RAG MusicEmotion
A wonderful, moving song

Moving Western songs: classic and popular tracks among the world’s most emotional songs.

Unlike Japanese music, one of the advantages of Western music is that you can be moved by the mood of the melody even if you don’t know the lyrics.

This time, I’ve selected Western songs that are especially moving.

In the first half, I’ve prioritized commercially successful works and well-known tracks.

In the second half, I’ve gathered truly moving Western masterpieces, regardless of their popularity or commercial scale.

If you’re well-versed in Western music, you’ll likely encounter masterpieces you haven’t heard before in the latter half—so be sure to check them out!

Playlist

Moving Western songs: classic and popular tracks among the world’s most emotional songs.
show_chartTitlePlaylistReview
1When I Was Your ManBruno Mars
When I Was Your ManBruno Marsplay_arrow
Depicting heartbreak in a Bruno Mars classic
2See You Again ft. Charlie PuthWiz Khalifa
See You Again ft. Charlie PuthWiz Khalifaplay_arrow
The moving theme song celebrating friendship, 'See You Again'
3HelloAdele
HelloAdeleplay_arrow
Adele’s masterpiece “Hello” resonates with the heart.
4Lose You To Love MeSelena Gomez
Lose You To Love MeSelena Gomezplay_arrow
Selena's moving pop ballad
5Your PowerBillie Eilish
Your PowerBillie Eilishplay_arrow
Accusing abuse of power in 'Your Power'
6Lost On YouLP
Lost On YouLPplay_arrow
A masculine lesbian singer’s LGBTQ love song
7Stay With MeSam Smith
Stay With MeSam Smithplay_arrow
Sam Smith 'Stay with Me' — a moving love song
8High HopesPanic! At The Disco
High HopesPanic! At The Discoplay_arrow
Panic! At The Disco's classic song
9CarusoLucio Dalla
CarusoLucio Dallaplay_arrow
An Italian classic, a story of deep love
10AfterglowEd Sheeran
AfterglowEd Sheeranplay_arrow
Singing of growing love and the beauty of the seasons
11Concavo Y convexoDiego El Cigala
Concavo Y convexoDiego El Cigalaplay_arrow
The king of flamenco, a moving musical work
12Someone You LovedLewis Capaldi
Someone You LovedLewis Capaldiplay_arrow
A profound sense of loss and sorrow for a love that was lost
13Anywhere Away from HereRag’n’Bone Man & P!nk
Anywhere Away from HereRag’n’Bone Man & P!nkplay_arrow
Rag'n'Bone Man and Pink's hit song
14Eblouie par la nuitZAZ
Eblouie par la nuitZAZplay_arrow
The famous song by ZAZ, France’s most popular female singer
15Feeling GoodNina Simone
Feeling GoodNina Simoneplay_arrow
Nina Simone’s moving masterpiece
16Amiga MiaAlejandro Sanz
Amiga MiaAlejandro Sanzplay_arrow
Spanish popular singer, Grammy-winning musician
17I Love U in MePrince
I Love U in MePrinceplay_arrow
Prince, a genius artist of love and music
18What a Wonderful WorldLouis Amstrong
What a Wonderful WorldLouis Amstrongplay_arrow
The World of Louis Armstrong’s Masterpieces
19No Habrá Nadie En El MundoBuika
No Habrá Nadie En El MundoBuikaplay_arrow
A songstress who fuses flamenco and jazz
20Hymne A L’amourÉdith Piaf
Hymne A L'amourÉdith Piafplay_arrow
Édith Piaf’s classic song, Hymn to Love
21MirrorsJustin Tinberlake
MirrorsJustin Tinberlakeplay_arrow
A song with lyrics as captivating as a mirror
22Sign of the TimesHarry Styles
Sign of the TimesHarry Stylesplay_arrow
Harry Styles' mature first solo song
23CupsAnna Kendrick
CupsAnna Kendrickplay_arrow
Anna Kendrick's 'Cups' is a big hit
24Bad DayDaniel Powter
Bad DayDaniel Powterplay_arrow
The power of music to heal the heart on a sad day
