Cry It Out With WYG's Ultimate Grief Playlist

Coping with Grief / Coping with Grief : Eleanor Haley



For further articles on these topics:


When my first serious boyfriend broke up with me the summer after I graduated high school, I was thoroughly and completely devastated. I made it my prerogative to fully experience the anguish of my first heartbreak by locking myself in my room, pouring over old photos, and writing tear-soaked love poems. I might have stayed in that room forever (or at least until the weekend) had one of my closest friends not shown up with just the thing for a broken heart - blank CDs.

Now, CDs aren't so far in our past that I have to explain them to anyone, do I? Google it if you must, and while you're at it, look up audio cassette tapes, which are, in my opinion, the most classic break-up mix medium. Anyway, we headed up to my attic, to my clunky family PC, and burned one of the greatest mixes of all time - 'Eleanor and Jamie's Sad Mix.'  I was good with titles even then.

This CD stayed with me through several subsequent heartbreaks until it grew too smudged and scratched to play even a single song all the way through. You might have thought that as I moved into my 20s, the songs would start to feel a little dated, perhaps a bit out of context, but no, they always did the trick. 

Since my first superficial heartbreak, I've unfortunately learned how much deeper the pain of true loss cuts. Fortunately, I've become far more proficient at coping with hardship than I was at the age of 17 (okay, okay - most of the time), but the one thing that's never changed is that when I feel down, I always go back to my sad mix tapes and playlists.


Does Sad Music Help You Cope?

I know I'm not the only one who loves a good music-fueled cry. I just had a look around at the shared playlists on Spotify and found – "Sad Love Songs," "Sad Station," "Sad Songs for Crying Yourself to Sleep" – so anecdotally - there are many of us. 

The benefit of sad music is also reflected in research. For example, a 2014 study found that people choose to listen to sad music and like it more when they are emotionally distressed. So it's a common coping mechanism, but is it effective? It seems like listening to sad songs when you're sad would only make you sadder.

Well, I suppose, but only if you look at sadness as a purely and objectively negative experience which...it isn't. Sadness, in general, is actually far more complex. Depending on the situation, sadness can actually be linked with pleasant experiences.

Listening to sad music, in particular, has been linked with a number of positive experiences like nostalgia, imagination, empathy, peacefulness, tenderness, transcendence, and wonder.

For participants living in Western cultures, nostalgia has been cited as the most common experience, which makes total sense. The most meaningful music is often related to memory which, as you know, commonly comes in the form of bittersweet nostalgia after a loss.

In another study, researchers found that 61-92% of their samples reported experiencing joyful sadness while listening to sad music, while 40-56% of participants reported experiencing distressing feelings like grief, loss, and hatred.

I'm certain that many people's experiences were mixed because grief is often defined by conflicting emotions. Many of the most comforting experiences are a mix of happy and sad. Why should music be any different?

One final study, identified three different types of sadness experiences based on participant responses:

(1) Comforting Sorrow was associated with feelings of comfort, tenderness, peacefulness, and being sad but elated. People who experience comforting sorrow often spend time reflecting on the song's lyrics and thinking about how they relate to other people, life situations, and social relationships.

(2) Sublime Sorrow was associated with feelings of transcendence, wonder, satisfaction, pleasant melancholia, and joy.  This is often defined as a moving experience and it's thought to be related to instrumental music or music where the lyrics aren't meaningful or understood.

(3) Grief Stricken Sorrow is a sadness experience that is considered mostly negative.  This experience is related to feeling downhearted, anxious, powerless, self-pity, and grief-stricken sadness. Like comforting sorrow, grief-stricken sorrow appears to be related to reflection on meaningful or familiar lyrics.


Sad Music and Grief

We see the experience of grief-stricken sorrow echoed in the expressions of some of our readers. Recently, when we asked people to share song suggestions for a grief playlist, several people remarked that they've had a very difficult time listening to music since their loved one's death. We received many comments like "There are too many memories," "I rarely listen to music anymore," "It's too sad," and "I feel like I've lost music too."

For some people, listening to music may be more distressing than comforting and this can feel like a secondary loss.  Though, based on what we know about grief, grief triggers, and continued bonds, there's reason to hope that many people who experience music with grief-stricken sorrow in the early days of grief will eventually get to a place where they can not only listen to familiar music, but that they are also able to find comfort, tenderness, peace, and/or nostalgia in the experience.

