Tearjerkers! A roundup of moving Western songs that were hits in the ’90s
Music has a mysterious power to heal the heart and stir deep emotions.
In particular, the international music scene of the 1990s produced countless masterpieces that moved people around the world.
In this article, we introduce emotional Western hits from the ’90s that continue to resonate with many listeners across generations.
From bittersweet love songs to tracks that give you the courage to live positively, we present a selection of gems that speak to the soul.
Alongside a wave of nostalgia, you’re sure to find a song that strikes a chord with you.
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Tearjerkers! A roundup of touching Western hits from the ’90s (1–10)
I Will Always Love YouWhitney Houston
Whitney Houston is one of the greatest singers in music history.
The song she so powerfully sang was originally by country singer Dolly Parton, but Whitney’s version is the most famous.
Its theme is the ultimate form of love: choosing to step away for the sake of a loved one’s future.
The sincerity of wishing the other person’s happiness strikes deeply at the listener’s heart.
Thinking about the firm vow behind this bittersweet decision—“I will always love you”—leaves one with an indescribable feeling.
Chosen as the theme song for the 1992 film The Bodyguard, which Whitney starred in, it set a monumental record by staying at No.
1 on the U.S.
charts for 14 consecutive weeks.
When you’ve experienced parting from someone important, listening to it may bring you to tears with its profound love.
ZombieThe Cranberries
While tackling strongly political themes, the Irish band The Cranberries achieved worldwide success.
One of their signature works is an alternative rock track that stands apart from their earlier pop-leaning sound, marked by distorted guitars and heavy drums.
Vocalist Dolores O’Riordan’s voice—akin to a cry of anguish—expresses anger at the loss of young lives in a 1993 terrorist incident.
The song was included on their 1994 album “No Need to Argue” and became a global hit.
Its searing challenge to the meaningless cycle of violence and to the indifference of onlookers continues to resonate across generations.
It’s a masterpiece to listen to quietly when you want to reflect deeply on peace.
More Than WordsExtreme
This is a signature acoustic ballad by Extreme, the American rock band known for hard rock and funk metal.
Defying the image of their intense band sound, Nuno Bettencourt’s delicate guitar tones and his beautiful harmonies with Gary Cherone resonate deeply.
The song expresses a sincere plea for genuine actions behind the words “I love you,” and its purity moves listeners to tears.
Included on the 1990 album Pornograffitti, the track topped the U.S.
charts after its single release in March 1991.
It’s a piece that will resonate profoundly when you want to quietly reflect on your feelings for someone special.
TornNatalie Imbruglia
Natalie Imbruglia, a multi-talented Australian artist who has also found success as an actress and model.
The song that marked her debut is known as a moving number loved around the world.
Confronted with the true nature of someone she trusted, the shattering of her ideals and the wrenching heartache are conveyed through her crystalline vocals.
The simple guitar sound blends exquisitely with the airy chorus, beautifully building the song’s bittersweet atmosphere.
It’s a track from her debut album, Left of the Middle, and in 1998 it won six categories at the ARIA Awards.
When you’re hurting from the frustrations of a relationship, it may quietly be there to comfort you.
As a side note, this song is actually a cover: the original version was by the American band Ednaswap, and the first person to record it was the Danish singer Lis Sørensen.
Nothing Compares 2 USinéad O’Connor
This is a cover of a song by Prince performed by Sinead O’Connor, the Irish singer known for a voice often described as both sharp and gentle.
Released in January 1990, it was included on the acclaimed album “I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got.” The lyrics, which sing of an overwhelming sense of loss after losing someone irreplaceable, seem to touch each listener’s own heartache.
The music video—marked by a soulful, almost primal vocal over a serene soundscape and by tears she shed while remembering her late mother during filming—deeply moved many.
It won three awards at the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards, including Video of the Year.
It is a timeless number that quietly stays close to hearts sunk in deep sorrow and brings tears across generations.