5 Mitski Songs for Every Type of Longing

 Feeling depressed? Have a painful crush? Just generally feel like wallowing? Mitski is waiting with open arms and albums full of sad music. In no particular order, here are 5 Mitski songs for every type of longing.

1. 'I Bet On Losing Dogs' - Puberty 2

This song is first on the list, as it's my favourite. Mitski begins the song with a refrain of "my baby, my baby," encapsulating the monotony of dreaming about someone constantly. Her almost wailing tone is like crying, soft drums and guitars underscoring the pain like a lullaby. The extended metaphor in this song, "I bet on losing dogs / I know they're losing and I pay for my place", perfectly paints the picture of knowing a love won't work, or that someone doesn't want you back, but still letting yourself dream. The song hits a crescendo by the second verse, the synths and guitars amping up to mirror a surge in emotion, a plea to her lover. This is where you burst into tears, if you are so inclined. Mitski shares a dream of intimacy with this person, "How you'd be over me looking in my eyes when I come". Perhaps this is a last ditch effort to appeal to this person, physically rather than emotionally. She wants "someone to watch me die", referring to 'Little Death' or orgasm, but also a fear of dying alone. Overall, this song is perfect for when you're longing for someone and that longing seems unreturned yet you allow yourself to fantasise, knowing it is fruitless.

2. 'Your Best American Girl' - Puberty 2

As with many Mitski songs, this too starts small with simple, staccato guitar. The line "you have so much to do and I have nothing ahead of me" is poignant, stirring feelings of worthlessness. This song is originally about Mitski's experience as a Japanese immigrant and how a difference in backgrounds can cause turmoil in a relationship. In the wonderfully loud chorus, she explains "I guess I couldn't help trying to be your best American girl," declaring that she has failed to fit in and deeming herself not good enough. The line "I think I'll regret this" can be interpreted as Mitski regretting ending her relationship as they are "all I've ever wanted", but could also be interpreted as a regret for pining over someone there is no future with. Either way, the screaming instrumental that follows epitomises anger and hurt. I imagine that boys who punch holes in their walls listen to this song while they do it. If you feel inadequate and inferior to your lover, this is the song for you.

3. 'Nobody' - Be The Cowboy

Don't be fooled by the fast drums and disco feel of this song, it is about feeling completely and utterly alone. The very first line, "My God, I'm so lonely," gets straight to the point, all Mitski wants is "one good honest kiss," a sliver of intimacy to help curb her loneliness. The chorus, while certainly not as overtly sad as many of her other songs, definitely summarises the act of spiralling. The single word "Nobody" repeated over vastly more upbeat piano and synths evokes the idea that the world carries on while you suffer. In the second verse, Mitski pleads for "one good movie kiss," the need for intimacy getting increasingly more desperate. It doesn't have to be real love anymore, any contact with a human will do. If you're not quite at the crying stage of your downward spiral, this is the perfect song to put first on your playlist. Dance until the end of the song, where Mitski's voice becomes distorted, setting you up perfectly for something a little heavier.

4. 'Francis Forever' - Bury Me At Makeout Creek

All-encompassing, blinding thoughts of missing someone are stirred here. Mitski's voice in this track is tired, which is fitting as she claims "I'm writing this at 3am". This ballad is dark, with droning guitars that mirror the heartache. When you miss someone, you do not feel whole without them, as Mitski expresses in the line "I don't think I could stand to be where you don't see me". This album has a Spring motif running throughout and it crops up in the second chorus, "Autumn comes when you're not yet done / With the Summer passing by". Time is passing and it's hard to accept, perhaps her lover has moved on or there has been a long time since she saw them. This is a quintessential Mitski song and if you're a fan of the motif in this album may I suggest 'First Love / Late Spring' as a bonus track. 

5. 'Washing Machine Heart' - Be The Cowboy

A short and sweet one to round out this list, this too is more upbeat with loud, heavy drums to capture the sound of shoes in a washing machine. The washing machine imagery is, of course, a metaphor for the heart. Mitski wants her lover to "bang it up inside", make her heart beat and feel something. There is a desperation to the longing in this song, "Baby, will you kiss me already?", asking her lover multiple times to be close to her. However, the longing is tainted by the fact that there is someone else on their mind, "Baby, though I've closed my eyes / I know who you pretend I am", increasing the desperation. Mitski again uses repetition, which she does so well, with the line "Why not me?" over heavy synths and feedback which feels messy, broken and manic. 

I hope this list has provided you with a few options for your 'sad girl hours' playlist, if you're like me and like to indulge in songs that relate to however you're feeling. Happy spiralling!