Tear-jerking motivational songs in Western music
We’ve compiled a large collection of songs you’ll want to listen to when you want to cheer someone on—or when you need a boost yourself.
There are plenty of tracks that might just bring you to tears.
We’ve focused on Western music, so be sure to give them a listen!
Playlist
| Tear-jerking motivational songs in Western music | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1east | True ColorsCyndi Lauper |  play_arrow | Cyndi Lauper’s worldwide hit song from 1986 |
| 2east | Everybody HurtsR.E.M. |  play_arrow | The power of music to comfort a lonely heart |
| 3east | Don’t Look Back In AngerOasis |  play_arrow | Oasis’s classic anthem, a message of hope and solidarity |
| 4east | DemonsImagine Dragons |  play_arrow | A song by Imagine Dragons about self-doubt |
| 5east | Someone Like YouAdele |  play_arrow | A ballad released by Adele in 2011 |
| 6east | Let It All GoBirdy & Rhodes |  play_arrow | A breakup song by Rhodes and Birdy |
| 7east | Losing KeysJack Johnson |  play_arrow | Lyric songs by Jack Johnson |
| 8east | Crazy Crazy NightsKISS |  play_arrow | An uplifting anthem that gives you courage with KISS’s classic hits |
| 9north_east | FlumeBon Iver |  play_arrow | Bon Iver’s debut single |
| 10north_east | Liquor Store BluesBruno Mars ft. Damian Marley |  play_arrow | Bruno Mars and the Song of Hope |
| 11north_east | Into My ArmsNick Cave |  play_arrow | Nick Cave’s melancholic love ballad |
| 12north_east | StayRihanna ft. Mikky Ekko |  play_arrow | A ballad by Rihanna and Mikky Ekko |
| 13north_east | Dance With My FatherLuther Vandross |  play_arrow | A tribute song to Luther Vandross’s father |
| 14north_east | With or Without YouU2 |  play_arrow | U2’s signature song from 1987 |
| 15east | RoarKaty Perry |  play_arrow | A moving song about reclaiming one’s inner strength |
| 16east | Still I FlySpencer Lee |  play_arrow | A song that gently encourages and boosts motivation |
| 17north_east | 22Lily Allen |  play_arrow | Lily Allen’s 2009 hit song |
| 18north_east | Counting StarsOneRepublic |  play_arrow | OneRepublic’s hopeful pop-rock song |
| 19north_east | Free Fallin’John Mayer |  play_arrow | John Mayer covers Tom Petty’s regret song |
| 20north_east | Seven Nation ArmyThe White Stripes |  play_arrow | Powerful rock that stays true to the will for freedom |
| 21north_east | FocusAriana Grande |  play_arrow | A rich, rhythm-and-blues sound... |
| 22north_east | Time After TimeCyndi Lauper |  play_arrow | Speaking of Cyndi Lauper, there’s an unforgettable epi... |
| 23north_east | There’ll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry)Billy Ocean |  play_arrow | Billy Ocean 1986 No. 1 |
| 24north_east | Upward Over the MountainIron&Wine |  play_arrow | Iron & Wine dark beautiful song |
| 25north_east | Fix YouColdplay |  play_arrow | Coldplay’s soothing song that comforts the heart |
| 26north_east | Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)Kelly Clarkson |  play_arrow | Sing of the courage to overcome adversity with a powerful beat |
| 27north_east | Fight SongRachel Platten |  play_arrow | Introduction to Classic American Cheer Songs |
| 28east | TearRed Hot Chili Peppers |  play_arrow | This Californian band, also known by the nickname 'Retchili' (Red Hot Chili Peppers), ... |
| 29east | Together StrongerManic Street Preachers |  play_arrow | A European Championship cheering song filled with Welsh pride |
| 30north_east | No One’s Gonna Love YouBand of Horses |  play_arrow | Band of Horses' songs used in multiple TV dramas |
| 31north_east | Sign of the TimesHarry Styles |  play_arrow | Harry Styles's sad ballad |
