15 Songs Filled with Hurt & Pain | Playlist 🎧

1.The Weekend, “Hurt You”

My Dear Melancholy, (EP) • Republic • 2018 

Grammy-winning, Canadian R&B singer The Weeknd returned with a surprise EP in 2018, My Dear Melancholy,. Throughout the course of the project, he authentically and superbly captures the pain of the being heartbroken. “Hurt You,” the fifth track, marks the second collaboration with Gesaffelstein (“I Was Never There” precedes). Alongside the French producer, Cirkut and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo also contribute to the production. Arguably, “Hurt You” eclipses “I Was Never There”, ranking among the top-three songs from the six-track EP.  The Weeknd benefits from a few more BPMs, not to mention additional lyrics – more song.  The verses are great, while the chorus is the crème de la crème, particularly the falsetto. Simply stated, The Weeknd asserts, “I don’t wanna hurt you.”

2. Black Atlass, “Pain & Pleasure”

Pain & Pleasure • Republic • 2018

“I met her on the pole where she danced for me / Yeah, I gave her half a check, never work for free…” Wow, okay… Canadian-bred, LA-based musician Alex Fleming, better known as Black Atlass, returned with his sophomore album, Pain & Pleasure, in 2018. Pain & Pleasure marks his first project since signing with XO (co-founded by The Weeknd), a subsidiary of Republic.  Unsurprisingly, Fleming has many vocal similarities to The Weeknd, which shine throughout the course of this brief, sexy, and soulful set.  Among the elite moments from the album is the title track, “Pain & Pleasure,” where love appears to be reckless. Co-produced by London on Da Track, the record has a slick, rhythmic, if relatively straightforward, urban contemporary sound. If the assumption is that Black Atlass is looking for something real, one may be skeptical of the aforementioned decision to ‘save’ a dancer.

3. Rae Sremmurd (Swae Lee), “Hurt to Look”

SR3MM • Interscope • 2018 

“All I do is think when I’m away (when I’m away) / Colors burst and all I see are shapes (hey!) / Sun goes away and that’s when I call your hame (your name) / She’s here for good, and I’m here to stay.” “Hurt to Look” appears on the Swae Lee disc (‘Swaecation’) of the Rae Sremmurd triple album, SR3MM. “Hurt to Look” features chill, enigmatic, sensual opening sounds – great vibes to say the least. The production is smooth, in the urban contemporary vein. Once Swae Lee begins singing, a danceable groove enters, anchoring things down. He serves up the delightful chorus before delivering his verses. “Hurt to Look” has Drake vibes going on; Lee sings as opposed to raps. Lyrically, he doesn’t offer anything groundbreaking or monumental, but the vibe goes a long way.

“It shouldn’t hurt to look your way (hey, ah-ah, ah)
It shouldn’t hurt to look your way (your way, ah-ah, ah)
I shouldn’t have to catch a case (ah-ah, ah yeah)
‘Cause I'm the one that can't stand to feel any more pain (ah-ah, ooh).”

4. Alessia Cara, “Growing Pains”

The Pains of Growing » Def Jam » 2018

Following an impressive debut album (Know-It-All, 2015), Grammy-winning pop artist Alessia Cara returned with her highly-anticipated sophomore album, The Pains of Growing, in Fall 2018.  The Pains of Growing commences with the honest promo single, “Growing Pains”.  “Growing Pains” features great production work, comprised of a driving synth, rhythmic, urban-infused drum programing, and lovely harmonized backing vocals. Cara serves up clear, nuanced lead vocals, sounding incredibly authentic as she sings.  Furthermore, she never has to force things. Her rhythmic, melodic lines are clearly influenced by hip-hop without even approaching the pop-rap realm. The substance of this single stands out; she’s honest lyrically about her lot in life, singing about real issues.

“And I’ve always been a go-getter
There’s truth in every word I write
But still, the growing pains, growing pains
They’re keeping me up at night.”

