If loneliness is a normal part of life, it must be one of the saddest aspects of living.
It can be traumatizing.
The thing with loneliness is that the victim always suffers alone.
You carry it everywhere in your heart and don’t know if or when to seek help.
The pain only gets worse when a special someone is involved.
And suddenly, you are stuck in a sad, quiet place, unsure when or how you will overcome it.
If you want to get over the bad times, here’s our list of the 35 best songs about loneliness and being alone.
We might not know what you are going through right now, but we hope these songs will lessen your pain. Â
1. “So Lonely’ by The Police
When you are heartbroken, you try as much as possible to stay away from your ex-lover.
You only want the pain to go away as quickly as possible.
And sometimes, that means acting like everything’s fine.
But the loneliness never goes away.
This melancholic ballad from the English rock band is about the pain and loneliness after a lost love.
It can be heartbreaking for many reasons.
And even more so for investing your emotions in the wrong person.
2. “Tired Of Being Alone” by AI Green
AI Green pleads with an ex-lover to return because he can’t get over the loneliness.
The soulful groove blends so well with the lyrics.
It appears he ended the relationship.
But he now realizes that it might have been a wrong decision.
As the stream of emotions run through his mind, loneliness sets in.
And what else can he do if not convince his lover to come back?
3. “No Man Is An Island” by The Script
John Donne’s iconic “no man is an island” quote inspired the song.
The assertion is that no man is self-sufficient.
And we all need one another to thrive.
It makes more sense when loneliness kicks in but with no one to comfort you.
4. “You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go” by Bob Dylan
Like many songs about being lonely, this track is about lost love.
Bob Dylan can feel it.
He’s saying goodbye to someone that meant the world to him.
But whether he is ready to live in solitude is another story.
Critics believe the track described the singer’s strained relationship with his wife at the time.
5. “Here I Go Again” by Whitesnake
“Here I Go Again” is a track about loneliness and heartbreak.
The singer has been in this situation before.
Or rather, it is the only path he’s ever walked.
While many assume this is an inspiring song, the lyrics were inspired by a sad story.
The narration is based on Coverdale’s marriage with Julia Borkowski, in yet another case of lost love.
It describes the singer at his lowest moment in life.
6. “All By Myself” by Eric Carmen
Carmen’s “All By Myself” expresses heavy ideas about how times change.
When the narrator was young, he had many friends.
And could make love just for fun.
But everything changed as he got older, realizing that he should have treasured his loved ones when he had time.
For the singer, it’s probably too little too late to find someone to answer his calls.
The expressive voice describes the loneliness in the narrator’s heart.
And the listeners can’t help but think about the many times they took their loved ones for granted.
7. “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” by Hank Williams
It looks like Hank Williams’ tumultuous relationship with his wife, Audrey Sheppard, got the better of him.
And he expresses his sadness in his radio-friendly country song.
As one of the best country songs about feeling alone, many artists have released cover versions of the hit.Â
The long list includes B. J. Thomas’ version in 1996, which enjoyed massive success in the US.
8. “The Outside” by Taylor Swift
Where were you at 12?
Taylor Swift was already writing heartfelt songs about loneliness at that age.
It covers her experiences when she felt more of an outcast at school.
It’s fair to say many individuals have had similar experiences in life.
And it’s just about how they got over it.
Swift describes her pain in the song.
Luckily, she never needed an escape in the form of drugs or drinking.
Because music was therapeutic.
And what a journey she’s had ever since!
9. “Pictures Of You” by The Cure
You may know the English rock band from their emotional songs.
And this moving 1990 gothic rock song is another one about lost love.
In the song, the memory of a girl she lost keeps haunting the narrator.
Don’t mention the regrets because you risk adding insult to injury.
He might be sad and heartbroken, but he has the girl’s pictures to look at.
At least, that will keep him going for now.
10. “Only The Lonely” by The Motels
You can have everything in the world but still feel lonely inside.
And Martha Davis, The Motels’ lead singer, explains that they wrote their “Only The Lonely” song along the same line.
Or rather, “empty success,” as she puts it.
They traveled the world, released hits, and rode in exquisite limousines but were sadder than many.
Perhaps money doesn’t buy happiness after all.
Or maybe, the singer just had plenty going on in her life.
11. “Scared To Be Lonely” by Martin Garrix
We are all scared to be lonely.
And sometimes, we pay for it by being in a tumultuous relationship.
“Scared To Be Lonely” finds two lovers stuck in a failing relationship for fear of loneliness.
