Breaking up sucks. But if there’s one thing that can make it better, it’s huddling in your room under a blanket listening to the same depressing song over and over again. But first, you’ve got to pick the right song. How? Well, your favorite T.V shows can help.

Here, I have attempted to compile some of the most heartbreaking songs that have been featured on T.V. They don’t have to be about a breakup or even featured during a breakup plot; if they’re depressing and lonely, they definitely qualify.

“Happiness” – Grant Lee Buffalo
Featured on House, this joins the legion of sad songs that often play when Dr. House is alone. A tragic figure, he is pretty much the epitome of what can happen to a guy when his woman leaves him. I’m not sure what the scientific/hormonal basis is for why men take breakups so much harder than women do, but it’s pretty much an undisputed fact. Enjoy this song while refusing to shower for days.

“Tiny Tears” – Tindersticks
This one’s all about how much you can hurt someone in a relationship just by ignoring their needs. On The Sopranos, it served as the soundtrack for Tony’s “blue period.” Crippled by depression and heavily medicated, he was barely able to get out of bed until he spied a beautiful woman outside of his window. They seem to get on very well, until he talks to his neighbor and realizes that she is – SPOILERS – a hallucination. Talk about heartbreak.

“Love Hurts” – Nazareth
It’s impossible to count how many times this inane song has been used, but it was featured prominently on T.V.’s all-time best sicom, That ’70s Show. (Disclaimer: This article may not represent the opinions of the staff, advertisers, management, or owners of Kwanzoo.) Once, after Kelso took one of his Jackie breakups pretty hard, and again, performed by the cast (and some guest vocalists, for the cast members who couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket) in the musical episode.

“All Out of Love” – Air Supply
Overplayed? Oh hell yes. But give this one another listen; the lyrics are quite poignant and insightful. Plus, it was really hilarious in that one episode of South Park.

“At This Moment” – Billy Vera and the Beaters
Used on both Family Ties and Family Guy, this song, which Seth MacFarlane describes as “surprisingly poignant,” magnifies the heartbreak. On Family Guy, alcoholic and cynical dog Brian uses it to express his feelings for Brooke, “The Bachelorette.”

“Full of Grace” – Sarah McLachlan
My personal favorite. I know that McLachlan takes a lot of hate for her admittedly similar-sounding, depressing songs, but Joss Whedon simply could not have picked a better note (literally!) on which to end the second season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I’ll now quote my own similar article, written for another site, because I don’t think I can state the appeal of the song any better than this. (Warning: Spoilers ahead!)

No matter how badly your relationship turned out, it’s unlikely that your lover lost his soul, became a vicious killer, tried to send the world spinning into hell, then regained his soul moments before you had to impale him on a sword to save the universe. Lost and broken, Buffy wanders away from her hometown of Sunnydale at the end of Season Two, taking a bus to Los Angeles as this tearjerking song plays – “I know I can love you much better than this…” Yeah, I think you probably could. Just don’t stab him this time.

That’s all. I’m done. Here, have a tissue. You’ve earned it.

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