Sad Music: Is it Harmful?

Music really sets the mood.

Whether at a party or a laidback gathering, playlists are often made to fit a specific atmosphere: to capture a feeling or emotion through a series of songs linked together by one common idea. Having said that, it is not uncommon to find a playlist dedicated to sad music among the countless other upbeat titles.

But is it really okay to dote on feelings of self pity and heartbreak on purpose? When people listen to sad songs, is it right for them to voluntarily stay in a low, depressive state?

Sad songs aren’t foreign in the music industry. In a rough study conducted by Lawrence Technical University, the number of hit singles revolving around feelings of negativity in recent years compared to that of the 50’s had drastically risen. Songs depicting anger and fear collectively nearly doubled, while the amount of sad songs released had consistently risen over the last 20 years. With the emergence of these tracks becoming more popular and common, it may be expected that an increase in overall anguish from avid listeners may follow. 

When navigating throughout our everyday lives, we do our best to avoid negativity, which raises the question as to why we would go out of our way to listen to more somber pieces. However, the choice to listen to sad songs doesn't necessarily correspond with a desire to feel unhappy. According to a research article by “Frontiers in Psychology,” the pleasure one gets from listening to melancholy music primarily derives from aesthetic reasons: meaning that the feeling of being emotionally moved is what we perceive to be beautiful and gratifying. In addition, it suggests that the enjoyment granted by listening also has something to do with people’s sense of empathy, or the ability to understand the negative feelings of another. This could also play a large factor in why humans find heavily emotional music so engaging. 

Furthermore, sad music can also act as a source of comfort for those struggling with depression or other mental illness. A study by the journal “Emotion” found compelling evidence supporting that those who deal with depression do not seek to prolong their feelings of turmoil, but rather find that listening to sad music can be calming and even uplifting. 

Granted, focusing on feelings of bitterness and distress for prolonged periods of time is not healthy, but when you feel the need to listen to sad music arising, remember that you are not alone. The world of music offers many a safe space and comfort: sad songs are not exempt from this.