23 Best Songs About Emotions And Feelings

The best songs about emotions and feelings tug on the listener’s heartstrings to create a moving experience that we can all connect with.

Whether it’s a folk song with poetic lyrics or a rock ballad with lyrics about a love interest, these songs about emotions have earned their strong reputation.

Read on, and we’ll break down the style and lyrics of a broad selection of emotional songs that reflect the best music has to offer.

The 23 Best Songs About Emotions And Feelings

Emotional songs can be found throughout music’s history, from classic rock ‘n’ roll tunes to contemporary pop songs that top the charts.

We’ve selected music that reflects this broad spectrum of styles and influences to bring you a complete playlist for all tastes.

With our criteria established, here’s our playlist of the 23 best songs about emotions and feelings:

23. “Emotion” – Bee Gees

We’re starting this playlist of the best songs about emotions with a heavy-hitting track from the iconic Bee Gees, who helped define the disco music genre.

One of their lesser-known songs, “Emotion,” is nevertheless a great example of the disco style that helped make the Bee Gees such a hit.

Indeed, they topped the Billboard Hot 100 charts on several occasions and were among the biggest bands of the era.

22. “The Boxer” – Simon And Garfunkel

Often considered to be among the best songs about underdogs, “The Boxer” by Simon and Garfunkel is one of their best-known tunes.

“Asking only workman’s wages, I come looking for a job, but I get no offers,” the beautiful lyrics sing, “Just a come-on from the whores on 7th Avenue.”

Released in 1970, “The Boxer” was among the stand-out tracks from the Simon and Garfunkel album Bridge Over Troubled Water.

21. “Dry Your Eyes” – The Streets

“Dry Your Eyes” by The Streets is an altogether different song about emotions that nevertheless features equally poetic lyrics and smooth, infectious vocals.

It’s a moving and bittersweet song that blends pop, rhythm and blues, and UK rap to great effect, with impressive production.

Rapper and producer Mike Skinner transformed the British music scene in the late 1990s through to the 2000s with his unique genre-splicing music.

20. “Everybody’s Changing” – Keane

As the title implies, “Everybody’s Changing” is one of the best songs about change, as well as a heartbreaking song exploring emotions.

“Try to understand that I’m trying to make a move just to stay in the game,” the lyrics explore, “I try to stay awake and remember my name.”

Keane released “Everybody’s Changing” on the 2004 album Hopes and Fears, which takes its name from the lyrics of the song “Snowed Under.”

19. “No Distance Left To Run” – Blur

“No Distance Left to Run” by Blur saw the Britpop band at the height of their popularity in the late 1990s.

It’s an emotional rollercoaster of a song with lyrics that explore the end of a relationship and the different emotions this leads to.

Blur released many hit tracks over the years and, along with Oasis, were at the forefront of British indie rock music throughout the decade.

18. “I Know It’s Over” – The Smiths

Like the previous song from Blur, “I Know It’s Over” by The Smiths represents one of the UK’s most iconic bands at their very best.

It’s another emotional song that discusses the feelings experienced when a relationship falls apart, and you’re left to pick up the pieces.

The Smiths released “I Know It’s Over” in 1985 on their album The Queen Is Dead, which featured French actor Alain Delon on the cover art.

17. “The Message” – Dr. Dre

Switching to the best of hip-hop, it’s Dr. Dre’s iconic rap song “The Message,” which he released in 1999.

“I’m feelin like my whole world is blinded wonderin’ why, cryin’, pourin’ out my heart, pourin’ out liquor behind it,” he sings, “We fought like brothers, somethin’ we never should do.”

Dr. Dre has been one of the most enduring rap performers in the history of music as well as a prolific producer for other big names.

16. “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” – The Beatles

English rock band The Beatles have written many great songs about moving on and dealing with powerful emotions.

“While My Guitar Gently Weeps” is classic Beatles with their trademark harmonies and lush guitars sweeping through the track.

Regarded as one of the most influential bands of all time, “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” represents a high point in their style.

15. “Writer In The Dark” – Lorde

Another of the great songs about emotions is Lorde’s “Writer in the Dark,” an indie rock anthem from 2017.

It’s one of several sad songs from the singer-songwriter, with lyrics that discuss the deep emotions and feelings the singer feels.

Lorde, whose real name is Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O’Connor, is known for her unconventional approach to music and introspective style.

14. “Fix You” – Coldplay

Coldplay are among the biggest bands in the world, with several Grammy Award wins and nominations under their belt.

The Coldplay song “Fix You,” a huge hit when it was released in 2005, originally was written after the death of Gwyneth Paltrow’s father.

Considered to be among the best summer anthems of 2005, “Fix You” features a powerful music video and is one of the band’s most emotional songs.

13. “Stone Cold” – Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato approached the subject of emotions with a more pop-infused angle with her song “Stone Cold.”

The song begins with the lyrics “You see me standing, but I’m dying on the floor,” before continuing with “Maybe if I don’t cry, I won’t feel anymore.”

Demi Lovato released “Stone Cold” on her 2015 album Confident, which showcased her vocal range and songwriting skills.

