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)
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.
November RainGuns N’ Roses
A song by the globally popular rock band Guns N’ Roses, who have enjoyed worldwide fame since the late 1980s.
It’s a track from their 1991 album Use Your Illusion I.
Opening with grand strings and piano, this nearly nine-minute piece can be described as an epic rock ballad themed around love and loss.
The fusion of Axl Rose’s emotional vocals and Slash’s wailing guitar solo creates a poignant atmosphere that tightens the listener’s chest.
Peaking at No.
3 on the U.S.
singles chart, this gem of a song resonates deeply on quiet nights spent thinking of someone precious, or on days when it feels like cold rain is falling on your heart.
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.
Tearjerkers! A collection of moving Western songs that were hits in the 90s (11–20)
Everybody HurtsR.E.M.
It’s a work that quietly stays by your side when you’re carrying everything alone and feel like your heart is about to break.
It’s a gospel-like ballad by the American rock band R.E.M.—named among Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Artists of All Time—that stirs the soul.
The song appears on the 1992 masterpiece Automatic for the People and was released as a single in April 1993.
Its deep, universal message has touched many, influencing society as well—for example, it was used in a UK suicide-prevention charity’s ad campaign and as part of a charity single supporting relief efforts after the 2010 Haiti earthquake.
When you’re exhausted by life, listening to it will surely give you the strength to start walking again.
I Want It That WayBackstreet Boys
Released in April 1999, this is one of the Backstreet Boys’ signature songs.
Included on the album Millennium, it climbed high on the charts in the United States and around the world.
The powerful vocals of the five members blend with tight harmonies and a captivating melody, enchanting countless fans as a landmark of 90s pop.
The song conveys the tension in a relationship caused by emotional or physical distance between lovers, exploring the complexities of love and desire.
It’s a recommended track for those struggling with romance or wanting to express their feelings for someone special.
IrisGoo Goo Dolls
A heart-stirring rock ballad born from the story of the film City of Angels.
Released in April 1998 by the American band Goo Goo Dolls, this song poignantly expresses the bittersweet emotions of an angel who falls in love with a human.
A gentle gaze toward people striving to live and the protagonist’s resolve to seek love even at the cost of eternal life are woven memorably into its beautiful melody.
Included on the band’s album Dizzy Up the Girl, the track became a massive hit, spending 18 consecutive weeks at No.
1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay chart.
Its universal appeal is evident in how younger generations rediscovered it on TikTok in the 2020s, sparking a revival hit.
Candle in the Wind 1997Elton John
This is a tribute song by Elton John, one of Britain’s most celebrated musicians, dedicated to Diana, the former Princess of Wales, who was struck by a tragedy far too sudden.
It is a reworked version of a classic originally released in 1973, and it was performed at her funeral in September 1997.
Elton John’s performance—singing while playing the piano—moved people around the world to tears.
The lyrics, which liken her brief yet noble life to a candle’s flame and call her the “English Rose,” are filled with deep mourning and affection.
The fact that this special version was performed only once at the funeral may further underscore the gravity and significance of the piece.