From Taylor Swift to The Cure, these famous tunes sound like heartbreak but are actually pure joy. Talk about an auditory bait-and-switch.

We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we love. Promise. Considering you ended up on this side of the internet, you, my friend, are in need of a good cry. And ...

Amy Winehouse performs during the 46664 concert in celebration of Nelson Mandela's life at Hyde Park on June 27, 2008 in London. Sadness takes on different forms, from regret to depression to loss; ...

Raise your hand if you often find yourself in need of a good cry. Okay, all of us? Now raise it even higher if you like to lean into those feelings by throwing on a masterfully crafted playlist full ...

Music can heal you in many ways, but nothing comes close to the salve of sad songs when you’re at your lowest. Imagine Emma, who comes home after a long and stressful day at work, dealing with tight ...

"When I wrote it, the feeling of the music was sad, but yet there was this beautiful melody that sat on top," Masterson says. Written for a string orchestra, the piece observes the conventions of ...

What is it about listening to those moody, melancholy ballads when we’re feeling down? Sad songs evoke strong emotions and help us feel better when we’re going through hard times, such as a break-up ...

You would think happy people would prefer to listen to happy music. Lyrics that speak to their positive mood, bringing them cheer and joy. Yet, sad music tends to have a longer-lasting appeal for many ...

I’ve had an intermittent relationship with podcasts. Over the past several years I’ve tended towards listening to epic audiobook stories on Audible. Books like Game of Thrones, the Harry Hole ...

Sadness is generally seen as a negative emotion, but we tend to find it pleasurable in an aesthetic context. What is the nature of pleasure that people experience from listening to sad music?