Dua Lipa’s magical vocals blend seamlessly with Martin Garrix’s passionate composition.
And it could be the secret you need to get over your lonely life.
12. “Leave Me Alone (I’m Lonely)” by P!ink
The woman in this song wants some alone time despite being romantically invested in her lover.
“Go away give me a chance to miss you/Say goodbye, it’ll make me wanna kiss you.”
13. “Only The Lonely (Know The Way I Feel)” by Roy Orbison
Roy Orbison collaborated with Sonny James to describe a teenage love story in this song.
In the track, Joe Melson falls in love with a girl.
But sadly for him, she breaks her heart, leaving her lonely and desperate.
It is one of the saddest country songs about being lonely.
14. “Lonely Boy” by The Black Keys
“Lonely Boy” tells the story of a man convinced he’s superior to his lover.
But he won’t mind being with her because he loves her.
However, it isn’t long before he becomes a “lonely boy” when the lady keeps him waiting.
Perhaps he should have left the girl just like her dad did.
It is one of the greatest songs from The Black Keys’ 2011 studio album, “El Camino.”
15. “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” by Elvis Presley
Surely not Elvis Presley returning to an ex-lover.
But what can you do when loneliness gets the better of you in the middle of a cold night?
Elvis Presley asks if her ex-lover is lonely tonight.
It’s clear he still recalls the beautiful memories.
And probably needs a second chance after their love fell apart.
Sadly, the listeners will never hear the addressee’s side of the story.
16. “Alone Again (Naturally)” by Gilbert O’Sullivan
The Irish-born singer’s emotional song sums up what we already know about life.
We come alone in this world, and we will leave that way.
It tells a sad story with the man in the song bombarded with suicidal thoughts.
It is as if the theme of sadness doesn’t get away from the singer’s life.
He talks about the embarrassment of the bride, his father’s death, and his struggle to cope with everything.
17. “Lonely” by Akon
Akon’s “Lonely” is the quintessential song about loneliness and being alone.
He only realizes that he’s been a troublemaker in the girl’s life.
But is it too late to apologize?
We surely can’t tell, but at least Akon’s owning up to his mistakes.
We hope he will become a better man.
18. “How To Fight Loneliness” by Wilco
How do you fight loneliness?
“Smile all the time, shine your teeth to meaningless, and sharpen them with lies.”
At least, that’s according to the American band in their 1999 pop song.
Of course, that’s not how anyone would want to fight loneliness.
But rather, how we pretend everything’s fine when it isn’t.
19. “Dancing On My Own” by Robyn
Robyn’s bittersweet banger finds the singer watching her ex-lover dancing with his new catch at the club.
For Robyn, this is like rubbing salt into the wound.
Funny how a timeless classic can be so sad and uplifting at the same time.
20. “Tea For One” by Led Zeppelin
The life of an artist means you will always be on the road.
And when loneliness gets the better of the English rock band members, they write an emotional song about their experiences.
The reflective song is about loneliness during their usual trips.
They’re kind of homesick, and you can’t blame them.
21. “The Lonely” by Christina Perri
“The Lonely” is a personified song about loneliness.
Christina Perri expresses her solitude during a painful and sad moment in her life.
The opening line sets the tone for the rest of the song.
And it’s hard to listen to the lyrics without visualizing a helpless young lady sobbing uncontrollably in her lonely, miserable life.
22. “Astronaut” by Simple Man
The astronaut in Simple Man’s alternative rock song represents loneliness.
“It’s a song about wanting to connect with other people who feel the same way you do, who are like you,” Chuck Comeau, the band’s drummer, explains.
An astronaut today would be someone who’s always trying to connect with the rest and end up feeling lonely.
You could be walking on the face of the earth today but feel like an astronaut.
And this song expresses such feelings.
23. “Foolish Heart” by Steve Perry
A foolish heart always wants to love again, despite the many times it’s broken.
The man in this song is agonizingly lonely.
And wants to fall in love.
But he fears his heart will be broken again like it’s happened before.
Looks like a classic case of once bitten, twice shy in many aspects.
Maybe he should give love a chance to cure his loneliness.
24. “Everybody’s Got Somebody But Me” by Hunter Hayes
Happy couples everywhere, but it looks like Hunter Hayes will spend the night alone.
He can’t seem to find someone to love and expresses his frustrations in this song.
“I wish the couple on the corner would just get a room/Seems like everyone around me is on their honey moon.”
You don’t want to enter the same room without your lover.
25. “I Miss My Friend” by Darryl Worley
Lonely songs are synonymous with lost love.
