Saddest Western Songs Ranking [2026]

There are many sad songs in the world.

There are sad songs across various genres—love songs, war songs, family songs, and more.

This time, I’ve gathered a selection focusing on sad songs from Western music, so please give them a listen.

You might discover something new.

Playlist

Saddest Western Songs Ranking [2026]
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	THE LONELIESTMåneskin		Måneskin’s bittersweet love ballad
2	See You Again ft. Charlie PuthWiz Khalifa		Surging in popularity as an insert song in the Fast & Furious series
3	Someone Like YouAdele		Adele’s heartbreak ballad: the complex feelings of wishing happiness for an ex-lover
4	November RainGuns N’ Roses		Composed by Axl Rose, released as a single in ’92
5	I Want It That WayBackstreet Boys		Signature songs of the Backstreet Boys
6	PhotographEd Sheeran		Ed Sheeran’s 2015 release song
7	Like a StoneAudioslave		A song that portrays the feelings of a person waiting to reunite in the next life
8	Viva La VidaColdplay		Coldplay's award-winning song
9	when the party’s overBillie Eilish		Billie Eilish’s introspective, loneliness-tinged lyrics resonate with listeners
10	Un-Break My HeartToni Braxton		A song that sings of the heartache of parting
11	Summertime SadnessLana Del Rey		Lana Del Rey’s classic: the joy of summer and the beauty of loss
12	Fix YouColdplay		The greatness of Coldplay’s songs
13	Sing For The MomentEminem		Eminem is within the top 100 greatest artists
14	Time After TimeCyndi Lauper		Cyndi Lauper's number-one hit song in the United States
15	When You’re GoneAvril Lavigne		Avril’s mature-sounding ballad
16	So Far AwayAvenged Sevenfold		Avenged Sevenfold, a song dedicated to a late friend
17	BrokenSeether ft. Amy Lee		A song that portrays the pain left behind
18	Back To DecemberTaylor Swift		Swift apologizes for her relationship with her ex-boyfriend.
19	OneMetallica		An award-winning song about soldiers of war
20	You Break Me FirstTate McRae		Tate McRae’s breakup song: strength and fragility
21	I’m With YouAvril Lavigne		I recommend Avril’s ballads
22	Leave Out All The RestLinkin Park		A song about atoning for past mistakes and seeking forgiveness
23	The Show Must Go OnQueen		Make the most of Brian May's musical life
24	Cruel SummerTaylor Swift		A song that depicts Taylor Swift’s secret romance
25	I Will Always Love YouWhitney Houston		Became a big hit when Whitney covered it
26	Wake Me Up When September EndsGreen Day		A song about his father's death is included on American Idiot
27	LoveKeyshia Cole		A moving ballad by an R&B singer from California
28	The Winner Takes It AllABBA		A song themed around the divorces of ABBA members
29	You And MeLifehouse		The perfect combination of a sad ballad and instruments
30	Last NightMorgan Wallen		A ballad that heals the pain of a broken heart
31	FifteenTaylor Swift		An American artist’s first-love love song
32	RunLeona Lewis		Leona Lewis has universally wonderful songs
33	White HorseTaylor Swift		Sad Taylor Swift songs are popular
34	BeautifulChristina Aguilera		The Grammy Award-winning song sung by Christina
35	How Do I Say GoodbyeDean Lewis		A moving song by Dean Lewis about family love and farewell
36	Fast CarTracy Chapman		A story where the dream of escaping poverty is shattered by reality
37	Small BumpEd Sheeran		Ed Sheeran’s global popularity
38	Harvest MoonNeil Young		Neil Young is underrated in Japan
39	Toy SoldiersMartika		Martika’s song was sampled by Eminem and drew renewed attention
40	Time to Say GoodbyeAndrea Bocelli & Sarah Brightman		Sarah and Andrea’s smash-hit duet
41	Tears In HeavenEric Clapton		A song in which Clapton mourns his son's death
42	Moonlight Shadow ft. Maggie ReillyMike Oldfield		Mike Oldfield 1983 release
43	You Know You’re RightNirvana		Kurt Cobain's last recorded song
44	Happiest YearJaymes Young		A poignant song that sings of the pain of heartbreak and gratitude
45	Eyes ClosedEd Sheeran		A ballad that sings of feelings for someone lost
46	Love Is a Losing GameAmy Winehouse		A poignant classic that sings of the sorrow of love.
