Midterm Music: 17 Songs to Listen to When You Need a Good Cry

Feeling Sad? Need a good cry? We all hit that one point in the semester when we just feel overwhelmed, especially during midterms. An emotional release can be an awesome stress reliever, and when it happens, you realize that you can get through all your problems and then some!

Here’s a list of amazing songs to get you in the mood for those much needed waterworks.

Hanna Hunt-Vampire Weekend

Hipster royalty Vampire Weekend turns the synth down and the feelings up this poetic song about a muse gone-wrong.

What a Catch Donnie- Fall Out Boy

Does it hurt you to think of Fallout Boy when they were still on hiatus? Because this song is all of those feelings summed up into one. This was one of the first songs released off of the last album the band put out before splitting up for an agonizing 6 years. Spoiler alert: The last chorus has sad echoes from all their former hits. I’m crying just thinking about it.

A Long Time Ago- First Aid Kit

There’s a reason this band is named after something having to do with fixing wounds. Let this Swedish sister duo break your heart.

Say Something- A Great Big World

I believe this song was so popular this year because everyone can relate to it. “Say something I’m giving up on you”! Are you talking about a boy…a girl…your Spanish homework? It works a number of ways.

The Freshman-The Verve Pipe

          Young and stupid gets fatal in this tear-jerking gem from ’96.

Boston-Augustana

Throw caution to the wind and belt the bridge of this song. You’ll feel instantly better, and you may also have an urge to run off to ol’ Bean Town with the lead singer of this band. 

Miss You- Blink 182

Who doesn’t love a little Blink? Re-visit those angst filled days with this lighter, surprisingly mature piece. 

Almost Lover- A Fine Frenzy

       *Listens to this song thinking about a crush *

        *Also listens to this song thinking about that crazy expensive sweater you walked away from at Lord and Taylors this weekend *

Fast car- Tracy Chapman

“You got a fast car/ I want a ticket to anywhere”. This cool coffee house jam sounds a lot like a reoccurring fantasy I have while studying in the library…except I really don’t drive that fast and I’d probably settle for a bus ticket to the nearest Starbucks.

Leave Your Lover- Sam Smith

Up and comer Sam Smith seems is to be the new King of belty sad songs with his hit “Stay With Me” playing on our radios and tightening our throats everywhere. This lighter, more personal song should not be over looked. Bonus points if you watch the touching music video.  Sing it into your big spoon while eating ice cream. Go crazy.

Skinny Love- Bon Iver, but the Birdie cover

Just something about her ethereal voice, innocent, childlike, and tragic…it makes you want to lie on the floor.  

Fire And Rain- James Taylor

An oldie but a goodie. Sometimes I cry because this song is so good…other times I cry because I wasn’t alive for the golden age of folk-rock. This is the ultimate “get over it” song.

Don’t you remember?- Adele

          Who hurt you Adele? Who. Hurt. You.

Hallelujah – Rufus Wainwright

Many people have covered this Leonard Cohen masterpiece but my personal favorite is Rufus Wainrwight’s version (Plus this one was used in Shrek).

Small Bump-Ed Sheeran

Beautiful, touching and tragic, this song has an unbearably sad reveal at the end.

             I’m not crying…you’re crying!

 Goodbye My Lover- James Blunt

Before James Blunt was the happy go lucky guy we all know an love from pop hits like “Stay the night” and “Bonfire Heart” he had one album in particular that I had to literally wipe tears off of. Back to Bedlam, was his debut album and also feature’s the famous tearjerker “You’re Beautiful”, and my personal favorite sobfest-song “Tears and Rain”. The album is even named after the infamous psychiatric institution of Bethlehem Royal Hospital, which is commonly known as Bedlam. Ouch my heart.

Hurt- Johnny Cash/ 9 Inch Nails

Congratulations! The double winner for our saddest song EVER is Hurt!  9-inch nails wrote the song, but the late great Johnny Cash turns it into the ultimate trigger for the snivels. Would not recommend listening to them back to back if you’re not wearing waterproof mascara.

Enjoy your new ballads Her Campus Readers! Make sure that while you’re checking off all you have to do this midterm season, you are also checking in with yourself! Being in touch with your emotions is important, so be healthy, be happy, and ace those exams!