Kid Cudi is a name that may only seem familiar to some thanks to hit worldwide hit “Day N’ Night”. This was especially popular thanks to his remix with Crookers, which became an immensely popular hit in 00’s Britain especially.
What many do not seem to recognize, however, is that Kid Cudi is a tour de force of musicality with an abundance of talent within his tracks. Many of his tracks deal with serious issues or are at least somewhat introspective.
I’ve collected 10 of his saddest tracks here to explore the lesser-known half of his personality!
1. Soundtrack 2 My Life
Album: Man On The Moon: The End Of Day
Released: 2009
“Soundtrack 2 My Life” is without a doubt one of Kid Cudi’s most powerful tracks. Its fairly simple musical structure allows Cudi to simply explain portions of his past that led him to the present, with all the problems that came with them.
Talking about his upbringing and the death of his father brings us closer to the artist, making us realize there’s more to him than meets the eye (or ear, in this case). The seemingly uplifting instrumental melodies make it an interesting listen as it pairs with otherwise solemn lyrics.
2. Erase Me
Album: Man On The Moon II: The Legend Of Mr. Rager
Released: 2010
At the surface level, “Erase Me” is a fairly simple breakup song with Kid Cudi’s signature pseudo-positivity laden in his instrumentals. It has a hearty beat and riffs that border on pop-punk paired with his storytelling-like rapping as he explores the problems of fame in his relationship.
The pop-punk guitar riffs pair well with the slightly childish attitude Kid Cudi has in this track. What makes it sad to me is the concept of fame becoming toxic to relationships that could have otherwise been happy and healthy.
3. All Along
Album: Man On The Moon II: The Legend Of Mr. Rager
Released: 2010
Kid Cudi’s soothing introduction to this track is no preparation for the emotional powerhouse that follows. It seems like Kid Cudi is at one of his lowest points in this track, as he explores ideas of loneliness and depression while saying that despite his fame, loneliness will always follow him in some way.
The persistent bassline and his repetitions of “alone” while a subtle string section follows him makes it a very emotional listen.
4. Embers
Album: Speedin’ Bullet 2 Heaven
Released: 2015
There’s no sugarcoating this one; “Embers” is a tough listen. It’s a very simple, stripped-down track with a depressive guitar passage permeating throughout, and minimal instrumentals otherwise. What makes this track truly sad, however, is Kid Cudi’s raw and powerful lyrics seemingly discussing depression.
I feel this is a track many people can, sadly, relate to, and its simplicity amplifies its power.
5. Elsie’s Baby Boy (Flashback)
Album: Man On The Moon III: The Chosen
Released:
With a guitar passage that sounds like a mockup of “House Of The Rising Sun”, you wouldn’t necessarily think “Elsie’s Baby Boy” was incredibly sad. That is until you dive into the lyrics.
Mainly focusing on loss, it’s a prime example of how Kid Cudi shrouds his depressing lyrics behind semi-positive instrumentals that make you second guess which direction Cudi’s going.
6. Internal Bleeding
Album: Satellite Flight: The Journey To Mother Moon
Released: 2014
Few words can prepare you for the pain of “Internal Bleeding”. If the long electronic wail at the beginning doesn’t warn you of what’s to come, nothing will.
I feel this is one of Kid Cudi’s most exposed tracks where he opens his heart to the listener, and if this is truly how he feels, I hope he finds peace within himself.
7. Releaser
Album: Passion, Pain, & Demon Slayin’
Released: 2016
While Kid Cudi explores depression and the negatives of life in nearly every record, I feel like Passion, Pain, & Demon Slayin’ is one of his lowest points. Battling his relationship with drugs and depression, “Releaser” is an emotional powerhouse in which its repetitive instrumentals seem to replicate the addictive cycle that comes with drugs.
The solemn background vocal chimes and melancholic electronica only add to the emotional pull that emanates from “Releaser”.
8. Mr. Rager
Album: Man On The Moon II: The Legend Of Mr. Rager
Released: 2010
Differently from “Releaser”, “Mr. Rager” presents us with a slightly more optimistic Kid Cudi. In this track, he seems to acknowledge that his partying side is problematic and he wishes to change it, but the external monologue to the ‘rager’ side of him is what makes this track so sad.
I feel “Mr. Rager” illustrates the allure of drugs and partying in a way that also highlights why it’s such a dangerous culture to partake in, especially if you let it consume you.
9. GHOST!
Album: Man On The Moon II: The Legend Of Mr. Rager
Released: 2010
I’ve featured several tracks from Man On The Moon II: The Legend Of Mr. Rager in this list, but I feel it’s Kid Cudi at his most exposed and raw. In “GHOST!”, Kid Cudi is exploring the isolation and struggles which come with growing up, and seemingly also similar emotions arising with fame.
The lifeless singing and vocals from Kid Cudi add to the overall weight of this track, and while it may not be his saddest by far, it still makes its way into this list.
10. These Worries
Album: Man On The Moon II: The Legend Of Mr. Rager
Released: 2010
“These Worries” is a subtly depressing song. While on the surface it does explore lackluster friends, fake support, and a similar concept of invisibility as other songs on this list, I feel it best acts as a song about the dangers of addiction.
Kid Cudi refers to the ‘Rager’ character consistently throughout this album, highlighting the peak of his drug addictions, but before each verse in “These Worries”, Kid Cudi makes a sniffing sound which is a reference to cocaine. The song abruptly ends at what could be the start of a third verse, but there is no sniffing sound this time; this could signify the peak of his cocaine addiction by suggesting he can’t make songs without the drug.
Alex is a man of many talents. He’s been playing music since he was young, and has been the main content writer at Tone Start for the past few years. Alex loves to play around with different styles of music and enjoys listening to anything from country to classical.