When you’re hurting and feel like you want to disappear… timeless Western songs to listen to at times like these

Lucid DreamsJuice WRLD

Juice WRLD – Lucid Dreams (Official Music Video)

Rapper Juice WRLD, known as a standard-bearer of emo rap.

Though he passed away at the young age of 21, his music continues to captivate many hearts.

This piece is one of his signature tracks—a heartbreak song so raw it almost hurts.

The lyrics, which portray the torment of being haunted by an ex and a heart torn between love and hate, cut deep.

Released as a single in May 2018, it’s also included on the landmark album Goodbye & Good Riddance.

The melancholy guitar, sampled from Sting’s classic, vividly amplifies the overwhelming sense of despair.

If you’re in the mood to fully indulge in your emotions, be sure to check it out.

Rebel HeartMadonna

Madonna – Rebel Heart

This is a work by Madonna that looks back on her life with painful honesty.

It’s included on her album Rebel Heart, released in March 2015.

At first glance, it’s a song with a light, acoustic sound, but its lyrics are remarkably introspective.

The way she confronts the loneliness behind her glory and the past in which she hurt herself by pretending to be someone else is deeply piercing.

This track is one you’ll want to listen to on nights when your heart feels like it might break, when you want to face your own weaknesses—it carries a warmth that seems to affirm your true self.

If you tend to spend time alone lost in thought, be sure to check it out.

FireworksMitski

Fireworks

Mitski is a singer-songwriter based in New York.

One song that could be said to reflect her unique background with roots in Japan is “Fireworks.” Its lyrics depict a sad event on a summer day.

The setting is indoors, but as the protagonist is overcome with sorrow, the sound of fireworks can be heard from outside.

This seems to contrast the cheerful mood of people likely watching the fireworks outside with the protagonist’s sadness.

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Alone I BreakKorn

Korn – Alone I Break (Official HD Video)

An achingly lyrical ballad woven by the American nu-metal band Korn.

It stands apart from their usual aggressive sound, highlighting vocalist Jonathan Davis’s delicate, clean voice as it quietly portrays the loneliness and anguish sinking to the depths of the heart.

The anguished cry of “falling apart alone” seems to reflect a soul collapsing from within, burdened by despair that no one can understand.

When you feel crushed by inescapable loneliness and listen to this song, you may sense it simply staying beside your pain.

It’s a tear-inducing track that gently loosens a taut heart.

So LonelyThe Police

The Police – So Lonely (Official Music Video)

A song written by Sting and included on The Police’s debut album, Outlandos d’Amour.

It portrays the misery of a broken heart with irony and a playful touch by incorporating reggae influences.

The music video, directed by Derek Burbidge, was filmed on the streets of Hong Kong and in the Tokyo subway.

DriveThe Cars

The Cars – Drive (Official Music Video)

A very melancholic song by The Cars.

It reached No.

5 on the charts in the UK.

At the Live Aid concert, it was used as the background music for a video clip depicting Africa suffering from poverty.

Here I Go AgainWhitesnake

Whitesnake – Here I Go Again ’87 (Official Music Video)

A song written in Portugal by Whitesnake’s leader, David Coverdale.

Although it’s generally considered an inspiring song about facing challenges, it was originally about loneliness.

It was inspired by Coverdale’s relationship with his first wife, Julia, during his first marriage.