Saddest Western Songs Ranking [2026]

Hero Of WarRise Against57rank/position

Rise Against – Hero Of War

Inspired by the 2006 documentary “The Ground Truth: The Killing Ends,” this song focuses on the PTSD of soldiers returning from war.

It was not released as an official single, and its music video was released on Myspace in 2009.

The RiverBruce Springsteen58rank/position

Bruce Springsteen – The River (The River Tour, Tempe 1980)

A song influenced by Hank Williams’s “My Bucket’s Got a Hole in It.” Bruce Springsteen first performed this song at the “No Nukes” concerts at Madison Square Garden on September 21 and 22, 1979.

Fingers CrossedLauren Spencer Smith59rank/position

Lauren Spencer Smith – Fingers Crossed

A gem of a ballad that paints the pain of heartbreak, with a sweet, aching voice that seeps into your heart.

Lauren Spencer Smith’s soaring vocals beautifully capture the complex emotions after a breakup.

Released in January 2022, the song quickly went viral on TikTok and hit number one on the charts in Ireland and Norway.

The phrase “crossing my fingers” is especially striking, deftly portraying the futility of love’s promises.

In those moments when memories of past love make your chest tighten, listening to this song might just make your heart feel a little lighter.

VCRThe xx60rank/position

The xx – VCR (Official Video)

This is a track by the London-based trio The xx, included on their 2010 debut album xx.

Their sound is often labeled as indie pop or dream pop, but the uniquely minimalist sonic world they create emphasizes delicacy and a languid, wistful mood rather than the brightness and glamour typically associated with the word “pop.” VCR refers to a video cassette recorder, and it’s employed effectively within the story sung from both male and female perspectives, evoking a curious sense of nostalgia.

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Alone I BreakKorn61rank/position

Korn – Alone I Break (Official HD Video)

An achingly lyrical ballad woven by the American nu-metal band Korn.

It stands apart from their usual aggressive sound, highlighting vocalist Jonathan Davis’s delicate, clean voice as it quietly portrays the loneliness and anguish sinking to the depths of the heart.

The anguished cry of “falling apart alone” seems to reflect a soul collapsing from within, burdened by despair that no one can understand.

When you feel crushed by inescapable loneliness and listen to this song, you may sense it simply staying beside your pain.

It’s a tear-inducing track that gently loosens a taut heart.

The EndThe Doors62rank/position

The End

The song includes themes of “death” and “parents,” but it is said to have been originally inspired by the breakup with Jim Morrison’s girlfriend, Mary Werbelow, who had followed him from Florida to Los Angeles.

It is also well known for being used in Francis Ford Coppola’s film Apocalypse Now.

The Way We WereBarbra Streisand63rank/position

Barbra Streisand “The Way We Were”

It is the title track of the film of the same name starring Robert Redford.

The song is about a couple in love reminiscing together.

The lyrics were written by Alan Bergman and his wife Marilyn, and the music was composed by Marvin Hamlisch.