Top 2026 Rankings of Melancholic Western Songs

BIRDS OF A FEATHERBillie Eilish36rank/position

Billie Eilish – BIRDS OF A FEATHER (Official Music Video)

A poignant love song by Billie Eilish themed around deep love and an eternal bond.

Released in 2024 from her album HIT ME HARD AND SOFT, this track, by the American artist, is rooted in synth-pop and features melodies reminiscent of the 1980s.

The lyrics, which yearn for everlasting love and express affection that continues even after death, beautifully portray a dark, romantic worldview.

It surpassed 175.5 million streams on Spotify in 2024 and reached No.

2 on the Billboard Hot 100.

It’s a bittersweet and beautiful love song you’ll want to listen to alone on a hot summer night while thinking of someone.

Perfect for those who want to resonate with the feeling of being in love, or as a companion for summer night drives.

Boo’d UpElla Mai37rank/position

Ella Mai – Boo’d Up

A gem of a love song that wraps the sweet emotions of falling in love in a contemporary R&B sound.

Crafted by UK artist Ella Mai, the track takes its title from a slang term for intimate relationships between lovers and delicately voices the fluttering heart of a woman in love.

Released in 2017 as part of the EP “Ready,” it gradually gained popularity through social media and clubs, ultimately achieving the remarkable feat of winning Best R&B Song at the 2019 Grammy Awards.

Its sound—an exquisite fusion of classic ’90s R&B essence and modern beats—perfectly suits those wistful twilight moments.

It’s a recommended listen for anyone thrilled by a new romance or in the mood to bask in sweet, romantic vibes.

I Don’t CareEd Sheeran & Justin Bieber38rank/position

Ed Sheeran & Justin Bieber – I Don’t Care [Official Music Video]

This collaborative track features a poignant melody that tugs at the heartstrings at dusk.

Created by UK-born Ed Sheeran and Canada’s Justin Bieber, it delicately portrays the comfort found in being with a loved one while grappling with anxiety and loneliness in social settings.

Released in May 2019 as the lead single from the album No.6 Collaborations Project, it became a major hit, earning Platinum certification in the U.S.

and 3× Platinum in the U.K.

It’s a perfect song for quietly reflecting on time spent alone at summer’s end or on your feelings for someone special.

drivers licenseOlivia Rodrigo39rank/position

Olivia Rodrigo – drivers license (Official Video)

There are countless ballads that sing of the pain of heartbreak and the bittersweetness of youth, but few capture the complex emotions of the teenage years as vividly as the debut work of American singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo.

Its lyrics, in which the joy of getting a driver’s license intersects with the sorrow of losing a lover, express the cruelty of adolescence, where growth and parting arrive at the same time.

The protagonist’s state of mind—imagining an ex spending time with someone new yet unable to let go of their feelings—lays bare the contradictions of love that everyone experiences.

Released in January 2021 and spending eight consecutive weeks at No.

1 on the Billboard Hot 100, the song is included on the album SOUR.

It’s a perfect classic for a solo drive on a summer evening when you want to look back on the past.

Ocean EyesBillie Eilish40rank/position

Billie Eilish – ocean eyes (Official Music Video)

Released independently in 2015, “Ocean Eyes” is the song that put Billie Eilish’s name on the map.

It’s about unrequited love for a partner with eyes like the ocean.

The romance with someone whose eyes evoke the deep sea’s mysterious illusions blends with Billie Eilish’s transparent, airy vocals to create a unique world of its own.

It’s astonishing to think she was just 14 when the track came out.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Hito Sui

Report a problem

FirefliesOwl City41rank/position

Owl City – Fireflies (Official Music Video)

This is the signature work of Owl City, the electronica project by American artist Adam Young, which captivated many listeners with its dreamy, synth-pop soundscape.

The piece was created when he was struggling with insomnia and drew inspiration from the fireflies and meteor showers he witnessed while camping in Minnesota.

Released in July 2009, the song topped the Billboard Hot 100 for two consecutive weeks and became a massive hit, reaching number one on charts around the world.

Its poetic lyrics, expressing a longing for the tiny lights that shine on summer nights, and its striking, 1980s-style synth lines weave a dreamlike sound that is perfect for quiet evenings or moments when you’re moved by the beauty of nature.

Love On TopBeyoncé42rank/position

Beyoncé – Love On Top (Official Video)

In this music video, Beyoncé’s powerful vocals and captivating dance take center stage, belting out the joy of falling in love and the beautiful world only lovers can understand.

The intense choreography will definitely make you want to try it yourself!