Through any stage of a relationship, music is an expressive art. Whether it’s a soft acoustic version of adoration or raging sounds of hatred, something about singing (or screaming) the lyrics help people to cope with their feelings.
Sometimes when people feel heartbreak, they want to relish in their rage and others want to sulk in their sadness. If feelings of adoration and devotion are what you’re feeling during this holiday, these songs are for you.
The Indiana Daily Student arts desk is here to provide you with some songs to celebrate your love or condemn your pain.
Love songs
“Pillar of Truth” by Lucy Dacus
“Lucy wrote this song as a tribute to her dying grandmother to admire her strength and composure in such a challenging time. I interpret this in romantic love as the admiration of a person that provides you with stability in difficult times. I feel this song is meant to be listened to as you lean on another person, dancing slowly in any location at any time. Sing this song to your ‘pillar of truth’ when they make you feel safe, understood and stable. It resembles the unwavering devotion and admiration to that person and the ability to depend on each other in times of weakness.” - Taylor Satoski, Local Music Reporter
“It Gets Better” by Rex Orange County
“In the song, he talks about how his partner has always been there for him and how she makes his life better. I'm someone who focuses on lyrics in my favorite songs, and these lyrics are so simple but you can see how devoted he is to her. There's one moment in the song he says ‘She's on her way towards me / That means it all gets better soon.’ It's such a simple and powerful declaration of love and how someone makes you feel.” - Nadia Sharf, Arts Editor
“Into My Arms” - Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
“In Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds’ ‘Into My Arms,’ an atheist sings a prayer to a god he doesn’t believe in, asking that God never touches a hair on his partner’s head. He begs that if God directs his partner anywhere, it’s only into his arms. If you’re a fellow survivor of Catholic school, this one’s for you. After listing all the things that Cave doesn’t believe in — God, angels — he sings, ‘but I believe in love / And I know that you do too.’ Cave captures a selfless, nearly spiritual kind of love.” - Tory Basile, Community and Local Arts Reporter
Songs for heartbreak
“Sleep to Dream” by Fiona Apple
“This song is about moving on from an unhealthy relationship while still being confident in your ability to survive. There's also such a strong sense of unyielding confidence in Fiona Apple's discography that can really speak to anyone who needs a confidence boost during a hard time.” - Lexi Lindenmayer, Arts Editor
“It’s Too Late” by Carole King
“King sings about how she’s realizing her once-promising relationship is coming to an end. While she’s putting on a brave face through it all, she’s recognizing that they have simply grown apart. Some people drift apart from one another, and she’s recognizing that and presenting it in a very empowering way.” - Sami Sharfin, IU Auditorium Reporter
“How Was Your Day” by baebadoobee
“She sings about missing hearing about her lover’s day, as well as the good (or) bad parts of their relationship. It hits a lot more after a breakup when you realize you need to distance yourself from that person, and that part of your life is just missing. I appreciate how much emotion you can hear in her voice, it really adds to the entire experience.” - Lana Salahieh, Jacobs School of Music Reporter
CORRECTION: A previous version of this article misidentified Carole King.
