Popular Depressive Songs: Western Music Artist Rankings [2025]

SLOW DANCING IN THE DARKJoji43rank/position

Joji – SLOW DANCING IN THE DARK

George is a world-renowned singer who represents Japan.

Many of you might be thinking, “Wait, he’s Japanese?” George is half Australian and half Japanese, and he originally started out as a YouTuber.

He is now active as a singer and has achieved major success, including reaching No.

1 on the Billboard charts.

His song “SLOW DANCING IN THE DARK” is one of his signature works—a dark track characterized by a distinctive, understated haziness often described as trip-pop.

Lucid DreamsJuice WRLD44rank/position

Juice WRLD – Lucid Dreams (Official Music Video)

Rapper Juice WRLD, known as a standard-bearer of emo rap.

Though he passed away at the young age of 21, his music continues to captivate many hearts.

This piece is one of his signature tracks—a heartbreak song so raw it almost hurts.

The lyrics, which portray the torment of being haunted by an ex and a heart torn between love and hate, cut deep.

Released as a single in May 2018, it’s also included on the landmark album Goodbye & Good Riddance.

The melancholy guitar, sampled from Sting’s classic, vividly amplifies the overwhelming sense of despair.

If you’re in the mood to fully indulge in your emotions, be sure to check it out.

SorryJustin Bieber45rank/position

Justin Bieber – Sorry (PURPOSE : The Movement)

This is a song by Justin Bieber, who is now incredibly popular.

He sings it casually, but the meaning carries a strong message to today’s youth.

It’s slower than I expected, so it’s easy to catch the words and feels like he’s speaking to you, which makes it a good study resource.

Alone I BreakKorn46rank/position

Korn – Alone I Break (Official HD Video)

An achingly lyrical ballad woven by the American nu-metal band Korn.

It stands apart from their usual aggressive sound, highlighting vocalist Jonathan Davis’s delicate, clean voice as it quietly portrays the loneliness and anguish sinking to the depths of the heart.

The anguished cry of “falling apart alone” seems to reflect a soul collapsing from within, burdened by despair that no one can understand.

When you feel crushed by inescapable loneliness and listen to this song, you may sense it simply staying beside your pain.

It’s a tear-inducing track that gently loosens a taut heart.

JealousLabrinth47rank/position

Labrinth – Jealous (Official Video)

They sing about feeling jealous that their ex seems happy even without them, yet the song unfolds plainly with only a piano.

Rather than bursting with a “I’m so frustrated!” kind of emotion, it’s a quiet piece where the sadness simply keeps piling up.

It feels like it could wash away your sorrow.

Born This WayLady Gaga48rank/position

Lady Gaga – Born This Way (Official Music Video)

A hit song by the world-famous pop star Lady Gaga, whose name is widely known even among junior high school students.

While Gaga’s visuals can be a bit intense for younger generations, the lyrics are incredibly powerful and offer listeners a sense of hope for life.

It’s a song I’d love junior high school students—who are entering a time of self-reflection—to sing passionately while savoring the meaning of the words.

Young and BeautifulLana Del Rey49rank/position

Lana Del Rey – Young and Beautiful

It’s a song that voices a woman’s heart asking, “Will you still love me when I grow old?” But when it’s delivered as such a grand, sweeping piece, wouldn’t the person it’s dedicated to be a bit put off—almost like it’s a bit clingy or unstable? The song itself is very beautiful, though, with a dramatic finish that would suit a movie theme perfectly.