The 30 Best Sad Love Songs to Get You in Your Feelings (2024)

It’s #Adele30 season, so I’m going straight for the jugular with one of the most heart-wrenching songs on her post-divorce album. In this soulful, (almost) soothing track, she sings to her “little love” (her son, Angelo), about parting ways from his father and her guilt over the breakup. It includes real voice recordings between mother and son that are sure to send you into a full, heaving sob.—Erica Gonzales

Upon hearing that first chord alone, it is over for me. On this chilling track from his masterpiece album Blond, Frank Ocean sings about ending a relationship on good terms (“I will always love you / How I do” are the opening lines of the song) and still, it’s full of so much pain, emotion, wistfulness, and love that it’ll bring tears to your eyes anyway. James Blake’s version on the piano is just as devastating.—Erica Gonzales

This collab between Lucky Daye and Yebba is a flawless, easy listen, yet it’s about the frustrations of loving someone who takes you for granted. They sing in the highly relatable pre-chorus: “Ooh, this shit is trash / I’ma give it right on back ’cause that’s what I’ve been gettin’ from you.”—Erica Gonzales

Who hurt Aretha Franklin like this? In this lovelorn classic, the Queen of Soul is waiting for the phone to ring and tapping on her ex’s windowpane—and, TBH, we’ve probably done something similar for a certain someone.—Erica Gonzales

Whitney Houston is queen of sad love songs—no, love songs period—and while her famous “And IIIIIII” appears later on this list, this hit from about 10 years earlier is a worthy addition too. Also a cover (it was originally recorded by Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr. in 1978), “Saving All My Love for You” just hits that feeling of wanting to give everything to a person everyone else says is bad for you.—Erica Gonzales

Snoh Aalegra wrote this tender ballad about losing her father and not having spent enough time with him. Throughout the song, she repeats the line “I wish that time never mattered” over dreamy keys, with her comforting melody and raspy vocals. It’s a bittersweet reminder to hold the ones you love close and tell them you love them.—Erica Gonzales

Anne Peebles’s ‘70s classic is captivating from that opening iconic riff. While it’s been remixed and sampled many a time, the original really captures that feeling of being reminded of your past loves by the little, unexpected things.—Erica Gonzales

Olivia Rodrigo is just being honest: It’s right to wish your past lover the best, but it’s painful to see them better off without you. In this sweet but direct track from her stellar debut Sour, she sings in the chorus: “I hope you’re happy / But not like how you were with me / I’m selfish, I know, I can’t let you go / So find someone great, but don’t find no one better.”—Erica Gonzales

This early MUNA hit goes out to all the hookups/potential lovers that you can’t let go of but you know won’t end well. Stubbornly, you’re always down to give it another try, no matter how much it hurts.—Erica Gonzales

The kind of song you need for those moments when it feels like this whole “love” thing isn’t as great as everyone says it is. Amy Winehouse said it best: It’s a game you can’t win.—Erica Gonzales

AND IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!! The sad love song to end all sad love songs, Houston’s version of “I Will Always Love You” makes saying goodbye hurt so good.—Ariana Yaptangco

Adele co-wrote this piano power ballad with Bruno Mars (the guy who gifted us sad playlist classics like “When I Was Your Man” and “Grenade,”) so it’s no wonder that “All I Ask” slaps. Her vocals are pleading as the piano trills in the background: “What if I never love again?” she asks. Cue me crying.—Ariana Yaptangco

Mimi said “We belong together,” dammit! This Mariah classic will have you screaming the final chorus into a hairbrush until your true love returns.—Ariana Yaptangco

So, you miss your toxic ex. We’ve all been there, and this bop from Swedish pop singer Zara Larsson is equal parts wistful and self-aware. “I want you to ruin my life,” she croons throughout the chorus, making listeners feel a little too seen.—Ariana Yaptangco

Fans were pleasantly surprised to find a breakup song on Taylor Swift’s otherwise cheery album Lover. Swift told the Elvis Duran Show that she was inspired by Netflix’s romantic comedy Someone Great. “It’s a movie about how she has to end this relationship that she didn’t want to end because she’s still in love with the person but they just grew apart and he’s not a jerk,” she explained. “It’s just sad because it’s just realistic, time passed and now we’re different people and that is the most devastating thing.”—Ariana Yaptangco

Carole King c0-wrote this song first released by The Shirelles in 1960, before recording her own version for her landmark album Tapestry in 1971. Slowing the tempo, King taps into the insecurities of falling in love: “Is this a lasting treasure / Or just a moment’s pleasure?”—Ariana Yaptangco

Everyone has an almost-ex: a person you never technically dated, but were involved with nonetheless. Situationships can hurt, and this duet between Ariana Grande and Nathan Sykes tells the story of a couple “so close to being in love.”—Ariana Yaptangco

Karaoke night simply isn’t complete without a passionate rendition of “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now.” Bonus points if you try to reenact the iconic music video. Baby, baby, baby!—Ariana Yaptangco

The official anthem for realizing your ex ain’t shit, Beyoncé reminds us you're still That Bitch™, even after a brutal breakup.—Ariana Yaptangco

Oh, Sandy. It’s hard to get over an ex, and Olivia Newton-John’s signature song from Grease knows that the heart wants what it wants.—Ariana Yaptangco