Really dark... Classic Western songs | So dark that it may trigger depression—proceed with caution!
People often say that you should listen to upbeat songs when you’re feeling down.
That does make sense when you think about it, but in reality, when you’re depressed, you end up wanting to listen to dark songs, right? So, this time, I’ve curated a selection of gloomy Western songs for those who want to dive into some seriously dark music.
I didn’t just pack in popular tracks—these are genuinely dark masterpieces.
So go ahead and wallow in it to your heart’s content (lol).
Truly dark... Classic Western songs | Too dark, so beware of depression! (1–10)
1-800-273-8255 ft. Alessia Cara, KhalidLogic
A signature work by Logic that expresses the heavy theme of suicide prevention through the medium of hip-hop.
Hailing from the United States, he rediscovered the power of music through interactions with his fans and created this piece.
The song skillfully portrays a shift in emotions from despair to hope.
Released in April 2017, it reached No.
3 on the Billboard charts.
It also had a significant social impact, including a 27% increase in calls to the suicide prevention hotline.
It’s a track I hope will be heard by those who feel life is hard, and by anyone who knows someone who might feel that way.
Shape of My HeartSting
Sting’s classic “Shape of My Heart,” known as the theme song for the French film Léon, which was a hit worldwide.
Both the song and the movie carry an overall dark mood.
Still, it’s not just dark—there’s a stylish vibe to it as well.
The lyrics are crafted to be abstract, but Sting himself has said he wrote it around the theme of a poker player.
That sense of melancholy and darkness, then, comes from those gambling elements.
ilomiloBillie Eilish
The singer Billie Eilish, who gained worldwide popularity with her 2019 release “bad guy.” If you only know “bad guy,” it might come as a surprise, but many of her songs actually have a very dark atmosphere.
“ilomilo” is also famous as one of her dark masterpieces.
The lyrics are striking for their heartrending cry, conveying the message of a woman terrified of loneliness who pleads with the man she loves to come back.
Sombre dimancheDamia
The famous song “Sombre dimanche,” known in Japan under the title “Kurai Nichiyōbi” (“Gloomy Sunday”), was released in 1935.
It is said to be a song that “makes people commit suicide when they listen to it,” and in the United States and Europe it is known as the “anthem of suicide.” There are claims that hundreds of people took their own lives after listening to it; although the more plausible theory is that the number is five, even taking five deaths into account shows just how dark this piece is.
Smells Like Teen SpiritNirvana
An American band that captured the alienation and anger of chaotic youth with ferocious dynamics, Nirvana delivers one of its signature songs here.
After a quiet intro, it pivots into roaring guitar riffs and vocals that sound like screams, vividly portraying both apathy toward society and a spirit of rebellion.
Since its release in September 1991, the track became a massive global hit, igniting the grunge movement.
As an iconic song from the album Nevermind, it resonated deeply with Generation X.
Its raw sound and lyrics infused with profound despair strike a powerful chord with those tormented by discomfort with the establishment and by self-loathing.
It’s the perfect song for facing your inner darkness or unleashing the anger buried deep within.
Go Tell Aunt RhodyJordan Reyne
The game software Resident Evil 7, released by Capcom.
Go Tell Aunt Rhody was used as the theme song for Resident Evil 7.
Originally known as an American lullaby, in this work it has been turned into a very innovative remix.
The lyrics have also been changed to express the anguished cries of Evelyn, a B.
O.
W.
who appears in the game, so there’s no doubt it will put you in a dark mood when you listen to it!
GoodbyeApparat
Apparat, a musician from Germany.
He’s not tied to any specific genre and is known for releasing a wide range of tracks, yet he’s renowned for his exceptional musicality and is highly acclaimed around the world.
Among his many classic works, one dark piece I especially recommend is “Goodbye.” From the intro, it exudes a very somber atmosphere; its meticulously crafted melody is both ethereal and evocative of despair, leaving a strong impression.