| 32north_east | JealousLabrinth |  play_arrow | Labrinth’s piano ballad to his father |
| 33north_east | Exit Music (For A Film)Radiohead |  play_arrow | Radiohead song used in Romeo and Juliet |
| 34north_east | Child’s PlaySZA ft. Chance The Rapper |  play_arrow | A collaborative song by SZA and Chance |
| 35north_east | I Can’t Tell You WhyThe Eagles |  play_arrow | Eagles 1980 Loyalty Song |
| 36north_east | CleopatraThe Lumineers |  play_arrow | A folk rock song about life's unfairness |
| 37north_east | Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I WantThe Smiths |  play_arrow | The Smiths’ classic anthem of loneliness |
| 38north_east | Start of something goodDaughtry |  play_arrow | If you love someone, they won't know unless you say it. |
| 39north_east | The ReasonHoobastank |  play_arrow | A moving song about admitting mistakes and hoping to mend a relationship |
| 40north_east | To Be With YouMr. BIG |  play_arrow | A gentle pop song that encourages a heartbroken girl |
| 41north_east | Welcome to the black paradeMy Chemical Romance |  play_arrow | Conveying strength while depicting death |
| 42north_east | Imitation of lifeR.E.M. |  play_arrow | No one cares even if you cry |
| 43east | WinBrian McKnight |  play_arrow | A song of courage to rise again after overcoming setbacks |
| 44east | Bad DayDaniel Powter |  play_arrow | Bright music to cheer up a bad day |
| 45east | Your SongElton John |  play_arrow | Elton’s uplifting anthem—a song that listeners can feel is a message to themselves. |
| 46east | you raise me upJosh Groban |  play_arrow | Josh Groban, who is from the United States, is 20… |
| 47east | My Life Would Suck Without YouKelly Clarkson |  play_arrow | Kelly Clarkson's motivational song |
| 48south_east | Need You NowLady Antebellum |  play_arrow | Lady Antebellum love songs |
| 49south_east | Cheerleader (Felix Jaehn Remix)OMI |  play_arrow | Fight song, a crush on a cheerleader, and encouragement |
| 50south_east | I Believe I Can FlyR. Kelly |  play_arrow | It's a classic American graduation song, especially for elementary school... |
| 51east | Stop Your CryingSpiritualized |  play_arrow | The best healing song to encourage someone who is crying |
| 52east | I Will Not BowBreaking Benjamin |  play_arrow | The ending theme of the movie “Surrogates,” the courage to keep fighting even in defeat |
| 53east | TubthumpingChumbawamba |  play_arrow | The Chumbawamba song known from soccer programs |
| 54south_east | Lose YourselfEminem |  play_arrow | Eminem’s masterpiece: the power to overcome life’s adversity |
| 55east | I Stand AloneGodsmack |  play_arrow | Godsmack’s hype song “I Stand Alone” |
| 56south_east | High HopesKodaline |  play_arrow | Coderline, an emotional fight song |
| 57east | I’ll Be There For YouPrimal Scream |  play_arrow | A rose that sings, “I’ll stay by your side no matter what happens…” |
| 58south_east | Chasing PavementsAdele |  play_arrow | Deep, dynamic sound and vibrant vocal sensibility... |
| 59south_east | Feeling GoodAvicii |  play_arrow | A melodious track with a sense of storytelling... |
| 60south_east | Uptown GirlBilly Joel |  play_arrow | Sophisticated modern vocals and guitar tei... |
| 61south_east | AtomicBlondie |  play_arrow | High-energy pop sensibilities and a moody... |
| 62south_east | Three Little BirdsBob Marley |  play_arrow | Renowned as a pioneer of reggae and highly stylish… |
| 63south_east | Daddy CoolBoney M |  play_arrow | The disco-funk band sound is stylish... |
| 64south_east | TreasureBruno Mars |  play_arrow | A melodic piece containing a dancer-like taste... |
| 65south_east | First TimeCarly Rae Jepsen |  play_arrow | A majestic mood and a melodious track po... |
