Classic Western songs with tear-jerking lyrics. Heartfelt message songs from around the world.

With Western music, it’s easy to imagine the lyrics’ content based solely on the mood of the song, but once you look up the meaning, you’ll often find a world far deeper than you expected.

This time, I’ve gathered songs with lyrics that are especially moving.

Looking for translated versions is fine, but I also recommend decoding them yourself with a dictionary in hand—it deepens your understanding.

Playlist

Classic Western songs with tear-jerking lyrics. Heartfelt message songs from around the world.
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Thinking Out LoudEd Sheeran		A masterpiece whose heartfelt lyrics move you
2	Just The Way You AreBruno Mars		The captivating singing voice of Bruno Mars
3	See You Again ft. Charlie PuthWiz Khalifa		A moving ballad that sings of friendship and the hope of reunion
4	I Want It That WayBackstreet Boys		Hit songs by the Backstreet Boys
5	You & IJohn Legend		A moving, heart-touching classic of Western music
6	I Don’t Want to Miss a ThingAerosmith		A love song, I don't want to miss a single moment.
7	Fix YouColdplay		A gemlike ballad filled with deep love and sorrow
8	Young and BeautifulLana Del Rey		Singing of the beauty and fragility of love that transcends time
9	drivers licenseOlivia Rodrigo		An emotional song that vividly portrays the pain of heartbreak.
10	My Heart Will Go OnCéline Dion		Titanic theme song, a famous masterpiece that sings of love
11	All of MeJohn Legend		A moving song that sings of unconditional love
12	Don’t Look Back In AngerOasis		Oasis’s classic anthem, a message of hope and solidarity
13	Apologize ft. OneRepublicTimbaland		A poignant ballad of regret and reconciliation, a worldwide hit
14	One Call AwayCharlie Puth		A masterpiece that sings of unconditional support for a loved one
15	PerfectEd Sheeran		A heartwarming ballad that sings of true love
16	You Gotta Be (’99 Mix)Des’ree		An iconic song that sings of life's courage, a song of hope
17	Scars To Your BeautifulAlessia Cara		An inspiring song that challenges beauty standards
18	Chasing CarsSnow Patrol		Resonates in the heart with universal music that weaves love
19	Yesterday Once MoreCarpenters		A song of love and nostalgia for old-time music
20	Viva La VidaColdplay		Coldplay's beautiful song is moving.
21	Better DaysOneRepublic		A masterpiece that sings of hope amid the pandemic
22	Some DreamsSteve Earle		A powerful song that sings of Steve A.'s dreams
23	Heal The WorldMichael Jackson		Michael Jackson's wish for world peace
24	Unconditional loveCyndi Lauper		Unconditional love, a classic by Cyndi Lauper
25	LoveJohn Lennon		John Lennon's love songs influenced by Basho’s haiku collection
26	What Makes You BeautifulOne Direction		A boy band that sings heart-touching love songs
27	We are the WorldUSA For Africa		Iconic songs by stars wishing for world peace
28	A Thousand YearsChristina Perri		A moving song that sings of eternal love
29	Angels CryMariah Carey		An earnest desire to repair a relationship on the verge of breaking
30	DesperadoThe Eagles		A song that gives me a push to regain my sense of self
31	Because the NightPatti Smith		Patti Smith’s iconic song, sung with passionate intensity
32	How Do I Say GoodbyeDean Lewis		A song depicting the loss of love and thoughts toward family
33	Seasons of LoveIdina Menzel, Rent Cast		If you look at the world through love, your values will change.
34	ChiquititaABBA		ABBA's song “Chiquitita” is an encouraging song.
35	On lâche rienHK & Les Saltimbanks		An anti-war song from France that criticizes society
36	What’s Going OnMarvin Gaye		A soul classic depicting the impact of the Vietnam War
37	F**kin’ PerfectP!nk		A powerful, big-sisterly message song in pink
38	I Will Always Love YouWhitney Houston		The hit song from the movie “The Bodyguard.”
39	Who’ll Stop The RainCreedence Clearwater Revival		A classic CCR song, music that criticizes war
40	Good DaysSZA		From the darkness of emotions to the light, a song of hope
41	emails i can’t sendSabrina Carpenter		Introduction to a song about unspoken feelings
42	Wish You The BestLewis Capaldi		Lewis Capaldi's heartrending breakup song
43	El Derecho de Vivir en PazVictor Jara		Chilean singer Jara’s prayer for peace
44	HonestyBilly Joel		Billy Joel’s famous song that sings about honesty
45	Born This WayLady Gaga		Lady Gaga’s support for diversity and human rights
46	Easy On MeAdele		Adele’s emotional ballad depicts life
47	It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to YesterdayBoyz II Men		Parting with a loved one and the pain in the heart
48	Goodbye Yellow Brick RoadElton John		Yearning for the city and nostalgia for one’s hometown among those from the provinces
49	Oh MotherChristina Aguilera		A moving masterpiece that portrays family bonds and honors a mother’s courage
50	Coat of Many ColorsDolly Parton		A classic song that sings about family love amid poverty
51	While my guitar gently weepsThe Beatles		A classic song by George Harrison about farewell
52	SmileCharles Chaplin		The tragicomic theme song of Modern Times
53	Make You Feel My LoveAdele		Moved by intuition and singing at the moment of meeting
54	Open ArmsMariah Carey		A song of embracing love that conveys a message of life.
55	White horseTaylor Swift		Taylor Swift's classic song about heartbreak
56	Redemption SongBob Marley		A Bob Marley song imbued with a message of hope