10 relatable songs for tough times

Music is a potent tool that is always within reach during times of struggle. It allows us to distract ourselves from reality, express and release our emotions, provides us with strength in times of need, and helps us find a community of people we can relate to. Navigating the complexities of the human experience can be tough, but by embracing the music’s influence, you will start to recognize its ability to heal, uplift, and save lives.

When dealing with hardships, it can be difficult to articulate how we are feeling, but music has a unique way of providing us with a source of solace and strength. Music is therapy and helps the misunderstood feel understood. If you are struggling with your mental health, loss of a loved one, heartbreak, or are contemplating whether or not you belong, these are the 10 songs you should listen to!

1. “For Cari” – Fletcher
“For Cari” is a track that comes from her debut album, Girl of My Dreams, and explores themes of self reflection, self acceptance, and personal growth. It is essentially a love letter to her younger self. It can be tough to find peace in your past, but Fletcher reminds us that it is okay to give yourself grace in times of heartbreak and insecurity. At times it may seem like the weight of the world is on your shoulders, but everything that you go through is necessary in order to become the person you want to be. “So I’ll say farewell to the hard times / And I’ll say fuck you to the bad vibes / And I’ll raise a glass while I toast to myself / I’m a bad bitch and nothing can scare me / This one’s for Cari”

2. “Turbulence” – P!nk
P!nk, an artist who has a reputation that speaks for itself, best known for her rebellious spirit, powerful vocals, and raw lyricism, released “Turbulence” off of her 2023 album, Trustfall. The songs speaks on relinquishing control and understanding that there are going to be bumps in the road, but it is important to persevere and stay resilient. “You can’t help when your stomach sinks / See your life happen in a flash / In your head, it could be so real / That you almost feel the crash / The panic is temporary / But I’ll be permanent / So when its hits, don’t forget / As scary as it gets / It’s just turbulence”

3. “if this is the last time” – LANY
The indie-pop band, LANY, has given us many anthems over the years, but one of their most heartfelt songs, “if this is the last time”, off of their third studio album, mama’s boy, serves as a reminder to tell your loved ones how you feel while you still can. As you grow older and realize that time is the one thing you can’t get back, you don’t want to look back on the memories you’ve shared with your family and realize that you didn’t cherish the time you got to spend with them. “Sorry for the fights and the tone of my voice / Sorry for the nights when I made the wrong choice / Life is flyin’ by and it’s hittin’ me now / I hope it’s not, but / If this is the last time, please come close / I love you with all my heart, you know / I don’t wanna cry, I’m bad at goodbye / If this is the last time”

4. “TELL ME ABOUT TOMORROW” – jxdn
The title track off of jxdn’s first studio album, Tell Me About Tomorrow, serves as a reminder to seek for hope in the days to come in times of loneliness and depression. The singer is known for creating music that resonates with his audience, and that’s no different for this track. Sometimes you have to search for more than this life can give, don’t forget to hold out hope for a better future. “Your life’s vacant / You feel complacent / You’re broken, I’m breakin’ / And I tried callin’ you a thousand times / You tried tellin’ me a thousand lies / There’s no need to apologize / It’s not your fault again this time / Promise you won’t say goodbye right now / Hold on when you have your doubts / Tell me the things that I don’t know / I’ll tell you about tomorrow”

5. “Glass House” – mgk
In 2019, mgk released one of his most notable albums, Hotel Diablo, which includes the emotional track “Glass House”, featuring Naomi Wild. The GRAMMY nominated artist reflects on losing the people around you, and maybe even yourself, to addiction, suicide, and the pressures of fame. When you are struggling, sometimes it feels like you are trapped in a situation that could shatter at any moment. The song expresses feelings of hopelessness and guilt that one may feel when tragedy strikes. “Life’s been hard since seventeen / I’ve been through hell, I think I’m somewhere in between / Caught in purgatory, I can paint the scene / Everything turned to a nightmare from a dream”

6. “Fix You” – Coldplay
The GRAMMY award winning duo, Coldplay, released one of the most notable songs in their discography in 2005, “Fix You”, an important song about finding the light at the end of the tunnel. Even though it is not always possible to take away the pain of our loved ones, we can be there to support them in times of hardships. “Lights will guide you home / And ignite your bones / And I will try to fix you”

7. “Hold On” – Chord Overstreet
The hit single, “Hold On” is about the idea of unconditional love. Chord Overstreet has spoke up about how the song was inspired by an on and off again relationship and a close friend who sadly lost his life to a drug addiction. It is meant to be a reminder to everyone who may be struggling with something that there is someone out there who loves you no matter what. “I pull you in to feel your heartbeat / Can you hear me screaming please don’t leave me / Hold on, I still want you / Come ack, I still need you / Let me take your hand, I’ll make it right / I swear to love you all my life”

8. “July” – Noah Cyrus
“July” delves into the struggles of being trapped in a toxic relationship. Cyrus’ lyricism expresses the pain that is felt knowing that you love someone who isn’t good for you. It takes courage to move on and choose yourself when it comes to the complexities of love. “So tell me to leave / I’ll pack my bags, get on the road / Find someone that loves you / Better than I do, darling, I know / Cause you remind me every day / I’m not enough, but I still stay”

9. “Paper Cup” – Thomas Day
“Paper Cup” is a heart wrenching ballad about how relationships can be temporary and fragile. Day uses the metaphor of a paper cup to tell a story about how love can fall apart. The singer reflects on the pain that you feel when something so strong abruptly comes to an end. This song is for anyone who is brokenhearted. “That’s the most beautiful thing about the first time / You don’t know what you have until you’ve crossed the line / And you’re floating in space on a spinning planet / Oh, and trust is just something you take for granted”

10. “The Show” – Niall Horan
In 2023, Niall Horan released the title track of his third studio album, The Show, which is the perfect reminder to take a step back and look at things from a different perspective when you lose control of a situation. He reminds us that it’s important to be grateful for the things around us. “If everything was easy, nothing ever broke / If everything was simple, how would we know / How to fix your tears, how to fake a show / How to paint a smile, yea, how would we know / How good we have it though”