Processing Loss With Music

Pop music tends to focus almost exclusively on romantic love as its main subject. Of course there are plenty of exceptions, but the vast majority of popular songs in the last 75 years or more have had a romantic core. (Or an obsessive core, or a core regretting a lost love.)

It’s easy to start to think that romance is what music is for, but in truth, all strong emotions are supported by music. This week, I’m thinking about the way I process loss with music. There is powerful music for every powerful emotion, and seeking and finding that music can help in the catharsis we need.

Here are a few potent musical works I turn to for processing loss.

What are the songs you turn to in times to process loss?