With that, let's finish where we started with a good ole' fashioned grief playlist full of songs submitted by our readers. A few days ago we asked our followers on Facebook and Instagram, "What is the saddest song on your grief playlist?" and we received over 300 responses!

We've gathered most of the submissions (all those that we could locate) onto the Spotify playlist below. Only 100 of the 312 songs are listed here, so we recommend heading over to Spotify to check out the full list (the basic version of Spotify is free). Spotify users can follow this playlist, which we'll continue to add to overtime. Obviously, not all the songs on here will appeal to you, so we suggest creating your own playlist based on the suggestions that you like.    

Keep your song suggestions coming in the comments below.  Also, don't forget to subscribe to receive our blog posts straight to your email inbox.  

We wrote a book!

After writing online articles for What’s Your Grief
for over a decade, we finally wrote a tangible,
real-life book!

After writing online articles for What’s Your Grief for over a decade, we finally wrote a tangible, real-life book!

What’s Your Grief? Lists to Help you Through Any Loss is for people experiencing any type of loss. This book discusses some of the most common grief experiences and breaks down psychological concepts to help you understand your thoughts and emotions. It also shares useful coping tools, and helps the reader reflect on their unique relationship with grief and loss.

You can find What’s Your Grief? Lists to Help you Through Any Loss wherever you buy books:

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110 Comments on "Cry It Out With WYG's Ultimate Grief Playlist"

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  1. Trish  December 12, 2023 at 4:38 pm Reply

    Wonderful life – alter bridge
    Gone too soon – Daughtry

    Two of my recent favorites I’ve added to my own Playlist.

  2. Cynthia Anderson  June 15, 2023 at 5:12 pm Reply

    “If you could see me now,” by T.R.U.T.H. encourages me as our family grieves the recent death of our beloved brother, Eddie.

    I pray this beautiful song encourages others.

    0
  3. Nancy  March 16, 2023 at 11:10 pm Reply

    I lost my husband to cancer in 2020. Just heard a Shania Twain song and cried again.
    “ If I’da known the way that this would end
    If I’da read the last page first
    If I’da had the strength to walk away
    If I’da known how this would hurt

    I would’ve loved you anyway
    I’d do it all the same
    Not a second I would change
    Not a touch that I would trade
    Had I known my heart would break
    I’da loved you anyway

    It’s bitter sweet to look back now
    The memories withered on the vine
    Just to hold you close to me
    For a moment in time

    I would’ve loved you anyway
    I’d do it all the same
    Not a second I would change
    Not a touch that I would trade
    Had I known my heart would break
    I’da loved you anyway

    Even if I’d seen it coming
    I’d still’d see me running
    Straight into your arms

    I would’ve loved you anyway
    I’d do it all the same
    Not a second I would change
    Not a touch that I would trade
    Had I known my heart would break
    I’da loved you anyway

    I would’ve loved you anyway”

  4. Debra F  September 12, 2022 at 4:38 pm Reply

    “At the End of the End” Paul McCartney

  5. Daniel Janich  September 12, 2022 at 2:48 pm Reply

    Oceans by RY X. To me, the YouTube video of this song describes the feelings of being so lost and alone in your grief. Bleeding oceans of grief.

  6. Amy Connell  September 12, 2022 at 12:57 pm Reply

    Karliene – Gloom

  7. EJ  September 12, 2022 at 11:37 am Reply

    On my list:
    “One more step” Lindsay McCaul
    “When I’m Gone” Joey and Rory
    “Cant love you back” Easton Corbin
    “Carried Me with You” Brandi Carlile

  8. Christine  September 12, 2022 at 10:39 am Reply

    “Mandocello” by Cheap Trick
    “My Heart Is Broken” Evanescence
    “Just Breathe” Willie and Lukas Nelson

  9. Robert Marshall  February 3, 2021 at 5:34 pm Reply

    “Don’t walk away” ELO (Electric Light Orchestra) 1980

    1
  10. melissa  February 3, 2021 at 1:31 pm Reply

    “Until it Happens to You” by Sasha Sloan and “You and Me Against the World” by Helen Reddy

  11. Suzanne  August 23, 2020 at 2:03 pm Reply

    Fire and Rain James Taylor

    Almost like it was written for me….
    Just yesterday morning they let me know you were gone, Suzanne the plans they made put an end to you.

