Pain is what makes your character deep. It's what makes them relatable, and the way they deal with their pain and struggles is how you can define them. You can't have a character without pain - they either suffer it, cause it, or both.
WARNING: Some of these songs are heavy and talk about depression. If you're in pain and feel like you can't escape it, please reach out to someone. You don't have to go through it alone. And if you need to talk, my PMs are always open.
STARSET | MY DEMONS
Mayday! Mayday!
The ship is slowly sinking
They think I'm crazy but they don't know the feeling
They're all around me,
Circling like vultures
They wanna break me and wash away my colors
Gosh, I love this band. They've also got a lot of thematic songs about space and galaxy, so if you're into that, check them out!
HALSEY | GASOLINE
I think there's a flaw in my code / These voices won't leave me alone
HALSEY | CONTROL
And all the kids cried out, "Please stop, you're scaring me"
I can't help this awful energy
God damn right, you should be scared of me
Who is in control?
Halsey's got a lot of songs with a haunting, aesthetic vibe. You should also give 'Ghost' and 'Devil in Me' a listen!
TWENTY ONE PILOTS | DOUBT
Temperature is dropping
I'm not sure if I can
See this ever stopping
Shaking hands with the dark parts of my thoughts
No, you are all that I've got, no
If you want meaningful songs about pain and life, these guys will give it to you. Make sure to check these ones two: Car Radio, Message Man, Polarize, Ride, Stressed Out, The Judge and We Don't Believe What's On TV.
JAYMES YOUNG | I'll Be Good
I'll be good, I'll be good
And I'll love the world, like I should
Yeah, I'll be good, I'll be good
For all of the time
That I never could
I absolutely love Jaymes! He's got some really great, unique songs. He also talks a lot about love in them.
NF | MANSION
❝ My mind is a home I'm trapped in / And it's lonely inside this mansion ❞
NF has so many great, deep songs and he mainly talks about pain and demons. If you're looking for inspiration to write a broken, pained character or if you need something to relate to, he's the artist to listen to. I also recommend 'Paralyzed', 'Therapy Session' and 'Remember This'. But none is as emotional as 'How Could You Leave Us'.
MISSIO | TWISTED
I'm uncontrollable, emotional, chaotically proportional
I'm visceral, reloadable
I'm crazy, I'm crazy, I'm crazy, I'm crazy
You should absolutely check these guys out, they've got some really crazy, different songs! These two especially talk about pain in a really beautiful way:
You broke me down and stole my soul / Left me vacant and all alone
I see you when you think
That I don't notice all those scars
I see you
Yes, I see you
CALL ME KARIZMA | IMAGINARY ILLNESS
It's all in your head
You're always upset
You call it disease
I call it depressed
I'M OK
I haven't smiled very much today
But I'm ok, I'm ok
All these tears are diamonds on my face
And I'm ok, I'm ok
RAIN
I'm getting fucking sick of seein' rain outside my window
Cos I got enough water from these tears up on my pillow
ANSON SEABRA | I CAN'T CARRY THIS ANYMORE
I can't carry this anymore
Heavy from the hurt inside my veins
I can't carry this anymore
Wonder what it's like to be okay
This song is so meaningful and powerful. I also recommend 'Broken', 'Robin Hood' and 'Trying My Best'.
THREE DAYS GRACE | PAIN
You're sick of feeling numb
You're not the only one
I'll take you by the hand
And I'll show you a world that you can understand
Three Days Grace is the best band if you're looking for heavy, rock songs about pain. Give a listen to 'World So Cold', 'I Am Machine' and 'Last To Know'. And 'Never Too Late' is absolutely heartbreaking.
SIMPLE PLAN | WELCOME TO MY LIFE
Do you ever feel like breaking down?
Do you ever feel out of place?
Like somehow you just don't belong
And no one understands you
3OH!3 | I'M NOT THE ONE
I know it must seem frightening
To have the world fall apart right under your shoes
Trust me, you'll make it through
LINKIN PARK & KIIARA | HEAVY
I'm holding on
Why is everything so heavy?
Holding on
So much more than I can carry
This song is heartbreaking. Linkin Park talk a lot about pain. Other songs I recommend are 'Invisible', 'One Light' and 'Nobody Can Save Me'.
LOGIC, ALESSIA CARA & KHALID | 1-800-273-8255
Pain don't hurt the same, I know
The lane I travel feels alone
But I'm moving 'til my legs give out
I love how this song goes from a very dark place to finding the hope and the light. That's a message you should pass onto your story, that "happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light". And remember that for every Dementor, there's an Expecto Patronum.
And since this was a tough one, here's a cat gif to make you feel better: