Heavy Rotation

Amy Winehouse leads this list of 13 pain-filled albums.

Heavy Rotation - A year ago today, music lost a singular talent: Amy Winehouse, who was found dead from alcohol poisoning in her London apartment. Her voice was one of a kind, beautifully brittle and filled with hurt—perfect for bringing her dark tales of lost love, heartbreak and, yes, substance abuse to life. In remembrance of Amy and her gift for making sadness soar, we've assembled this stark soundtrack of albums that bring the pain. 

1 / 14

Heavy Rotation - A year ago today, music lost a singular talent: Amy Winehouse, who was found dead from alcohol poisoning in her London apartment. Her voice was one of a kind, beautifully brittle and filled with hurt—perfect for bringing her dark tales of lost love, heartbreak and, yes, substance abuse to life. In remembrance of Amy and her gift for making sadness soar, we've assembled this stark soundtrack of albums that bring the pain. 

Etta James - Tell Mama - After battling a heroine addiction for many years, Etta James went back into the studio to record one of her biggest hits, “Tell Mama," the title track off her 1967 album. The song made the R&B Top 10 and peaked at #23 on the Billboard Hot 100.  But it was the soul-stirring “I’d Rather Go Blind,” where James cried, “Whoo, I would rather, I would rather go blind, boy/Then to see you walk away from me, child, no,” that is the standout track of this effort.

2 / 14

Etta James - Tell Mama - After battling a heroine addiction for many years, Etta James went back into the studio to record one of her biggest hits, “Tell Mama," the title track off her 1967 album. The song made the R&B Top 10 and peaked at #23 on the Billboard Hot 100.  But it was the soul-stirring “I’d Rather Go Blind,” where James cried, “Whoo, I would rather, I would rather go blind, boy/Then to see you walk away from me, child, no,” that is the standout track of this effort.

Kanye West, 808s and Heartbreak - Kanye West's depressing fourth album used his breakup from fiancée Alexis Phifer as fodder, at times getting shockingly personal and specific, calling her "a spoiled little L.A. girl" on "Robocop." (Photo: Courtesy Roc-A-Fella Records)

3 / 14

Kanye West - 808 & Heartbreak - 2007 was a tumultuous year for Kanye West. The producer/rapper enjoyed the success of his album Graduation, which sold nearly a million units in its first week. However, with his mother's death on Nov. 10, 2007, and the subsequent breakup with his fiancé, Alexis Phifer, West hit the studio to record 808s and Heartbreak, approaching his music from the standpoint of loneliness and heartache. Using the album as therapy, West relied heavily on singing and auto-tune to express some of the emotions he felt rapping couldn't capture. The album was released November 2008.

Mary J. Blige, My Life - The creative union between Mary J. Blige and this album's producer, Diddy, is uncanny. To this day, My Life, her sophomore album, released on November 29, is arguably one of Diddy's best productions ever, with its distinctive hip hop-soul sound, and is coveted as one of Mary's best — she penned most of the lyrics herself, outlining a pivotal time in her growth as heard on hit singles "You Bring Me Joy," "I'm Going Down" and "Be Happy."Together, they undoubtedly created the blueprint for '90s R&B. The album was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best R&B Album in 1995; that same year it was certified three times platinum. The album was so influential, in 2002 Blender magazine named it one of the 100 Greatest American Albums of All Time.(Photo: Uptown Records)

4 / 14

Mary J. Blige - My Life - Mary J. Blige was going through one of the darkest times in her life when she recorded her second studio album, My Life. The R&B singer was battling clinical depression, drug and alcohol addiction and an abusive relationship with K-Ci Hailey of '90s R&B group Jodeci. Blige channeled all of her pain into this breakthrough album released in November 1994.

Amy Winehouse, Back to Black - Amy’s sophomore album was released in fall of 2006 in the United Kingdom. Five months later, this amazing vocalist was introduced to the States and the album made a critical and commercial splash. Sadly, due to Amy’s known struggles with substance abuse, Back to Black would be the last album we’d get from this incredible siren. A posthumous compilation, titled Lioness: Hidden Treasures, released shortly after her passing, featured work that predated her fame and other tracks waiting for later release.(Photo: Island Records)

5 / 14

Amy Winehouse - Back to Black - Released in October 2006, Amy Winehouse's second studio album, Back to Black, won the soul singer five Grammy's and much critical acclaim. Written during her break-up with then boyfriend and later husband turned ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil, Back to Black featured songs that addressed her tumultuous relationship with Fielder-Civil, including the title track as well as the dispirited "Love Is a Losing Game." The lead single "Rehab" also eerily addressed her drug problems.

ADVERTISEMENT
Adele - 21 - The sophomore LP of British soul singer Adele topped U.S. charts early this year. The seamless arrangement of each emotional track takes you on a journey of love lost and love found. The Rick Rubin–produced track “Don’t You Remember” epitomizes the longing of unrequited love.

6 / 14

Adele - 21 - The sophomore LP of British soul singer Adele topped U.S. charts early this year. The seamless arrangement of each emotional track takes you on a journey of love lost and love found. The Rick Rubin–produced track “Don’t You Remember” epitomizes the longing of unrequited love.

Buju Banton - Before the Dawn - Facing prison time on drug charges, the reggae star recorded parts of the spookily prophetic album while incarcerated at a Miami jail. The emphatic anthem “Innocent” became the signature track on the deeply personal LP.

7 / 14

Buju Banton - Before the Dawn - Facing prison time on drug charges, the reggae star recorded parts of the spookily prophetic album while incarcerated at a Miami jail. The emphatic anthem “Innocent” became the signature track on the deeply personal LP.

