abbigailnil-engl1007-project2

[abbigailnil-engl1007-project2]

Statement

The guiding question I seek to answer is “How do sad girl songs and the artists that compose them create a comforting outlet for teens?” or “How does sad girl music evoke a comforting sense of relatability for adolescents?”. My purpose is to discover if sad music has a positive impact on those who are struggling with their mental health; specifically for those who are in their teenage years, as it depicts scenarios, feelings, and emotions that may be relatable to them, making them feel as though they are not alone in the challenges they are facing. 

I hope to find, read, and synthesize scholarly sources and research reports as well as the ongoing world of social media and the media content that is created that validates the argument that sad girl songs comfort people, specifically teenagers and adolescents across the board going through difficult experiences and challenges, rather than sending them into a downward spiral of negativity and a darker, sadder mental state. Many argue listening to sad girl music makes you sadder and identifying with the sad girl aesthetic sustains depressive episodes, keeping you in a constant state of sadness, angst, and ultimately, depression. However, the goal of my project in this section of the course is to debunk this theory and prove that sad girl music is comforting, rather than overwhelmingly saddening. I hope my reader takes away that indulging in sad girl music is beneficial for their mental health, not detrimental. Listening to sad music will make them feel as though their feelings are heard, acknowledged, and validated and ultimately, will lead to being happier and feeling less sadness. 

Based on the Scholarly Articles I have discovered thus far in my research on this topic, I have found that in others’ scientific, group-based research it has been found that sad music evokes feelings of nostalgia and comfort that help to alleviate the sad feelings and emotions of listeners, especially for women. For instance, “Memorable Experiences with Sad Music — Reasons, Reactions, and Mechanisms of Three Types of Experiences by Eerola and Peltoa states “people link sadness with a wide range of emotions [6–8], including nostalgia, peacefulness, and tenderness” (page 1), “Women tend to favor statements relating to reminiscing (χ2 = 21.0, p<.001), as well as social and nurturing reasons such as comforting (χ2 = 22.8, p<.001), channeling (χ2 = 12.5, p<.001), to be closer to loved ones (χ2 = 10.4, p<.001), or to share emotions with others (χ2 = 12.6, p<.001).” (page 6) and "The first reason could be labeled as Reflection, the second factor as Belonging, and the third factor as Relaxation.” (page 6). These quotes make it evident that sad music does evoke positive results and emotions. 

This guiding question and the controversial debate motivate me to study it as it is one I feel as though I personally resonate with. I have always found, especially in my early teenage and adolescent years but additionally now in this present era of my life, where I am faced with college-related challenges, growing pains, moving hours and a state away from home, and juggling social and academic life while struggling with and taking care of mental and emotional health; comfortingly relatable. Sad girl songs that I truly enjoy in times when I am feeling down that comfort me and make me feel better and happier, rather than sadder and more depressed include All Too Well (Taylor’s Version)(Sad Girl Autumn Version) by Taylor Swift, Slipping Through my Fingers – From the Mamma Mia Soundtrack by Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried, Everytime by Britney Spears, I Remember Everything by Zach Bryan ft. Kacey Musgraves, Strawberry Wine by Noah Kahan, Northern Attitude by Noah Kahan, Orange Juice by Noah Kahan, IDK You Yet - Cover by Bertie Newman, To Build A Home by The Cinematic Orchestra and Patrick Watson, Little Freak by Harry Styles, This is Me Trying by Taylor Swift, Falling Apart by Michael Schulte, Big Black Car by Gregory Alan Isakov, and Next to You by John Vincent III. As you can tell, the list could go on forever and I, personally, can attest to the comfort felt by sad girl songs in a time when you feel alone, like there is no one who relates to the struggles you are facing, and nothing but a song can pull you out of it.

[abbigailnil-engl1007-project2]

2 Scholarly Articles: 

Memorable Experiences with Sad Music — Reasons, Reactions and Mechanisms of Three Types of Experiences by Eerola & Peltola 

The pleasures of sad music: a systematic review by Matthew Sachs, Antonio Damasio & Assal Habibi

[abbigailnil-engl1007-project2]

This TikTok video was created by a creator named Laurine. This TikTok is part of a trend using the "Are you okay", "Yeah, I've got my girls" dialogue between Ross and Rachel on the sitcom 'Friends', followed by a beat from the song "Like This" by PRVX. This trend has been used to show the power of friendship in times of need; however, Laurine took a unique approach to this video, showing the Spotify profiles of her favorite "sad girl" artists when the beat drops. This TikTok is meant to portray that in times of need, the songs by those artists are the ones that are there to comfort her and make her feel both seen and heard. I connect this content to the sad girl aesthetic and the approach of sad songs evoking positive emotions as the artists listed in the video, Taylor Swift, Gracie Abrams, Pheobe Bridgers, and Lizzy McAlpine, are all perceived to be sad girl artists, each being popular for their sad, relatable songs that tug and the heartstrings of their listeners.

