Why Sad Songs Say So Much

We avoid sadness in everyday life, so why is the emotion enjoyed and celebrated in music? Tear-jerkers such as Adele’s "Someone Like You" frequently top the charts these days, while gloomy classical compositions like Mozart’s "Requiem" have moved people for centuries. Both portray and bring about a strong sense of loss and sadness. But our enjoyment of sad music is paradoxical—we go out... Continue Reading