Tear-jerking Western songs: recommended classics and popular tracks

Bohemian RhapsodyQueen

Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody (Official Video Remastered)

This is a track that resonates like a grand, roughly six-minute tale, as if you’re watching a single film.

Created by Queen, the song’s structure is breathtaking as it whirls from a beautiful ballad to opera and then into fierce rock.

Yet behind its dramatic sound lies the anguished cry of a protagonist who regrets his sins and struggles against fate, tightening your chest with sorrow.

Released ahead of the landmark album A Night at the Opera in October 1975, it’s also known for its memorable use in the film Wayne’s World.

When you’re crushed by inescapable loneliness or despair, surrendering yourself to this vast sonic world will let emotions well up from the depths of your heart.

Yesterday Once MoreCarpenters

The Carpenters – Yesterday Once More (INCLUDES LYRICS)

Karen Carpenter can be considered a songstress who epitomized American pop music in the 1970s.

“Yesterday Once More” is a single the Carpenters released in 1973, and its lyrics express nostalgia for the oldies they used to hear on the radio.

No SurprisesRadiohead

Radiohead – No Surprises

Radiohead burst onto the music scene with Creep, a song charged with dark, fierce passion, and went on to establish a firm place in it.

No Surprises, which opens with a neat, elegant guitar phrase, is a calm and beautiful track.

Yet isn’t it fair to say that, like their early songs from their debut era, this piece also harbors a pale, inner flame of spirit?

At Last I Am FreeRobert Wyatt

Robert Wyatt – At Last I Am Free

The original is by Chic, known for numerous disco numbers, but for rock fans this version is the more familiar one.

Robert Wyatt is a long-standing artist active since the 1960s in the progressive scene.

Backed by a jazzy performance, his relaxed, soaring delivery on this song has made it one of the signature works of Robert Wyatt’s career.

Bridge over Troubled WaterSimon&Garfunkel

Simon and Garfunkel – Bridge Over Troubled Water

This is a classic song that became extremely famous in Japan under the title “Bridge Over Tomorrow.” Although it was released more than 40 years ago, it remains beloved by many people across generations.

Art Garfunkel’s gently conversational singing voice always encourages listeners and seems to invite them to set out into the wider world.

Comfortably NumbPink Floyd

Comfortably Numb

Among progressive rock giants, many fans would choose Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb” as the song that moves them to tears.

The undeniable highlight is David Gilmour’s guitar solo, which reaches its climax toward the end.

Lover, You Should’ve Come OverJeff Buckley

Jeff Buckley – Lover, You Should’ve Come Over (Official Video)

This is an achingly beautiful soul ballad left behind by the legendary American singer Jeff Buckley, who died far too young at 30.

It sings of the helpless regret and burning longing after a breakup.

If you’ve ever let go of someone precious because of youthful mistakes, you’ll likely find this song deeply relatable.

Wishing “I wanted you to come see me,” only to realize it’s too late—those feelings with nowhere to go are truly painful.

The track appears on the classic album Grace and was also featured in the drama FlashForward.

Even decades after its August 1994 release, it continues to move hearts.

On a quiet night when you want to be alone with your thoughts, you might let yourself sink into this heavenly voice.