Why do we listen to sad songs when we are sad,wouldn't more uplifting music be more appropriate?

Question

is the saying misery loves company true?

Answer 1

personally if i'm feeling sad or depressed,listiening to music(sad or happy) is the last thing i feel like doing,i'm more likely to watch a favorite movie on dvd to take my mind off things for a while,but luckily in the last several months i've not really felt sad or depressed mainly thanks to a certain individual who's brought a bit of sunshine into my life and shown me there's nice people out there after all,now i do feel a bit sad and emotional lol i'll have to go watch the football to take my mind off it lol

Answer 2

Well, yes and no. It's not necessarily a terrible thing to feel sadness. It's just as much an emotion as happiness. Sometimes, I listen to sad music and have myself a good cry just to get rid of all those emotions. It's a cleansing that everyone needs to do every once in a while. It's even worse to hold that stuff in all the time because then everything that's only a little sad feels so much worse. It's just a part of being human. (Que violins now)

Answer 3

I guess you are right misery loves company. I usually wind up crying if I'm really down and start listening to sad music. I have to say that sometimes there is really nothing like a good cry.

Answer 4

A lot of times, it's so that we know that we aren't the only ones to ever feel sad. I do it sometimes too, but then once I realize that I'm not alone, then I try to switch the music to something more upbeat so I can pull out of the funk. Then again, some people do it because they really just aren't happy unless they're miserable. I don't quite understand that but my Aunt is rather like that.

Answer 5

Usually sad songs are about lost loves so I assume we are talking about people who are sad over a relationship. The thing is, by listening to those songs they are being helped by songwriters who are putting thier feelings into words for them. The songs also tell them they are not alone and it helps to know that.

You know, if people were never sad, when they were happy they wouldn't know the difference.

Answer 6

Because everyone assumes that if a person is sad - that is a bad thing. It's not! It's part of being a human being and sometimes we need to just be sad - sad songs help us to do this. We can't all be happy ALL the time...

Answer 7

i suppose the main reason why a lot of people listen to them is because they are able to relate to the lyrics. that what the vocalist is singing makes sense to them, seeing as because it reminds them of a situation they once found themselves in and those lyrics sum up what it was about and what it was like for them at the time. even though it might evoke painful and sad memories.

i agree i am not a huge fan of them either as i do prefer more uplifting and positive songs

Answer 8

It's odd that you ask this - I've wondered why I do this myself. I've come to the conclusion that I listen to very mellow, moody music when I'm depressed because it helps me work through the depression. I can't tolerate upbeat music at those times, or sometimes it even makes me irritated or angry instead. So it seems that, for me anyway, mellow music helps me drain away the depression slowly rather than have to endure an emotional catharsis.

Answer 9

Well, I don't listen to sad songs or watch sad movies when I'm sad. I don't ignore my sadness, but I also don't want to prolong it. Personally, I'm better off if I find positive and/or funny things to listen to or watch. Otherwise, my sadness just lasts that much longer....

Answer 10

it's maybe because we need to listen to bad things that we can relate to ..and we feel better finding ourselves in those lyrics and not in some cheap fancy uplifting music.
me .. i am a great fan of sad metal songs and it's not ant newsflash that those songs make me feel better.