[2025] A Collection of Dark Western Songs Middle Schoolers Should Hear

When we’re weighed down by melancholy, it’s the power of music that gently wraps around our hearts.

Sometimes we feel deep empathy by laying bare the darkness inside; other times we find encouragement amid despair—here are some classic Western songs that do just that.

Focused mainly on Gen Z artists, we’ve selected tracks that can stand beside the many kinds of emotional pain today’s middle schoolers (as of 2025) may face—heartbreak, friendship troubles, anxieties about the future, and more.

Listening while understanding the lyrics will make them resonate even more deeply.

Just be careful not to get swallowed by darkness that’s too deep—and by all means, try listening as you read the lyrics.

Playlist

[2025] A Collection of Dark Western Songs Middle Schoolers Should Hear
	Title	Playlist	One point
1	you broke me firstTate McRae		A signature song by Tate McRae. It portrays the unhealed pain and resolve felt when an ex-lover comes back.
2	teenage dreamOlivia Rodrigo		An introspective ballad by Olivia Rodrigo that sings of anxiety and impatience about growing up.
3	everything i wantedBillie Eilish		A profound song that portrays the loneliness brought on by Billie Eilish’s success and sings of the support and bond with her brother.
4	Mr. ForgettableDavid Kushner		A song by David Kushner. It depicts his grandfather’s Alzheimer’s disease and expresses the sorrow of memory loss in an acoustic style. 300 million streams on Spotify.
5	American TeenagerEthel Cain		Ethel Cain sings of the loneliness and despair behind the American Dream, set within a Southern Gothic world.
6	I Love You, I’m SorryGracie Abrams		A moving song in which Gracie Abrams quietly sings of her complex lingering feelings for an ex.
7	A COLD PLAYThe Kid LAROI		A 20-character summary: The Kid Laroi’s song is a breakup track that concretely depicts lingering attachment and self-blame.
8	life, i’m over youZevia		An emotional piano piece by Zevia that portrays the despair of age 18 and the faint hope toward age 19.
9	pretend to like merenforshort		renforshort’s new song captures adolescent anxiety and the pain of unrequited love with distorted guitars and raw, gritty vocals.
10	would’ve been yousombr		Sombar’s track that originated on TikTok. With airy guitars and a dreamlike layering of sounds, it conveys regret and lingering attachment to lost possibilities.
11	BAD FEELINGSBLÜ EYES		A Blue Eyes track that portrays a heart wavering between the pain of suppressing emotions and the pressure to stay positive.
12	Alley RoseConan Gray		Summary (20 characters): Conan Gray wrote his first love song based on his experience in London, where his partner broke up with him via message.
13	Won’t OverdoseLil Xan		An introspective track in which Lil Xan breaks away from his past drug addiction, conveying a message of recovery and hope.
14	PsychoMaisie Peters		A song by Maisie Peters that portrays a toxic relationship with an ex who repeatedly gaslights and cheats.
15	BodybagChloe Moriondo		A song by Chloe Moriondo. It’s characterized by the contrast between bright pop sounds and dark lyrics, expressing complex romantic feelings.
16	FSUMimi Barks		Mimi Barks’s album Doom Trap expresses despair and liberation, themed around the breakdown of relationships and self-reflection.
17	used to youmxmtoon		A coming-of-age song by a Gen Z icon, singing of nostalgia
18	NumbLinkin Park		It’s said to be a song that was sung for his own mother, and…
19	Happy?Mudvayne		A heavy(-something) band called Mudvyne that went on hiatus…
20	daddyKorn		The vocalist Jonathan was subjected to ... by his father in the past...
21	SoberTool		Rather than “you get sick when you listen,” it’s more like “you’re already sick…”
22	BoredDeftones		Def... that begins with an inorganic, sharp guitar riff
23	Wide Open SpaceMansun		While there are no eccentric performances or shouts, the subdued…
