10 Best Rock Songs About Depression

# 10 -You Don’t Love Me When I Cry – Laura Nyro

The opening song on this list of the 10 Best Rock Songs About Depression is Laura Nyro’s haunting and deeply emotional track, “You Don’t Love Me When I Cry,” from her 1969 album New York Tendaberry. Known for her distinctive, soulful voice and her ability to convey raw emotion through her music, Nyro was one of the most revered songwriters of her era, with other artists like the 5th Dimension and Blood, Sweat & Tears covering her songs. This track, though, is intensely personal and dives deep into the feelings of heartbreak, abandonment, and the isolating weight of depression, themes that Nyro explores with brutal honesty throughout the album.

Read More: Top 10 Laura Nyro Songs

# 9 – Runaway Train – Soul Asylum

“Runaway Train” by Soul Asylum is an emotionally charged track that vividly captures the helplessness and confusion that often accompany depression. Released in June 1993, this power ballad from the Grave Dancers Union album became one of the band’s biggest hits, peaking at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning the band a Grammy Award for Best Rock Song in 1994. The song resonated with audiences worldwide due to its raw portrayal of depression, a theme that struck a universal chord.

Recorded with producer Michael Beinhorn and featuring Booker T. on keyboards, the song’s powerful instrumentation elevates the despair in Dave Pirner’s lyrics. The recording process was grueling, with Pirner stating that Beinhorn had him record the vocals numerous times to capture the right emotional depth. Drummer Sterling Campbell replaced Grant Young during the session, and his tight drumming punctuates the song’s melancholic atmosphere. The song’s haunting lyrics, such as “So tired that I couldn’t even sleep, so many secrets I couldn’t keep,” echo the relentless struggle of feeling trapped by depression. The metaphor of the runaway train illustrates how life spirals out of control, which is something that Pirner himself had struggled with during his battle with a nervous breakdown.

Read More: Top 10 Soul Asylum Songs

# 8 – Lonesome Town – Ricky Nelson

Released in 1958, Lonesome Town is a haunting ballad by Ricky Nelson, written by Baker Knight. It became a major hit in the United States, reaching number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 15 on the R&B chart. Featured on his 1959 album Ricky Sings Again, the song showcases Nelson’s smooth vocals, accompanied by the renowned vocal quartet The Jordanaires, who added a rich depth to the melancholy track. The song was recorded at United Western Recorders in Hollywood, California, with producers Jimmie Haskell and Ozzie Nelson, Ricky’s father, overseeing the production.

Read More: Top 10 Ricky Nelson Songs

# 7 – From The Edge Of The Deep Green Sea – The Cure

From The Edge of the Deep Green Sea is one of the standout tracks from The Cure’s 1992 album Wish, an album that both embraced their gothic rock roots and ventured into broader alternative rock territory. Written by Robert Smith, this track is a sprawling, emotionally charged exploration of unreciprocated love, longing, and despair, themes that resonate strongly with the feelings of depression and helplessness. The song was recorded during sessions for Wish at The Manor and Hook End Studios, with David M. Allen co-producing alongside the band.

Read More: 10 Essential Songs By The Cure

# 6 – Fade To Black – Metallica

“Fade to Black” is one of Metallica’s most iconic songs, recognized as the band’s first power ballad, which marked a significant shift in their musical style. Released as the first promotional single from Ride the Lightning in 1984, the song showcases the band’s ability to merge heavy metal with deeply introspective and emotional themes. The track was recorded at Sweet Silence Studios in Copenhagen, Denmark, under the production of Metallica and Flemming Rasmussen. James Hetfield’s haunting lyrics and Kirk Hammett’s soaring guitar solo have earned the song a place in metal history, even being ranked by Guitar World readers as having the 24th best guitar solo of all time.

# 5 – Stolen Car – Bruce Springsteen

“Stolen Car” from Bruce Springsteen’s 1980 album The River is a stark meditation on loneliness, identity, and the emotional devastation of a failing marriage. The song’s narrative centers around a man who finds himself disconnected from the life he built. Recorded in January 1980 at The Power Station in New York, the minimal instrumental arrangement of soft piano, synthesizer, and restrained percussion reflects the haunting isolation at the heart of the song. Springsteen’s vocals are subdued, allowing the story’s emotional weight to shine through.

Read More: Top 10 Bruce Springsteen Albums

# 4 – Mad World – Tears For Fears

“Mad World,” released by Tears for Fears in 1982, is a quintessential song capturing the emotional weight of depression and disillusionment. Written by Roland Orzabal and sung by bassist Curt Smith, the song was the band’s first chart hit, reaching number three on the UK Singles Chart. It quickly became an international success, offering a haunting reflection on the emptiness of modern life and existential dread. Recorded during the sessions for their debut album, The Hurting (1983), “Mad World” was produced by Ross Cullum and Chris Hughes. The song’s combination of new wave instrumentation and Smith’s plaintive vocals helped cement Tears for Fears as pioneers of emotionally driven synth-pop.

Read More: Top 10 Tears For Fears Songs

# 3 – Lithium – Nirvana

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Released as the third single from Nirvana’s 1991 album Nevermind, “Lithium” is one of the band’s most poignant songs about depression. Written by Kurt Cobain, the song narrates the experience of a man on the verge of emotional collapse who turns to religion as a last resort to keep himself from succumbing to suicidal thoughts. Cobain’s raw lyricism explores the psychological ups and downs that accompany depression, while the music alternates between soft verses and loud, cathartic choruses, capturing the emotional volatility of the subject.

Read More: Top 10 Nirvana Songs

# 2 – Maniac Depression – Jimi Hendrix

“Manic Depression” is a track from The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s iconic 1967 debut album, Are You Experienced. Written by Jimi Hendrix, the song is a raw and electrifying portrayal of emotional turbulence. Although the title references a clinical mental disorder, the song’s lyrics reflect more of a romantic frustration and a feeling of emotional chaos rather than a literal interpretation of manic depression. It captures the essence of feeling stuck between highs and lows, both in love and life, through Hendrix’s unique blend of rock, blues, and psychedelic sound. Recorded in late 1966 at Olympic Studios in London, the song features Jimi Hendrix on guitar and vocals, Mitch Mitchell on drums, and Noel Redding on bass.

Read More: Top 10 Jimi Hendrix Songs

# 1 – Behind Blue Eyes – The Who

“Behind Blue Eyes,” written by Pete Townshend and performed by The Who, is one of rock’s most iconic ballads and a fitting conclusion for a list of songs focused on depression. Released as the second single from the band’s Who’s Next album in 1971, the song delves into feelings of alienation, emotional turmoil, and isolation. Originally conceived as part of Townshend’s abandoned Lifehouse project, the song’s lyrics are written from the perspective of the villain Jumbo, giving a deeply personal view of someone who feels misunderstood, burdened by their role as the “bad man.” It blends folk-like softness with a powerful, hard-hitting climax, making it one of the most emotional songs from the album.