Top Tearjerker Western Songs Ranking [2026]

Tonight I’m Getting Over YouCarly Rae Jepsen91rank/position

Carly Rae Jepsen – Tonight I’m Getting Over You

With her friendly charm and adorable appeal, Carly’s popularity is exploding.

This single cut from her 2012 album “Kiss” features an upbeat, catchy melody that’s sure to get stuck in your head.

The couple in the music video—Carly and her boyfriend—are absolutely adorable.

You’re BeautifulJames Blunt92rank/position

James Blunt – You’re Beautiful (Official Music Video) [4K]

This is a moving song about unrequited love by British singer-songwriter James Blunt.

Released in May 2005, it was inspired by his experience of unexpectedly seeing a former lover on the subway with a new partner.

Featured on the album “Back to Bedlam,” it became a major hit, reaching number one in 13 countries worldwide.

In Japan, it was used as an insert song for the Fuji TV drama “Kobayakawa Nobuki no Koi” and as a commercial song for the Toyota Vitz.

Although it may sound romantic at first, it actually conveys bittersweet feelings and complex emotions, resonating deeply with those who have experienced heartbreak or parting.

How Do I Say GoodbyeDean Lewis93rank/position

Dean Lewis – How Do I Say Goodbye (Official Video)

Dean Lewis is a singer-songwriter from Australia who has earned international acclaim for his emotionally rich lyrics and deeply resonant melodies.

This track, released in September 2022, was created based on his experience when his father was diagnosed with a serious illness.

The lyrics, which express the fear and love surrounding the inevitability of having to say goodbye to someone precious, offer a deeply relatable reflection on family.

The structure is also superb, unfolding from a quiet piano- and strings-led intro into a gradually intensifying climax.

Check it out when you want to reflect on your relationships with family or revisit your feelings for someone important to you.

Story of My LifeOne Direction94rank/position

One Direction – Story of My Life

One Direction rose from a UK talent show to become a globally beloved group.

Released in October 2013, this track from their third album, Midnight Memories, showcases a mature sound that steps beyond their idol image.

The warm tones of the acoustic guitar, delicate strings, and the layered chorus featuring all the members are breathtaking.

The lyrics, reflecting on time gone by and memories with family, resonate not just as a love song but as a story of life.

The music video features the members’ real families, interweaving childhood photos with the present in a tear-jerking montage.

For those who discovered Western pop through YouTube or MTV, it’s a nostalgic piece that may well overlap with memories of their own youth.

MapsYeah Yeah Yeahs95rank/position

Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Maps (Official Music Video)

Erupting from New York’s art-punk scene with overwhelming presence, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs stand out.

Despite their fierce image, this is arguably the breakup song that has moved the most hearts.

Released as a single in September 2003, it appears on the classic album “Fever to Tell.” The lyrics are a desperate plea to a lover who’s drifting away, insisting, “No one loves you more than I do.” It’s said the song was born from the anxiety of growing distance from a partner amid the relentless pace of touring.

There’s even the story that the tears Karen O sheds in the music video weren’t acting but real—a detail that captures the song’s poignancy.

Rediscovered by younger listeners via TikTok in the 2020s, it became a revival hit—an eternal classic.