20 Songs People Turn to When They Are Feeling Lonely
Loneliness is something we’ve all experienced at one time or another. For many with mental health conditions, loneliness can be a frequent companion.
In moments of loneliness, it can be helpful to use music as a healing tool. While not a cure-all for loneliness, music stimulates the brain, increasing your mood and decreasing anxiety, blood pressure and pain in the process. Sometimes, music might be just what the doctor ordered!
We asked The Mighty’s mental health community to share the tracks they gravitate towards most when they’re feeling lonely.
Here’s what they told us:
1. “Heavy” by Linkin Park
“It makes me feel like I’m not alone and that other people have screaming thoughts too.” — Katie H.
I’m holding on
Why is everything so heavy?
Holding on
So much more than I can carry
I keep dragging around what’s bringing me down
If I just let go, I’d be set free.
2. “The Middle” by Jimmy Eat World
“[This] is my constant go-to feel-good song. Lonely, sad, anxious… I put that song on and it helps.” — Kay P.
Don’t write yourself off yet
It’s only in your head you feel left out or looked down on
Just try your best
Try everything you can
And don’t you worry what they tell themselves when you’re away
It just takes some time.
3. “Friend, Please” by Twenty One Pilots
“The way Tyler sings it, it’s as if he’s singing directly to me, checking on me and recognizing that I’m actually not okay. It really hits hard, but it helps.” — Shayna K.
Friend, please remove your hands from
Over your eyes for me
I know you want to leave but
Friend, please don’t take your life away from me.
4. “Rise Up” by Andra Day
Submitted by Mighty community member Morsalin B.
And I’ll rise up
High like the waves
I’ll rise up
In spite of the ache
I’ll rise up
And I’ll do it a thousands times again.
5. “Hold On” by Good Charlotte
“I feel like someone may actually understand me when I listen to it. Like I’m not actually alone in the world.” — Lexi L.
But we all bleed the same way as you do
And we all have the same things to go through
Hold on, if you feel like letting go
Hold on, it gets better than you know.
6. “Bishop’s Knife Trick” by Fall Out Boy
“There’s something about that song that makes me feel happy to be alive. It’s so passionate and soothing. It’s my favorite song in the world and one day I will have the lyrics tattooed on me.” — Mariah S.
These are the last blues we’re ever gonna have
Let’s see how deep we get
The glow of the cities below lead us back
To the places that we never should have left
The last blues we’re ever gonna have.
7. “Isolation” by Alter Bridge
“This song gives me strength when I feel like I’m the weakest person in the world.” — Siddhartha N.
When all is lost to you inside
When all the darkness takes the light
The ritual warning has begun
And now you tear away from everyone
Disconnected so alone yeah
Severed ties from all you know.
8. “Still Breathing” by Green Day
“It’s an amazing song and it shows that there are people out there who are also struggling, but we’re all still breathing.” — Claudia R.
Cause I’m still breathing
‘Cause I’m still breathing on my own
My head’s above the rain and roses
Making my way away
‘Cause I’m still breathing.
9. “1-800-273-8255” by Logic ft. Alessia Cara, Khalid
“No matter how I feel, what I’m going through. Volume up, on repeat, with headphones in until I feel better. I’m so thankful for this song, nothing has hit me harder, and I’ve never related to a song on this level. I just feel like they’re talking directly to me.” — Tania J.
It’s holding on, though the road’s long
And seeing light in the darkest things
And when you stare at your reflection
Finally knowing who it is
I know that you’ll thank God you did.
10. “If Today Was Your Last Day” by Nickelback
Submitted by Mighty community member Nestor C.
My best friend gave me the best advice
He said each day’s a gift and not a given right
Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind
And try to take the path less traveled by
That first step you take is the longest stride.
11. “I Wanna Get Better” by Bleachers
“It just reminds me that even at my lowest point I’m not alone, and there are others who have been in the same position who have risen out of it or used it for something productive.” — Sierra D.
So I put a bullet where I shoulda put a helmet
And I crash my car ’cause I wanna get carried away
That’s why I’m standing on the overpass screaming at myself
Hey, I wanna get better!
12. “Battle Scars” by Paradise Fears
“It was sent to me years ago by an old best friend when I was struggling with my mental health and self-harm. I’ve kept it close to me ever since. Whenever I feel lost, alone or just singled out, it’s what I go to.” — Hollie D.
I’ll carry you home
No you’re not alone Keep marching on
This is worth fighting for
You know we’ve all got battle scars.
13. “Soldier” by Gavin DeGraw
“It’s a reminder it takes a village, and I just have to be brave enough to ask for support.” — Wendy P.
Where did all the people go?
They got scared when the lights went low.
I’ll get you through it nice and slow,
When the world’s spinning out of control.
14. “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen
“There’s so much going on in it. Not to mention I just fall into it. There’s no way to avoid singing and dancing.” — Erika M.
Is this the real life?
Is this just fantasy?
Caught in a landslide
No escape from reality
Open your eyes
Look up to the skies and see.
15. “Saviour” by Black Veil Brides
“Sometimes I listen to it like a lullaby, and sing along to take my mind off of my depression or loneliness. The lyrics remind me that even if I feel completely alone, there will always be someone willing to love me. I also listen to it to calm down when I want to harm myself.” — Jacinta M.
So here I write my lullaby to all the lonely ones
Remember as you learn to try to be the one you love
So I can take this pen and teach you how to live
What is left unsaid, the greatest gift I give.
16. “She Used to Be Mine” by Sara Bareilles
“It is such a powerful and emotional anthem of heartache, turmoil and finding yourself. [It] gives me hope in even the most hopeless situations.” — Mackenzie S.
She’s imperfect, but she tries
She is good, but she lies
She is hard on herself
She is broken and won’t ask for help
She is messy, but she’s kind
She is lonely most of the time
She is all of this mixed up and baked in a beautiful pie
She is gone, but she used to be mine.
17. “Cry” by Kelly Clarkson
“I let out all of emotions that have harmed my soul and just let it replay until I feel better.” — Sara A.
Is it over yet
Can I open my eyes
Is this as hard as it gets
Is this what it feels like to really cry.
18. “Jukai” by Jhené Aiko
“It’s a huge reminder that I’m not the only person hurting or alone in this, and there will be days where I feel OK/better even if it may be hard to believe.” — Miya M.
I’m way out, I’m way out
I’m way down in the sea of trees
I’m way out
What is that I see?
Starin’ back at me
OK now
I’m OK now
Alive, alive
Made it out alive.
19. “Happy” by Mother Mother
“[It] grants perspective on the dark thoughts and makes them approachable.” — Dylan M.
Happy is a pill for the faint of hearts
Happy is a place in the dark
Ya you know it is
Ask me if I’m happy one more time.
20. “Last Hope” by Paramore
And the salt in my wounds isn’t burning anymore than it used to
It’s not that I don’t feel the pain it’s just I’m not afraid of hurting anymore
And the blood of these veins isn’t pumping any less than it ever has
And that’s the hope I have the only thing I know that’s keeping me alive.
Music is a great tool to soothe feelings of loneliness. Remember, even when you’re lonely, you’re never truly alone. These songs are beautiful reminders of that fact. If you’re struggling to navigate dark emotions, check out some of these additional resources The Mighty has to offer.
What songs do you turn to when you’re feeling lonely? Share them below.