25I Don’t Want to Miss a ThingAerosmith
I Don't Want to Miss a ThingAerosmithplay_arrow
The moving theme song of Armageddon
26Teardrops On My GuitarTaylor Swift
Teardrops On My GuitarTaylor Swiftplay_arrow
Focus on Taylor’s early country songs
27You Belong With MeTaylor Swift
You Belong With MeTaylor Swiftplay_arrow
A bright and uplifting love story about a girl with a one-sided crush
28Take On Mea-ha
Take On Mea-haplay_arrow
A-ha’s iconic love song, Take On Me
29Lightning BoltJake Bugg
Lightning BoltJake Buggplay_arrow
Jake Bugg’s enigmatic track “Lightning Bolt”
30It Will RainBruno Mars
It Will RainBruno Marsplay_arrow
A bittersweet breakup song by a Michael-style singer
31Rather BeClean Bandit
Rather BeClean Banditplay_arrow
Clean Bandit, a journey through Tokyo for their music video
32Love Is A Losing GameAmy Winehouse
Love Is A Losing GameAmy Winehouseplay_arrow
Amy’s plaintive voice and the agony of love
33Thinking Out LoudEd Sheeran
Thinking Out LoudEd Sheeranplay_arrow
Ed Sheeran’s song of pure love
34Can’t Be TamedMiley Cyrus
Can't Be TamedMiley Cyrusplay_arrow
A former child actress who is forging ahead on a sexy path
35SugerMaroon 5
SugerMaroon 5play_arrow
A love song that’s trending thanks to a music video featuring everyday people
36I Can’t Make You Love MeBonnie Raitt
I Can't Make You Love MeBonnie Raittplay_arrow
A poignant story of a woman yearning for a lost love
37HeroMariah Carey
HeroMariah Careyplay_arrow
A song about realizing your inner strength
38Let Her GoPassenger
Let Her GoPassengerplay_arrow
A classic song that sings about the importance you don’t realize until you’ve lost it
39You Raise Me UpCeltic Woman
You Raise Me UpCeltic Womanplay_arrow
Celtic ballad from a Mitsubishi commercial song
40Cruel SummerTaylor Swift
Cruel SummerTaylor Swiftplay_arrow
A classic song that portrays the joys and pains of summer romance
41One Call AwayCharlie Puth
One Call AwayCharlie Puthplay_arrow
A masterpiece that sings of unconditional support for a loved one
42Someone Like YouAdele
Someone Like YouAdeleplay_arrow
A heartbreaking breakup song shakes my heart
43BeautifulChristina Aguilera
BeautifulChristina Aguileraplay_arrow
Female vocal, an emotionally rich classic
44Don’t know whyNorah Jones
Don't know whyNorah Jonesplay_arrow
A Norah Jones song with a gentle tone
45UP&UPColdplay
UP&UPColdplayplay_arrow
A song about overcoming Coldplay’s trials
46GhostsMichael Jackson
GhostsMichael Jacksonplay_arrow
Explanation of Michael Jackson's classic song 'Ghosts'
47PhotographEd Sheeran
PhotographEd Sheeranplay_arrow
Ed Sheeran’s long-distance love anthem resonates with the heart.
48I’m YoursJason Mraz
I’m YoursJason Mrazplay_arrow
A masterpiece whose acoustic guitar tones soothe the loneliness of summer
49EmotionsMariah Carey
EmotionsMariah Careyplay_arrow
The moving singing voice of Mariah Carey
50Young FolksPeter Bjorn & John
Young FolksPeter Bjorn & Johnplay_arrow
Expressing feelings of love through whistling and a soothing voice
51Viva La VidaColdplay
Viva La VidaColdplayplay_arrow
The grand kingly sorrow of Coldplay
52Lover, You Should’ve Come OverJeff Buckley
Lover, You Should've Come OverJeff Buckleyplay_arrow
A beautiful ballad of young Buckley’s regret and love
53WonderwallOasis
WonderwallOasisplay_arrow
A heart seeking salvation, a wish upon the Wall of Miracles
54My Heart Will Go OnCéline Dion
My Heart Will Go OnCéline Dionplay_arrow
Titanic theme song, a famous masterpiece that sings of love
