[2026 Edition] Tear-Jerking! A Roundup of the Best New Western Pop Ballads

No matter the era, magnificent ballads with heart-wrenching melodies and sound continue to move countless music fans.

Across genre preferences, most people can quickly think of one or two ballad songs they count among their favorites.

Among such ballads, this time we’re focusing on “tear-jerking ballads,” delivering a selection that includes the latest popular tracks as well as hidden gem ballads tucked away on albums.

Even if you don’t understand the lyrics, these songs are moving enough to make you cry—but this review also touches on the lyrical content, so be sure to use it as a reference.

Playlist

[2026 Edition] Tear-Jerking! A Roundup of the Best New Western Pop Ballads
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Stay LoveLewis Capaldi		Lewis Capaldi's new ballad
2	PointlessLewis Capaldi		A Lewis Capaldi song that depicts a sense of loss
3	When You’re Sad I’m SadCharlie Puth		A heartfelt ballad to save you from your sadness
4	Lift Me Up (From Black Panther: Wakanda Forever)Rihanna		Rihanna’s song “Lift Me Up” is moving.
5	Creepin’Metro Boomin, The Weeknd, 21 Savage		A song depicting a man's sorrow and anger upon discovering infidelity
6	Let Me GoDaniel Caesar		The song “Let Me Go,” which depicts the pain of a broken heart
7	The BestConan Gray		Conan Gray’s heartbreak pop ballad
8	Love Me MoreSam Smith		Moved by Sam Smith’s “Love Me More.”
9	Losing YouFLO		Flo's heartbreaking song 'Losing You' resonates with the heart.
10	Gone GirlSZA		Possessiveness is the flip side of love and can risk ruining a relationship.
11	Hold My Hand (From “Top Gun: Maverick”)Lady Gaga		A voice that supports the heart, conveying emotion together with the film
12	Easy On MeAdele		Adele’s poignant singing resonates in my heart.
13	Snow On The BeachTaylor Swift ft. Lana del Rey		Snowy coast, the masterpieces of Swift and Del Rey
14	Didn’t Say feat. LattoElla Mai		A woman's song about overcoming the pain of parting
15	Glimpse of UsJoji		A poignant song by a Japanese singer active on the global stage
16	SuperwomanMeghan Trainor		A song that resonates with Meghan Trainor’s heart
17	Waiting on You (feat. Sabrina Claudio)Pink Sweat$		There is an emotional appeal in Pink Sweat$’s song.
18	oh to be lovedJVKE		Jake’s moving ballad from “golden hour”
19	The Day That I DieLewis Capaldi		A moving ballad filled with deep feelings for family
20	I’ll Never Know WhyJessie J		Jessie J's moving new ballad
21	People Always ChangeCeleste		A moving piece that reflects Celeste’s emotions
22	In Your FeelingsMariah Carey		An R&B song that portrays emotional fluctuations
23	Here For It AllMariah Carey		A moving work that sings of the joy of living after overcoming hardships
24	Wish You The BestLewis Capaldi		A poignant song that cherishes a lost love
25	AlmostLewis Capaldi		A ballad from the pain of parting to recovery
26	4x4xULainey Wilson		Love Song with a Four-Wheel-Drive Metaphor
27	Sad ForeverLauren Spencer Smith		Lauren Spencer Smith's heart-wrenching ballad
28	WonderfulTones and I		Tones and I’s moving ballad
29	Something In The HeavensLewis Capaldi		Lewis Capaldi’s emotion-filled new song
30	Secrets (ft. Lindsey Buckingham, Mick Fleetwood)Miley Cyrus		Miley unveils a cross-generational ballad
31	Thank God I DoLauren Daigle		A moving ballad expressing gratitude and trust in God
32	lesson learnedMatt Hansen		A moving song that sings of the pain and lessons of heartbreak
33	To Be FreeSam Smith		Sam Smith’s new song sings of the liberation of the soul
34	A COLD PLAYThe Kid LAROI		An emotional song that depicts the pain of heartbreak
35	the way things gobeabadoobee		Beabadoobee, a masterpiece that sings the pain of heartbreak
36	I Won’t Miss A ThingTom Grennan		Tom Grennan: A Heartfelt Ballad of Memories and Farewell
37	Don’t Cry, Put Your Head On My ShoulderTom Odell		Tom Odell’s heart-wrenching ballad
38	Someone Like YouAdele		Adele’s heartbreak ballad: the complex feelings of wishing happiness for an ex-lover
39	emails i can’t sendSabrina Carpenter		Introduction to a song about unspoken feelings
40	EmbersJames Arthur		James Arthur releases a love ballad
41	I’m SorryAli Gatie		A bittersweet love song, a longing to reclaim
42	LifelineAlicia Keys		Alicia Keys’ soothing singing voice
43	Broken BoyDanielle Bradbery		The new country-pop song resonates with my heart.
44	LostSoccer Mommy		Soccer Mommy’s fleeting and heartrending new song
45	Keep ItCoi Leray		A moving work that sings of the pain of a betrayed heart
46	lomlTaylor Swift		Taylor Swift’s heartbreak ballad
47	Me, Myself & YouPerrie		Perry’s new song is an emotional power ballad
48	From The StartLaufey		A heartfelt ballad that portrays the feelings of love
49	All I WantTori Kelly		A moving ballad that vows eternal love
50	Glue Songbeabadoobee		A heartwarming love song: Beabadoobee’s new track
51	Old PhoneEd Sheeran		Ed Sheeran’s soul-stirring ballad
52	Heartbreak AnniversaryGiveon		A masterpiece that sings of the pain of heartbreak, delicately portraying emotions
53	Free FallingJames Arthur		A moving ballad that sings of self-worth and time
54	Monsters In The HouseKelly Jones		Kelly Jones's new song resonates with the heart.
55	Forget MeLewis Capaldi		A heartfelt ballad that sings of the pain of a broken heart
56	wherever u rUMI, V		A special song where hearts connect and love endures
57	SmileMorgan Wallen		A heartfelt ballad that sings of the pain of a broken heart
58	Fingers CrossedLauren Spencer Smith		A heartbreaking breakup ballad popular on TikTok