Life can feel impossible sometimes. Hard times can persist. Right when you think you’re going to get ahead, something happens to pull you back down.
Since we all can feel like this from time to time, we’ve put together a list that details how hard life can be. Some of these songs are sad ballads, while others are more upbeat and positive. Regardless of what you’re looking for, you’ll find a song that is sure to help you out here!
1. “Hard Out Here” by Lily Allen
“Hard Out Here” by Lily Allen is all about hard times in life for females. The song explores the music industry — as well as life in general — through the eyes of a woman. Allen condemns how so many women are treated differently than men, singing that it’s much harder to be a woman in this current world than a man.
2. “Hard Times” by Paramore
In “Hard Times”, Paramore sings about how difficult life can be. The lead singer expresses her frustration with the world and how she can’t seem to get ahead. Life is hard — and this upbeat song expresses how so many can feel upset with how their life has turned out.
The band sings, “Hard times / Gonna make you wonder why you even try / Hard times / Gonna take you down and laugh when you cry.”
3. “I Always Want to Die (Sometimes)” by The 1975
“I Always Want to Die (Sometimes)” by The 1975 explores the emotions that come with everyday life. The band recognizes that so many people realize how hard life is, and therefore can feel depressed and sad.
However, instead of wallowing in this depression, the band sings that people should recognize these feelings and try to move on. They sing the lyrics, “You win, you lose, you sing the blues / There’s no point in buying concrete shoes / I’ll refuse.”
4. “Tore Down a la Rimbaud” by Van Morrison
In “Tore Down a la Rimbaud”, first released in 1985, Van Morrison sings about tough times. He explains that even if someone gives you positivity or things to look forward to, this doesn’t mean that your life will just change overnight. After all, struggles may still persist — and life may continue to be hard.
He sings, “When I was tore down a la Rimbaud / And I wish my purpose would come / Tore down a la Rimbaud. You know it’s hard sometime, you know it’s hard sometime.”
5. “I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times” by The Beach Boys
1966’s “I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times” by The Beach Boys explores feeling lost in your own life. The singer explains that he can’t seem to find happiness or joy. He feels that his friends aren’t truly there for him. Every time he thinks he’s becoming happier, something happens to completely change his mood.
So, he ends up singing, “Sometimes I feel very sad / I guess I just wasn’t made for these times.”
6. “Hard Day” by George Michael
“Hard Day” by George Michael, which appears on the 1987 album Faith, explores life and love. Michael sings about how he loves his partner, even though he’s going through some hard times. However, his relationship might not be all it’s cracked up to be — and he begs his partner (and life!) to not bring him down.
He sings, “So don’t bring me down / Won’t ya give me a break? / Somebody give me a break now!”
7. “Hard Times” by James Taylor
1981’s “Hard Times” by James Taylor opens with the lyrics, “We’ve seen some hard times, hard times / Holding it together ain’t always easy / An angry man, hungry woman, driving each other crazy.”
As the song progresses, Taylor sings about the hard times he’s experienced in life and love. His relationship might not make it — and he tries to make things work. Obviously, this is easier said than done. But he doesn’t want these hard times to win and bring him down!
8. “Where Have All the Good Times Gone?” by The Kinks
“Where Have All the Good Times Gone?” by The Kinks, which appears on the 1965 album The Kink Kontroversy, explores reminiscing on the past and your childhood. Many people experience profound sadness when they get older and realize how happy and carefree their childhood was. Now, unfortunately, they have many responsibilities.
The Kinks sing about these feelings and the hard times they face now that they’re older. Throughout the song, they sing, “Won’t you tell me / Where have all the good times gone?”
9. “Hard Knocks” by Elvis Presley
“Hard Knocks” by Elvis Presley is one of the best songs about hard times! In this 1964 track, Presley sings about how some kids were born with everything they’ve ever wanted in life. Their parents were rich, so they were rich.
But Presley didn’t grow up with money — so he learned what life was like early on. He had hard times, and he still has hard times. As a result, he sings, “Hard knocks, all I ever knew was hard knocks / And I’m telling you, I said you’d better beware / Cause I’ve had my share.”