5. Sofi Tukker, “My Body Hurts”

Treehouse » Ultra » 2018

Sofi Tukker (Sophie Hawley-Weld and Tucker Halpern) came out swinging with numerous singles in 2017, the boldest of which was “Fuck They”. After dropping five incredibly, enjoyable, and groovy singles, their first full-length album, Treehouse, arrived in 2018.  On the record “My Body Hurts,” Hawley-Weld’s head gets the best of her: “Feeling fucked up band bridled inside my own mind.” Despite her internal issues and anger, the energy, feistiness, and passion help the record to stand out.  The production doesn’t hurt either, as “My Body Hurts” has an edgy, angst-filled sound, led by a driving groove.

6. Five Finger Death Punch, “Sham Pain”

And Justice for None » Prospect Park » 2018

Metal collective Five Finger Death Punch showcases both pleasure and displeasure pleasure on “Sham Pain”. “Sham Pain” was among singles released in advance of FFDP’s 2018 LP, And Justice for None. Noticeably, FFDP are a bit grumpy and perhaps disgruntled on the verses. Frontman Ivan Moody opts for more chanted vocals as he expresses his displeasures.  On the first verse, he has bones to pick with Prospect Park (Records), TMZ, and Blabbermouth: “The label tried to sue me / TMZ tried to screw me, Blabbermouth / Can fucking suck it ‘cause they never fucking knew me.”

On the second verse, he doesn’t call out any specific people, rather, he focuses on life in a band, such as travel to reach certain destinations. For all the issues he seems to have, the chorus is more optimistic.  While the electric guitars from the verses continue, notably, there’s also some excellent acoustic guitar action.  Furthermore, Moody discovers ‘melody,’ a clear contrast to the agitated, chanted verses and bridge section.   The chorus is varied at the end, but all in all, the effect and message are the same throughout.

“All in all, it’s a good life
I got what I want
I can’t complain
I’m living the good life
A toast to you now
It’s all sham pain.”

Despite less desirable, less optimal circumstances, ultimately, the reward is far greater.  “Sham Pain” is energetic, entertaining, and certainly worthwhile.

7. Two Feet, “Hurt People”

Ft. Madison Love

A 20 Something Fuck » Republic » 2018

“If I felt all my lies I know that I’d be broken / Take all these pills to quell fucked up emotions / Bill you’re so sick, why can’t you just be open?” A 20 Something Fuck, huh? Yeah, alternative musician Two Feet (Zachary William “Bill” Dess) definitely has a way with album titles. Better yet, he has a way of conveying genuine emotions musically. Two Feet enlists singer/songwriter Madison Love  for his song filled with hurt, “Hurt People.”

Love handles the ‘broken’ chorus:

“‘Cause hurt people just hurt people
They do it, they do every day, yeah
Hurt people just hurt people
Why are we used to the pain? Ooh.”

As for Two Feet, like the excerpt at the top from the first verse, he’s clearly on the ‘struggle bus,’ truly “fucked up” in a number of respects.

“Girl, I’m too fucked up, you can’t fix these problems
You’ll never solve them, you’ll never solve them.”

8. DJDS, “No Pain”

Ft. Khalid, Charlie Wilson & Charlotte Day Wilson

Big Wave More Fire » Loma Vista » 2018

DJDS (aka DJ Dodger Stadium) bring the heat on their latest single, “No Pain”. The DJ/production duo, based in Los Angeles, California, consists of Jerome Potter and Sam Griesemer.  They tap Khalid, Charlie Wilson, and Canadian R&B artist Charlotte Day Wilson on the soulfully-tinged highlight from their 2018 album, Big Wave More Fire. The opening production on the intro is detuned, giving “No Pain” a truly unique sound.  This sound showcases great adventurousness by DJDS. During this section, Charlie Wilson sings, “Baby, I know / That you’ve been hurt before.” He goes on to sing the chorus, oozing with soulfulness, amplified even more given the gospel vibes of this record.