[abbigailnil-engl1007-project2]

This video is a TikTok created by the influencer @thesugartreatment, a clinical therapist and social worker who professes his knowledge while also baking in TikTok videos. This video in particular discusses why listening to sad music when you're sad can make you feel better and encourages watchers to crank Taylor Swift and indulge in sad music when they are, in fact, feeling down.

[abbigailnil-engl1007-project2]

This Rick and Morty meme affirms the way in which sad music makes listeners feel better, rather than worse. The meme states "Listening to sad music when you're sad makes you feel better because two negatives make a positive. This is science, Morty!" Though many claim listening to sad music traps you in a loop of consistently feeling sad; however, many believe listening to sad music helps you out of feeling sad, makes you feel heard, and ultimately makes you feel better. This is the message being put forth through this meme.

[abbigailnil-engl1007-project2]

This Twitter post by @mycatismean states “I love listening to sad music and thinking about the boy who doesn't love me back”. This post alludes to the fact that listening to sad music when sad or thinking about something that overwhelms you with negative emotion, creates a sense of comfort and relatability, allowing you to move on and grow from that given situation that formerly upset you. It allows you to feel seen, as your emotions are acknowledged, and you are not alone in what you are feeling and the experience you are going through.

[abbigailnil-engl1007-project2]

This Tumblr post by @1dumblondi states “ouch, ‘this is me trying’ can get so personal during exam season”. ‘This Is Me Trying’ is a song by Taylor Swift that can undeniably be deemed within the sad girl genre and aesthetic. With its slow, somber verses, this song relates to people who feel as though they are suddenly failing in areas of their lives they never had before. Swift relates to people feeling overwhelmed and hopeless through her lyrics within this song; however, throughout the song, she states “I just wanted you to know, this is me trying”. This phrase represents that regardless of the ways in which you are struggling and regardless of what may be harder for you to overcome at this moment, you are trying your best and that is, simply, enough. Aside from the way it may seem, with all of your failures and challenges at hand, you are doing the best you can. This song is relatable for college students during exam season because many feel overwhelmed and that they will never be able to absorb enough information to do well on all of their exams. This is specifically relatable to college freshmen who are, for the first time, faced with the challenge of studying for an influx of courses at once, in a small amount of time like never before. This can evoke the feeling of failing in ways they never have before, the way Swift states “I’ve been having a hard time adjusting, had the shiniest wheels now they’re rusting” or even “I was so ahead of the curve, the curve became a sphere, fell behind all my classmates, and I ended up here”. These lyrics can be very relatable for struggling teens, especially those in college, as well as listeners of all ages dealing with challenges within their own personal and professional lives.

[abbigailnil-engl1007-project2]

This SNL skit begins by depicting two women working in a corporate office setting. One says to the other “Hey Karen, I’m sorry you didn’t land that account, you okay?” Karen reassures her she is fine; however, the moment she leaves the room Karen proceeds to play and cry to “Someone Like You” by Adele, a notorious sad girl song. For many, like Karen, listening to sad music when sad can make you feel heard and seen, allowing you to feel the sad, negative emotions and allow them to pass. This can be applicable to those of all ages and in all situations, not simply adults in the workforce. Karen’s coworker comes back unexpectedly and catches her in the act of listening to this song and crying, and shares with Karen that she has just watched the season finale of Friday Night Lights and could use a good cry so Karen hits play once again. Yet another coworker walks in, catching them in the act. This coworker adds her parakeets have been fighting, Karen hits play once again and the three proceed to sing and cry. Lastly, a group of male coworkers walk in upset that they missed the Early Bird Special on Wings. The entire group cries and sings to the sad girl song and in the end, the group feels so much better they all agree to go out and pay for full-priced wings. This shows the positive results of listening to sad music when sad and feeling as though you are not alone, bonding over sadness and over a sad song. 

[abbigailnil-engl1007-project2]

Creative Writing

‘Sad Girl Music’ A Poem 

By: Abbigail Niland

In the darkest of times

I find myself listening to the melancholy chimes 

Of music that strikes my heart 

As I struggle to give my emotions a jumpstart 

As I closely press my phone to my breastbone 

And hear the lyrics ringing through my headphones

I begin to feel far less alone 

Making me feel as if these feelings are well-known

My favorite artists singing to me 

          They seem to know what it’s like to be 

An academic failure, a griever, a depressed teen or even a divorcee 

It is so simple to become overwhelmed by the sad 

But as I study away through undergrad 

I hold my sad girl music tight 

Knowing that it just might 

Make my burdens a little more light 

And reassure me everything will soon be alright