For many, February means it is the month of love as it is Valentine’s Day on the 14^th. The ugly truth is that there’s also a big number of people who are single, lonely and heartbroken on this so-called lovey dovey month. There have been many heartbreak songs that cover all areas of emotion. However way you are feeling during this month of love, do know that it is okay to be sad or lonely because you are not alone. Here are 10 songs that would be on repeat in our playlist that describes how us single folks are feeling this Valentine’s season. Group hugs to all!

Sam Smith & Normani “Dancing with a Stranger”

“Look what you made me do, I'm with somebody new / Ooh, baby, baby, I'm dancing with a stranger”

This Sam Smith and Normani collaboration talks about not being together anymore, but the loneliness has led them to go out to see someone else. That is where the “Dancing with a Stranger” chorus comes in to let the other person know the cause has made them find someone else to dance with instead of each other. It’s a bittersweet song with an up-tempo beat that we needed to know that it is going to be ok.

Halsey “Without Me”

“Found you when your heart was broke / I filled your cup until it overflowed / Took it so far to keep you close / I was afraid to leave you on your own”

This song talks about how she was mistreated in a relationship, but still sticking through the thick and thin by her partner. Being in the public eye, Halsey is often scrutinized for her relationships and as a result is this song about anger and empowerment. Other people will never know what two people have to go through and sometimes you stay with them because the notion of love is too strong to break.

Mark Ronson feat. Miley Cyrus “Nothing Breaks Like a Heart”

“This world can hurt you / It cuts you deep and leaves a scar / Things fall apart, but nothing breaks like a heart”

Mark Ronson teams up with Miley Cyrus on this folk-tinged pop song that talks about two lovers and the heartbreaks that they have to endure. The message and title is stating facts for everyone, although it may also seem like it’s about Cyrus’ political heartbreak in recent years from the video. Either way, our hearts break for this.

Lauren Jauregui “Expectations”

“Wish I had no expectations / I wish that I could get it through your head / With no confrontation / I really wish we could talk about it instead”

Written in half an hour, this heart-breaking Lauren Jauregui single is about being in a relationship but the other person doesn’t care as much as you do. “Expectations” touches on the pain of wanting to make a change, but unable to. The thought of discussing with the other person can be so difficult so we ended up suffering through it all with hopes. Boy, we all can relate to this huh?

Billie Eilish & Khalid “lovely”

“Isn't it lovely, all alone / Heart made of glass, my mind of stone / Tear me to pieces, skin to bone / Hello, welcome home”

This first single from Billie Eilish’s debut album is far from being “lovely” as the title suggests. Performed with singer Khalid, it is a song about being okay with being in a state of depression that Eilish has openly talked about. The only person that can change it is yourself because you are stronger than what you may think you are. They made a sad moment and turn it into this melancholic and beautiful song that we all need in our playlist to get through the tough times.

Zara Larrson “Ruin My Life”

“You set fire to my world, couldn't handle the heat / Now I'm sleeping alone and I'm starting to freeze / Baby, come bring me hell / Let it rain over me / Baby come back to me”

This song is relatable to so many of us about getting out of a poor relationship, but still wanting the person back no matter how bad it is. This Zara Larrson song is really a self-destructive single of not being able to let go of the familiar relationship that we know so personally that we would put ourselves back to harm our hearts just to be with that person. Sigh.

Shawn Mendes “In My Blood”

“Laying on the bathroom floor, feeling nothing / I'm overwhelmed and insecure, give me something/ I could take to ease my mind slowly”

Shawn Mendes sums up how we feel when we are about to give up, but something hold us back because we are not built for that. This applies for so many scenarios that we all go through whether it is relationship or work, we often feel as if we just can’t do it anymore. There is always that extra push to let us know to never give up.

Kiana Ledé “Ex”

“I don't wanna be your ex / We way too good at being friends /Can we still hangout / On the low, get wild”

We go through this in every breakup and trying not be strangers with each other because of the past and great moments shared together. Kiana Ledé ponders the crazy idea of loving someone so hard at the beginning can cause the two of you to not know each other at all after breaking up. “Ex” is about overcoming that and still powering through as friends.

Lana Del Rey “hope is a dangerous thing for a woman like me to have - but i have it”

“Don't ask if I'm happy, you know that I'm not / But at best, I can say I'm not sad / 'Cause hope is a dangerous thing for a woman like me to have”

This song fits Lana Del Rey perfectly over the piano and beautiful melodies on this comeback single with a very long title. It is what the title suggests as Lana Del Rey sings about her weakness as a woman to get through things as much as she tries to fight them off. If you want heartbreak and sad songs, you know Lana Del Rey is the perfect person to listen to.

Witt Lowry feat. Deion Reverie “HURT”

“It doesn't feel right with you gone / It hurts too much to be left alone / I know I was never in your plans / But it doesn't feel right in her bed / It hurts to know”

This is a song during the moment after breaking up and wanting to get back together with the person upon knowing they have started seeing someone else. It is a difficult moment to endure and the moment happens because of the past you have shared with each other. We can never be 100% over the person, so it’s only common that we want to get back with the person.

What is your go-to sad song?

Cover Credit: Néstor J. Beremblum / Alamy Stock Photo

Writer | Kevin Yeoh

Kevin was the former editor of two music and lifestyle platforms in Malaysia. He is an all-round music enthusiast from the '90's R&B to K-Pop.