Music That Reminds Me It’s Okay to Wallow in 2026

I feel the world through music. When we were assigned to do a listicle, I knew I wanted to write about the music that matters to me the most. With the lovely assistance of Lela’s peer review, I was able to curate the perfect list of 12 songs I use to see reality. All of these songs ARE very close to my heart; however, for the sake of my privacy I will not be mentioning anything TOO personal in this blog. Now you will realize that all of these songs are yes, sad, and yes, about relationships/heartbreak. If that’s something you’re not willing to hear me mansplain over and over… this may not be the blog for you, and I’ll see you next week! Without further ado, let’s get into this music. (BTW these are not listed in any particular order, and a lot of these were hard to place in a genre so if they are classified wrong, I’m sorry!)

1. Forget her by Jeff Buckley (Ballad). This song is about the post breakup experience. Jeff sings about going through the process of moving on from a girl who he loves. The mix of tragic lyrics mixed with the amazing instrumental brings us everything we need. The lyric, “She was heartache from the moment that you met her,” makes the song feel so complete. It kind of feels like when you realize you’ve been letting someone do you wrong. 
2. Everyone I’ve Never Met by Leith Ross (Indie Folk). This song is one of my favorites. It talks about how being shy is not for the weak. Human interaction is genuinely one of the most beautiful parts of life, yet some people do anything they can do to avoid it. In several cases, a lack of human interaction causes paranoia and depression. A lyric that stands out to me is, “Highways make me fidget. There are way too many cars, and I’m sure I’d like the drivers if we pulled aside to talk, but from my window, they are just a bumper and a light.” 
3. I Know It’s Over by The Smiths (Alternative Indie). This song encapsulates the feeling of being led on. It also makes me think of wanting the world to be more than it is. Through the voice of the singer, you can feel his pain in the moment. The lyrics are hard to miss. Two lyrics that stand out to me are, “I know it’s over, and it never really began, but in my heart it was so real,” and, “It’s so easy to laugh, it’s so easy to hate. It takes guts to be gentle and kind.”  
4. Linger by The Cranberries (Pop Rock). This song is about the feeling of wanting to be free after being in an unfaithful relationship. It’s about having to be around the same person who said loved you after the truth was revealed.  The feeling of confusion and frustration is the main focus of this song. The lyrics, “If you could get by trying not to lie things wouldn’t be so confused, and I wouldn’t feel so used, but you always really knew I just wanna be with you. And I’m in so deep. You know I’m such a fool for you,” show that the singer was deeply hurt about whatever happened to her. 
5. A Pearl by Mitski (Indie Rock). Mitski used this song as a way to communicate to her partner that her problems are not their fault. Mitski used this song as an apology for not being able to be all that her partner needs. She uses a pearl as a symbol for her mental struggles. The lyrics, “You’re growing tired of me. You love me so hard and I still can’t sleep. You’re growing tired of me, and all the things I don’t talk about. Sorry I don’t want your touch. It’s not that I don’t want you,” help you clarify what this song is truly about. 
6. I’ll Wonder When by Sarah Lola (Jazz Fusion). This song is a ballad for those who have been broken up with out of the blue. It’s a song about letting your guard down and being screwed over. It’s a story about a girl who stopped letting people in after she was proved right. In this song, Sarah gives raw deep feelings. She lays out her message right in front of us and covers it with beautiful vocals and piano. “He loved me, yet left me. He left me all alone which is funny, cause he loved me first. Don’t wanna learn to heal again. Don’t want the touch of a man to remind me of the one who ran.” These lyrics are strong. 
7. The Chain by Fleetwood Mac (Rock). This song is a bit different from the others on here. This song is a combination of wonderful singers, messy band drama, and pure passion. The fact that Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham sing this song to each other may make me a bit biased to this one. In the end, these lyrics take this song to the next level. The chorus speaks beautifully to us. “And if you don’t love me now, you will never love me again. I can still hear you saying you would never break the chain.” 
8. The Sick by Bella Kay (Alternative). This song is about forcing yourself to be in a bad relationship. It’s about the realization that you are sabotaging yourself. The idea of ruining yourself on purpose is so interesting to me. In this song she says she HAS to. “I think part of you hated me, so all of me was survivin’ you. There is nothing better I could be. I love the sick because I have to.” 
9. I Know, I Know, I Know by ALINA (Pop). This song has always been very abstract to me. My interpretation of this song is that it’s explaining when a relationship is past the point of saving. When you have full clarity that something isn’t working, and no amount of talking will save it. The lyrics, “Draw another line, say a quick goodbye, never cared to take the time, baby. Look at me like that, are you feeling bad? I know you think I’m all attached, but I’m not an idiot, never thought you’d pick me, don’t got much to offer here, I know” show this. 
10.  It Ain’t Me, Babe by Timothee Chalamet and Monica Barbaro (Folk). To me, this song is about knowing you don’t have what it takes to make someone happy. It’s the clarity of knowing that you will not be good for someone, and not being willing to put them through unnecessary amounts of trouble. It’s the self control of just simply walking away. The lyrics mixed with this perfect harmony is enough to make anyone listen. “You say you’re lookin’ for someone who’ll pick you up each time you fall. To gather flowers constantly, and to come each time you call. A lover for your life and nothing more, But it ain’t me, babe.”
11.  I Just Threw out the Love of My Dreams by Weezer (Power Pop). This song is about throwing away a relationship for the better. It also talks about being forced to be around that person, and wanting to feel that same bond again but not being able to. Some lyrics that highlight this are, “He is in my eyes, he is in my ears. He is in my blood, he is in my tears. I breathe love, and see him everyday, even though my love is a world away.” 
12.  Briston by Sydney Rose (Pop). This song is a flurry of emotions. The anger of having all your special moments taken away by your ex, mixed with the sadness of someone who has just been taken advantage of. Sydney wrote this song as a wakeup message to her ex that he doesn’t know who she truly is. In this song, she says “You don’t know me,” 18 times. The chorus also captures the essence of heartbreak. “But I’m tired, I know it’s bad, but what if this is all I’m gonna get?” 

Author: Sarah

Hii! My name is Sarah, and obviously I love writing! I'm planning on using this blog as a way to put my thoughts out there without having to be so serious about everything. I'll talk about everything from my favorite music and movies, to how I'm adapting to living far away from home. I'm excited to see where this goes, and I look forward to seeing your feedback! <3 View all posts by Sarah