  12. Dan Janich  August 5, 2020 at 12:39 pm Reply

    Forget by Karnaval Blues

  13. Liz Brown  June 24, 2020 at 12:54 pm Reply

    “For a Dancer”, Jackson Browne

    1
  14. Austin Joyce  June 20, 2020 at 11:09 am Reply

    My Father passed away recently and this is a song I made in honor of him. The grieving process isn’t always an easy one, but there is beauty in the struggle. Take the time to listen and I hope you add it to this playlist, so this message can reach those going through the same situations. There is more information and back story about the incident on my Instagram: Austin_Joyce4. Let’s spread a message that could impact the world!

  15. Sarah  June 11, 2020 at 12:34 pm Reply

    Nick Cave “Into my Arms” – . Just wanted to say I lost my beloved husband Paul 14 months ago – and this website has been a comfort in my dark times.

    1
  16. Stephanie  February 4, 2020 at 5:03 pm Reply

    Oh! And here’s one to cry to: “21 Years“ was written by Tobymac when his son passed away (about 2 months after my son, Alex, died.).

  17. Stephanie  February 4, 2020 at 5:00 pm Reply

    Thank you for this! We love music in our home and always have something going, but when my son died in a sudden accident in July (2019) it tripped us up a bit. He was 17. His sisters, 16 and 20 and I have had conversations about this very subject. My 16 yr old avoids the sad songs. My 20 yr old and I listen to them much more. Some songs aren’t exactly sad, but they hold big memories with them. I had to pull over when driving the other day because a very funny song that Alex had introduced to us came on and it fought me off guard. I was laughing and crying all over myself! But I wouldn’t want to not have those memories! In fact since that day I’ve listened to that funny song 5 times. Thank you for this article.

  18. Raleigh Reich  February 4, 2020 at 1:36 pm Reply

    “Days” by The Kinks or the version by Kristy MacColl.

  19. Anne  January 19, 2020 at 2:15 pm Reply

    Into my arms – Nick Cave. plus all of Ghosteen

  20. Tony  October 6, 2019 at 5:59 pm Reply

    ‘Remember’ by NTHN

    My son wrote this track when his friend lost her husband as a way of trying address the different stages of the grieving process and as a reminder that we are often a lot stronger than we believe – our inner strength can carry us through, even if we don’t feel it at the time.

    Here’s a link to the track on Spotify:
    https://open.spotify.com/track/4EwLOSlrhZJuLFguUBsfse

  21. Brian C.  August 19, 2019 at 11:36 pm Reply

    “Seasons In the Sun”, Terry Jacks, just came across this the other day…

  22. Kristen  August 15, 2019 at 2:20 pm Reply

    How do you get that lonely- blaine larson

  23. Darlene Cheek  August 14, 2019 at 1:42 pm Reply

    If I could bring you back by Joe Diffie

  24. Lynn  August 13, 2019 at 4:18 pm Reply

    Early MOrning Rain, Gordon LIghtfoot
    I’m not Supposed to Care, Gordon LIghtfoot
    Looking at the Rain, Gordon Lighrfoot
    Four Walls, sung by Jim Reeves
    I Dreamed about Momma Last Night, Hank Williams
    Honey – Bobby Goldsboro
    With Pen in Hand Vikki Carr
    Jenny Bryce – James Keelaghan
    Hello in There – John Pryne
    Below – Slaid Cleaves
    All I wanna do is make love to you – Heart
    Grand Cenral Station – Mary Chapin-Carpenter
    Letter Edged in Black
    I’m Here to Get My Baby out of Jail
    Lightning Express

    I listen to all kinds of music. IN the last few years I’ve lost my next youngest sibling (who loved Heart) my parents and I found out my other brother was a narcissistic manipulator in disguise. There are plenty more songs than this that could go on a griefl list but here are some of mine.

    With Pen In

  25. lynn  August 13, 2019 at 3:41 pm Reply

    Ear

  26. Debra frye  August 13, 2019 at 12:41 pm Reply

    I’ll Never Love Again, by Lady Gaga – This one is a real tearjerker for me – reminds me of how Steve & I met and how much I miss him.

