We've all been there – that gut-wrenching feeling of "what if?" The echoes of past decisions, the missed opportunities, the words left unsaid. These are the raw emotions that fuel some of the most powerful and unforgettable songs ever written. If you're searching for the perfect soundtrack to those moments of reflection, you've come to the right place. This curated list explores the best songs about regret, delving into the heart-wrenching lyrics and melodies that capture the complexities of looking back. From soulful ballads to anthemic rock anthems, we’ve compiled a collection that resonates with the universal experience of remorse and the longing for a second chance. Whether you’re processing your own regrets or simply appreciate emotionally resonant music, this exploration of the best songs about regret will leave you feeling seen, understood, and maybe even a little bit less alone. Prepare to revisit the past through the lens of some truly exceptional artistry.
| Song | Artist | Album | Listens |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Sorry | Justin Bieber | Purpose (Deluxe) | 4B+ |
| 2. Hello | Adele | 25 | 3B+ |
| 3. Someone Like You | Adele | 21 | 2B+ |
| 4. I Will Always Love You | Whitney Houston | The Bodyguard - Original Soundtrack Album | 2B+ |
| 5. The Scientist | Coldplay | A Rush of Blood to the Head | 1B+ |
| 6. Creep | Radiohead | Pablo Honey | 1B+ |
| 7. Boulevard of Broken Dreams | Green Day | American Idiot | 815M+ |
1. Sorry
Heartbreakingly Honest Lyrics: "Sorry" lays bare Bieber's remorse with raw vulnerability, detailing the pain of his actions and the desire for forgiveness, making it deeply relatable for anyone grappling with regret.
Poignant Melody: The song's melancholic melody and stripped-down instrumentation amplify the emotional weight of the lyrics, creating a soundscape perfectly suited to the feelings of regret.
Vocal Performance: Bieber's vocal delivery is filled with genuine emotion, conveying the depth of his sorrow and adding to the song's overall impact. The sincerity in his voice is what truly sets this track apart.
2. Hello (25)
Adele's Vocals: Adele's raw, emotionally resonant vocals perfectly capture the heartbreak and longing inherent in regret, making the listener feel the weight of the past.
Lyrical Depth: The lyrics poignantly explore the complexities of lost connection and the yearning for a second chance, resonating deeply with anyone who has experienced the sting of regret.
Emotional Resonance: "Hello" transcends a simple break-up song; its vulnerability taps into universal feelings of regret and the desire for reconciliation, creating a powerful emotional impact.
3. Someone Like You
Adele's Vocals: Adele's raw, emotive vocals are the heart of "Someone Like You" conveying a depth of heartbreak and regret that resonates deeply.
Emotional Resonance: The song's minimalist arrangement, focusing on piano and vocals, allows the intense emotion to take center stage, creating a powerful and unforgettable listening experience perfectly suited to exploring the theme of regret.
Lyrical Honesty: The lyrics are brutally honest and relatable, capturing the painful acceptance of a lost love and the lingering sense of "what if?" This makes it a powerful example of regret in song.
4. I Will Always Love You (Whitney Houston)
Vocal Performance: Whitney Houston's powerhouse vocals convey a depth of sorrow and acceptance, making the regret palpable and deeply affecting.
Lyrical Content: The lyrics poignantly capture the bittersweet ache of letting go of a love, highlighting the lasting impact of past choices.
Emotional Resonance: Its raw emotionality transcends generations, making "I Will Always Love You" a timeless anthem for anyone grappling with the complexities of regret.
5. The Scientist
Haunting Melody: Coldplay's "The Scientist" features a melancholic piano melody that perfectly encapsulates the feeling of deep regret and longing for a chance to undo past mistakes.
Chris Martin's Vocals: Martin's emotive vocals, filled with vulnerability and sorrow, convey the weight of regret with raw honesty, making the listener deeply connect with the song's emotional core.
Lyrical Depth: The lyrics explore themes of lost love and missed opportunities with poetic imagery and self-reflection, leaving a lasting impression that resonates long after the song ends.