10. “Life on Earth” by Snow Patrol
“Life on Earth” by Snow Patrol explores life and love. The band explains the many emotions that can come with living your life or falling in love. However, the band also expresses their anger at how difficult and complicated life can become — for no apparent reason.
They sing that this is only life on Earth. Therefore, it shouldn’t be so hard. Unfortunately, it is.
11. “Life Is a Pigsty” by Morrissey
In “Life Is a Pigsty”, Morrissey sings about the difficulties of his own life — as well as his love life. Even though he may get older and change, he sings that he’s still the same basic person. He recognizes when he’s in love, just as he recognizes that life is hard.
So, he sings, “Life is a pigsty / And if you don’t know this / Then what do you know?”
12. “There Must Be More to Life Than This” by Queen
1981’s “There Must Be More to Life Than This” opens with the lyrics, “There must be more to life than this / How do we cope in a world without love / Mending all those broken hearts / And tending to those crying faces.”
As the song goes on, the singer wonders why there’s so much pain, death, and violence in the world. He sings that this shouldn’t be the case. Life shouldn’t be so hard. Instead, we should try to find more to life than what we’re faced with.
13. “Truth to Power” by OneRepublic
In “Truth to Power”, OneRepublic signs from the perspective of Mother Earth. So, in this song, Mother Earth signs to human beings and begs them to see how she feels about all of this hate and pollution in the world.
Even though this song is from the pov of Mother Earth, it still resonates with those who are dealing with their own life struggles. The band sings, “Hard to keep goin’ on / I said it’s hard to keep goin’ on.”
14. “Up We Go” by Lights
“Up We Go” by Lights explores trying to move on after a difficult life struggle. The singer explains that she must find a way to move on and do what she loves — even if life continues to be hard. If you need a bit of inspiration, this is the song for you.
Lights sings, “Everyone here is ready to go / It’s been a hard year with nothing to show / From down this road / It’s only on we go, on we go.”
15. “Hard Workin’ Man” by Brooks & Dunn
Brooks & Dunn’s “Hard Workin’ Man”, which was released in 1993, is a song from the point of view of a regular working man. This man explains that he works with his hands. He can build things that most people can’t. In this way, he’s hard-working and talented.
Unfortunately, life is rough — and he can barely get by. The duo sings the lyrics, “I can’t get ahead no matter how hard I try / I’m gettin’ really good at barely gettin’ by.”
16. “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall” by Bob Dylan
1963’s “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall” by Bob Dylan remains one of the best songs about life being hard. This song deals with so many injustices and problems in the world — and how these problems can often may everyday people’s lives so difficult.
Many people feel this song is about nuclear war, while others feel that it is biblical. Regardless, the song can be listened to by anyone who is going through their own hard times.
17. “Mad World” by Tears For Fears
1982’s “Mad World” by Tears For Fears continues to be a favorite for many — and remains iconic! Throughout this song, the band sings about their own issues, sadness, and feelings about the “Mad World” that they live in.
The song opens with the memorable lyrics, “All around me are familiar faces / Worn-out places, worn-out faces / Bright and early for their daily races / Going nowhere, going nowhere.”
18. “Prime Time” by Don McLean
“Prime Time” by Don McLean follows the singer as he sings about all the problems and injustices in the world, specifically in the United States. McLean sings about how so many of us feel that life has become so hard to live, often thanks to the government, corporations, or other powerful figures.
He sings the lyrics, “They don’t keep their promise in the promised land / It’s getting mighty hard to find an honest man.”
19. “Prisoners” by John Denver
“Prisoners” by John Denver, which appears on the 1972 album Rocky Mountain High, explores how many of us feel as if we’re prisoners in our life. Throughout the song, Denver sings about different people and the difficult, sometimes everyday lives they lead.
To this, he sings, “It’s a hard life livin’ when you’re lonely / It’s a long night sleepin’ alone / It’s a hard time waitin’ for tomorrow / It’s a long, long way home.”
20. “Sign of the Times” by Harry Styles
Harry Styles’ song “Sign of the Times” details a lot of different problems and situations in life. Life can feel hard, but Styles sings that we should all find something to look forward to. The song also has a lot to do with death and dealing with grief. Even though death is scary, Styles sings that we should always live our lives as best we can!