Stan - EminemĮminem’s skill for detail-heavy storytelling hits a compelling peak in Stan. The band dedicated the song to victims of the disaster and to victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York. Released in 2005, it became symbolic after Hurricane Katrina. Yet, the song’s central theme of loss (and coping with loss) struck a chord. Clearly, it’s his most autobiographical song.
Wake Me Up When September Ends - Green Dayįrontman Billie Joe Armstrong regarded this hit – about the death of his father when Billie was 10 years old – as a form of regression therapy. “The song is about the heart- wrenching pain when a guy tells a girl, ‘Don’t waste your time because you probably gave me up a long time ago,’” explained singer Tom DeLonge. The overriding theme is stark male vulnerability. In fact, the song’s lyrical references to angels, morgues and unrequited love stand in stark contrast to their snotty brat reputation.
Pop-punkers Blink 182 delivered a major curveball with this tender, defenceless single. Albarn composed a set of geographically-rooted lyrics that provided the song with an elegiac, melancholic, maritime imagery, and yet it’s strangely uplifting. It’s good for a hangover and for insomnia,” said bassist Alex James. “We used to listen to it when we were in America to remind us of home. Under pressure to come up with lyrics for an atmospheric, brooding piece of music and due to go into hospital for a hernia operation, the singer turned to the UK shipping forecast for inspiration. This Is a Low - Blurĭamon Albarn was obviously feeling the strain. Whenever Hollywood addresses death, depression or social nihilism, you can bet Paint It, Black is on the soundtrack. Instead, they doubled down on their world-weary scepticism in this bleak classic about the loss of a lover. In 1966, as Swinging London clicked into hyper-drive, chief Stones Mick Jagger and Keith Richards could have turned on the peace vibes. However, the esteem and affection his former comrades still held him in shines through in this 26-minute ode to a genius who was too sensitive for the real world. The charismatic frontman of Pink Floyd was the toast of London’s underground scene and his band was just about to release Piper at the Gates of Dawn, to this day a landmark of English psychedelia.Įight years later, when his bandmates recorded this tribute to their lost leader, Barrett was one of the most notable acid casualties of his generation. Shine On You Crazy Diamond - Pink FloydĪt the start of 1967, Syd Barrett had the world at his feet. “I wanted to write about how sad and gorgeous the summertime seemed to me,” she said. Speaking about the song, Del Rey revealed the contrasting emotions at play. The song’s underlying themes were hammered home in an eye-catching promo video where Del Rey and her lesbian lover (played by actress Jaime King) choose suicide at the end.
That’s certainly the case with Summertime Sadness, which eschews sunny vibes in favour of longing, loss and the emptiness experienced in the aftermath of an all-consuming love affair. Summertime Sadness - Lana Del ReyĪ torch songstress for the millennial generation, Lana Del Rey is known for her sense of epic melodrama. In this totally subjective list, Happiful selects 20 incredible songs that let us know we are not alone 20. When things look bleak on the horizon, listening to a beautiful song about inner strife can do wonders for the soul. Music may be the food of love, but sometimes a sad song is all we need.