  27. Kelly  August 13, 2019 at 11:55 am Reply

    Song for my Father- Sarah Mclachlan
    Most of All- Brandi Carlile
    Sunday Morning Coming Down- Johnny Cash

  28. Jennifer Howard  August 7, 2019 at 7:01 pm Reply

    I too do not see any playlist. There’s a long blank space after the last sentence (…based on the suggestions that you like.), then the comments begin. What am I missing?

  29. Maddy  August 3, 2019 at 3:22 am Reply

    “Saw You in a Dream” by The Japanese House is my go-to song when I want to let my emotions just pour out. The artist wrote it about a friend who had passed away, and the lyrics really really resonate with me. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a relatably painful song.

  30. viola wallace  July 12, 2019 at 8:44 am Reply

    Drowning by Chris young

  31. Julia Washington  July 11, 2019 at 6:11 pm Reply

    When my Husband passes away 2 years ago, I played The Beates’ “In My Life” and “Here, There And everywhere” and The Last Mile Of the Way”. by Sam Cooke.

  32. Lee Easter  July 2, 2019 at 8:29 am Reply

    Music has always been a part of my life. I work to it, play to it, and even read to it. After my wife passed away in 2014, it took me awhile until I could listen to everything I had collected (almost 200 different artists), except Phil Ochs. At least I found some newer artists who weren’t associated with our love of music – The Staves, Red Molly, and Lord Huron. I still can’t listen to Phil Ochs.

  33. Alysoun Mahoney  July 1, 2019 at 10:13 pm Reply

    My husband died in a strange accident at age 52; his own car crushed him to death, and the police had no clue how that could have happened. Accordingly, my personal favorite songs are Die Young, Only the Good Die Young, and Last Kiss.

  34. Mallory  March 12, 2019 at 1:17 pm Reply

    Another one I thought of is “I Kill Giants” (the stripped version) by The Naked and Famous. It always reminds me of those I’ve loved and lost, especially my cousin who died of an accidental overdose this summer.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3JwGgNNUcc

  35. Tracy Adams  February 15, 2019 at 6:51 pm Reply

    I have lost 2 adult children, identical twin girls. Amanda at age 25 in 2009, and more recently, Shanda, Christmas Eve 2017, at age 33. Music was so prominent in both my daughters’ lives. Every day, music was played, appreciated and was so enmeshed in their world. Cherished now by me, are songs that bring them back to me in an instant when I hear them…so many are already listed in others posts above…these here, were not yet:
    Life Is A Highway – Tom Cochrane; Use Somebody – Kings of Leon; Mercy – Duffy;
    Thousand Years – Christina Perri; Ain’t No Sunshine – Bill Withers; The Crossroads – Bone Thugs ‘N Harmony

  36. Red  February 2, 2019 at 5:41 pm Reply

    “Every Time I See Your Picture” and “Resurrect the Love” by Luba. These songs were actually written in memory of her own father, who died of a heart attack when she was only 21.

  37. Jodi Toscolani  December 21, 2018 at 8:34 pm Reply

    If I Die Young – The Band Perry
    Over You – Miranda Lambert
    You Should be Here – Cole Swindell

  38. Brad Bordalampe  December 20, 2018 at 10:28 am Reply

    five for fighting, 100 yrs greg allman,these days neil young, goin back stephen still ,do for the others skid row,i remember you ozzie ,dreamer bread,goodbye girl harry nilsson,without you will cheer ya right up i promise!

    goodbye girl harry nilsson without you

  39. Brian Cudnik  September 5, 2018 at 11:07 pm Reply

    “We May Never Pass this Way Again” by Seals and Crofts

  40. Suzette Vasseur  August 28, 2018 at 7:02 am Reply

    Wish You Were Here by Florence and the Machine
    I’ll Be Brave for You by the xx

  41. Joe Johnson  August 23, 2018 at 3:28 pm Reply

    Release — Pearl Jam
    Disappear — Dream Theater
    Wonderful Tonight — Eric Clapton (the 24 nights version)

  42. lmholley68  August 19, 2018 at 2:42 am Reply

    Photographs and memories by Jim Croce

    Time in a bottle by Jim Croce

    Landslide by Dixie Chics

    Grandpa tell me about the good ole days by The Judd’s

  43. Pam  August 17, 2018 at 3:11 pm Reply

    For relationship grief: Jackson Browne’s “Fountain Of Sorrow “and “Late for the Sky” ….extraordinarily thought provoking and moving

  44. Wendy  August 13, 2018 at 9:37 pm Reply

    It Can’t Rain All The Time by Jane Siberry

    Everyday Is Exactly The Same by Nine Inch Nails

    Wake Me Up When September Ends by Green Day

    A song I believe is called The Christmas Shoes. Don’t know who does it.

