Most Moving Western Songs Ranking [2026]

PhotographEd Sheeran1rank/position

Ed Sheeran – Photograph (Official Music Video)

There’s a timeless song that accompanies those sentimental moments when you look back on summer memories alongside your photos.

It’s a track by Ed Sheeran, the globally renowned singer-songwriter from the UK.

Featured on the acclaimed album ‘×,’ which won British Album of the Year at the 2015 BRIT Awards, this folk-pop ballad was released as a single.

Centered on a long-distance relationship, it portrays a couple reaffirming their love through photographs.

The message—that even apart, hearts remain close—gently seeps in, carried by his soft vocals and acoustic sound.

The music video, which uses real home videos from his childhood, deepens the song’s warm yet bittersweet atmosphere and is truly moving.

As summer comes to an end, why not listen to it while thinking of someone special?

Just The Way You AreBruno Mars2rank/position

Bruno Mars – Just The Way You Are (Official Music Video)

Bruno Mars, a genius who effortlessly commands pop and R&B.

This is one of his signature songs and a hugely popular choice for wedding background music.

Its charm lies, above all, in the lyrics that unabashedly and straightforwardly lavish praise on the one you love.

Just listening to it makes you feel happy.

Released in July 2010 as his solo debut single and included on the album Doo-Wops & Hooligans, this track also won at the 53rd Grammy Awards.

With piano at its core and an easy-to-remember melody, it’s very approachable to try.

If you sing it when expressing your feelings to someone special, it’s sure to be a hit!

Tears in HeavenEric Clapton3rank/position

Eric Clapton – Tears In Heaven (Official Video)

Eric Clapton, revered worldwide by musicians and often called the “God of the Guitar,” crafted this gem of a ballad out of the most painful experience of his life.

In the wake of the sudden tragedy in 1991—the immeasurable sorrow of saying goodbye to his beloved son—he wrote it while sending his thoughts to the child in heaven, as a way to endure the grief.

Carried by gentle acoustic guitar, his voice asks whether his son will remember him when they meet again, a question that tugs at the listener’s heartstrings.

Created as the theme song for the film Rush, its performance on the live album Unplugged drew global acclaim.

A deeply personal sorrow was transformed into a universal song of healing and hope—an undeniably moving track that stands as one of the defining songs of the 1990s.

See You Again ft. Charlie PuthWiz Khalifa4rank/position

Wiz Khalifa – See You Again ft. Charlie Puth [Official Video] Furious 7 Soundtrack

Wiz Khalifa’s classic “See You Again ft.

Charlie Puth,” known as the theme song of the global hit film Furious 7, is a single released in March 2015.

The guest vocalist Charlie Puth’s beautiful yet heartrending voice leaves a lasting impression.

The song was created as a tribute to actor Paul Walker, who passed away in a car accident during the film’s production.

Its lyrics, which convey not only the sorrow of losing a friend but also the brilliance of the days shared and the hope of meeting again, are truly tear-jerking.

When you want to remember someone precious and have a good cry, this song will gently stay by your side.

It’s a warm track that lets you reaffirm the bonds of friendship and family.

I Want It That WayBackstreet Boys5rank/position

Backstreet Boys – I Want It That Way (Official HD Video)

When discussing the music scene of the 1990s, you can’t ignore the Backstreet Boys, formed in Orlando, Florida.

Among their glittering career highlights, this track—released in April 1999 as the lead single from the classic album Millennium—stands as a true milestone in pop history.

Its lyrics about drifting apart from a lover carry a hint of melancholy, and combined with the beautiful harmonies, it’s the kind of song that tightens your chest every time you listen.

It topped the charts in over 25 countries and has been loved across generations, even appearing in the hit show Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

With its relaxed tempo, it’s easy to sing and perfect for creating an emotional mood at karaoke.

Grab your friends and belt out that monumental chorus.

White horseTaylor Swift6rank/position

Taylor Swift – White Horse

The queen of love songs, Taylor Swift, delivers a tear-jerking classic with “White Horse.” It’s a song about longing for a movie-like romance, only to find that real life doesn’t unfold like a dream—and even the prince you believed in ends up breaking your heart.

It’s a message that any woman who’s ever yearned for love can relate to at least once.

HelloAdele7rank/position

Adele – Hello (Official Music Video)

The phrase in the chorus, “Hello, from the other side, I must’ve called a thousand times,” conveys the pain of a woman trying somehow to apologize for her shortcomings, making “Hello” a moving ballad.

Released by Adele in 2015, the song achieved major commercial success, hitting number one in most of the countries where it charted, including her home country of the UK.

It has high name recognition in Japan as well, having been featured on TV programs, so even people who don’t usually listen to Western music might know it!

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