A wonderful heartbreak song

[2026] Western breakup songs: tear-jerking tracks to listen to when love ends

Active club DJkento
Active club DJ. With over five years on the front lines of the club scene, they freely cross over from dance music to US hip-hop and Japanese rap. Blending in their own edits with assured mixing, they craft a unique groove that captivates the floor.
music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.

The more precious the relationship, the more painful the sorrow when it comes to an end.

Of course, some people choose to part ways on a positive note, and everyone’s feelings after a breakup are different.

In this article, we introduce classic Western songs that can help you face forward and take a new step after heartbreak, as well as sad songs that will sink right down with you.

From the latest hits and popular tracks to timeless breakup anthems, we offer a wide-ranging selection that crosses eras and genres.

If you’ve found this article right in the midst of heartbreak, you’re sure to discover the songs you need.

[2026] Western breakup songs: Tearjerkers to listen to after love ends (31–40)

Someone Like YouAdele

Adele – Someone Like You (Official Music Video)

Someone Like YouAdele

Since releasing her debut album, 19, in 2008, Adele has been highly acclaimed as one of the most successful and accomplished singer-songwriters not only in her home country of the UK but around the world.

The song introduced here is a piano-only number included on her masterpiece 21, released in 2011, which became a massive hit with 12 million copies sold globally.

As the album’s overarching theme is “separation,” the lyrics and melody—born from her own experiences of heartbreak—are both beautiful and tinged with melancholy.

The title Someone Like You carries complex emotions; take your time to savor them by reading the lyrics alongside a careful translation.

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ChandelierSia

Sia – Chandelier (Official Video)

ChandelierSia

This is the iconic song that made the name of Sia—a popular Australian singer-songwriter also known for hiding her face—known around the world.

In the striking music video, the girl performing avant-garde ballet with the same hairstyle as Sia is Maddie Ziegler.

The combination of the song’s brilliance and the video’s high level of artistry led to a global hit.

The introspective, seemingly self-destructive lyrics reflect Sia’s earnest feelings as she faced numerous hardships.

While it isn’t specifically about heartbreak, it’s sure to resonate with anyone who, after losing someone important, finds themselves in a desperate state of mind.

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Past Won’t Leave My BedJoji

Joji – Past Won’t Leave My Bed (Official Video)

Past Won't Leave My BedJoji

This is a piano-led ballad that portrays the aching feeling of being unable to escape a past love that clings relentlessly.

George is a Japan-born singer and producer signed to the Asia-based label 88rising, and has released albums such as Nectar and SMITHEREENS.

This work was unveiled in November 2025 and was released ahead of the album Piss In The Wind, scheduled for February 2026.

The visionary image of an ex-lover’s face sticking to the wall—both in sleep and after waking—is delicately expressed through his wistful vocals and the piano’s lingering resonance.

Though it runs a brief 2 minutes and 46 seconds, the pain of being unable to break free from memory slowly sinks in.

Recommended for moments when you want to quietly face your own emotions.

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When I Was Your ManBruno Mars

Bruno Mars – When I Was Your Man [Japanese Subtitled Ver.]

When I Was Your ManBruno Mars

It’s a classic ballad that clearly brings out Bruno Mars’s delicate talent as a songwriter—despite his string of massive hits and the strong party-animal image he somehow carries.

In Japan, it was even given the Japanese title “Kimi ga Ita Ano Koro ni” (“Back to When You Were There”).

His voice, pouring out the feelings of a protagonist who only realizes what mattered after losing someone important, who regrets that there’s no going back, and who still tries to entrust “your” happiness to your new partner, is enough to move you to tears.

The emotions portrayed here may be a man’s egoism, a selfish feeling—but many people have surely felt something similar, and the wonderful melody and vocals make you believe it’s anything but a lie.

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Need you nowLady Antebellum

Lady Antebellum – Need You Now

Need you nowLady Antebellum

The debut single from a Grammy-winning country group.

It’s a song about wavering at 1:15 a.m.—even though they said they wouldn’t call their ex, they’re torn about what to do.

If you’re feeling heartsick and clinging to the past, you might find some relief by crying along to the song with a glass of whiskey.

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