Emotional Western Music Special | Handpicked from All Generations
“Emoi” has now become a mainstream expression in Japan.
We use it as if it’s obvious, but even when you just say “emoi,” it can cover a wide range of feelings.
For example, it can be nostalgic, or delicate and wistful…
This time, we selected Western songs with a focus on various shades of “emoi.”
From the latest hit songs to, in the latter part of the ranking, timeless classics known to those in the know, we’ve picked a broad range.
If you’d like to discover unexpectedly high-quality Western music, please take your time and read to the end.
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Emotional Western Music Special | Picks from All Generations (11–20)
When I Was Your ManBruno Mars
A poignant piano ballad that sings of heartbreak and regret.
Written from the perspective of a man who has lost his lover by American artist Bruno Mars, the song captures the complex emotions of regretting past mistakes while still wishing happiness for the other person.
Released in January 2013, it appears on the album “Unorthodox Jukebox” and became a worldwide hit, reaching No.
1 on the U.S.
Billboard charts.
With its simple piano accompaniment and powerful vocals, it’s recommended for those seeking to heal the pain of a broken heart or to reaffirm their feelings for someone special.
Lucid DreamsJuice WRLD
A song that candidly portrays the pain of heartbreak catapulted American artist Juice WRLD to stardom.
Known as a landmark of emo rap, the track deftly expresses the complex emotions that follow a breakup.
Its melody, which samples a song by Sting, amplifies the poignancy of the lyrics.
Released in May 2018, the song reached No.
2 on the Billboard chart.
It’s recommended for those seeking to heal from heartbreak or to confront their own emotions.
You’re sure to resonate with the depth of Juice WRLD’s emotional expression.
Sad ForeverLauren Spencer Smith
A heartfelt ballad crafted by Lauren Spencer Smith, a young singer-songwriter from Canada.
Featured on her October 2023 album “Mirror,” this track lays bare the inner turmoil that accompanies success.
Her powerful yet delicate vocals brilliantly capture the complex feeling of “I should be happy, but somehow I feel sad.” It’s a song that inspires the courage to face oneself in the age of social media.
Recommended for those who want to look inward and for anyone seeking music that stays close to the heart.
You Are EverythingThe stylistics
This is sudden, but are you familiar with a genre called Philly Soul? It’s a subgenre of soul music that originated in Philadelphia, characterized by a sweet atmosphere that hadn’t been heard before.
A representative song of Philly Soul is “You Are Everything,” a classic by the soul vocal group The Stylistics that portrays a loving couple.
The chorus melody is cute and incredibly emotional, so be sure to check it out.
I Love U in MePrince
Prince, the legendary singer-songwriter also renowned for his guitar playing, stood shoulder to shoulder with Michael Jackson in the 1980s thanks to his overwhelming musical prowess.
Among his works, one track that’s especially wrapped in an emo vibe is “I Love U in Me.” The title is tricky and hard to render directly into Japanese, but essentially it conveys something like “I cherish you as much as I do myself.” True to that title, the lyrics express profound affection for a loved one.
CompanyRickie Lee Jones
Rikki Lee Jones, an American singer-songwriter who captured the hearts of many listeners with her sentimental lyrics, had a turbulent childhood and repeatedly ran away from home during her teenage years.
Her song “Company” is said to center on a breakup with a man she met during that time.
He slipped into the cracks of a lonely girl’s heart—only for his absence to leave a wrenching sorrow, rendered beautifully in the melody.
Be sure to check out the Japanese translation as well.
Emotional Western Music Special | Picks from All Generations (21–30)
PhotographEd Sheeran
There’s a timeless song that accompanies those sentimental moments when you look back on summer memories alongside your photos.
It’s a track by Ed Sheeran, the globally renowned singer-songwriter from the UK.
Featured on the acclaimed album ‘×,’ which won British Album of the Year at the 2015 BRIT Awards, this folk-pop ballad was released as a single.
Centered on a long-distance relationship, it portrays a couple reaffirming their love through photographs.
The message—that even apart, hearts remain close—gently seeps in, carried by his soft vocals and acoustic sound.
The music video, which uses real home videos from his childhood, deepens the song’s warm yet bittersweet atmosphere and is truly moving.
As summer comes to an end, why not listen to it while thinking of someone special?