Tear-jerking Western breakup songs: recommended classics and popular hits
For some reason, when we’re heartbroken, we feel like listening to Western music, don’t we?
A lot of the lyrics are quite serious or even ruthless, but the melodies are always moving.
It’s okay even if you don’t understand the lyrics.
When you’re nursing a broken heart, try listening to this list.
- Hidden gems of breakup songs in Western music. Recommended popular tracks.
- Top Western Breakup Songs [2026]
- [2026] Western breakup songs: tear-jerking tracks to listen to when love ends
- Recommended male heartbreak songs in Western music. World-famous classics and popular tracks.
- Unrequited love breakup songs from Western music. World-famous classics and popular hits.
- [2026] Heartbreaking English-language breakup songs sung by women: Tear-jerking breakup tracks to discover
- A Tearful Farewell Song: A Love Song About Parting with Someone You Love
- [Heartbreak Songs] A selection of poignant love songs that pierce the heart of those with unrequited love
- Songs to Play at My Own Funeral: Timeless Gems to Make Farewells Uniquely My Own
- Just listening makes my chest tighten... Breakup songs recommended for the Yutori generation
- Breakup songs by Western bands. World-famous classics and popular tracks.
- Breakup songs sung by female Western artists. World-famous classics and popular tracks.
- Breakup songs in Western music that I want to sing at karaoke: world classics and popular hits
Tear-jerking Western breakup songs: recommended classics and popular tracks (11–20)
Time After TimeCyndi Lauper
It was included on American singer-songwriter Cyndi Lauper’s 1983 album “She’s So Unusual.” Released as a single the following year, the song reached No.
1 on the U.S.
charts.
Today, it has become a standard covered by many artists across genres.
Kissing a FoolGeorge Michael
This piece really showcases how good a singer George Michael is.
This chic, jazz-tinged track dates from 1988.
Its sophisticated feel makes it seem almost like a jazz standard, but it was actually written and composed by George himself.
The lyrics perfectly fit the theme of a tear-jerking breakup song.
Heartbreak AnniversaryGiveon
This is a breakup song sung by Giveon, marked by a bittersweet vocal delivery and a melody that resonates deeply.
It portrays the protagonist’s pain on the anniversary of a breakup with delicate emotional nuance, moving listeners’ hearts.
Released in March 2020, the track quickly dominated the charts and received high acclaim, including a nomination for Best R&B Performance at the 2021 Grammy Awards.
Anyone who has felt the sting of heartbreak that clings tighter the more you try to forget will surely relate to this song.
Somebody That I Used To KnowGotye
An Australian singer-songwriter, and at the 55th Grammy Awards this song won Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.
It is said that the song was created alone in a home studio.
Gotta Go My Own WayHigh School Musical 2
A song from the sequel to the Disney Channel Original Movie, High School Musical.
It is sung in the scene where Gabriella, played by Vanessa Hudgens, leaves Troy, played by Zac Efron, after they grow apart.