I don’t know what you’re going through. But you’re looking for some sad pop songs, and we’ve got them! I hope they help you achieve what you’re after.
Here are the best sad pop songs ever.
1. Lose You to Love Me by Selena Gomez
Song Year: 2019
This song talks about having to lose someone you love to find yourself. Gomez sings about letting someone almost control her whole life.
The instrumental help bring out the sad emotions of this song. It’s a very moving song that reminds us to focus on ourselves.
2. People You Know by Selena Gomez
Song Year: 2020
Another recent release from Gomez is also somewhat sad. The lyrics talk about someone you used to be close with but have drifted apart.
This happens a lot throughout life as people move or develop new priorities. The lyrics and instrumental work well together to bring out these emotions.
3. Why Try by Ariana Grande
Song Year: 2014
This song has a slow start with the vocals in the low range but then getting higher. Grande sings about loving a specific pain and asks why she and someone should try to make a relationship work.
It’s one of her earlier releases, and the vocals and instrumental are both sad. Many people may not know about the song, but you should listen to it.
4. off the table by Ariana Grande and The Weeknd
Song Year: 2020
Grande and The Weeknd have done multiple excellent duets. One of the saddest ones is “off the table” where they sing about potentially getting back together.
5. Save Your Tears by The Weeknd
Song Year: 2020
The Weeknd sings this song with plenty of emotions to help convey the lyrics. Those lyrics talk about breaking someone’s heart but seeing that person has moved on.
There’s also a version featuring his frequent collaborator Ariana Grande. Both versions are enjoyable to listen to, even if they’re sad.
6. Sirens by Cher Lloyd
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyqFA0JGc-o
Song Year: 2014
Lloyd sings a song about carrying the weight of someone. The instrumental are sad and can help you understand the sadness of the lyrics as well.
If you want to feel the emotions more, watch the music video. Lloyd recreates a scene that happened when she was a little girl where her mom had to evacuate her from a bad situation.
7. Come Back Home by Sofia Carson
Song Year: 2022
In the movie Purple Hearts, Carson’s character sings about fears and tears. Her character gets married right before her husband deployed overseas, hence the title.
Real-life military families can relate to the lyrics about wanting their loved ones home. Even other people may miss someone and want them to come back.
8. Cómo, Cuándo y Dónde by Sofia Carson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s19z0AUECFk
Song Year: 2022
Another song from Carson is in Spanish, and the instrumental are sad. So you don’t even need to understand Spanish to feel the emotions.
However, the Spanish title translates to “how, when, and where.” The lyrics talk about starting over but not being able to.
9. Shallow by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper
Song Year: 2018
In A Star Is Born, Gaga and Cooper’s characters fall in love. The lyrics talk about diving into the deep end and being far from shallow water.
However, the instrumental are what make the song sound as sad as it does.
10. Wrecking Ball by Miley Cyrus
Song Year: 2013
Cyrus sings about loving someone but having them wreck her. She sings about putting someone on a pedestal as well.
Like Gomez’s later song Lose You to Love Me, this song shows how hard it can be when someone doesn’t love you back.
11. Dancing With the Devil by Demi Lovato
Song Year: 2018
This song is about Lovato’s struggle with drug addiction, which can be sad for the addict and family. The video recreates the day Lovato overdosed and went to the hospital.
Their voice helps make the song as emotional and sad as it is. If you know someone who’s struggled with addiction, you can relate to emotions.
12. Skyscraper by Demi Lovato
Song Year: 2011
Another sad song from Lovato is Skyscraper, but it’s about something other than addiction. The song is about rising up from being torn down.
Both the vocals and instrumental go very well together to help make the song sound sad yet powerful.
13. Summertime Sadness by Lana Del Ray
Song Year: 2012
Lana Del Ray’s Summertime Sadness talks about wanting to die. The lyrics mention death and how it isn’t scary for the singer.
The instrumental is calm and in some ways a bit comforting. However, that doesn’t stop the song from having a sad message.
14. everything i wanted by Billie Eilish
Song Year: 2019
Another song that is about suicide, this song talks about having the life of your dreams. Eilish’s voice fits perfectly with the mood of the song.
The lyrics mention how the perfect life is just a dream. But the instrumental insinuate things aren’t as perfect as they seem.
15. Ghost by Justin Bieber, A Sad Contemporary Song
Song Year: 2021
This song talks about settling for the ghost of someone who’s no longer here. Bieber sings about missing the one he loves.
The instrumental suits the lyrics well and help convey the message that we have to take advantage of the time we have. You never know when your time will be up.
16. In My Blood by Shawn Mendes
Song Year: 2018
Yet another song about someone on the brink of death, this song has sad lyrics and instrumental. Mendes sings about wanting to give up and how nothing seems to help.
A lot of people probably feel like giving up at times. However, this song is a good reminder that it’s important to keep going.
