One of the most convoluted and potent feelings that we are ever capable of experiencing is self-pity. It has the potential to be destructive and lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness, but it also has the potential to be a source of great creativity. You will feel understood and less alone after listening to these top 19t songs about self-pity, which are presented below.
1. “One” by Harry Nilsson
This song is almost certainly going to be the first song that comes to anyone’s mind when they are asked to mention songs about self pity.
Harry Nilsson was a prolific singer, songwriter, and musician whose work spanned a wide variety of musical styles. He was best known for his work in the 1970s. One of his most successful songs was titled “One,” which on the surface appears to be about feeling sorry for oneself.
The lyrics are narrated by a disaffected and angst-ridden narrator who bemoans the difficult aspects of everyday life. However, in spite of the fact that it oscillates between bitterness and despair, this voice occasionally displays moments of insight and wisdom.
An intriguing portrait of self-pity in all of its complexity and nuance is presented in the song “One,” which offers a pessimistic message and subtle emotional undertones throughout.
2. Al Green titled “Tired of Being Alone”
Next on our list of songs about self pity is this song is about feeling sorry for oneself and the profound sense of emotional emptiness that comes along with it.
The lyrics convey a sense of desperation and a yearning for companionship, with the speaker voicing his pain as he suffers in perpetual isolation. The lyrics also describe a sense of desperation and a yearning for companionship. He yearns to be someone else’s priority, to be needed, and to be loved by somebody who will make him feel whole.
This song was written during a period in Green’s life when he was going through challenging personal circumstances and suffering from deep loneliness. It is reflective of the profound emotional turmoil that can arise when we feel isolated and alone.
3. Perfect Solitude – Leonie Meijer
One of the original songs on self pity is the song “Perfect Solitude” by Leonie Meijer is about feeling sorry for oneself. The lines almost instantly establish the underlying theme of isolation and hopelessness.
The voice of Meijer is raw and full of emotion, and it successfully conveys the sense of loneliness and hopelessness that comes along with self-pity. The next lines in the song are “I can’t do anything right” and “I’m such a mess, I’m such a mess.” In this passage, Meijer captures the sense of worthlessness and inadequacy that frequently accompany feelings of self-pity.
The lyrics “But I’m still here, I’m still here / And I’m going to make it through” provide a feeling of optimism as the song comes to a close. These lines give the impression that there is always hope for a better tomorrow, despite the gloom that comes with feeling sorry for oneself.
4. John Mayer: “I Guess I Jus Feel Like”
The song’s lyrics examine the sensation of not being deserving of love and attention, as well as the desire to return to a time when life was less complicated.
The lyrics of the song convey the sense of being disoriented and isolated, despite the presence of other people in the room. This is a song that can be related to by anyone who has ever had the experience of feeling as though they don’t quite belong somewhere.
The plain acoustic guitar accompaniment generates a gloomy atmosphere that is a perfect complement to the song’s lyrics. The song “I Guess I Just Feel Like” is very moving because it talks about the difficulties of life and the need that people have to feel connected to others.
5. Calum Scott’s “Dancing On My Own”
This masterpiece also reflects on songs about self pity, the lyrics tell the story of a man who is at a club and is watching the woman he loves dance with another person. The story takes place in the club. He is well aware that he will never be able to win her over, but that does not stop him from feeling sorry for himself.
The song is heartbreaking and moving, but it ultimately has a positive message to convey. Scott encourages his audience to accept their own feelings of melancholy and to draw strength from those feelings in order to move forward.
This song serves as a gentle reminder that even in those moments when we experience a sense of isolation, we are never truly dancing on our own.
6. Sharon Van Etten’s “The End of d World”
This hauntingly beautiful ballad is also among the selected songs about self pity and loss. Van Etten paints a bleak picture of an unraveling world in which nothing can save us from our own despair, and she does so by drawing on themes of destruction and hopelessness in her work.
Nevertheless, despite the weighty subject matter, there is also a note of resiliency in this track, as Van Etten speaks to her own capacity to persevere in the face of adversity. The End of the World perfectly captures that state of mind with its sparse instrumentation and raw vocals.
This is the state of mind that we all find ourselves in when it seems as though all hope is lost but we continue to move forward regardless.
7. Chet Baker’s “Everything Happens to Me”
Tom Adair and Matt Dennis are responsible for writing the lyrics to the song Everything Happens to Me, which is about feeling sorry for oneself. Chet Baker made the first recording of the song in 1950, and since then, it has been covered by a great number of other artists.
The lyrics tell the story of a man who believes that nothing in life goes right for him and that no one else comprehends the anguish that he is experiencing.
Even though it deals with a depressing topic, the song has a memorable melody and is frequently considered to be a jazz standard. Baker’s rendition of the song is widely regarded as one of the best, and his emotionally charged performance helps to convey the sense of resignation and hopelessness that is at the core of the song’s lyrics.