  45. peter.hobden  August 3, 2018 at 4:34 pm Reply

    Famous Blue Raincoat by The immortal Leonard Cohen

  46. peter.hobden  August 3, 2018 at 4:28 pm Reply

    Bed’s too big without you by Police
    Apologies if already proposed

  47. peter.hobden  August 3, 2018 at 4:26 pm Reply

    Josephine by Chris Rea

  48. Brian Cudnik  July 31, 2018 at 11:59 pm Reply

    “Time Stands Still” by Rush
    “Clocks” by Coldplay

  49. Elisa  July 27, 2018 at 5:24 pm Reply

    Baby Blue by Dave Matthews Band

  50. Joanna  July 24, 2018 at 4:22 pm Reply

    “The Bliss” by Volbeat! I felt like my fiance (passed away 18 months ago at age of 30) could have written it directly to me after he died.

  51. George Karls  July 23, 2018 at 8:06 pm Reply

    I agree with Pashta Merrymoon Con Te Partiro (lost my wife of 60 years and hope to follow her soon ) I love you Connie, with you I will go

  52. Amy Lopez-Matthews  July 21, 2018 at 11:15 pm Reply

    The First Time, Ever I Saw Your Face by Roberta Flack.

  53. Patti  July 20, 2018 at 12:00 pm Reply

    You Are My Sunshine by Elizabeth Mitchell – in memory of my one-year-old grandson who died last year on Mother’s Day. 22 people a day die waiting for an organ transplant that never comes. Please consider giving the gift of life. donatelife.net

  54. Leslie  July 19, 2018 at 10:09 pm Reply

    Some songs that haven’t been mentioned yet that make me think of my son…
    Just Breathe by Pearl Jam
    Beyond the Sea (from Finding Nemo)
    Nothing Compares 2 U by Sinead O’Connor
    I Try by Macy Gray
    Baby Mine (from the movie Dumbo)
    Purple Rain by Prince

  55. Greg Mewett  July 19, 2018 at 7:52 pm Reply

    Great lists and songs everyone! Thank you. The Pearl Jam song “Come Back” from the ‘Avocado’ album is a deeply imploring song that takes me back 40 years to the death of my mother. I used to dream that she was alive until I awoke the next morning!
    Also good to hear one of my favourite bands the Avett Brothers getting some mentions.

  56. Paulette Black  July 19, 2018 at 3:50 pm Reply

    I Hope You Dance
    In the Arms of an Angel

  57. Sal  July 19, 2018 at 9:12 am Reply

    Thank you Teri Sahn-Silver. Found it!

  58. Jane  July 19, 2018 at 8:15 am Reply

    No Hard Feelings By The Avett Brothers

    • Claudia Payne  August 10, 2020 at 8:39 pm Reply

      “Babe” is a song I can’t hear without losing it. My husband died on 4/16/19, right next to me, under my hand as I held him up in my car. “Babe” is what we called each other for nearly 32yrs. It’s not the title that gets me, but the “I’m leaving”. I saw it in his eyes.

      1
  59. Nathan L  July 19, 2018 at 8:08 am Reply

    Thanks for this… I already had a playlist on spotify with some sad songs, now I have a bigger one after listening to this playlist. I especially related to Through My Prayers by Avett Brothers. It’s a song I had never heard, but I already liked the band. Thanks everyone for your submissions.

