[2026] A roundup of dark Western songs I'd like middle schoolers to listen to

A COLD PLAYThe Kid LAROI

The Kid LAROI – A COLD PLAY (Official Video)

Perhaps it’s rare to find a song that portrays the pain of heartbreak this honestly.

Released in September 2025, The Kid LAROI’s track packs lingering feelings for an ex and deep self-reproach into a brief runtime of about two minutes.

The words that echo over the icy beat convey regret over trying to change the other person—yet an inability to forget them.

Concrete details—being unable to delete photos, squeezing in visits during tour breaks—bring the sting of a real breakup vividly to life.

Producer KBeaZy’s restrained, hushed sound design further sharpens the emotions.

It’s a song I especially hope middle schoolers struggling with important relationships will listen to.

you broke me firstTate McRae

Tate McRae – you broke me first (Official Video)

Canadian singer-songwriter and dancer Tate McRae.

Released in April 2020, this track went viral on TikTok and became her signature song, reaching the top 10 in more than 13 countries worldwide.

It portrays a strong resolve toward an ex who, after finding a new partner post-breakup, tries to come back the moment that relationship ends: “You hurt me first—don’t come back now.” Within the bittersweet, downtempo synth-pop melody, you can feel the lingering pain that hasn’t fully healed, alongside the determination never to repeat the same mistake again.

The inner landscape captured by Tate—who was still in her teens when the song was released—is sure to resonate with junior high school students as well.

teenage dreamOlivia Rodrigo

Olivia Rodrigo – teenage dream (Official Lyric Video)

For middle schoolers who feel anxious that “I should be growing up already, but maybe the best part of me is already gone,” I’d like to recommend this track from Olivia Rodrigo’s second album, GUTS.

Released in September 2023, it’s an introspective piano ballad she wrote just before turning 19, after years of being told she was “mature for her age.” It quietly sings of the hopes and fears of growing up, and the guilt of not becoming your ideal self, offering deep comfort to students who feel rushed or worried about the future.

would’ve been yousombr

sombr – would’ve been you (official video)

Somber, a singer-songwriter from New York who broke through globally thanks to TikTok, delivers a standout track released in November 2023.

The song is marked by dreamlike, floating guitar tones and layers of ethereal, multi-tracked sounds.

The lyrics convey a poignant sentiment: “If anyone could have saved me, it should have been you,” evoking a powerful sense of regret and lingering attachment to lost possibilities.

It has surpassed 100 million streams on Spotify and resonates deeply, especially with Gen Z listeners.

This is a piece that gently accompanies you on nights when you look back thinking what might have been, or when a relationship with someone important has come to an end.

Mr. ForgettableDavid Kushner

David Kushner – Mr. Forgettable [Official Music Video]

Singer-songwriter David Kushner, originally from the United States, has been drawing attention after a viral hit on TikTok.

This song depicts his grandfather’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease and the gradual loss of his memories.

The sorrow of being erased from a loved one’s memory and the fear of losing one’s own sense of self are expressed over a gentle acoustic sound.

It’s included on his debut EP, “Footprints I Found,” released in September 2022, and has become a popular track with over 300 million streams on Spotify.

It’s a song to listen to when you’re struggling with friendships or family relationships, or when you feel the loneliness of being forgotten by someone.