Whether you take it as a tale of woe or a comedy of the darkest kind, Everything Happens to Me is a prime example of classic jazz singing at its very best.
8. Sia – Breathe Me
Sia, an Australian singer and songwriter, is responsible for the lyrics of the song “Breathe Me.” Sia is known for writing lyrics that are extremely honest and vulnerable.
The lyrics of this song address the emotion of self-pity, which is the overwhelming sense that everything in life is working against you and that you will never be successful. This sense of yearning is conveyed through the melody, which features a slow and steady piano rhythm that draws the listener in closer.
Sia paints a picture of her solitary and hopeless state of mind through the lyrics of her songs, creating the impression that she is pleading with herself to be able to breathe.
In the end, the purpose of the song “Breathe Me” is to serve as a reminder that no matter how bleak things may appear, there is always going to be hope and light at the end of the tunnel.
Even when we are wallowing in self-pity and the depths of darkness, there is always a chance for us to shift our perspective and discover a new source of light within ourselves. This is one of the songs about the self pity that reflects on a lot of things.
9. Kate Bush’s “Under the Ivy” Kate Bush’s song “Under the Ivy”
The song “Under the Ivy” is about feeling sorry for oneself and delves into the emotions and thought processes of a person who is coping with feelings of sadness and isolation.
The lyrics paint a picture of a woman who is going through a period of intense emotional turmoil. She is feeling as though she is being consumed by her own negative thoughts, and she is allowing them to lead her down a path that will end in self-destruction. She isolates herself from other people and hides behind an ivy vine, which, despite the fact that it appears to offer protection and comfort, is actually serving as a metaphor for her destructive tendencies.
Kate Bush is able to capture the complex psychological state of someone mired in melancholy and self-doubt through the use of powerful words and haunting vocals in her music.
The song sheds light on a common human experience that is frequently overlooked or unacknowledged, despite the fact that it does not offer any simple solutions or encouraging messages. Nonetheless, it is thought-provoking and resonates with the listener because it sheds light on this experience.
10. Hooray! Hooray! – A Balladeer
httpv://www.youtube.com/shorts/qLJQY5movTM
The balladeer song “Hooray! Hooray!” is all about the singer feeling sorry for themselves. John Lennon and Paul McCartney were the songwriters behind the song, and it was included on the album The Beatles, which the Beatles released in 1968.
The song is played in the key of C major, and the time signature for it is 4/4. The individual singing the song is feeling sorry for themselves, but they keep shouting “hooray” because they have hope that things will get better in the future. The lyrics of the song are about this person.
Nevertheless, the fact of the matter is that things are not going to get any better, and the person in question is merely existing in a world of make-believe.
11. Down Again – Charlie Dee
Charlie Dée examines the concept of self-pity in his song “Down Again,” which is available on his album of the same name. It is immediately apparent that this track is an honest examination of how simple it is to fall into a state of hopelessness, as evidenced by the first line, which declares, “I’m down again, feeling sorry for myself.”
Throughout the course of the song, Dée muses over the challenges she has faced in the past and tries to make sense of the emotional upheaval that has dogged her for the entirety of her life.
Although at first listen, “Down Again” might appear to be a depressing and gloomy song, the song’s ultimate purpose is to serve as a potent reminder to seek truth and grace. No matter how hopeless we may feel at any given time, the song’s openness and vulnerability in its lyrics serve as a reminder that we should never give up on finding happiness.
12. Randy Newman’s “I Think It’s Going 2 Rain Today”
This song is about feeling sorry for oneself. The impending storm is seen by the narrator as a portentous sign, and the narrator bemoans the fact that he cannot see happy people around him. He has no control over the impending storm and feels helpless in the face of it because he is unable to shield himself or those around him from the effects it will have.
Newman portrays himself as a tragic figure who is burdened by negative emotions and despair through the use of his storm descriptions and depictions of loneliness.
However, at its core, this is a song about perseverance in the face of adversity, because even in the most trying of circumstances, there is always a chance for a better tomorrow.
13. Timi Yuro Hurt
Timi Yuro’s classic song “Hurt” does an amazing job of encapsulating the feeling of wallowing in one’s own misery. The song begins with a series of mournful violins strummed over a simple but haunting backing guitar, thereby creating an otherworldly atmosphere that works wonderfully to set the stage for the heartbreaking lyrics that are to follow.
The impassioned vocal performance that Yuro delivers is laced with raw emotion, striking just the right balance of despondency and agony that completely conveys her feelings of loss and regret.
Her lyrics examine the more personal aspects of suffering while also capturing the external circumstances that led to her moment of despair. As a result, we are left with a heartbreaking portrait of unhappiness that strikes a powerful chord with its audience and has a powerful impact on them.
14. Aretha Franklin’s “Drown in My Own Tears”
Aretha Franklin’s powerful song “Drown in My Own Tears” is centered around the concept of self-pity, and it was written and performed by Franklin.