24	Until The World Goes ColdTrivium		Since the vocalist is half Japanese, the in...
25	Would?Alice In Chains		When you think of grunge, Nirvana is the representative band…
26	Shout Out to My ExLittle Mix		I chose it because it’s a song that blows away depression. She…
27	creepRadiohead		It has also been covered by many female artists in Japan...
28	Stay ft. Mikky EkkoRihanna		It's a love song, but Rihanna herself has experienced domestic violence...
29	B.Y.O.B.System Of A Down		If I can sublimate my darkness/anguish to this extent, I’ll feel so relieved...
30	The A TeamEd Sheeran		I remember it being used in commercials and such...
31	PILLOWTALKZAYN		ZAYN, who left One Direction...
32	PassiveA Perfect Circle		It’s an insert song from the movie “Constantine.” Con…
33	Some one like youAdele		Adele, who currently sells the most CDs, with that commanding presence, is about to...
34	I’m AliveDisturbed		It starts with a heavy, oppressive riff, but the lyrics...
35	Slania’s SongEluveitie		I feel like it was Swedish, not English…
36	JealousLabrinth		To an ex-lover: “I hope you’ll be happy even without me…”
37	DisassociativeMarilyn Manson		When I hear Marilyn Manson, Beautif…
38	Everything Is AlrightMotion City Soundtrack		A song about mental issues like ADHD…
39	Trail of FireOceansize		They’ve already gone on hiatus, but the UK…
40	I’m Not Human At AllSleep Party People		We’re an indie band from Denmark. Everyone...
41	To SheilaThe Smashing Pumpkins		Members getting arrested for drug use and such, a b…
42	Architects HallucinateThe Agonist		It’s a female metal band, and the shouts are impressive…
43	I’ve Seen It AllThom Yorke With Bjork		It’s an insert song from Dancer in the Dark. The movie i…
44	HonestlyZwan		The Smashing Pumpkins’ vocalist is the backing band…
45	Adam’s Songblink-182		Blink is an American rock band…
46	HelloAdele		It’s just like Adele to create a song that draws listeners in…
47	SOS ft. Aloe BlaccAvicii		A moving track from Avicii’s posthumous album “SOS”
48	Sk8er BoiAvril Lavigne		Avril's nostalgic youth song
49	Your PowerBillie Eilish		Billie Eilish’s quietly powerful song
50	my futureBillie Eilish		A masterpiece I made with Finneas during the COVID-19 pandemic
51	Run Away With MeCarly Rae Jepsen		Refreshing music that colors the brilliance of youth
52	Troubled TimesGreen Day		English music learning ideal for junior high school students
53	Love YourselfJustin Bieber		Introduction to Justin Bieber’s popular songs
54	Someone You LovedLewis Capaldi		Baritone vocalist from Scotland
55	HardwiredMetallica		Metallica's 'Hardwired' is an anthem for youth.
56	7 ThingsMiley Cyrus		Miley’s bittersweet heartbreak rock song
57	Take Me Somewhere NiceMogwai		As autumn turns to winter, the air grows clear and cold…
58	Because I Love YouStevie Wonder		This is the song we performed at the music recital in middle school...
59	Favorite SongToosii		A love song that portrays the poignancy and hope of youth
60	With or Without YouU2		A timeless masterpiece: the struggle of love and the allure of music
61	What Am IWhy Don’t We		An inspiring introduction to Ed Sheeran’s moving songs
62	thank u, nextAriana Grande		The American singer Ariana Grande...
63	Tears In HeavenEric Clapton		It's so mellow that if I don't listen to this song, I—
64	It’s My LifeBon Jovi		For junior high school, what kind of presence is Western rock music…
65	ParadiseColdplay		Among rock bands, the ones popular with middle school students are call…
66	Smells Like Teen SpiritNirvana		People with foul mouths talk about things like Nirvana as if they were for middle schoolers...
67	Fake My Own DeathSUM41		When you get into punk rock, you end up with a bunch of similar-sounding bands...
68	New RomanticsTaylor Swift		I started getting interested in Western music around middle school...
69	Can’t Feel My FaceThe Weeknd		It’s a popular song by The Weeknd. He will continue to ma…
70	Hey JudeThe Beatles		For a middle schooler, a band that feels like a grandpa…
