Whether it’s classes starting up, the holiday season ending, or the cold, we’re all a little down in the dumps this time of year. These songs are perfect for days when you’re feeling a little bit emo.
“I Need My Girl” by The National
Possibly Cincinnati boys’ most intimate song ever, “I Need My Girl,” is primarily mixed with a solo piano cut. It’s a song of heartbreak in its freshest stage, depicting the hopelessness of an abandoned soul.
“Remember when you lost your shit and/Drove the car into the garden/And you got out and said I’m sorry/ To the vines and no one saw it/I need my girl.”
“Please Don’t” by Courteeners
“Four years and twenty-two shades of blonde/Is all that separated us/Why couldn't we have carried on?/We could have got married/You could have carried some of my sons,” the Manchester rock band starts out their ballad with a bang.
The guitar riffs throughout the track are basic, but that only draws more attention to the perfectly-crafted lyrics.
“Crowded Places” by Banks
This is a song for musicians who find themselves lonely in their success. The 29-year-old Orange County native sings in her alluring, made-for-indie voice of failing to balance romance and a budding career in the music business.
“You said you didn't want to see me anymore/And then when I got home when I played that show in L.A./All your shit was gone/It was the only time I thought I'd made a mistake.”
“Alright” by Keaton Henson
“Alright” pairs perfectly with “Crowded Places” by flipping the narrative. Henson tells the story of a lover left behind, watching his better half thrive without him.
“It's been about a month/And I am eating badly/Still don't cry/But I keep meaning to/I hear the crowds adore you so/But I'm still here, I hope you know/Don't talk to them about me.”
“Is There Somewhere” by Halsey
Before the arena tours and A-list collaborations, Halsey was just another artist trying to get her start. This hidden gem from her 2015 EP, Room 93, showcases her raw talent as a songwriter with a dark, anti-pop sound that echoes in your head.
“You're writing lines about me; romantic poetry/Your girl's got red in her cheeks, 'cause we're somethin' she can't see/And I try to refrain, but you're stuck in my brain/And all I do is cry and complain because second's not the same.”
“8(circle)” by Bon Iver
Half the songs in Bon Iver’s catalogue belong on this list. “8(circle)” stood out to me, however, because of its genius deep, but minimalist production.
“I'm standing in your street now, no/And I carry his guitar/And I can't recall it lightly at all/But I know I'm going in.”
“Someday You Will Be Loved” by Death Cab for Cutie
This one’s a no-brainer; Death Cab is the first band that comes to mind when you think of solemnness. This one’s something special though; it got me through a breakup or two. It highlights the difference between men and boys and meant-to-be’s and road blocks.
“You may feel alone when you're falling asleep/And every time tears roll down your cheeks/But I know your heart belongs to someone you've yet to meet/Someday you will be loved.”
“Land Locked Blues” by Bright Eyes
This 2005 ballad is one of my favorite songs of all time. Bright Eyes relies solely on his vision and talent to create. He’s the king of painting an entire lifetime in 5 minutes.
“I keep drinking the ink from my pen/And I'm balancing history books up on my head/But it all boils down to one quotable phrase/If you love something, give it away.”
“Someone You’d Admire” by Fleet Foxes
This folk masterpiece is coffee shop soundtrack gold. The instrumentally-heavy track is peace amidst the chaos.
“After all is said and done/God only knows which of them I’ll become.”
“Taxi” by The Maine
These alternative gurus surprised me with this standout on their newest full-length, Lovely Little Lonely.
“And in the backseat/When you asked me ‘Is the sadness everlasting?’/I pulled you closer, looked at you and said ‘Love, I think it is.’ ”
Halle Weber is a sophomore studying journalism with a focus in news and information at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Are you in your feels? Let Halle know by tweeting at her @HalleWeber13.