The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the emotional upheaval that can occur when one is overpowered by feelings of hopelessness and sorrow. Specifically, the line “I’ll be drowning in my own tears” captures the feeling of complete and utter hopelessness that one experiences when they feel as though they have been defeated by life.
In addition, Franklin’s soulful vocals are able to powerfully convey the extent of her frustration at being unable to escape these negative emotions.
15. Ed Sheeran – “Save Myself”
![Ed Sheeran - Save Myself [Official Audio]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/qXM0JdAwabU/0.jpg)
Ed Sheeran is vulnerable and honest about his battles with anxiety and depression in the song “Save Myself.” He sings about how numbing himself with alcohol and drugs only makes things worse for himself.
Sheeran says that he has “been trying to save myself,” but that he is also “keeping [himself] from falling apart.” The chorus declares that he is not going to write a postcard to himself and encourages listeners to follow suit.
The song is upbeat and optimistic, with a message of hope for those who are struggling, despite the heavy subject matter that is discussed in it. Sheeran explained his motivation for writing the song in an interview, saying that he wanted to give people “permission to not be okay.” Sheeran hopes that by sharing his own experiences, he will be able to offer solace and encouragement to anyone who is going through a difficult time.
16. I Guess dat’s Why They Call It The Blues. – Elton John
It Makes Sense to Me Now Why They Call It That Elton John and Bernie Taupin are responsible for penning the lyrics to their song “The Blues.” 1984 marked the year of the song’s initial release, and it was subsequently included on the album titled Too Low for Zero.
This is a song about feeling sorry for oneself and how this can lead to feelings of depression and isolation. The lyrics explain how the narrator’s heart has been broken by love and how he is unable to find a way to deal with the pain that he is in.
The tune is upbeat and has a memorable melody, despite the fact that the song deals with a depressing topic. It Makes Sense to Me Now Why They Call It That The Blues has continued to be one of Elton John’s most popular songs, and it continues to strike a chord with listeners who have been hurt emotionally or who have lost someone close to them.
17. Hate Myself – NF
The song “Hate Myself” by NF is a potent anthem that is all about feeling sorry for oneself. The lyrics convey the sensation of being unable to break free from a vicious cycle of depressing thoughts and the strong desire to find relief from them.
NF draws from his own life to illustrate the destructive nature of self-pity and how, if you’re not careful, it can take over your life and make you feel helpless and hopeless.
A message of hope is included in the song, encouraging listeners to break free from their negative thought patterns and find the freedom that comes from doing so.
The emotionally charged song “Hate Myself” is relatable to anyone who has ever experienced the sensation of being trapped inside their own head. This song is an important contribution to the discussion about mental health because of NF’s unfiltered honesty and her willingness to be vulnerable.
18. A Balladeer – A Little Rain Has Never Hurt No One
Lyrically, “A Little Rain Has Never Hurt No One” by A Balladeer is one of the best songs about self pity and overcoming the inability to move on after traumatic events.
The persona described in the song’s lyrics is one who has been through a lot of trials, but who does not want to wallow in gloom or despair as a result of those trials. Instead, he makes the conscious decision to acknowledge his suffering before moving on to take steps toward enhancing his circumstances.
This is a message that touches the hearts of a great number of individuals, giving them the fortitude and resiliency to carry on in spite of the challenges they are facing.
19. Joni Mitchell wrote the song “Both Sides Now.”
![Joni Mitchell - Both Sides Now (2021 Remaster) [Official Audio]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/yXr2EFomFkU/0.jpg)
Last on our list of songs about self pity is this song “Both Sides Now” written by Joni Mitchell and appeared for the first time on her album Clouds, which was released in 1968.
This song is about the decisions we make in life and how those decisions can alter our perspectives as time goes on. The song starts with the narrator reflecting on a relationship that ended badly and feeling regret for the choices she made throughout the course of the relationship.
However, as she examines the situation from both of their perspectives, she comes to the conclusion that her ex-lover is equally to blame for the situation as she is.
The narrator of the song eventually comes to terms with the fact that she will never really be able to find out what alternatives were available to her in the past. The song “Both Sides Now” is an evocative piece that explores the complexities of interpersonal relationships as well as the way in which our perspectives can shift as we get older and wiser.
Final thoughts on songs about self pity
Pity for oneself is a self-defeating emotion that can quickly snowball into a downward spiral of negative thinking and actions that are harmful to oneself.
It is essential to be aware of the moments in which you begin to feel sorry for yourself and to actively work to shift your perspective in response to those moments.
One strategy for achieving this goal is to concentrate on the many reasons for which one should be thankful, regardless of how trivial those reasons may appear to be. Instead of just wallowing in your own misery, taking action toward your goals is another effective method for overcoming feelings of self-pity.
Last but not least, keep in mind that you are not alone in your struggles and that everyone faces adversity at some point in their lives. You can stop feelings of self-pity from taking over your life if you learn to recognize the warning signs of it and then take active steps to combat it.