Lenny Kravitz - Mama Said - Mama Said was released on the heels of Lenny Kravitz’s divorce from actress Lisa Bonet. The 1991 album was classic rock sonically, but lyrically it discussed his marriage, separation and ultimate divorce from the Cosby Show star. The single “It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over” peaked at #2 on the Billboard charts, and its haunting chorus still lingers two decades later: "So many tears I've cried/So much pain inside/But baby it ain't over till it's over/So many years we've tried/And kept our love alive/But baby it ain't over till it's over."

8 / 14

Lenny Kravitz - Mama Said - Mama Said was released on the heels of Lenny Kravitz’s divorce from actress Lisa Bonet. The 1991 album was classic rock sonically, but lyrically it discussed his marriage, separation and ultimate divorce from the Cosby Show star. The single “It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over” peaked at #2 on the Billboard charts, and its haunting chorus still lingers two decades later: "So many tears I've cried/So much pain inside/But baby it ain't over till it's over/So many years we've tried/And kept our love alive/But baby it ain't over till it's over."

Sade, Diamond Life - Sade introduced her cold-as-ice mash-up of smooth jazz and quiet storm with fan favorites like "Smooth Operator" and "Your Love Is King" on this 1984 smash. (Photo: Courtesy Epic Records)

9 / 14

Sade - Diamond Life - Sade’s debut album, Diamond Life, may have been filled with melancholy, but it also helped her achieve her first Grammy win for Best New Artist in 1986. The songs “Your Love Is King,” “Smooth Operator” and “Hang on to Your Love,” all written by Sade, helped make the album a quadruple-platinum success.

Tupac - Tupac's The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory had the rapper on a cross conveying his persecution by the media and the drawing was meant to draw light to his artistic resurrection. The cover was painted by Death Row artist Ronald "Riskie" Brent. Showing no malice, a warning was also placed underneath the artwork. "In no way is this portrait an expression of disrespect for Jesus Christ. – Makaveli"(Photo: Death Row Records)

10 / 14

Tupac - The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory - Written and recorded in a fervor of seven short days during August of 1996, just a few weeks before Pac was fatally shot on September 7, The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory was one of the rapper's most classic albums, and not simply because it was his first posthumous release. Dark songs like "Hail Mary" and "Against All Odds” were eerily prescient. The album hit the shelves just a couple months after his death and sounded like Pac's swan song.

ADVERTISEMENT
Me'Shell Ndegéocello - Bitter - Arguably Me’shell Ndegéocello’s most personal album, Bitter is wrought with emotions of regret, remorse and sadness. After a close listen, you will have experienced her every heart pang.  The 1999 album was rumored to be about Me’Shell’s relationship with Alice Walker’s daughter, Rebecca Walker. The following year, the track “Fool of Me” was featured in the hit film Love & Basketball, starring Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps.

11 / 14

Me'Shell Ndegéocello - Bitter - Arguably Me’shell Ndegéocello’s most personal album, Bitter is wrought with emotions of regret, remorse and sadness. After a close listen, you will have experienced her every heart pang.  The 1999 album was rumored to be about Me’Shell’s relationship with Alice Walker’s daughter, Rebecca Walker. The following year, the track “Fool of Me” was featured in the hit film Love & Basketball, starring Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps.

Bob Marley - Exodus - Living in London after fleeing from Jamaica following an attempt on his life, the reggae god recorded the gripping album featuring classics like “Waiting in Vain” and “Jamming” and defiant cuts like “Guiltiness” and “So Much Things to Say.”

12 / 14

Bob Marley - Exodus - Living in London after fleeing from Jamaica following an attempt on his life, the reggae god recorded the gripping album featuring classics like “Waiting in Vain” and “Jamming” and defiant cuts like “Guiltiness” and “So Much Things to Say.”

Marvin Gaye - Here My Dear - While on tour at the peak of the success of his 1976 album I Want You, Marvin Gaye was served with divorce papers. His wife, Anna Gordy, sister to Motown founder and Gaye’s boss Barry Gordy, was awarded royalties and a significant portion of the advance of his next album. What resulted was Here My Dear, a confessional on the demise of Gaye’s marriage with album artwork that illustrates the angst of separating from his wife of more than a decade.

13 / 14

Marvin Gaye - Here My Dear - While on tour at the peak of the success of his 1976 album I Want You, Marvin Gaye was served with divorce papers. His wife, Anna Gordy, sister to Motown founder and Gaye’s boss Barry Gordy, was awarded royalties and a significant portion of the advance of his next album. What resulted was Here My Dear, a confessional on the demise of Gaye’s marriage with album artwork that illustrates the angst of separating from his wife of more than a decade.

Phyllis Hyman - I Refuse to Be Lonely - A fashion-forward, statuesque beauty with a voice so powerful and moving that it is still unparalleled, Phyllis Hyman struggled with drug and alcohol abuse and mental illness throughout her life. Her final album, released five months after she committed suicide in her Harlem apartment, I Refuse to Be Lonely was immaculately produced, arranged and performed. It captured her internal agony and Hyman's search for peace of mind.

14 / 14

Phyllis Hyman - I Refuse to Be Lonely - A fashion-forward, statuesque beauty with a voice so powerful and moving that it is still unparalleled, Phyllis Hyman struggled with drug and alcohol abuse and mental illness throughout her life. Her final album, released five months after she committed suicide in her Harlem apartment, I Refuse to Be Lonely was immaculately produced, arranged and performed. It captured her internal agony and Hyman's search for peace of mind.