April Showers
by the Music Team
Graphics by Sam West
In honor of April, known for the saying, “April showers bring May flowers,” we have a cry-worthy playlist for you. Take the time to bawl your eyes out before the bloom of May.
“Breathe Me” by Sia
This is the ultimate cry song. It incorporates slow, lonely piano that ramps up just as your tears hit a crescendo and lyrics that feel like bullets going straight through your heart. Sia’s raspy, broken-down yet driving and powerful voice makes the song all the more cry-worthy. If you’re in need of a nice, soul-purging, mascara-smearing, shoulder-heaving cry, make sure this song is on in the background, so you can at least pretend you’re in the middle of filming your Oscar-winning sob scene instead of in the middle of a pint of Ben & Jerry’s. –Sarah Cristine Burrola
“Little Bubble” by Dirty Projectors
A unique crossover of indie rock and R&B, Dave Longstreth of Dirty Projectors finds himself recounting the death of a long-lasting relationship, from spending the morning side by side, basking in the light, to waking alone and wishing he could sleep forever. Bookended by beautiful string arrangements and bolstered by Longstreth's beautiful and expressive voice, this song is an emotional tour de force, and well worth a listen, even if it might make you cry. –Paul Stokes
“Make You Feel My Love” by Adele
Here’s a song that will make anyone with a beating heart tear up. Whenever I feel like listening to a powerful, yet emotional ballad, Adele always gets the job done. When listen to this song I get emotional thinking about the ones I love and how I would literally do anything for them to show how much they mean to me. Bob Dylan’s lyrics are powerful on their own, but Adele’s raw vocals make the song come alive like no other. –Nicole Hymowitz
"Not About Angels" by Birdy
All of Birdy's songs are poetic and cry-worthy, but this one is especially powerful. Her falsetto voice, though soft and angelic, comes across as strong in this track as she reminisces about a past love. The song is very stripped down as there is little instrumentation, the focus being on Birdy's voice. –Karissa Perry
“Woman (Reading)” by La Dispute
The only thing sadder than a love song lamenting the loss of a lover is a spoken word post-hardcore song lamenting the loss of a lover, which this song pulls on. Vocalist Jordan Dreyer delivers an amazing performance that is equal parts poetry and song. –Cole Schoneman
“Freely” by Devendra Banhart
This song is heavy with hope. The disappointing reality that surrounds it puts tremendous weight on your heart as you listen. Devendra's soft, quivering voice is sincere as he sings of the freedom he desires that dangles unattainably in front of him. He pines, "meu coracao" (my heart), as he envisions his release. –Rhoda Yun
"Liability" by Lorde
It’s new, it’s fresh, it’s heartbreaking. "Liability," the latest track from Lorde’s upcoming album, tells the self-deprecating story of someone who feels as if they are a burden on the lives of those he or she loves. The simple melody of a piano accompanied by Lorde's voice, which is packed with emotion and vulnerability, is enough to make listeners want to have a good cry. –Taleen Simonian
“Soco Amaretto Lime” by Brand New
“Soco Amaretto Lime” is one of the only songs that truly represents my convoluted cluster of teenage mood swings. This track will make you overflow with sadness from nostalgia, frustration, love and everything in between. The eerie, overlapping vocals and echoing acoustic guitar are the perfect pair for the somber lyrics. You might be crying by the middle of the song, but before you know it, you’re angrily screaming “You’re just jealous ‘cause we’re young and in love!” at the top of your lungs. –Claire Tran
“Sleep In The Heat” by PUP
Nothing is sadder than a dead pet. Inspired by the passing of singer Steve Sladkowski’s pet chameleon, this song (and its even sadder video) tears at the heartstrings with shouted lyrics and driving pop-punk guitar. No eye is left dry at the climactic ending line: “You’re not waking up!” –Ben Bonadies
“Ivy” by Frank Ocean
As many of Ocean’s songs, this track tells the story of an old love. The tone of the song shines through Ocean’s raw vocals, which unapologetically make his emotions transparent. The lyrics resurface old feelings that come from reflecting on past relationships. The song is simple, yet it strikes a chord for anyone who has experienced a young love that has since been lost. –Georgia Kotsinis
“Lullaby” by Dixie Chicks
Somehow managing to be so beautiful it makes me cry every single time, this song is the sweetest kind of ballad. Dixie Chicks sing of love so powerful and pure that the mere thought is enough to make you both sad and curious of whether or not a love like that exists. –Emma Parkinson