“Feeling no pain (keep me up)
Feeling no pain (keep me high)
Feeling no pain (lift it up)
Got me feeling no pain (to the sky).”

Khalid follows Wilson, singing the verse, showing incredible assertiveness and command. He’s backed by awesome production, including a slick drum groove and organ.  The sound blends old-school and contemporary.  Charlotte Day Wilson makes her first appearance on the post-chorus, reprising the intro originally sung by Wilson. Charlie Wilson follows up with his own verse, excelling as always. He joins forces with Khalid on the final chorus, while Day Wilson returns with the memorable post-chorus. “No Pain” shines brightest at the end, with Day Wilson harmonizing.

9. Daniel Caesar, “Who Hurt You?”

Who Hurt You? [Single] » Golden Child Recordings » 2018

“Strange new addictions picked up on the road / Changed my opinions and changed-up my flows / Changed my approach, no more loving these hoes / And when it rains it pours, yeah.” Grammy-nominated Canadian singer/songwriter Daniel Caesar released one of the best albums of 2017, Freudian.  In 2018, Post-Freudian, Caesar returned with an intriguing, sexed-up single, “Who Hurt You?” Who Hurt You?” begins with an extremely slow tempo.  This slow jam is fitting for Caesar, resulting in a soulful, nuanced, and absolutely brilliant performance.  Caesar focuses on sex and the urges that he has towards a specific girl named Priscilla.  “I might fly Priscilla out just for ‘Bana,” he sings on the first verse, continuing, “So mesmerized by that ass.”  He goes on to say on the pre-chorus, “You make me feel so primal and / That’s what I am, I’m just a man.”

Naturally, on the chorus, the p-word comes into play:

“Take that pussy, drop it in my lap
I love it when you move like that
Now turn around and throw it back, it back, it back.”

On the second verse, Caesar continues to be obsessed with Priscilla (“Booties just don’t shake like Priscilla’s do”). Notably, during this verse, Caesar’s voice sounds starkly different, purposely.  He returns to his natural glory on the following refrain.

10. Emily Warren, “Hurt by You”

Quiet Your Mind » Emily Warren » 2018

“‘Cause I wanna give, give you all that I got / And I wanna believe we’ll defy all the odds / And I hope you don’t hurt me / But oh, if you do / It would be worth getting hurt by you.” If the name Emily Warren sounds familiar, it’s likely because of her association with dance/pop production duo The Chainsmokers.  Yep, Warren has frequently served as a co-writer and featured vocalist on many of their records.  In 2018, she stepped out on her own, dropping her debut album, Quiet Your Mind.  Among the songs appearing on her debut is “Hurt by You” where Warren is willing to take the risk of being hurt to fall in love.  

“And I give myself, but only giving fractions
This is not what I imagined
Gotta put myself out on the line and see what happens
Before I give up.”

11. Keith Urban, “Love the Way It Hurts (So Good)”

Graffiti U » Capitol Nashville » 2018

“I guess we should have known / It was too good to go on / But there’s something about us that I just refuse to let go.” Sigh, when it comes to Aussie country musician Keith Urban, you totally toss out the traditional country rule book. Urban has disregarded such rules throughout his career, particularly during the 2010s. His 2018 album Graffiti U is no exception to the rule.  In the context of the album, our song at hand, the slick “Love the Way It Hurts (So Good),” has two tough acts to follow (“Gemini” and “Texas Time”). While the ‘hurt’ can’t supplant either of those gems, it serves as a continuation of the progressive country script.

For Urban, despite the pain (love, heartbreak, etc.), he’s embracing it:

“And even though it hurts like hell
I just cannot help myself
I crave the way it makes me feel, but it leaves me wanting more.”

