Songs That Hurt to Listen To...

Hey Everyone,

I actually had the idea for this thread churning around in my head for a while, but since its topic literally just happened to me 5 minutes ago, this seems like a pretty good time to post it.

What songs come around that are actually painful for you to listen to?

I don't know if anyone else does this, but I purposely load my music playlist with a couple of songs that I used to like, but now actually hurt to listen to for various reasons. I do this because, 1. I feel like it's one of God's ways of making sure I'm not always choosing just the things that I like, as we are often called to do things we don't want in this life, and 2. I believe it's one of the ways God tests my heart and shows me its condition.

Most of the "painful" songs I load onto my playlist have a very strong negative emotional association for me, and so the song in and of itself becomes a litmus test as to how far (or how little) I've moved on, and what feelings or reactions I need to ask God for more help with.

One of the best examples in my playlist just cued up a few minutes ago -- and as soon as I heard that oh-so-familiar instrumental beginning, I immediately pushed the "Skip" button.

Obviously, I'm still attached to some negative emotions that this song always brings me back to, though on its own, it's a beautiful song, and one that I liked when it first came out. However, over time, this song became a reminder of the one of the most difficult times in my life, and sometimes, even just the introduction brings some of those feelings jolting right back.

It literally hurts to listen to, and I find myself asking God if I'll always feel this way, or if there's more work He's wanting to do that I have just been resisting.

Does anyone else have an experience like this as well?

* What songs do you find painful to listen to (if you'd like, feel free to name them or share a link), and, if you are wanting to share, why do these songs hurt?

* I know there could be other reasons a song is painful to listen to -- it might not be your style, or maybe it was a song someone else made you listen to even though you didn't like it. Feel free to list those kinds of reasons as well.

* Are there any songs that you couldn't listen to because of how much they hurt, but as time went on, God healed your heart, and you were able to start listening to, or liking them again? Or do you think these tunes will just always hurt?

I have actually had a few times where a song that always used to "hurt" before actually stopped hurting, and I took it as a sign that it was time to thank God for getting me through that time in my life, and, let "my heart go on."

What have your experiences been like?

May God bring us all to a time of peace and rest in His goodness during these very trying times!


One of my personal most pain-inducing songs is this:






How about you?

There is one singer that after listening to her, the ship does not sink, Carrie Underwood. So many uplifting songs. She is a wonder. "Temporary home" that might tear you up.

@seoulsearch 😊 it is a great thread 😍 can u tell me the title of the song so that I can look it up...because it says it is blocked where I am right now...thanks 🤗

I've realized is that listening to most music brings me back to the past. I read people stop listening to "new" music at around 30, so I guess this makes sense.

Are there any error bars on this number? Maybe it's the center of a bell curve? Or maybe after you pass 30 the probability of rejecting any new music asymptotically approaches one..

All I know is it has been a long time since I saw 30 and I am still enjoying new music and new kinds of music. If I can find any new kinds. I think I found them all, at least so far.

I have not listened to any current/contemporaneous music since my late 20s; that could be because I don't really listen to music on the radio any longer. I couldn't name any new artist.