  60. Raymond Swearingen  July 19, 2018 at 4:06 am Reply

    I want to apologize for my previous remarks. My brothers birthday was July 10 and a dear friend announced she was leaving my area on that same day. I’ve been reliving lots of pain for the last few days. I wanted to listen to the grief play list and ‘cry it out’, but when it came up that I needed to open an account with Spot-iffy I didn’t react well. Overall I think Whats Your Grief is a great site. Just maybe not a fan of how spottily does things.

    thanks,
    -Raymond

  61. Raymond Swearingen  July 19, 2018 at 3:12 am Reply

    Damb – won’t even reply to my message. All I can say is go to Hell.
    Some of us are hurting, more than you know. Try having a real loss in your life, see what that feel like. You would not be a sell out if you did. I will be removing myself from you channel and web site. You are phonies and charlatans. Shame on you. Real people hurt but you are just using us. FUCK YOU~!!

  62. Raymond Swearingen  July 19, 2018 at 3:04 am Reply

    And an other thing, I am in pain, lots of pain regarding my brothers death, and all you gave me was an opportunity to give Spottily my money. You used to help me when I was feeling this way. Now you are all about is marketing, shame on you!!!

  63. Cindy;Derrer Lucas  July 18, 2018 at 11:46 pm Reply

    Let it Be-Paul McCartney wrote it after he dreamt his mother told him this.

    Land of Hope and dreams-Bruce Springsteen

    Good-bye for Now-Kathy Troccoli

  64. Sue  July 18, 2018 at 1:49 pm Reply

    I have a 2 1/2 hour playlist of my “favorite” grief songs that I play over and over again and these particular songs help with grieving the loss of my husband. Here’s one that I’ve added most recently that really speaks to me: The Night We Met by Lord Huron. “… And then I can tell myself, What the hell I’m supposed to do, And then I can tell myself Not to ride along with you…”

  65. Colleen  July 18, 2018 at 1:17 pm Reply

    It will be 4 years in September that my husband died from cancer. Rarely a day goes by where I don’t cry. Music was such a huge part of his life. He recorded a song for me “One More Day” …… on days that are really hard, I listen and listen to that song. I miss him so much.
    When Miranda Lambert’s album “The Weight of These Wings” was release, it was like every song expressed all the emotions and feelings of my heart and soul. My favorites are:
    Tinman
    Dear Old Sun
    Things That Break
    Well Rested
    I’ve Got Wheels

  66. Jo  July 18, 2018 at 12:32 pm Reply

    DREAM RIVER by The Mavericks
    WHISPERING PINES boy Iris DeMent
    ME AND THE EAGLE by Steve Earle
    RED RIVER VALLEY by George Strait

  67. Monica Brandt  July 18, 2018 at 12:22 pm Reply

    Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again (Phantom of the Opera)

    Totally forgot about the dead father storyline in this one until I saw Phantom again last night. That song definitely brought me to tears!

  68. Nancy  July 18, 2018 at 12:05 pm Reply

    There is no link to get to the Playlist that I can find. The name of the Playlist is also not given. I would really like to access this Playlist. Thanks.

  69. Teri Sahn-Silver  July 18, 2018 at 11:47 am Reply

    If you search Grief Playlist Volume 1 on Spotify it will come up

  70. Sara  July 18, 2018 at 11:43 am Reply

    “Be Here Long” by NEEDTOBREATHE. I listened to this song quite a bit after my mom passed.

  71. Sue Walsh  July 18, 2018 at 11:41 am Reply

    You Should Be Here
    Cole Swindell

  72. Melissa  July 18, 2018 at 10:54 am Reply

    I always thought that Godspeed (Sweet Dreams) by the Dixie Chicks was really a song about a mother grieving her boy. After losing my son, I can’t listen to it anymore (or really much of anything anymore). My son loved music and had earbuds in his ears almost constantly. I have pretty much stopped listening to music. Popular music just reminds me of my loss, not that I ever forget. I get that horrible jarring feeling of “that unspeakable thing really did happen” when I hear certain songs and I’m back to that horrible day. I have a small daughter now, who loves music as well. She loves driving in the car with daddy because he will listen to cd’s, and mom drives with the car quiet. She has spent more time at the cemetery than any 5 year old should, but I don’t know how to explain the connection between my grief and music to her. She just thinks I don’t like music.