12. Daley, “Until the Pain is Gone”

Ft. Jill Scott

The Spectrum » BMG Rights Management » 2017

“In this world where love is prone to lose / Still I’m ready to give this thing a try / But how do I give to someone / Who wants what they can’t have?” Despite being underrated, Gareth Daley – better known by mononym Daley – is an extremely talented artist.  Vocally, the British R&B singer has mad chops.  He returned with a captivating sophomore LP in 2017, The Spectrum.  Among the highlights from the album is the promo single “Until the Pain is Gone”, featuring Jill Scott. Daley amplifies emotions on the soulful ballad which initiates lushly, showcasing its urban identity from the onset.  While it’s old school, the vibe is refreshing because it’s rarer as opposed to being the dominant flavor.  Making a formidable team, Daley and Scott deliver authentic performances about the plight of love.

“So, if you need love, say it
I know that you feel it but, I can’t
Keep holding on and on and on
I need to know that I’m the one
Yeah ‘cause I know that you get lonely
So show me the things you’re scared to show me
We can go on and on and on
‘Til the pain is gone.”

13. Emeli Sandé, “Hurts”

Long Live the Angels » Virgin » 2016

“It hurts the way that you pretend you don’t remember / It hurts the way that you forget our times together / Like the time laid in bed when you said it’s forever, baby / I can’t, I can’t explain no more.” “Hurts” gives Long Live the Angels, the sophomore album by versatile British pop/R&B singer/songwriter Emeli Sandé, more tempo.  In the context of the album, this is necessary following three ballads.  In addition to being quicker, “Hurts” is more electrifying, featuring more oomph and bite.  Notably, there’s a hip-hop sensibility about the melodic lines, as Sandé sheds through the lyrics agilely and assertively.

It all comes down to the chorus, which chocked full of power despite the pain:

“Baby, I’m not made of stone, it hurts
Loving you the way I do, it hurts
When all that’s left to do is watch it burn
Oh baby, I’m not made of stone, it hurts.”

14. OneRepublic, “Let’s Hurt Tonight”

Oh My My » Mosley Music / Interscope » 2016

“Oh, I know that this love is pain / But we can’t cut it from out these veins, no.” It’s pretty clear what the cause of the hurt and pain is given the excerpted lyrical quote – love. OneRepublic opens their 2016 LP, Oh My My with “Let’s Hurt Tonight.” “Let’s Hurt Tonight” has a distinct, folk-pop feel.  Considering the singles released prior to the album (“Kids”, “Future Looks Good”, and “A.I.”), “Let’s Hurt Tonight” ends up being quite a surprise.  Notably, it was released as a single following the arrival of Oh My My.

Frontman Ryan Tedder sings it well, infusing plenty of emotion on the chorus in particular.

“So, I’ll hit the lights and you lock the doors
We ain’t leaving this room ‘til we both feel more
Don’t walk away, don’t roll your eyes
They say love is pain, well darling, let’s hurt tonight.”

15. Beyoncé, “Don’t Hurt Yourself”

Ft. Jack White

Lemonade » Columbia » 2016

“Who the fuck do you think I is? / You ain’t married to no average bitch, boy / You can watch my fat ass twist, boy / As I bounce to the next dick, boy.” Damn, Beyoncé has NEVER rocked harder than she does “Don’t Hurt Yourself,” a highlight from her 2016 album, Lemonade.  Even the Recording Academy voters took notice how hard Queen Bey rocked, nominating her fiery collaboration with Jack White for a Grammy in the rock category! On “Don’t Hurt Yourself,” Beyoncé is hella pissed off, singing a litany of profanities: “Bad motherfucker, God complex / Motivate your ass, call me Malcolm X / Yo operator, or innovator / Fuck you, hater, you can’t recreate her, no / You’ll never recreate her, no, hell no.”  White avoids profanity, keeping things incredibly simple on the chorus: “When you hurt me, you hurt yourself / Don’t hurt yourself / When you diss me, you diss yourself / Don’t hurt yourself.”