71	ViennaBilly Joel		Billy Joel’s supple, far-reaching singing…
72	1901Birdy		In this song, with its poignant piano tone, as we part…
73	The Lazy SongBruno Mars		Because Bruno Mars is popular all around the world...
74	How LongCharlie Puth		It became popular mainly in the United States, and in Japan it has gradually…
75	Autumn LeavesChris Brown ft. Kendrick Lamar		Chris Brown is Kendrick...
76	SymphonyClean Bandit feat. Zara Larsson		Speaking of autumn, it's the season of the arts, so the orchestra...
77	YellowColdplay		Among Coldplay's many hit songs...
78	All of the StarsEd Sheeran		The film “The Fault in Our …”
79	Wake me up when September endsGreen Day		Green Day, who sings this song, is an American…
80	FallJustin Bieber		Although autumn is also called “fall” in English, th…
81	LoveLana Del Rey		A singer-songwriter from New York, USA...
82	Littlest ThingsLily Allen		Both the intro’s vibe and the piano’s tone are so beauti…
83	Lot to LearLuke Christopher		If I were ○○, how would you…
84	Falling ShortLåpsley		With the bare minimum of sounds, and once you hear it, you can’t forget it…
85	Love me please love meMichel Polnareff		From the piano in the intro, into a falsetto, so bea…
86	CoffeeMiguel		Many love songs have a slightly dreamy f...
87	Young BloodNoah Kahan		The acoustic guitar suits the transparent, airy world of the vocals...
88	TroublemakerOlly Murs ft. Flo Rida		In this upbeat, high-energy song, I...
89	You know meRobbie Williams		A song that sings of boundless, overflowing regrets, and the rest…
90	Be With YouRoger Taylor		First, the weeping guitar in the intro is heartrending, and the melo…
91	Don’t Tell MeRuel		Ruel, who was said to be 14 years old at the time of his debut, ...
92	No Ordinary LoveSade		As shown in the music video, underwater…
93	Too Good At GoodbyesSam Smith		Autumn often makes me feel kind of wistful, and...
94	Rihanna ft. Mikky EkkoStay		Calmly, as if assigned a role to myself...
95	RedTaylor Swift		A song about memories with an ex-lover, set in winter...
96	StayZedd, Alessia Cara		Autumn is a season when the scenery is beautiful, with things like colorful foliage. So...
97	even the nights are betterAir Supply		It’s a gentle song that really tugs at the heart on summer nights. Fin…
98	All Summer LongKid Rock		A high school boy is about to have a campfire...
99	I keep forgettingMichael McDonald		At the very moment summer ended, so did his love—the feelings of a man whose romance ended with the season…
100	Obladi ObladaThe Beatles		Riding along the coastline in a minibus, everyone gazes at the blue sea...
101	Girls Like YouMaroon 5 ft. Cardi B		In autumn, when it's easy to feel nostalgic, …
102	WonderwallOasis		When it comes to Oasis, this is the song! Many people would say so...
103	Gust of WindPharrell Williams		Two albums by Pharrell Williams...
104	Don’t Let Me DownThe Chainsmokers ft. Daya		Speaking of autumn, it's also a comfortable season to spend time in, and…
105	Don’t Be So Hard On YourselfJess Glynne		Western music that's perfect as a cheer song for summer high school baseball...
106	Bad DayDaniel Powter		If you want to cheer someone up who's feeling down, this is the song!
107	The MiddleJimmy Eat World		In 2001, the rock band Jimmy Eat...
108	Fix YouColdplay		With a dazzling band sound and overwhelming name recognition...
109	You’re BeautifulJames Blunt		Sweet lyrics and a melodious trac...
110	Don’t ChangeMusiq		High sense with a neo-soul vibe seeping through…
111	So SickNe-Yo		A haunting sense of melancholy in the vocals and an unforgettable melodic line…
112	Skinny LoveBirdy		A teenage girl is [doing/performing/singing/covering] Bon Iver’s masterpiece...
113	Dear AgonyBreaking Benjamin		I kept listening to this song with its heavy, beautiful melody that left such an impression...
114	Young and BeautifulLana Del Rey		A woman's heart that wonders, 'Will you still love me when I grow old?'
115	BoatEd Sheeran		Ed Sheeran’s heartbreak song “Boat”