  73. Joanna Bjerum  July 18, 2018 at 10:54 am Reply

    Avett Brothers – Morning Song, Murder in the City and No Hard Feelings

  74. Terri  July 18, 2018 at 9:58 am Reply

    If I Die Young -The band Perry; Say Hello 2 Heaven – The Temple of the Dog; Fix You – Coldplay;

  75. gina  July 18, 2018 at 6:38 am Reply

    Carrie Underwood: See You Again

  76. Brianna  July 18, 2018 at 12:36 am Reply

    Pieces by RED
    Fine on the Outside – Priscilla Ahn
    Le Onde – Ludovico Einaudi
    Across the Ocean – Azure Ray
    Iris and Jasper – Hans Zimmer
    Breathe Me – Sia
    Nicest Thing – Kate Nash
    Loftið Verður Skyndilega Kalt – Ólafur Arnalds
    매일의 고백 (2016 Remastered) (Daily Confessions) – 강아솔 (Kang Ah Sol)
    I’ve Seen Hell – Martin Phipps
    Sara Bareilles’ cover of Coldplay’s ‘Yellow’
    Echo – Jason Walker
    너뿐이야 (You’re the Only One) – 최시원 (Choi Siwon)
    Undertow – Ane Brun
    Madison – Ola Gjeilo
    거짓말 거짓말 거짓말 (Lie, Lie, Lie) – 이적 (Lee Juck)
    Little House – Amanda Seyfried
    Follow You Down to the Old Oak Tree – James Vincent McMorrow
    The Death of Jane Seymour – Trevor Morris
    Beautiful – MercyMe
    Look Back – Martin Phipps
    The Light Will Come – Phil Wickham
    A Dream Discarded – John Williams
    Fall to Earth – Glass Pear
    The Violet Hour – The Civil Wars

  77. Roberta  July 17, 2018 at 11:37 pm Reply

    If you came back from heaven
    By Lori morgan

  78. Marge  July 17, 2018 at 10:59 pm Reply

    Hey, Girl.sung by Freddie Scott
    Brings me to tears every time .
    My loss is a Boy but doesn’t matter
    Blessings to all of you who have lost boys and girls
    and of course beloved animals

  79. Angie  July 17, 2018 at 10:45 pm Reply

    Lost my husband in late 2015
    Music was a great part of my healing.

    Baroque Music
    Memory -Cats
    Don’t let the sun catch you crying.
    Only Time by Enya
    a-ha – Crying In The Rain by Gerry and the Pacemakers

  80. Angie  July 17, 2018 at 10:36 pm Reply

    Lost my husband in late 2015
    Music was a great part of my healing.

    Baroque Music
    Don’t let the sun catch you crying.
    Only Time by Enya
    a-ha – Crying In The Rain by Gerry and the Pacemakers

  81. Derek Henry  July 17, 2018 at 10:21 pm Reply

    A song to add to the list is
    Between Here and Gone
    Mary Chapin Carpenter

    It really helps with the grief sorrow

  82. RocketMom  July 17, 2018 at 10:16 pm Reply

    If you are taking requests, the haunting irish fiddle tune
    “Ashokan Farewell” from The Civil War documentary soundtrack. I am still a blubbering mess when I hear that tune.

  83. Kay Pemberton  July 17, 2018 at 9:30 pm Reply

    I can identify with the 3 different types of sadness viz. (1) Comforting Sorrow, ( 2) Sublime Sorrow and (3) Grief Stricken Sorrow. Often when I feel overwhelmed by the loss of my husband to Alzheimer’s Disease, I find myself playing “sad” music, particularly Andre Rieu’s CD “Farewell: Music to Sooth the Spirit.” I find the 3rd track , “Benedictus” (from St. Cecelia Mass, Gounod) moves me to tears every time but in some sort of strange way it “comforts” me and I feel strangely “warmed” by it. It seems to touch every emotional button but somehow I find I want to continue listening. I have been thinking that I was “strange” to listen to such music when I was having a “down” day. I thank your for this article because I now realise I am not alone in this “listening” – even though it must seem bizarre to others who are not walking the road of grief and bereavement.

  84. Rebecca Larson  July 17, 2018 at 9:14 pm Reply

    Close your eyes- James Taylor
    Ripple- Grateful Dead.

  85. Pashta MaryMoon  July 17, 2018 at 9:14 pm Reply

    Time to Say Goodbye — Andrea Bocelli (the song I want sung to me as I die, and at my funeral service).

  86. Aaron  July 17, 2018 at 8:58 pm Reply

    Can’t believe Death Cab for Cutie – I Will Follow You into the Dark didn’t make the list!