6. Creep (1992)
Sound: Radiohead's "Creep" opens with a raw, almost unsettlingly quiet verse before building to a powerful, distorted chorus – a dynamic tension reflecting the song's emotional turmoil.
Vocals: Thom Yorke's pained, vulnerable vocals perfectly capture the feeling of deep regret and self-loathing, making the listener instantly empathize with the singer's internal conflict.
Emotional Impact: The song's raw honesty and its exploration of inadequacy and social awkwardness resonate deeply with listeners who have experienced similar feelings of regret and self-doubt, making it a timeless anthem of self-reflection.
7. Boulevard of Broken Dreams (2004)
Haunting Melody: Green Day masterfully crafts a melancholic melody that perfectly encapsulates the weight of past mistakes and lost opportunities, creating a soundscape of regret.
Billie Joe Armstrong's Vocals: Armstrong's raw and emotionally charged vocals convey a deep sense of longing and self-recrimination, making the listener feel the singer's pain.
Lyrical Depth: The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a broken life, full of missed chances and the lingering sting of what could have been, making the song deeply relatable for anyone grappling with regret.
8. Apologize (2006)
Haunting Vocals: Ryan Tedder's emotive vocals perfectly capture the raw pain and vulnerability of sincere regret, making the listener feel the weight of the apology.
Soulful Melody: The song's memorable melody, combined with Timbaland's signature production, creates a bittersweet soundscape that enhances the emotional impact of the lyrics.
Relatable Lyrics: "Apologize" resonates deeply because of its honest and relatable depiction of remorse and the desire for forgiveness, making it a powerful anthem for anyone grappling with past mistakes.
9. Sorry Not Sorry (Tell Me You Love Me)
Vocal Performance: Demi Lovato's powerful vocals perfectly capture the raw emotion of regret, conveying both defiance and vulnerability in her delivery.
Anthemic Quality: The song's driving beat and empowering lyrics make it a cathartic listen for anyone grappling with past mistakes and their consequences.
Lyrical Honesty: "Sorry Not Sorry" doesn't shy away from the complexities of regret, acknowledging the hurt caused while simultaneously embracing self-acceptance.
10. Nothing Compares 2 U (1990)
Haunting Vocals: Sinéad O'Connor's raw, emotionally charged delivery is the song's core, conveying a depth of sorrow and longing that resonates deeply with the listener's sense of regret.
Minimalist Arrangement: The sparse instrumentation allows O'Connor's voice to take center stage, amplifying the feeling of vulnerability and the weight of past mistakes.
Timeless Relevance: The song's exploration of lost love and the enduring pain of regret transcends generations, making it a powerfully relatable anthem for anyone grappling with past decisions.
11How Do You Sleep?
Sam Smith
2019
In The Lonely Hour
12Sorry
Beyoncé
2024
13Back to December
Taylor Swift
2010
14What Hurts The Most
Rascal Flatts
2006
Me And My Gang
15Tears in Heaven
Eric Clapton
1992
Rush (Music from the Motion Picture Soundtrack)
16I Want You Back
The Jackson 5
1969
Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5
17All Apologies
Nirvana
1993
In Utero
18Hard to Say I'm Sorry
Chicago
1982
19If I Could Turn Back Time
Cher
1989
Heart Of Stone
20Angie
The Rolling Stones
1973
Goats Head Soup (Remastered 2009)
21Yesterday
The Beatles
1965
Help! (Remastered)
22It's Too Late
Carole King
1971
Tapestry
23Father and Son
Cat Stevens
1970
24I'm Sorry
Brenda Lee
1960
25Regret
New Order
1993
26Hurt
Nine Inch Nails
1994
The Downward Spiral
27Butterfly
Weezer
1996
28Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
Ray Charles,Elton John
1976
Genius Loves Company
29Sorry
Madonna,BLOND:ISH,Eran Hersh,Darmon
2005
True Blue