47	AlwaysDaniel Caesar		The complex state of mind of confronting feelings for an ex-partner
48	AngieThe Rolling Stones		A Stones classic that gives a sense of hope
49	Wish You The BestLewis Capaldi		A song by Lewis Capaldi that sings about the regret of a breakup
50	Used To Be YoungMiley Cyrus		A pop ballad that looks back on the past and cherishes growth
51	ImagineJohn Lennon		John Lennon's iconic song that sings of peace
52	Forget MeLewis Capaldi		A heartfelt song that empathizes with the pain of heartbreak
53	Street Spirit (Fade Out)Radiohead		Thom Yorke dark song, UK Top 5
54	Car’s OutsideJames Arthur		A song that expresses the poignancy of a long-distance relationship
55	Hunger of the PineAlt-J		A track from Alt-J’s second album
56	Seasons In The SunTerry Jacks		A man saying goodbye to his loved one
57	Hero Of WarRise Against		A song depicting the PTSD of returning soldiers
58	The RiverBruce Springsteen		Songs influenced by Hank Williams's music
59	Fingers CrossedLauren Spencer Smith		A ballad that depicts the pain of a broken heart
60	VCRThe xx		The xx’s debut song
61	Alone I BreakKorn		An emotional ballad about cones
62	The EndThe Doors		A song inspired by my breakup with Jim
63	The Way We WereBarbra Streisand		A song where a couple in love looks back on their memories
64	RetrogradeJames Blake		A song by James Blake about complex emotions after a fight
65	I Always Wanna Die (Sometimes)The 1975		Introduction to a rock ballad song by THE 1975.
66	Against All OddsPhil Collins		Phil Collins' smash hit wins a Grammy Award
67	F**k it I love youLana Del Rey		Songs by Lana Del Rey that express sadness
68	It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to YesterdayBoyz II Men		Parting with a loved one and the pain in the heart
69	Don`t dream it`s overSixpence None The Richer		The wistful singing voice of a Texas band
70	Birthday CakeDylan Conrique		A song about living to the fullest the life that the departed wished for
71	The greatestLana Del Rey		Lana Del Rey’s sorrowful songs
72	angelsRobbie Williams		Robbie Williams’s comeback classic
73	The Day We Caught The TrainOcean Colour Scene		Ocean Colour Scene 1996 release song
74	As Tears Go ByThe Rolling Stones		Rolling Stones songs
75	I Need To Be In LoveCarpenters		A poignant classic by the Carpenters
76	Where did you sleep last nightNirvana		Nirvana’s cover of Red Velvet
77	He Stopped Loving Her TodayGeorge Jones		A country song released in 1980 wins an award
78	Strange FruitBillie Holiday		Billie Holiday’s song denouncing racism
79	Standing StillJewel		Jewel’s debut album is a smash hit
80	cecilia and the satelliteAndrew McMahon		A solo song filled with love for my daughter
81	the way things gobeabadoobee		Beabadoobee’s heartbreak ballad
82	BrielleSky Sailing		Adam Young, pop song, sad
83	Across The UniverseFIONA APPLE		An excellent performance of a Beatles cover song.
84	Spanish SaharaFoals		Foals’ new song chosen as one of the best tracks of 2010
85	HallelujahRufus Wainwright		Only a very small number of truly capable, genuine artists exist.
86	Stairway to HeavenLed Zeppelin		Covers of numerous iconic songs in rock history
87	Wait For YouElliott Yamin		Elliott Yamin’s tear-jerking masterpiece
88	Only Love Can Break Your HeartNeil Young		The pain of heartbreak, love shattering the heart
89	Shape of My HeartSting		STING, the movie Léon, ending song
90	emails i can’t sendSabrina Carpenter		Introduction to a song about unspoken feelings
91	Breaking PointLogan Michael		A piercing song that captures the pain of heartbreak
92	A Hazy Shade Of WinterSimon&Garfunkel		Simon & Garfunkel’s classic “A Hazy Shade of Winter”
93	22 (OVER S∞∞N)Bon Iver		The title track of Bon Iver’s third album
94	This Is How It FeelsRichard Ashcroft		A recent favorite song that I’m addicted to
95	HURTNine Inch Nails		A song to guide you wisely through life
96	AndromedaWeyes Blood		The Mystical Songs of Weyes Blood
97	RescuedFoo Fighters		A hopeful ballad by Foo Fighters
98	sad dayFKA Twigs		A track from FKA twigs' second album
99	The Beat Goes OnBeady Eye		Beady Eye's Heaven live song
100	Our HouseCrosby, Stills, Nash & Young		Supergroup. I'm a Neil Young fan.