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.
- Stylish Western music: Chic hidden gems that only the in-the-know recognize make an appearance!
- [Trend] Emotional Western songs used on TikTok
- [Classic and Contemporary Hits] Emotionally Stirring, Heart-Touching Songs
- Emotional Western songs used on TikTok | Introduced from various genres
- Western pop music popular with Gen Z. Hit songs.
- Moving Western songs recommended for junior high school students: world classics and popular hits
- Enduring popularity! Classic emo songs in Western music
- A gentle song. A classic that calms the heart. A song that makes you feel kind.
- [2026] Trending Western Music: The Latest Hit Songs to Watch
- [For when you want to cry or feel sad] Tear-jerking masterpieces that make you cry when you listen
- Beautiful, lovely Western music. A roundup of recommended classic songs.
- [2026] Classic Western Songs Recommended for Junior High Students [English Songs]
- [2026] Best melancholic summer classics in Western music: recommended popular songs
Emotional Western Music Special | Picks from All Generations (31–40)
Hold My HandLady Gaga
Have you listened to Lady Gaga’s “Hold My Hand” yet? It’s a big hit not only overseas but in Japan as well.
She wrote the song for the film Top Gun: Maverick.
It matches the film’s poignant story and has captured many hearts.
Of course, the song itself is fantastic, so even if you haven’t seen the movie, I hope you’ll give it a listen.
And for fans of the film, the music video shot on the runway is a real highlight.
Thank You For The PatienceOld Flame
Old Frame, the new band formed by Johnny Craig, the charismatic singer from the post-hardcore scene.
The song they released in May 2024, hailing from the United States, is an emotional track that, as the title suggests, sings about the importance of perseverance and gratitude.
The more you listen, the more its profound message hits home, moving you to tears.
Its melody, overflowing with thankfulness for those who support us no matter what, is sure to resonate deeply.
After listening to this work, you’ll likely feel inspired to express your gratitude to the people who matter most to you.
I’m YoursJason Mraz
The light, airy arpeggios of an acoustic guitar pour down like rays of sunshine.
It’s a gem by American singer-songwriter Jason Mraz.
This piece sings, over a sound that weaves in comfortable elements of reggae and folk, of the resolve to offer one’s true self to a loved one and the joy of living in the present.
Released in May 2008, it set a then-record by staying on the Billboard Hot 100 for 76 consecutive weeks as the lead single from the album “We Sing.
We Dance.
We Steal Things.” In Japan, it became widely loved as the song for a Kirin Beer commercial.
It will gently stay by your side when your heart is weary or when you’re about to open a new door.
Needle And The Damage DoneNeil Young
Neil Young, a Canadian artist whose acoustic guitar arpeggios weave music that at times gently, at times sharply, pierces the heart.
The song he performed live in January 1971—said to have been written in about thirty minutes—contains, despite its delicate guitar lines, a searing cry born of witnessing a friend being consumed by drugs.
Within its brief running time, it condenses deep mourning for a life lost and a helpless sorrow toward an unchangeable reality, resonating heavily with the listener.
The piece was included on the landmark 1972 album Harvest and also released as the B-side to the single Old Man.
You can also experience his performance in the 2006 documentary film Heart of Gold and on the DVD of the 1971 television program The Johnny Cash Show.
It is a masterful rendition to hear when you want to touch upon the subtle nuances of deep emotion within an acoustic soundscape.
In My LifeThe Beatles
With a kaleidoscope-like shimmer, the melody that reflects fragments of memory is striking.
Featured on the Beatles’ legendary 1965 December release, the masterpiece Rubber Soul, this song is a gem in which John Lennon, in unadorned language, writes of his inexhaustible affection for the important people and places in his life.
George Martin’s baroque-style, graceful piano solo is justly famous, and the acoustic guitar arpeggios that delicately color the melody further deepen its nostalgic atmosphere.
Having set the tone for many moving scenes in films and TV dramas, it’s a piece that, when heard at life’s milestones, brings a swell of gratitude and tenderness for days gone by.
Emotional Western Music Special | Picks from All Generations (41–50)
Glimpse of UsJoji
Joji is a Japanese artist who’s active on the global stage.
“Glimpse of Us” is one of his signature songs.
On TikTok, videos using this track have gone viral, so many of you may have heard it there.
The song portrays the feelings of a man who has a new girlfriend but can’t forget his ex.
Its sound leans toward R&B, with a mellow, intimate vibe.
The biggest draw of this track is its lyrics, so be sure to listen while reading a Japanese-to-English translation.
What The Helljxdn
JDN is a singer-songwriter from the United States.
After building a presence on TikTok, he began his music career in 2020.
He’s known for songs that blend a variety of sounds, including pop punk and trap.
Among his work, this track—released in March 2024—has drawn particular attention for its emotional punch.
The lyrics leave a strong impression as they delve deeply into personal themes like heartbreak and self-discovery.
It’s also been discussed as a song that marks a shift from pop punk toward pop music.
If you’re struggling with parting ways with friends or figuring out how to face yourself, give it a listen.