12. “Sweet Emotion” – Aerosmith

Aerosmith brings their dynamic singing and thrashing guitars into play for our next song on this playlist of emotional songs.

“Sweet Emotion” delivers an energetic look into life on the road and encounters with women backstage after a gig.

Featured on the Aerosmith album Toys in the Attic, “Sweet Emotion” marked a high point in the band’s illustrious career during the 1970s.

11. “Nothing Compares To U” – Sinead O’Connor

Undoubtedly the best-known song released by Sinead O’Connor, “Nothing Compares to U,” was a huge chart smash when it was first released.

“It’s been so lonely without you here, like a bird without a song,” O’Connor sings in this beautiful song, “Nothing can stop these lonely tears from falling.”

Sinead O’Connor’s career flew off when this iconic song hit the charts in 1990, with the music video winning an MTV “Video Music Award.”

10. “Emotion” – Destiny’s Child

One of the biggest acts of their generation, Destiny’s Child, released their great song “Emotion” in 2002.

The song talks about dealing with a broken heart and how only love can bring up the deepest emotions and feelings in life.

“Emotion” was featured on Destiny’s Child’s album This Is the Remix, which also included the hit song “No, No, No Part 2” featuring Wyclef Jean.

9. “Casimir Pulaski Day” – Sufjan Stevens

“Casimir Pulaski Day” by Sufjan Stevens is another example of how emotional songs exploit experiences many people have had.

Based on a true story, the song explores a passionate encounter and what followed in the aftermath the next morning.

The album also featured one of the great songs about murder, “John Wayne Gacey Jr.,” named after the infamous serial killer.

8. “How To Save A Life” – The Fray

“How to Save a Life” by The Fray takes us back into rock music territory, and it was their debut single from the album of the same name.

This emotional song was influenced by the lead singer’s experiences working as a mentor at a camp for troubled teenagers.

As such, it’s full of angst and self-doubt that reflects the turbulent experiences of being an adolescent in the modern world.

7. “The Call” – Regina Spektor

Regina Spektor’s song “The Call” is a baroque pop classic from 2008 that was included in the movie The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.

“It started out as a feeling which then grew into a hope,” the lyrics in this moving song go, “Which then turned into a quiet thought, which then turned into a quiet word.”

Regina Spektor honed her musical skills from an early age, playing piano while living in the Soviet Union before moving to America.

6. “Teardrop” – Massive Attack

Massive Attack was among the most successful electronic music acts from the UK during the 1990s, with “Teardrop” among their most popular tracks.

This sweet-sounding trip-hop classic brings downbeat percussion and lush female vocals together for an emotional experience.

Released in 1998 on the Massive Attack album Mezzanine, “Tear Drop” is guaranteed to bring a tear to the eye of anyone who listens to it.

5. “No Name #1” – Elliot Smith

Elliot Smith released the mysteriously titled song “No Name #1” in 1994, featuring the track on the album Roman Candle.

“At a party he was waiting, looking kind of spooky and withdrawn,” the equally mysterious lyrics go, Like he could be underwater, the mighty mother with her hundred arms.”

Elliot Smith enjoyed many successful releases, and he was exceptionally popular in the city of Portland, where he performed many gigs.

4. “Emotions” – Mariah Carey

Known for releasing some of the best karaoke songs of all time, Mariah Carey is no stranger to writing deep and emotional songs.

“Emotions” is a fine example of her style, with powerful vocals floating over impeccably produced melodies and percussion.

Mariah Carey’s illustrious career saw her climb up the charts on several occasions and lead many sell-out international tours.

3. “Landslide” – Fleetwood Mac

British-American rock icon Fleetwood Mac released the great song about emotions, “Landslide,” in 1975.

“Oh, mirror in the sky, what is love?” the narrator sings, “Can the child within my heart rise above? Can I sail through the changin’ ocean tides?”

Featured on their 10th studio album, “Landslide” showcases the guitar skills and tight production that Fleetwood Mac was renowned for.

2. “Hurt” – Johnny Cash

Few singer-songwriters have left such an indelible impression on the history of American music as Johnny Cash.

His song “Hurt” is a fine example of his style, featuring his gravel-like vocal performance and poetic and moving lyricism.

It’s one of the later works of Johnny Cash, released in 2002 and featured on the album American IV: The Man Comes Around.

1. “Boots Of Spanish Leather” – Bob Dylan

Last but by no means least on this playlist of emotional songs is “Boots of Spanish Leather” by another American icon, Bob Dylan.

This powerful ballad was first recorded in New York City by Bob Dylan, then released on the album The Times They Are a-Changin’.

Dylan wrote some of the best songs of all time, and this song draws heavily on folk music influences and describes two lovers at a crossroads in their lives.

Summary

The best songs about emotions are predictably moving experiences to listen to and draw heavily on the variety of life experiences of the writer.

Whether they’re dealing with heartbreak and sadness or inspired by excessive feelings of happiness, these great songs touch the listener deeply.

With emotions and feelings at the core of many iconic songs, it’s a topic you’ll find covered throughout the history of music.

What’s the best song about emotions, in your opinion? Leave a comment below.