Love, family, work, dreams—there are times in various moments of life when you might feel a twinge of sadness, aren’t there? This time, I’ve put together a selection of songs—focused on Western music—that I’d love for you to listen to when you’re feeling that bittersweet ache.
If you’re going through something heart-wrenching right now, these are a must-listen!
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- Ranking of Popular Love Songs by Male Western Artists [2026]
- Foreign Music Goodbye Songs Ranking [2026]
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- Yami (Dark/Themed) Western Music Song Rankings [2026]
Top 10 Saddest Western Songs [2026] (1–10)
When I Was Your ManBruno Mars1rank/position
A heart-stirring piano ballad by Bruno Mars that sings of the bittersweet feelings of unrequited love—something everyone has felt.
Its lyrics, filled with regret and self-reproach toward a former lover, have resonated with many.
Included on the album “Unorthodox Jukebox” and released in December 2012, the song has become one of Mars’s signature works.
It’s a track to listen to when you want to heal the pain of heartbreak or reevaluate a relationship with someone important.
It will surely stay close to your heart and give you the courage to move forward.
A Thousand MilesVanessa Carlton2rank/position
Starting with an unforgettable piano riff, this song beautifully captures the bittersweet ache of unrequited love.
The more you long to see someone precious, the more the distance seems to grow—that feeling really resonates.
Released in 2002, the track became a massive hit as the lead single from Vanessa Carlton’s debut album, Be Not Nobody.
It was nominated for a Grammy and has become a beloved classic worldwide.
When you’re thinking of a lover far away, listening to this song will surely give you courage.
It’s a piece that will stay close to your heart.
Don’t Dream It’s OverCrowded House3rank/position
Crowded House is a rock band from Australia.
They have often been described as “the Beatles of Australia,” and they created many songs with striking melodic lines.
Don’t Dream It’s Over, released in 1986, is one of their signature songs—a poignant track that resonates deep in the heart.
SeñoritaShawn Mendes & Camila Cabello4rank/position
This exquisite duet, wrapped in a passionate Latin pop sound, portrays a summer romance.
Performed by Canadian artist Shawn Mendes and Cuban-American artist Camila Cabello, it was released in June 2019 and topped the charts in over 30 countries worldwide.
Sensual guitar riffs and the duo’s interwoven vocals skillfully convey the push-and-pull and passion of love.
The lyrics, which sing of the bittersweet feelings of summer nights and the allure of forbidden love, resonate deeply with listeners.
It’s a perfect track for those who want to feel like they’re watching a romantic film or to set the mood for a special moment with someone important.
BoyfriendJustin Bieber5rank/position
The title “Boyfriend” carries the meaning in the chorus of “If I were your boyfriend, I’d never let you go.” With lyrics characteristic of Justin and a one-sided-love theme from a male perspective, it’s a song that not only guys but girls can relate to as well.
New RulesDua Lipa6rank/position
Released in 2017, “New Rules” is a song by British female singer Dua Lipa.
It portrays a woman who, falling harder and harder for an unrequited love, tries to stop her feelings by setting new personal rules.
The lyrics capture the pain and heartache of one-sided love.
Women experiencing unrequited feelings or struggling in love will likely relate to it.
SunflowerPost Malone, Swae Lee7rank/position
A beautifully crafted collaboration by America’s Post Malone and Swae Lee that sings of the bittersweet ache of twilight and the complexities of love.
Using the sunflower as a metaphor, it portrays the struggle of a relationship where steadfast affection can at times become a burden, conveying with striking clarity the wavering emotions caught between dependence and freedom.
Released in October 2018 as the theme song for the animated film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, it reached No.
1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
It also achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first song to receive double diamond certification from the RIAA.
A track that offers comfort to those facing the end of summer or wrestling with matters of the heart.