Tear-jerking Western songs: recommended classics and popular tracks

Stay ft. Mikky EkkoRihanna

Rihanna – Stay ft. Mikky Ekko

How about a heart-shaking ballad in which Rihanna, the songstress from Barbados, lays bare her vulnerability? Featured on her 2012 album Unapologetic and released as a single the following year, it pairs her with American artist Mikky Ekko to sing of aching emotions over a simple arrangement of piano and sparse strings.

The song conveys the turmoil of wanting someone even while knowing the relationship may be falling apart, and the desperate wish for them to stay by your side.

Many will be moved to tears by her trembling vocals, so different from her usual strong persona.

The understated performance she delivered at the 2013 Grammy Awards in February also became a talking point.

It’s the perfect song to listen to on a night when you don’t want to see anyone—soak in the bath and let the quiet tears fall.

Better DaysOneRepublic

OneRepublic – Better Days (Audio)

This is a song by OneRepublic, a pop-rock band formed in Colorado, USA, known for captivating the world with their catchy melodies.

It was created in March 2020, right after the World Health Organization declared a pandemic, while the band members were actually living in isolation.

Featured on the album “Human,” the track conveys a warm message of hope: no matter how hard things are now, better days will surely come.

It was also used as a campaign song by the car manufacturers Jeep and Fiat, offering support to many people.

It’s recommended for those weary of uncertain days who want someone to gently be by their side.

Let yourself cry it all out—you’ll likely find the strength to face tomorrow.

When You’re GoneAvril Lavigne

Avril Lavigne – When You’re Gone (Official Video)

It powerfully sings of the unbearable loneliness after a loved one leaves and the growing heartache when you see the clothes left behind in the room.

This is a signature ballad by Canadian singer-songwriter Avril Lavigne.

Included on her 2007 album “The Best Damn Thing,” it begins with a piano melody and gradually builds as strings layer in, creating a sweeping progression that brings tears to your eyes.

In Japan, it drew attention as the song used in Toyota’s Alphard commercial, and overseas it was featured on MTV’s “The Hills.” With over 500 million views on YouTube, this track is one to listen to when you’re grieving a breakup or on nights when you want to let all your emotions out.

Her straightforward vocals truly resonate with the heart.

The One That Got AwayKaty Perry

Katy Perry – The One That Got Away (Official Music Video)

A deep regret over past love tightly grips the heart with a poignant ache.

It’s a song by American singer-songwriter Katy Perry.

Included on the classic 2010 album Teenage Dream, it became the sixth single from the record and started hitting big around October 2011, peaking at No.

3 in the U.S.

Looking back on the passionate days of youth, it sings of the sorrowful what-ifs—“What if I had made a different choice back then?” The tie-in video with the popular game The Sims 3: Showtime also drew attention.

Its story, where joyful memories intersect with a present sense of loss, will deeply resonate with anyone bearing the pain of heartbreak.

It’s recommended for nights when you want to quietly shed a tear alone.

Alone AgainGilbert O’Sullivan

Gilbert O’Sullivan – Alone Again (original version)

Gilbert O’Sullivan, who works as a singer-songwriter, is an artist particularly famous for this number.

However, the lyrics sung in this song are extremely heavy, expressing life’s hardships in stark contrast to its light, breezy melody.

One could say that the charm of pop music lies in its ability to convey heartfelt, deeply felt emotions hidden inside through a familiar, accessible tune.

Without YouMariah Carey

Mariah Carey – Without You (Official Lyric Video)

This work is a masterful rendition of a classic 1970s rock ballad, delivered on a grand scale by Mariah Carey.

Released as a single from her third album, Music Box, in January 1994, it spent four consecutive weeks at No.

1 in the UK and also topped the charts across Europe, including Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.

The lyrics portray deep grief and a heartfelt longing for a loved one, powerfully conveyed through her phenomenal vocal range and expressive delivery.

The surging emotion leading into the chorus, together with the dramatic soundscape woven by orchestra and piano, leaves a profound impact on listeners.

It’s a song I recommend when you want to reaffirm your feelings for someone important or when you’re in the mood for a moving, soul-stirring ballad.

BADU2

BAD – U2

A track included on “The Unforgettable Fire,” released following “War,” the album that catapulted U2 to fame.

In contrast to the dynamic previous record, this album features many introspective songs that invite contemplation, and on this track Bono’s quietly impassioned vocal delivery is absolutely stunning.