[2026] Moving Western songs that touch the heart: A roundup of recommended classics

Viva La VidaColdplay

Coldplay – Viva La Vida (Official Video)

This song is widely used in Japan for everything from variety shows to all kinds of programs.

By now, the mass sing-along of the intro is arguably the biggest highlight of a Coldplay concert.

I really hope you’ll check out footage from festivals and the like for this track as well.

Somebody That I Used To KnowGotye feat. Kimbra

Gotye – Somebody That I Used To Know (feat. Kimbra) [Official Music Video]

Born in Belgium, