Study explains why we like listening to sad songs

Study explains why we like listening to sad songs
(Image credit: iStock)

If you're in a bad mood, you're probably more likely to listen to a depressing ballad than upbeat pop. And a new study might have the reason why.

Researchers at the Freie Universitat Berlin in Germany surveyed more than 770 people for a study published this month in the journal PLOS ONE. They found that sad music actually creates positive feelings, such as peacefulness and tenderness, in listeners. The researchers explained that sad music lets listeners experience sadness without the "real-life implications." The study noted that those who listened to sad music experienced more empathy, because they felt connected to the sadness of the songs' artists.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
Explore More
Meghan DeMaria

Meghan DeMaria is a staff writer at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked for USA Today and Marie Claire.