As many country music acts do, Nashville-based duo Dan + Shay (Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney) met in Nashville through mutual friends. Unlike many country acts, though, these two were quickly signed to a label — in about a year. Previously, each tried his hand in other bands, Smyers as a member of Transition (Floodgate Records), and Mooney as a solo artist on T-Pain‘s Nappy Boy Entertainment label, but it was the yin and yang of what they each brought to the singing-and-songwriting table that got the duo signed. On the strength of singles “Show You Off” and “19 You + Me,” they became the first country duo to have a debut album enter the charts at No. 1.

So what is there to be bummed about? Well not much, really, but Shay gave us a sad playlist anyway — everybody needs one sometimes. “It isn’t often lately,” he says, “but anytime I’m feeling down, I listen to sad songs — somehow it helps. These are some my favorites.” Those favorites include classic heartbreakers like Tim McGraw‘s “Don’t Take the Girl” and Chris Young‘s “Tomorrow.” Hit play for more, and don’t be ashamed to wallow in it for a bit.