Life is especially stressful for many people right now with college applications, the world around us. Life is not always easy, and sometimes people want to forget about what they are feeling and live for a second. These songs have a remarkable ability to make the listener forget about their problems while humming along to the melody.
“Je Te Laisserai Des Mots” by Patrick Watson
Despite being in French, Je Te Laisserai Des Mots is a song that feels universal to many experiences. Watson’s lyrics translate to waiting for a romantic interest to confess their love and being willing to wait for them for as long as possible; however, the song’s instrumentation portrays a tragic longing for someone who does not see the interest in them.
“Lights Are On” by Tom Rosenthal
This track tells the story of a universal human experience: loneliness. Rosenthal’s simple but effective lyrics convey such tragedy in the loneliness of existing as a person. The beautiful piano progression displays a fleeting moment that comes and goes in seconds, furthering the theme in the song of longing for connection.
“The Cut That Always Bleeds” by Conan Gray
Conan Gray is an artist who constantly writes about heartbreak in an all too familiar way. “The Cut That Always Bleeds” details the cycle of a toxic relationship that the narrator cannot let go. Despite knowing how the dependency on the person is draining them mentally, the narrator continues the cycle knowing how it will end. Gray’s tragic lyrics and vocal performance make the song a heartbreaking but vindicating listen.
“Seven” by Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift’s “Folklore” is a beautiful body of work that will continue to be appreciated for generations to come. While there are many songs that could be selected for this list, “Seven” is by far the perfect choice. Swift speaks about a friend who was in an abusive household, as the narrator attempts to remember the person brings back the desire from years prior of wanting to save the friend from their circumstances, with the narrator coming to the realization that she could not save the person. Swift’s painfully quiet performance makes the song devastating to listen to.
