Ever hear a catchy, upbeat, and addictive song, only to find out that the lyrics are way sadder or more disturbing than you thought? It’s a common occurrence, to say the least. Let’s look at five ...

Sad songs can actually cause the release of a hormone in the body called prolactin. It's released when we feel true grief or sadness, and it can even be found in our tears. David Huron, a professor ...

Psychologists and philosophers have long puzzled over why people enjoy songs about sad topics. Even more paradoxically, some of the saddest songs are set to upbeat tunes—The Beatles’ “Hello, Goodbye,” ...

Breakups are hard to get through, no matter the circumstances. Music can almost always help you move past the pain. Some of the best breakup songs are those that are happy and empowering, but ...

This article is authored by Tara Venkatesan, honorary fellow, School of Advanced Studies, University of London.