Most Moving Western Songs Ranking [2026]

Sign of the TimesHarry Styles29rank/position

Harry Styles – Sign of the Times (Official Video)

Harry Styles, a British singer who has many fans in Japan.

Many of you might remember him from his band, One Direction.

His first solo single is Sign of the Times.

Since it topped charts around the world, many people may already know it.

The “time” in the song’s title refers to the time a mother, who has been told she doesn’t have long to live, has to share her feelings with her child.

Knowing that theme before you listen may make the song feel even more emotional.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

yamamoto

Report a problem

I Don’t Want to Miss a ThingAerosmith30rank/position

Aerosmith – I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing (Official HD Video)

This ballad, which sings of boundless feelings for a loved one, is a moving piece that expresses deep affection for moments you never want to let slip by—not even for an instant.

The pure desire to keep gazing at someone, even at the expense of sleep, resonates through the powerful vocals of the American rock band Aerosmith.

Released in 1998 as the theme song for the film Armageddon, it became the band’s first U.S.

No.

1 hit, holding the top spot for four consecutive weeks.

Its emotional connection with the film’s portrayal of a father–daughter bond gives it a universality that can be felt not only as romantic love but also as love for family.

It’s a song I highly recommend to anyone who wants to savor time with someone precious or who is approaching a milestone in life.

Until I Found YouStephen Sanchez31rank/position

Stephen Sanchez – Until I Found You (Official Video)

This is sudden, but do you know Stephen Sanchez? He debuted in 2020 and quickly gained a growing fanbase as a new-generation artist.

The song that propelled him to stardom is “Until I Found You,” which went viral on TikTok.

It’s a love song celebrating the joy of finding a destined partner, with a retro sound that evokes music from the 1920s.

The music video is also crafted with great care—the fonts and sets used meticulously recreate the feel of monochrome films from that era, so be sure to check it out.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

yamamoto

Report a problem

Cruel SummerTaylor Swift32rank/position

Taylor Swift – Cruel Summer (Official Audio)

This is a masterpiece that vividly captures the exhilaration of summer love and the searing ache beneath it.

Sung by global pop icon Taylor Swift, the song is included on her album Lover, released in August 2019.

Lyrics that cry out about the turmoil of a secret relationship and a passion so intense it feels like it could break are carried by a driving synth-pop sound.

Interestingly, it wasn’t released as a single until June 2023, about four years after the album.

A standout performance on her record-breaking tour sparked renewed attention, leading to a dramatic, unprecedented climb back up the charts to reach No.

1 in the U.S.

The explosive final section, where emotions erupt all at once, is guaranteed to bring the house down if you belt it out with friends at karaoke.

Wake Me Up When September EndsGreen Day33rank/position

Green Day – Wake Me Up When September Ends [Official Music Video] [4K Upgrade]

A gem of a Green Day ballad themed around love for a father and the pain of loss.

It’s based on Billie Joe Armstrong’s real experience of losing his father at the age of ten, and the title comes from what the boy, shut away in his room, said to his mother.

Beginning with delicate acoustic guitar arpeggios and gradually building into a grand arrangement, the structure is a masterpiece that expresses the passage of time and the healing process through music.

Released in June 2005 as the fourth single from the album American Idiot, it peaked at No.

6 on the Billboard Hot 100.

It’s a song I’d recommend to anyone who has lost someone dear or is facing a turning point in life.

What’s going onMarvin Gaye34rank/position

Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On

It’s a hidden gem known to those in the know, a jazz number that conveys its historical backdrop.

What shocked people were the lyrics addressing social issues like the Vietnam War, pollution, and poverty—and, they say, his raw, impassioned performance laying bare that anguish.

Many artists have covered it.

Shape Of My HeartSting35rank/position

Sting – Shape of My Heart (Official Music Video)

A song co-produced by Sting and guitarist Dominic Miller, who has played with him for many years.

Larry Adler performs the harmonica.

The track was used in the ending of the 1994 film ‘Léon: The Professional’ and in the 2011 TV drama ‘Hustle.’