I tried to keep it to one song per artist but Johnny Cash ended up getting a pass. And these 50 songs helped the Paste staff to hurt so good. The kick inside is in the line that finally gets to you Then it’s easier to have those songs around If someone is suffering enough to write it down Bernie Taupin captured this sentiment best and hid it in a jaunty little pop song by Elton John: We need sad songs for the comfort they can provide. It’s allowing the grief a place to breathe, allowing you to experience the pain in its fullness and hopefully come out the other side. Locking yourself in your bedroom to listen to mopey music isn’t just wallowing.
It assures you that you’re not alone, that someone else has felt this pain and turned it into a gift for you.
If misery loves company, sometimes there’s no better friend than a really good, really sad song.