  87. Bethany  July 17, 2018 at 8:30 pm Reply

    Somewhere in Time by the composer John Barry. I lost my 23 year old son to cancer 9 years ago and I only listen to this song on the date he passed on June 12th of every year. Too painful; but in essence I know I’ll find him again one day. I still cry for him everyday…there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t.

  88. Carey  July 17, 2018 at 8:12 pm Reply

    Sideways by Citizen Cope
    Me and Bobby McGee by Janis Joplin
    I assume Tears in heaven already made the list

  89. Bonnie  July 17, 2018 at 7:46 pm Reply

    Can’t Live if Living Is Without You

  90. Lori Bresnahan  July 17, 2018 at 6:50 pm Reply

    Please Remember Me, Scotty McCreery and Randy Newman’s When I’m Gone (season finale of Monk). Great lyric something like; ‘as for the light by which you see me, leave it on.’ Powerful melody. Very therapeutic.

  91. Joanne  July 17, 2018 at 6:02 pm Reply

    Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen
    Why should I cry for you: Sting
    In the arms of an angel: Sarah McLachlan
    A Thousand Years: Christina Perri
    I don’t want to miss a thing: Aerosmith

  92. Diana  July 17, 2018 at 5:49 pm Reply

    One of the most rending losses of my life to date is 6 years long now and I still cry when I hear Bob Seger’s “Like a Rock”

  93. Marjorie  July 17, 2018 at 5:44 pm Reply

    Rest in peace by Aron Wright
    Who am i by Andrew Galucki
    Saturn by Sleeping At Last
    Last nigth on heart by Green Day
    Here Without You by 3 Doors Down
    🙂

  94. RocketMom  July 17, 2018 at 5:44 pm Reply

    I love this. The playlist is on Spotify – an online subscription service for music and podcasts – you need to download the spotify service. It’s free (with commercials), a paid subscription without commercials.

    I created a spotify playlist to memorialize my brother, who died unexpectedly. It was a labor of love with over 100 songs. I still listen to it.
    He was a die hard Rolling Stones fan! You Can’t Always Get What you Want. But if you Try Sometimes, You Might Find. You get what you need!

  95. Helen Wynn  July 17, 2018 at 5:24 pm Reply

    Music is a big part of my life, especially opera and other forms of classical music. But this music has never been a source of comfort during the grieving process. In fact, just the opposite. For a year after my mother died, I could not listen to an opera. I am happy that it gives comfort to others.

  96. Holly  July 17, 2018 at 5:21 pm Reply

    Only th Good Die Young

  97. Rosa  July 17, 2018 at 5:20 pm Reply

    Otherside- by Post Malone. I feel like this song’s lyrics reflect my feelings when I think of my husband who passed away from Cancer at the age of 46 last year. I truly believe music heals.

  98. Sandy Frankel  July 17, 2018 at 5:17 pm Reply

    Goodbye my friend-Linda Rondstat
    I and love and you- Avett Brothers

  99. Vicki  July 17, 2018 at 5:15 pm Reply

    Evergreen by Streisand. Had it played at my husband’s funeral nearly 24 years ago, and still, just thinking of the name makes me cry, don’t even have to hear it.

  100. Joanna  July 17, 2018 at 5:08 pm Reply

    Over and Over by Rachael Yamagata

  101. Lyn Wagner  July 17, 2018 at 4:53 pm Reply

    My husband passed away 14 months ago. I started listening to sad songs almost right away. Often I cried, but as time moved forward I often felt comforted.

    I have my favorites of course. And sometimes I still cry. I also found songs about heartache meaningful. My heart was broken by the loss.

    I listen to music every day.

    • Bexx  July 27, 2022 at 2:11 pm Reply

      Ben Harper ~ I Shall Not Walk Alone

      This collaboration is one of, if not the most powerful & moving songs I have ever experienced … & I’m a musician. Masterfully invoking all human emotion simultaneously to one’s very core while in the absence of melody & one need not be in the throws of grief to feel it’s power.

      • Litsa  July 28, 2022 at 4:34 pm

        Ahhh I so deeply agree with this one! Ben Harper got me through some of the darkest moments after my dad’s death.

  102. Sal  July 17, 2018 at 4:09 pm Reply

    I can’t find this playlist. Can you make it public please? Thank you.

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