55I Will Always Love YouWhitney Houston
I Will Always Love YouWhitney Houstonplay_arrow
The smash hit song “I Will Always Love You.”
56drivers licenseOlivia Rodrigo
drivers licenseOlivia Rodrigoplay_arrow
A moving coming-of-age song that portrays the pain of heartbreak.
57Firestone ft. Conrad SewellKygo
Firestone ft. Conrad SewellKygoplay_arrow
A classic song that sings of summer love and deep feelings
58Fix YouColdplay
Fix YouColdplayplay_arrow
A gemlike ballad filled with deep love and sorrow
59All of MeJohn Legend
All of MeJohn Legendplay_arrow
A moving song that sings of unconditional love
60Young and BeautifulLana Del Rey
Young and BeautifulLana Del Reyplay_arrow
Singing of the beauty and fragility of love that transcends time
61Don’t Look Back In AngerOasis
Don't Look Back In AngerOasisplay_arrow
Oasis’s classic anthem, a message of hope and solidarity
62Good DaysSZA
Good DaysSZAplay_arrow
From the darkness of emotions to the light, a song of hope
63Apologize ft. OneRepublicTimbaland
Apologize ft. OneRepublicTimbalandplay_arrow
A poignant ballad of regret and reconciliation, a worldwide hit
64When You’re GoneAvril Lavigne
When You're GoneAvril Lavigneplay_arrow
Avril Lavigne’s classic song about longing
65Best Friend50 Cent
Best Friend50 Centplay_arrow
A hip-hop track tied in with a movie
66Just the Way You AreBilly Joel
Just the Way You AreBilly Joelplay_arrow
A popular American song is used in a car commercial.
67Sometimes I CryEric Benét
Sometimes I CryEric Benétplay_arrow
Poignant lyrics of a sexy heartbreak song
68Tears In HeavenEric Clapton
Tears In HeavenEric Claptonplay_arrow
A mournful tribute song to my son
69You’ve got a friendJames Taylor
You've got a friendJames Taylorplay_arrow
A masterpiece of friendship and music, featuring the charm of warm, heartfelt vocals.
70This One’s For The GIrlsMartina McBride
This One's For The GIrlsMartina McBrideplay_arrow
Country singer Martina’s voice of love
71Far AwayNickelback
Far AwayNickelbackplay_arrow
A masterpiece that sings of unconditional love for a specific person
72Hey There DelilahPLAIN WHITE T’S
Hey There DelilahPLAIN WHITE T'Splay_arrow
A popular song about a long-distance relationship
73It’s A Beautiful DayQueen
It’s A Beautiful DayQueenplay_arrow
A moving musical tale that feels alive
74Take a bowRihanna
Take a bowRihannaplay_arrow
A song about a woman who hides the pain of infidelity and lives strongly
75Baby IAriana Grande
Baby IAriana Grandeplay_arrow
The enchanting song of the little songstress Ariana
76Get Up Stand UpBob Marley
Get Up Stand UpBob Marleyplay_arrow
The god of reggae sings of peace and freedom.
77Cry Me A RiverElla Fitzgerald
Cry Me A RiverElla Fitzgeraldplay_arrow
The story of a classic song that sings of a sad farewell.
78I Won’t Let You DownOK Go
I Won't Let You DownOK Goplay_arrow
Music video shot in Japan, featuring Perfume
79The Only ExceptionParamore
The Only ExceptionParamoreplay_arrow
An emotional love song by Paramore that resonates with the heart
80FeverPeggy Lee
FeverPeggy Leeplay_arrow
A sexy and cool classic by Peggy Lee
81MeanTaylor Swift
MeanTaylor Swiftplay_arrow
Taylor Swift's early country songs
82Rolling in the DeepAdele
Rolling in the DeepAdeleplay_arrow
A heartbreak song filled with anger and sorrow
83Moon RiverAudrey Hepburn
Moon RiverAudrey Hepburnplay_arrow
The Allure of “Moon River” and the Film’s Imagery
84I Want It That WayBackstreet Boys
I Want It That WayBackstreet Boysplay_arrow