17. I Have Questions by Camila Cabello
Song Year: 2017
Her first solo release, this song sees Cabello sing about someone leaving her to burn. The chorus includes three questions she wants to ask this unnamed person.
Some fans thought it was her response to her former Fifth Harmony bandmates. However, anyone can relate to the sadness and the desire for answers.
18. I Know What You Did Last Summer by Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngORmvyvAaI
Song Year: 2015
When Cabello and Mendes first became friends, they sang a beautiful yet sad duet. The lyrics talk about keeping secrets but thinking your partner knows the secrets you have.
It specifically mentions the other cheating on you, which can be devastating. The two singers do an excellent job showing their emotions.
19. Sledgehammer by Fifth Harmony
Song Year: 2014
This song by the five members of Fifth Harmony showcases multiple emotions. Lyrics talk about your heart beating around the one you love.
The instrumental does have a bit of a dance beat, so it’s not as sad as other songs. However, it can be sad to be forced to put yourself out there without knowing if someone loves you back.
20. Secret Love Song by Little Mix featuring Jason Derulo
Song Year: 2015
This song starts off mostly a cappella with only a soft instrumental behind it. The lyrics talk about having to keep your love a secret, though the reason is unclear.
All of the members of Little Mix do a good job, especially with the high notes. Derulo compliments the group well with his lower range. No matter the reason, many people may need to keep a relationship a secret, if only for their safety.
21. All Time Low by The Wanted
Song Year: 2010
All Time Low is surprisingly sad for a group’s debut song. However, the lyrics talk about hitting a low point and not knowing how to get back up.
The instrumental pairs well with the lyrics, and there’s a bit of a build-up to the end. All five singers have solos and execute them well along with the group sections. You don’t have to just be sad if you hit your all-time low.
22. Worldwide by Big Time Rush
Song Year: 2010
This song talks about the one you love moving away. In their show of the same name, one of the members of Big Time Rush has to let his girlfriend move to New Zealand for her career.
The breakup is hard for both characters, and many people in real life can relate to losing people as they move to a new city.
23. Sign of the Times by Harry Styles
Song Year: 2017
The soft piano intro makes it clear this is one of the saddest pop songs. Styles sings about how everything will be alright.
However, the instrumental helps convey it’s still a relatively sad moment. Change is inevitable, but that doesn’t stop it from hurting.
24. deja vu by Olivia Rodrigo
Song Year: 2021
In deja vu, Rodrigo sings about seeing her ex do the same things he did with her but with a new girl. Her voice helps convey the sadness of seeing that.
This song is one of her most popular ones. While it’s not as sad as some songs, it has a nice instrumental backtrack and can help you move on from old relationships. Another sad song from Rodrigo is driver’s license.
25. Happier by Marshmello featuring Bastille
Song Year: 2018
Don’t let the title mislead you; this song is about letting someone go so that they can be happier. Sometimes, we have to do this, even if it hurts at the moment.
The music video is an amazing concept since it focuses on an aging dog. If you’ve ever had a pet, you know losing them can be just as hard as losing a person.
26. What About Us by Pink
Song Year: 2017
Pink sings about love and trust and wanting to solve the world’s problems. There are many questions she asks during the chorus, such as about plans that went wrong.
This song isn’t as famous as some of her other songs, but it’s still a good one to listen to. The piano instrumental is gorgeous, and Pink’s voice blends well with the piano to show off the emotions.
27. If Only by Dove Cameron
Song Year: 2015
In the movie Descendants, Maleficent’s daughter gets to live among the children of Disney heroes. Mal (the daughter) agrees to free the villain’s parents.
But this song shows her emotions as she realizes she doesn’t have to follow in her mom’s footsteps. Cameron does an amazing job singing and showcasing that sadness.
28. Space Between by Dove Cameron and Sofia Carson
Song Year: 2017
In the second Descendants movie, Mal returns to her old home after the stress of her new life gets to her. Her friend Evie (daughter of the Evil Queen) doesn’t realize the stress.
The two friends sing about how they’ll always stay together even when they’re apart. It’s still a sad song due to the secrets Mal kept, and the instrumental helps convey that.
29. It’s Over by The Cheetah Girls
Song Year: 2006
In the second Cheetah Girls movie, the four friends go to Spain. But when they all get sidetracked from the competition that brought them there, they sing this sad ballad.
Raven’s low voice starts out the song, while the other three join in individually. While they get back together, this is the saddest moment in the movie, and the writers chose an amazing song.
The Saddest Pop Songs Of All Time, Final Thoughts
Listening to sad pop songs can be cathartic when you’re going through something sad. Be sure to listen to some of the tracks on this list.
Some may be more relatable than others. But that’s why you get to choose the songs for your playlist.
I hope you found those sad contemporary songs helpful, which was your favorite?