Top Tearjerker Western Songs Ranking [2026]

Wish You The BestLewis Capaldi22rank/position

Lewis Capaldi – Wish You The Best (Official Video)

A gem of a piano ballad that revisits the farewell to a once‑beloved person from a fresh perspective, capturing those complex emotions.

Released by Lewis Capaldi in April 2023, this song lays bare the true feelings of someone who said, “Let’s stay friends,” to an ex, while never really wanting that.

Issued as the third single from the album Broken by Desire to Be Heavenly Sent, it debuted at number one on the UK charts.

The music video tells a moving story inspired by a legendary Scottish dog, beautifully portraying themes of parting and loss.

It’s recommended for anyone who can relate to the conflicting feelings of still longing for a past love while having no choice but to wish them happiness.

Stay With MeSam Smith23rank/position

Sam Smith – Stay With Me (Official Music Video)

A signature track from British singer-songwriter Sam Smith’s 2014 debut album, “In the Lonely Hour.” The song captures the morning after a one-night encounter, expressing not love for the other person but a yearning simply to have someone by their side.

Even knowing the feelings will never be returned, the urgent desire to fill the void of loneliness is conveyed with piercing clarity through Smith’s delicate yet powerful vocals.

The gospel-tinged chorus swells in the refrain, bringing listeners to tears.

Winner of the Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Song of the Year, this piece offers solace to anyone grappling with heartbreak or loneliness.

Bad DayDaniel Powter24rank/position

Daniel Powter – Bad Day (Official Music Video) [HD]

It was a huge hit in Japan as well, so I think you’ve heard it at least once.

As the Japanese title “Bad Day: A Cheer-Up Song for Unlucky Days” suggests, it’s an uplifting song that can even ease the pain of heartbreak a little.

Since many people know it, it’s one of those Western songs that can really get the crowd going at karaoke.

HonestyBilly Joel25rank/position

Billy Joel – Honesty (Official Video)

A Billy Joel song.

Included on the album 52nd Street (1978) and released in 1979 as the third single from the album.

It wasn’t a major hit in the United States, but it is one of his most popular songs in Japan.

It opens with a striking piano intro and sings about both the difficulty and the importance of being honest.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Castle on the HillEd Sheeran26rank/position

Ed Sheeran – Castle On The Hill [Official Music Video]

A moving masterpiece filled with love for his hometown and memories of youth has been delivered by UK artist Ed Sheeran.

From a childhood bone-breaking accident to his first love at age 15, this warm work is packed with nostalgia.

Released in January 2017 as a lead single from the album ÷, and featured in the animated films Ferdinand and How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, the song is written as a love letter to his hometown of Framlingham.

Now an adult, he gently portrays his childhood friends each walking their own path, singing of the flow of changing time and feelings that remain unchanged, carried by a powerful melody.

It’s a gem of a track that resonates with the universal sentiment of having a place or person you want to recall when you feel uncertain or lost.

when the party’s overBillie Eilish27rank/position

Billie Eilish – when the party’s over

A song that steps back from the dazzling scene of a party to calmly reflect on a weary state of mind.

Released in October 2018 as the second single from the album “WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?”, this piece sings of the complex emotions where loneliness and relief coexist at the end of a romantic relationship.

With nearly a hundred vocal tracks layered to create a rich sonic image despite the minimal use of instruments, its production is breathtaking.

The music video—featuring black tears streaming from the eyes—sparked conversation, and the serene performance at the Grammy Awards left a lasting impression on many.

For those who resonate with the moment of drawing boundaries to protect oneself while bearing the pain of accepting a relationship’s end, this is a work you should definitely hear.

When I Was Your ManBruno Mars28rank/position

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

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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KOH-1

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