence + The Machine, each track offers a unique perspective on the pain and longing that come with love. From the raw, acoustic versions of Sleep Token’s “Blood Sport” to the melancholic reflections of George Strait, these songs tap into the universal human experience of loss and emotional turmoil. In this post, we’ll explore the emotional depth of these tracks, examining how their lyrics and musical arrangements convey the sorrow and beauty found in the aftermath of broken relationships. Prepare to take a journey through some of the most gut-wrenching, yet cathartic, songs that capture the bittersweet nature of love and loss.
If you want to find more songs in the same genre, check my previous article HERE.
To hear all of these songs and many more, listen to the Spotify playlist HERE.
Blood Sport (From the Room Below) – Sleep Token
Alternative Metal (2020)
The original of this song is also very good, but this variation plays like an acoustic version of the song. It’s slower, simpler and more emotional. The vocals are more isolated, and you can hear the pain, emotion and the passion in every word. The solo piano pairs well with the vocals. The whole song is simple on the surface but that lets the emotion, and the lyrics really shine through. I go back and forth listening to this version and the original as they both excel in different aspects. However, for this article, the slower and more emotional song is going to be featured.
This song’s violent metaphor for turning a relationship into a “blood sport” is a unique perspective on love. The singer of the song reflects on a past relationship, knowing that they hurt their partner. They turned love into something violent and caused pain. I love how heartbreaking the end lyrics are. “Tangled with what I never said, you said it doesn’t matter.” Having so much to say in hopes of making a new life and relationship or even just wanting forgiveness for the overwhelming passion and hurt that was caused. Then hearing that it doesn’t matter? Absolutely heartbreaking and a perfect way to end such a unique and sad, regret filled love song.
Seven Words – Weyes Blood
Dream Pop, Indie (2016)
Next is a complex song about relationships, vulnerability and longing. The song’s sound is very unique to Weyes Blood, the stage name to singer/songwriter, Natalie Mering. The song is dreamy, sad and ethereal. Her voice carries a lot of power and weight with it, adding to the sadness of the song. Mering is blunt and talks about how she has done wrong to a former lover, and that they have “already moved on.” Themes of dealing with the future alone and the repercussions of their relationship. Instead of hiding behind a ton of symbolism, she is upfront while still not being explicit of what those seven words are. Lastly, the music behind the amazing vocals helps make this song go from great to almost perfect.
A Better Rain – George Strait
Country (2006)
A perfect country song for unrequited love, especially when you feel like you haven’t done enough or were the reason for the breakup. This track is slow, sad, soothing and even comforting to a degree. Strait sings about his lover leaving him, going to a better place, aka “a better rain.” The symbol of rain runs throughout the song, talking about this rain “washing away” the bad of himself, hoping his past lover can move on from him. Mentions of her seeing a rainbow complete the rain theme/symbol in the song. Overall, a sad but comforting song. As cliché as it is, when you love someone so much you just hope they’re happy. That is what this song is about.
Rockland – Gracie Abrams
Indie, Singer Songwriter (2021)
This song is a little bit more up tempo than many of the other slow songs. However, this is still a gut-wrenching sad song. The lyrics come from the perspective of someone who can’t let go of their former partner or lover but blames themself for the relationship not working. Gracie Abrams soft but emotional voice with hard hitting and easily relatable lyrics make for a tear-jerker sad song. What I love about a lot of Abrams songs is that there is a harmony and a coming together of many different parts of the track that overlap. This occurs towards the end of the song and adds more depth, emotion and plays like a finale to a song. This element can be found in I miss you, I’m sorry and I Love You, I’m Sorry.
Burial Plot – Acoustic – Dayseeker, Caleb Shomo
Metalcore, Alternative Metal (2024)
Here is another metal song turned acoustic. Like Blood Sport, I listen to the acoustic version and the original interchangeably. It depends on my mood, if I’m feeling sadder, the acoustic is the go to. If I’m looking for something more angry or upbeat, the original is the choice. No matter what you choose, Dayseeker is no stranger to sad music, from dealing with mental health, the loss of loved ones, or the breaking of relationships. This specific song is from the perspective of a lover who was the reason behind their issues and their eventual breaking. The symbol of a “burial plot” is a strong image that shows that a love is now dead. Pairing strong emotions and images with lead singer of Beartooth, Caleb Shomo, makes for a raw and powerful acoustic track.
Too High to Cry – Koe Wetzel
Country (2019)
This song was one of my go to songs in getting over an ex. It starts slowly and gradually builds emotion and sound. The lyrics tackle heartbreak in such a unique yet relatable way. Wetzel sings about heavy drug use in order to cope with a loss. And although it isn’t the answer, it’s a temporary fix that will help stop all the tears from coming out after a breakup. A slow instrumental period bridges the gap into the finale of the song. It adds layers and lets the listener sit and think about all the emotions that were being brought up earlier in the song. Then, my favorite lyric comes in strong, “You owe me more than just packing up and leaving.” So much is said in those ten words. It’s easy to find comfort in this song if you still need closure in a relationship and feel alone.
Can You Stand The Rain – New Edition
Boy Band, Contemporary R&B (1988)
This song is super catchy, soulful and captivating. It’s slow and sad, but easy to listen to, no matter what emotion you’re feeling. The harmonies and the layers of multiple voices in different pitches and sounds all mesh together to make a great song. This is after the band has grown up a bit and has taken a step into a more mature direction, while still remaining true to their original sound. Overall, this ballad speaks about enduring hardship and staying committed through the ups and downs of a relationship. The image of “storms” and “rain” are heard throughout the song. Even rain and thunder can be heard towards the end.
Never Let Me Go – Florence + The Machine Baroque Pop (2011)
Florence Welsh showcases her powerful and emotional vocals in this track. She steals the show, which is hard to do with a magical and melancholy ballad playing beside her. Listening to this song is one thing, but digesting the lyrics puts this song high above. The continuous chant of “never let me go” paired with imagery of the sea and waves being symbol for the uncertainties in love and a relationship creates a complex masterpiece. This is easily my favorite song by Florence + The Machine.
West – Sleeping At Last
Acoustic Pop (2014)
This song is perfect for long distance lovers. This slow and simple song delivers a message of hope with the repeating words of “we’ll be just fine” throughout. It brings comfort when you’re feeling distant or in a rough patch in a relationship. A lot of the lyrics build off the idea how tough it is to be apart, but always ends with the reaffirming, “we’ll be just fine.” The number of times I’ve listened to, cried to, and found hope in this song when I was dating someone who moved halfway across the world. The last lyric mentioning “it’s a matter of time till our compass stands still” is a great one that sticks with the listener even after the song. This song while being sad, is filled with hope.
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