WORDS BY ME | KATIE Z.

A few weeks back, we had a little fun with some weird a$$ song lyrics. Now that we’ve wiped our tears of laughter, it’s time to pull out your those hankies again for some sap. Pretty little ballads have always been my favorites. Here are just a few for you to enjoy. Songs so beautiful they’ll break your heart. 

10. Father, Father | Laura Mvula
Line that’ll break you: “Father, father, why’d you let me go? Father please, don’t let me go.”

This whole song is like one big lump in your throat. Laura Mvula is pure beauty. Her lyrics, her melodies, her style. And I have to believe, that anyone who writes a song like this most certainly has a beautiful heart…even when she’s breaking mine.

9. Little Bird | Eels
Line that’ll break you: “I just can’t take how very much, goddamn, I miss that girl.”

He’s so lonely! Someone give him a hug. And a birdcage so that little bird doesn’t leave him, too.

8. Change Is Gonna Come | Sam Cooke
Line that’ll break you: “It’s been too hard living, but I’m afraid to die. ‘Cause I don’t know what’s up there, beyond the sky.” 

Probably don’t need to say much more about this one.

7. San Diego Serenade | Tom Waits
Line that’ll break you: “I never saw your tears, til they rolled down your face.”

Man I had a hard time choosing a Waits song…so many gems. This is one of my favorites. A song about appreciating the good around you before it’s gone. And for all you Waits fans, I hope you enjoy a rare live recording.

6. Clouds | Zach Sobiech
Line that’ll break you: “Be ready to live and it’ll be ripped right out of my hands.”

Even the stoniest of hearts will find it difficult to get through this one with dry eyes. You may remember this viral story from a few years back. No better reminder to love the beauty of life while you have it.

5. You and Me | Penny & the Quarter
Line that’ll break you: NA

Phew, things are getting a little too heavy around here! Here’s a beauty for you. Perhaps the only heartbreaking part is the mystery behind it.

4. Hide It Well | Ha Ha Tonka
Line that’ll break you: “Honey my heart is a heavy one, I need to rest a spell. For you it was I fell.”

These guys, oh my. Such incredible musicians. Their lyrics, their harmonies, their humble gratitude. If you haven’t heard them, check them out. You’ll thank yourself.

3. No One’s Gonna Love You | Band of Horses
Line that’ll break you: “You are the ever-lasting ghost of what once was…no one’s gonna love you more than I do.”
I sing this one to my babies. And let me tell ya, those are some hard notes to hit. Especially when you’re choking back tears.

2. Murder in the City | Avett Brothers
Line that’ll break you: “I love you and I’m proud of you both, in so many different ways.”
As a mama of three boys, this one gets me every time.

1. Only One | Kanye West
Line that’ll break you: “Tell Nori about me, tell Nori about me…”

I know, I know. I’ll be the first to go on a Kanye rant. But let me just say this. Anyone who can only tell their babies about their mama, knows why this one hurts.

So what’s the moral of this little story? Wear your heart on your sleeve, people. Life is better that way. Heartbreak and all.