You know the feeling: It’s Friday night and your only date is a carton of Haagen Dasz. You worked hard for years to get that promotion and you got handed the pink slip instead. You make a joke in a group of people and everyone looks at you like you’re as funny as a Bernie Madoff scandal. You’re in a rut, your home got burglarized, you’re broke, you’re… well, depressed.
Regardless of the reason, there are some songs that share your pain, everything from painful break-ups to poverty to death. If you’re feeling down, indulge yourself with some sad, but beautiful, rock songs. Sometimes it’s nice to just feel sad for a while.
Rock Song 1:Love Hurts by Incubus
Depressed about love (or the lack thereof)? Immerse yourself in plaintive guitar and the urgency of Brandon Boyd’s voice. Even in the gloom, however, there’s a twinge of hope: “Love hurts / but sometimes it’s a good hurt / and it feels like I’m aliiiiiiiive…”
Rock Song 2: Everybody’s Changing by Keane
Confused? Maybe that’s because everybody’s changing. Tom Chaplin, the lead singer of Keane, bemoans his depression, which is likely a result of change. No, we’re not talking presidents here. There are sad lyrics over a memorable piano melody: “Cuz everybody’s changing / And I don’t feel the same.”
Rock Song 3:November Rain by Guns N’ Roses
The swirling, epic synth strings, soft piano, and rocking electric guitar riffs pack a veritable punch of Axl Rose and lonely regret: “Cuz nothing lasts forever / And we both know hearts can change / And it’s hard to hold a candle / In the cold November Rain.” Drown your sorrows with this one (no pun intended).
Rock Song 4:Dust in the Wind by Kansas
The pleasant acoustic noodling of Dust in the Wind belies its depressing message about how fleeting life and humanity really is, while the incredibly moving violin part brings a tear to the eye. The lyrics certainly don’t help: “Dust in the wind / All we are is dust in the wind.”
Rock Song 5:Bittersweet Symphony by The Verve
An indelible, poignant string riff captures that most bittersweet symphony called life. Frontman Richard Ashcroft mournfully croons: “Cuz it’s a bittersweet symphony, this life / Trying to make ends meet, you’re a slave to your money then you die.” Amen.
Rock Song 6:Cancer by My Chemical Romance
Normally a hard rocking, emo group, My Chemical Romance takes a step back with this song. Gerard Way sings as a dying cancer patient over a hauntingly beautiful piano melody. If you haven’t heard it, try not to be moved. I dare you: “But counting down the days / It just ain’t living…”
Rock Song 7:Fix You by Coldplay
A little cheesy, a little overblown? Maybe, but it’s still Coldplay. Chris Martin uses his unnaturally high voice to soothingly sing about wanting to make things better. Plus, it’s got a freakin’ organ! If you’re feeling down, let Coldplay fix you: “When you try your best and you don’t succeed / When you get what you want but not what you need / When you feel so tired but you can’t sleep…”
Rock Song 8:Desperado by the Eagles
Feel like life is getting away from you? Are you slow to settle down? Listen to the lyrics of Desperado. While you’re at it, lose yourself in the amazingly beautiful piano and strings, as well as Don Henley’s delightful voice: “Desperado, oh, you can’t gettin’ no younger / Your pain and your hunger, they’re drivin’ you home…”
Rock Song 9:Don’t Fear the Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult
Remember that time you tried to convince your significant other to pull a Juliet? Hopefully not. Anyway, this classic song gets you in a contemplative mood with its lyrics on death, and it features a lively guitar riff and haunting overdubbed voices: “Seasons don’t fear the reaper / Nor do the wind, the sun, and the rain / Come on baby / Don’t fear the reaper…”
Rock Song 10: How to Save a Life by The Fray
An easy song to fall in love with and never forget. The perfect busted relationship song, with some nifty piano parts and a melancholy vocal performance: “Where did I go wrong? / I lost a friend.”
Runners Up
That Thing You Do by Fountains of Wayne
Dateless Losers by Reel Big Fish
Spare Me the Details by the Offspring
One by Metallica
Note: I’m sure I forgot dozens, if not hundreds, of good rock songs for depressed people, but these are my choices. Feel free to share your rock song suggestions in the comments section.
