[2026] Recommended for junior high schoolers! A roundup of tearjerker Western songs

Move AlongThe All-American Rejects

The All-American Rejects – Move Along (Official Music Video)

A track released in 2005 by The All-American Rejects.

It was certified Platinum in the United States and Canada.

The music video portrays the daily hardships and struggles people face.

The track is featured in the 2006 film “She’s the Man.”

Crown of LoveThe Arcade Fire

The Arcade Fire – Crown of Love

A track by the Canadian indie rock band The Arcade Fire.

It is included on their debut album, Funeral, released in 2004.

The album has been highly acclaimed by many music magazines and was selected by Rolling Stone for the 2012 list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

With or Without YouU2

U2 – With Or Without You (U2 At The BBC)

With a melody that stirs the heart across time and lyrics tinged with longing, “With or Without You” continues to captivate many listeners.

Portraying the struggles of love in a way that even middle schoolers can relate to, this song is known as one of U2’s signature works and remains beloved around the world.

Riding the wave of a revival boom, it’s a track that teaches the greatness of music, old and new.

Its comfortable bassline and lingering guitar tones intertwine exquisitely, powerfully lifting the listener’s emotions.

It’s a classic Western song I recommend to middle school students for study breaks or relaxation time.

White HousesVanessa Carlton

Vanessa Carlton – White Houses

A track that sings about broken friendship, loss of virginity, and jealousy.

It was released as a single by Vanessa Carlton in 2004 and reached No.

25 on the U.S.

charts.

Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac plays guitar on it.

Adam’s Songblink-182

blink-182 – Adam’s Song

A track released in 2000 by the American rock band Blink-182.

It’s about suicide and was written by bassist Mark Hoppus when he was experiencing depression.

It reached No.

1 on the U.S.

charts.

All The Things She Saidt.A.T.u.

t.A.T.u. – All The Things She Said (Official Music Video)

A track released in 2002 by the Russian duo t.A.T.u.

The Russian version is titled “Ya Soshla S Uma,” which means “I’ve Lost My Mind.” It is a track that reached No.

1 on charts around the world.

thank u, nextAriana Grande

Ariana Grande – thank u, next (Official Video)

The 2019 song “thank u, next” by American singer Ariana Grande.

It already has quite a mature vibe, but I think it really resonates with middle schoolers too.

The catchy chorus makes the English easy to catch and the meaning easy to grasp.

It expresses a strong determination to move forward even after heartbreak.

Even if you don’t understand the lyrics, just having this track in your player makes you look a bit cooler—it’s that kind of cool song.

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Murakami Shinpei

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