But Darryl Worley talks about a unique kind of loss not many people could ever imagine.
The singer describes her close relationship with an older lady and her little daughter.
While they had no romantic attachment, Darryl’s relationship with the woman was so strong he viewed her as a family.
Unfortunately, the lady passed on with her daughter in a car accident, leaving Darryl with a huge void in his heart.
It is one of those songs about loved ones that left too soon.
And the fact Darryl didn’t say his goodbyes makes the narration even more painful.
26. Another Lonely Night” by Adam Lambert
Many songs about being alone describe lost love.
And Adam Lambert’s melancholic hit fits that category.
It is the purest depiction of loneliness after a failed relationship.
And many will relate to the lyrics.
The music video brings the song to life.
27. “Goodbye to Love” by Carpenters
Richard Carpenter and John Bettis are the creative minds behind Carpenters’ “Goodbye To Love.”
But you can’t ignore the brilliant solo guitar performance by Tony Peluso.
The young lady in the song is done with love.
She realizes she’ll have to cope with the pain because no one seems to care.
Nobody can deny that Carpenters’ songs always had powerful messages.
And this classic hit is no exception.
It peaked at #7 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1972.
28. “Black Orchid” by Blue October
The depressing lyrics in Blue October’s emotional song express a feeling of loneliness.
The narrator is so lonely he’s contemplating suicide.
Of course, this isn’t the best situation to be in.
But who can blame him when nobody’s there for him, and it feels like his world is crashing?
29. “What Hurts The Most” by Rascal Flatts
What hurts the most is losing someone you love.
This song tells a heartbreaking story of broken love.
The man in the song wouldn’t mind losing anything in the world.
But he will never heal from the pain of losing his lover.
He’s lonely, heartbroken, and “not afraid to cry every once in a while.”
30. “Dancing With Myself” by Billy Idol
It looks like Billy Idol will be dancing alone until he finds the right partner.
Or, probably, he will do it because he’s lonely.
Fortunately, he won’t let his single life prevent him from making the best memories.
Some versions claim the song is about sensual self-gratification.
But we will let you decipher the meaning of the lyrics when you play it.
31. “Cool Kids” by Echosmith
“Cool Kids” brings out the idea of fitting in.
The narration is centered on a boy and a girl trying hard to get people’s approval.
In one of the interviews, vocalist Sydney Sierota confirmed that the song is indeed “about the desire to fit in.
But the message is to accept yourself, and that’s all it takes to be cool.”
The assumption is that cool kids have pretty much everything figured out.
And many wish to be like them.
But you are better off accepting yourself for what you are and just enjoying life.
32. “How Soon Is Now?” by The Smiths
The Smiths’ song is another anthem about fitting in.Â
The lyrics tell the story of a person so shy he can’t even get into a romantic relationship.
His shyness has cost him already, and it can only get worse.
Some people are so shy it almost paralyzes their lives.
And if you are one of the shy guys trying hard to fit into society, this one’s for you.
33. “Drive” by The Cars
The Cars’ “Drive” is a song about self-denial.
Many people have interpreted the lyrics differently, with some associating it with a theme of self-reflection.
But for some, the song expresses the narrator’s loneliness.
So, how about playing it on repeat to get yourself a new meaning?
34. “Days Go By” by Dirty Vegas
The singer addresses his romantic interest in his award-winning 2002 pop song.
From the lyrics, it appears his lover left him, and he hopes they can be reunited someday.
He’s heartbroken and hopes to rekindle their lost love.
The narrator goes to the same spot every year to find his one-time lover and resurrect their relationship.
The lyrics give an instant emotional connection because they are written from the heart.
If only the addressee could show up.
35. “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” by Whitney HoustonÂ
Here’s a dance song about sadness.
You listen to the lyrics, and they instantly connect you to the 90s and 2000s music era.
We can all agree that genuine love is beautiful.
Unfortunately, not even Whitney Houston has found it.
She’s longing for it.
And we can only hope she finds the right one.
If you are the single type looking for a soul mate, Whitney Houston got you.
Songs About Loneliness – Final Thoughts
Songs about loneliness are therapeutic.Â
They have a unique way of lessening the pain by showing you that even the best artists sometimes share the same feeling.
Everyone has felt lonely at some point.
As an outcast at school or after a breakup, you might have realized how traumatizing the experience can be.
Thankfully, you can count on our playlist to pick the right song to get you through the hard times.
Have you spotted a favorite hit from the list?
We hope you will enjoy it.Â
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