Backstreet Boys’ classic hit moves people around the world
85Beautiful ThingsBenson Boone
Beautiful ThingsBenson Booneplay_arrow
A moving song that depicts beauty and gratitude
86LighthouseCalum Scott
LighthouseCalum Scottplay_arrow
Calum Scott's moving new song
87I’ll BeCéline Dion
I'll BeCéline Dionplay_arrow
A song by Celine Dion that sings about feelings of love
88Castle on the HillEd Sheeran
Castle on the HillEd Sheeranplay_arrow
A moving song portraying love for one’s hometown and youthful days
89IrisGoo Goo Dolls
IrisGoo Goo Dollsplay_arrow
The earnest longing of an angel who chooses love with a human
90All Girls Are The SameJuice WRLD
All Girls Are The SameJuice WRLDplay_arrow
An emotional song that sings about the pain of heartbreak
91Lucid DreamsJuice WRLD
Lucid DreamsJuice WRLDplay_arrow
Juice WRLD’s masterpiece that depicts the pain of heartbreak
92Wish You The BestLewis Capaldi
Wish You The BestLewis Capaldiplay_arrow
A poignant classic by a Scottish singer is popular.
93Quantum FluxNorthlane
Quantum FluxNorthlaneplay_arrow
Australian experimental metal band, Northlane
94Counting StarsOneRepublic
Counting StarsOneRepublicplay_arrow
OneRepublic singing of the courage and hope of a journey
95Good LifeOneRepublic
Good LifeOneRepublicplay_arrow
A pleasant travel melody that makes you feel happy
96Scar TissueRed Hot Chili Peppers
Scar TissueRed Hot Chili Peppersplay_arrow
A moving masterpiece that depicts hope for renewal
97Love Is A StillnessSam Smith
Love Is A StillnessSam Smithplay_arrow
A ballad that depicts Sam Smith’s gentle love
98My Mind & MeSelena Gomez
My Mind & MeSelena Gomezplay_arrow
Selena Gomez’s moving song
99There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me BackShawn Mendes
There's Nothing Holdin' Me BackShawn Mendesplay_arrow
Shawn Mendes's hit song that depicts the feelings of love
100My HeroineSilverstein
My HeroineSilversteinplay_arrow
An emo band from Canada, emotionally rich music
101Chasing CarsSnow Patrol
Chasing CarsSnow Patrolplay_arrow
Resonates in the heart with universal music that weaves love
102You’re BeautifulJames Blunt
You're BeautifulJames Bluntplay_arrow
A famous song used in car commercials and movies
103Because of youKelly Clarkson
Because of youKelly Clarksonplay_arrow
A wistful tone, anger toward Kelly’s father
104I Really Like YouCarly Rae Jepsen
I Really Like YouCarly Rae Jepsenplay_arrow
Tom Hanks’s ecstatic dance in the music video for a smash hit song
105Wake Me Up Before You Go-GoWham!
Wake Me Up Before You Go-GoWham!play_arrow
Beloved across generations as a Christmas song
106On Top of the WorldImagine Drago
On Top of the WorldImagine Dragoplay_arrow
A refreshing track that captures the exhilaration of travel
107LaylaEric Clapton
LaylaEric Claptonplay_arrow
Eric Clapton’s iconic, moving song
108Story of My LifeOne Direction
Story of My LifeOne Directionplay_arrow
A positive song that paves the way in life
109Leave Your LoverSam Smith
Leave Your LoverSam Smithplay_arrow
A masterpiece that sings of the bittersweet feelings of unrequited love.
110Sk8er BoiAvril Lavigne
Sk8er BoiAvril Lavigneplay_arrow
A classic anthem of youth: the rock of Avril Lavigne
111CreepRediohead
CreepRedioheadplay_arrow
Radiohead’s legendary song “Creep”
112I’m Not The Only OneSam Smith
I'm Not The Only OneSam Smithplay_arrow
Sam Smith’s masterpiece that sings about the sorrow of infidelity
113ChandelierSia
ChandelierSiaplay_arrow
A singer who sings about alcoholism