| 66south_east | Get LuckyDaft Punk |  play_arrow | A melody with a discotheque-like vibe… |
| 67south_east | BurnEllie Goulding |  play_arrow | Sophisticated beat approach and vocals... |
| 68south_east | Going OnGnarls Barkley |  play_arrow | A wistful, seasoned vocal with a straightforward... |
| 69south_east | PapiJennifer Lopez |  play_arrow | A high-sense track approach and upper… |
| 70south_east | Don’t Stop BelievingJourney |  play_arrow | The allure lies in their outstanding, authentic pop sensibilities... |
| 71south_east | RiseKaty Perry |  play_arrow | Catchy melodic sensibilities and a popp... |
| 72south_east | Bad RomanceLady Gaga |  play_arrow | Melodic yet imbued with the powerful drive of electro… |
| 73south_east | HairLittle Mix |  play_arrow | Show the profound depth that lies behind the grand world of pop. |
| 74south_east | U Can’t Touch ThisMC Hammer |  play_arrow | A dancer-like, fast-paced beat and cha... |
| 75south_east | Me TooMeghan Trainor |  play_arrow | An artist whose pop vocal sensibilities truly shine... |
| 76south_east | Party In The U.S.A.Miley Cyrus |  play_arrow | A catchy, poppy melody that lingers perfectly in your ears... |
| 77south_east | I Can’t WaitNu Shooz |  play_arrow | An artist with a strong disco-funk flavor… |
| 78south_east | HappyPharrell Williams |  play_arrow | A driving beat and a euphoric melody… |
| 79south_east | AnywhereRita Ora |  play_arrow | A skillful sound imbued with a Latin groove... |
| 80south_east | BraveSara Bareilles |  play_arrow | Sophisticated vocal work and an urban sou... |
| 81south_east | Too MuchSpice Girls |  play_arrow | Refreshing vocals and stylish musicality… |
| 82south_east | London CallingThe Clash |  play_arrow | A legend as a classic rock band... |
| 83south_east | DreamsThe Cranberries |  play_arrow | Women of this generation can’t help but go, “Yeah, yeah,”… |
| 84south_east | Lean On Me ft. Mary J. Blige, Bono, The Family, R. Kelly, Crystal LewisKirk Franklin |  play_arrow | You can rely on me—you can lean on my shoulder… |
| 85south_east | We Are The WorldUSA For Africa |  play_arrow | For the relief of worsening hunger in Africa... |
| 86south_east | Every teardrop is a waterfallColdplay |  play_arrow | If they can help it, no one wants to shed tears… |
| 87south_east | Just oneHoobastank |  play_arrow | Life doesn’t always go the way you want… |
| 88east | Sunny Day SundaySenchimentaru Basu |  play_arrow | Tied up with the “Pocari Sweat” commercial... |
| 89east | Goodbye, TearsSakamoto Kyu |  play_arrow | This piercing singing voice, those straight, soaring high notes. Wha… |
| 90east | I Have A DreamABBA |  play_arrow | A discotheque-style pop sound that lingers in your ears... |
| 91east | The SignAce of Base |  play_arrow | The dubby sound style accentuates the laid-back vibe… |
| 92east | Baby BoyBeyoncé |  play_arrow | Powerful vocal sensibilities and rhythm and bl... |
| 93east | Chain ReactionDiana Ross |  play_arrow | Renowned as a charismatic figure in disco-soul and dazzlingly glamorous... |
| 94east | Doing It WrongDrake Ft Stevie Wonder |  play_arrow | Tracks included on Drake's “Take Care” |
| 95east | Save MyselfEd Sheeran |  play_arrow | Ed Sheeran sings about the importance of self-care |
| 96east | Without YouHarry Nilsson |  play_arrow | A Badfinger song was covered |
| 97east | ChandelierSia |  play_arrow | Sia's 2014 smash hit |
| 98east | Eleanor RigbyThe Beatles |  play_arrow | The Beatles’ theme song of loneliness |
| 99east | TonightLykke Li |  play_arrow | Lykke Li, sad and captivating music |
| 100east | Hey YouPink Floyd |  play_arrow | Included on Pink Floyd’s 1979 album The Wall |