[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.

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.

everything i wantedBillie Eilish

Billie Eilish – everything i wanted

Released in November 2019, Billie Eilish’s work lays bare the loneliness and anxiety brought on by sudden success, a song steeped in deep darkness.

Sparked by a nightmare in which she jumped from the Golden Gate Bridge and no one seemed to care, it poignantly voices the emotional pain that comes with fame.

Yet at its core is the powerful bond between siblings: at the edge of despair, her brother Finneas vows, “As long as I’m here, no one can hurt you.” Whispered vocals, minimal piano, and a drifting, weightless atmosphere gently cradle her delicate state of mind.

Winner of Record of the Year at the 2021 Grammys, this piece reminds us how vital family support can be—and is a song that middle schoolers feeling lonely should especially hear.

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.

American TeenagerEthel Cain

Ethel Cain – American Teenager (Official Video)

Ethel Cain is a singer-songwriter from Florida who has attracted attention for her Southern Gothic worldview.

Openly transgender, she depicts religious oppression and the darker sides of the American South with a distinctive musical style.

Featured on her debut album Preacher’s Daughter, released in May 2022, this song portrays the loneliness and despair lurking behind the American Dream through scenes like high school football and a neighbor’s brother who never returns from war.

The contrast between the exhilarating rock sound and the heavy message is striking, and it may resonate deeply with middle school students who feel anxious about the future.

I Love You, I’m SorryGracie Abrams

Gracie Abrams – I Love You, I’m Sorry (Official Music Video)

A quietly sung piece about the lingering feelings for that person we loved but broke up with—something everyone runs into sooner or later.

Gracie Abrams is a rising singer-songwriter known for opening on Taylor Swift’s tour, and this track, included on her second album The Secret of Us released in June 2024, became a global hit in no time.

The lyrics confess a contradictory feeling—“I love you, I’m sorry”—as she recognizes both the trouble she caused and her own weakness in being unable to let go.

It’s a portrait of complex emotions that many can relate to.

Whispered vocals over gentle guitar and piano tones tenderly embrace the pain deep in the heart.

For those who can’t recover from heartbreak or who haven’t sorted out their feelings for an ex, this song is sure to be one that stays close to you.