Why Do We Like Sad Music? | Sandra Garrido | TEDxYouth@Sydney

As human beings, our primary aim in life is to maximise our happiness. With over two and a half million books on the subject of happiness, why are we happy to listen to music that makes us sad?

Dr. Sandra Garrido is a pianist, a violinist and a researcher. With a background in both music and psychology she completed her PhD at the University of New South Wales in 2012. Her post-doctoral research at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music and the ARC Centre of Excellence for the History of Emotions concerned the use of music in depression in both the modern day and historically.

She is currently an NHMRC-ARC Dementia Research Fellow at the MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development at Western Sydney University. Sandra has published over 30 academic publications including a book currently in press with Palgrave-Macmillan entitled Why We Are Attracted to Sad Music.

[meowbluekitty]

Suffering from depression I listen to sad music until I'm emotionally exhausted. Then gently switch over to a happy /uplifting song. I've recognized how helpful this technique is for days that feel off balanced. I do this and it's like recalibrating all those crazy chemicals, I emerge feeling much better and able to finish the day, melt down avoided.

[jhsemoxitha]

Ain't nobody gonna talk about how smoothing her voice is

[wahabali]

only in sadness can we know the value of happiness..😔💔

[Punkpsychobilly]

I listen to sad music because it’s the only thing I connect with emotionally anymore. It’s like a love/hate relationship... I don’t want to be sad or depressed, but feeling anything but is alien to me, and as much as I hate it, it still feels like home. Anyone can write happy music, but to make music that can convey sadness on a deeper level takes true talent. Anyone can be happy... people can pretend to be sad, but true depression can’t be faked. Which is why artists like Keaton Henson are so incredible

[paulbarajas]

There's a sort of beauty in sad music

[victoriawhite]

I’m not a scientist, or even intelligent at that, however, our body builds up certain chemicals/hormones for various reasons. I’ve heard that when we cry those chemicals are released through our tears. That is why (most of the time) we feel better after a good cry. I believe our subconscious seek a ways eg; sad songs, to make us release this bad energy. Maybe I’m wrong, but that’s what I believe and it works for me!

[TheLoveMonkey]

I've heard that listening to sad music has some of the same qualities as psychotherapy for traumatized people. Psychotherapy works by allowing a traumatized person to relive the trauma in the safe space created by a therapist. This allows the client to "digest" the experience in a healthy way. Sad music also allows us to relive traumatic experiences in a safe way.

[stuffstuff]

Wait so I’ve noticed that sad music helps me not to cut. If I try to listen to happy music when I’m sad is I just feel alienated from my feelings and numb.
How ever if I’m doing okay then inspirational music helps me.

[haraldhwick]

because pain and sadness are the catalyst for wisdom.

Vicarious learners embodied this on their first mistakes

[alexanderdelacruz]

I don't know why.. but I prefer sad music. I believe it to be more powerful than regular music. It helps if the music itself is good. I just have a really great appreciation for good music. I play music, so that helps. I feel I know what it takes to play some music. I prefer guitar.. I just love how some guitarist can tell a story with a guitar. Sometimes, no singing is required. The way they bend and manipulate the instrument to their will. It's exhilarating. Yes, I find it more profound in sad music

[mohamedfalah]

today i looked through my playlists and songs that i have on my phone and i realized that all my songs are sad songs like littrally all of them, i was really shocked i did not know that before, so i went to youtube to check if its a normal thing... but i didn't really get an answer

[jangofet]

the adaptive nature of sadness and the absorption side to reflection concept is a first for me, i like it. inspiring and insightful talk.

[timbmd]

My dog died. Part of me has died along with him. I listen to looped "Listen Before I Go " and found myself quickly got stuck in extreme negative thought cycles. Could not get out. This speech helps a whole lot. Correct thinking and correct directing of the mind, afterall, is a powerful tool to lead one's mind to real happiness.

[samuelleahy]

I find sad music helps in the same way that super aggressive metal does, it let's out all of the built up emotions, like anger, anxiety, sadness, even loneliness.

[Iliescuvalentin]

I often listen Michael Nyman's The departure, from the movie Gattaca

[Lilacil]

I think if you have trauma that you haven't processed then music can trigger very bad feelings, but it feels cathartic because these are emotions that are desperate to come to the surface & be acknowledged. After acknowledging them then listening to happy music can feel like, this (sad music) is the past & this (happy music) is me moving into the future. I think it's a really healthy way to process things, processing things can just be really dangerous when you're depressed in general, but ultimately still necessary for many to coming out the other side of it.

[dapygor]

Well, I think, the sadness itself is pretty useful, unless it is too sad or depression, but if it is just sadness, then, it is even good sometimes.
For example. People entertain, go to parties and laugh, and, then.. ironically, the most people feel tired after being happy, and the sadness help us in time of emotional and physical exhaustion, it help us relax. It also can motivate us! Let's just think. What are we learning from the most? From mistakes and fails. Mistakes are seldom happy and funny, they are generally sad.

[Snazjazz]

There's an artist that i really like, but sadly he committed suicide a while ago. A lot of his lyrics are very depressing and i relate a lot to it, his music is very good and i want to appreciate the art he left us with but whenever i listen to him i get so sad because he's not here anymore. i'm so angry that such amazing beauty and talent was taken from us.

[Scapegoat]

I listen to sad music (a lot of Radiohead) when I'm depressed and it almost always deepens the depression. It's strange though because the music, although making it worse, is comforting. It's like I'm sinking deeper and drowning and the music is a warm hug. And I never want to let go of that warm hug because it means so much in such a time of loneliness and isolation. Though I know it's the hug that is holding me under the water.

[anonymousnation]

Sad music helps me in bringing the feelings on the surface that I otherwise supress or deny. When I deny these feelings, they usually get out as frustration, anger or isolation.