Loneliness is something I’ve experienced [for] as long as I can remember. Before I fully comprehended its meaning, I became familiar with it in my earliest childhood memories. Finding comfort in what we’re used to, I naturally gravitated toward music that evoked that feeling and when I started writing and creating art, it was my biggest inspiration. – Jade Jackson
Bruce Springsteen – “The River”
Similar stories have been told by artists over the years. But Springsteen’s take on loneliness is untouchable. The harmonica crying in the intro sets the tone for this genius tale of faded love.
Sheryl Crow – “The Difficult Kind”
This song blends loneliness and strength. Owning up, recognizing you’re the reason for your loneliness is tough to face. The pain in her voice along with the electric fiddle combine to tug at your heart as the lyrics capture an honest look inside.
Mojave 3 – “Yer Feet”
This song reminds me of hopelessness, heartache, and the dull pain that foreshadows lost love.
John Fullbright – “High Road”
I remember bursting into tears the first time I heard the climax of this song. The story unfolds beautifully and illustrates true love ending too soon.
Hank Williams – “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry”
Hank Williams spun in our record player more than any other artist growing up. It’s a song I loved when I was young, because of its imagery, and as I grew older I related to it in a whole new way.
Violent Femmes – “Good Feeling”
“Vague sketch of a fantasy
Laughing at the sunrise
Like he’s been up all night
Ooh slippin’ and slidin’
What a good time but now
Have to find a bed
That can take this weight”
Enough said.
Townes Van Zandt – “Waiting Around to Die”
Townes Van Zandt is one of my all-time favorite songwriters, and in my opinion, the king of sad songs. Behind the vocals the guitar picking, drums, and harmonica in this song sound like a drunken heartache. The Be Good Tanyas have a rendition of this song that I find equally despondent.
Johnny Cash – “Hurt”
Trent Reznor’s song “Hurt” covered by Cash takes my breath away. Loneliness often leads to a numbness begging to be broken by self-inflicted pain. This song is a raw tribute to wanting to disappear.
Patsy Cline – “Walkin’ After Midnight”
This is the perfect lonesome song, with its desperation and hopelessness accompanied by pedal steel.
Mazzy Star – “Fade Into You”
I love how poetic these lyrics are. They evoke a yearning for emotional connection; walking through depression wishing to be loved by someone.
Jade Jackson – “Bridges”
I wrote this song during one of my loneliest times of my life.
Jade Jackson – “Loneliness”
This song was inspired by realizing you don’t have to be alone to feel lonely.
Photo credit: Matt Bizer
Editor’s Note: Jade Jackson released her new album, Wilderness, on June 28.
