The 2020s could solely be midway over, however already, this decade has produced a bumper crop of heartbreak songs and tear-jerkers.

Some artists opened up about their psychological well being struggles and childhood trauma; others put out albums documenting private challenges — like divorces — in actual time.

That authenticity in songwriting led to some unhappy songs that can possible stand the take a look at of time, and ultimately develop into staples of nation music’s heartbreak catalog.

Particularly, the 2020s has seen the rise of Jelly Roll: A performer recognized each for his musical skills and in addition for his highly effective messages about habit, incarceration and journey towards self-improvement. A star who speaks brazenly about his ongoing private battles and his troublesome street out of jail and towards success, Jelly impressed numerous artists to be extra open about their very own tales.

Learn Extra: The 20 Saddest Nation Songs of the 2010s

The last decade has additionally introduced loads of breakup songs, together with releases from traditional-leaning artists like Scotty McCreery and Parker McCollum who’re carrying the torch for the tear-in-your-beer, honky-tonk heartbreak hit.

Different extra experimental artists, like Bailey Zimmerman, Koe Wetzel and Morgan Wallen, have supplied new spins on the breakup tune format, main a traditional nation trope into a brand new period of the style.

However the very saddest nation songs of the 2020s share private experiences with loss of life. No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 on our listing of unhappy songs from the last decade are all story songs about loss and grief, in three very totally different types.

Hold studying for Style of Nation’s roundup of the saddest songs of the 2020s, to date.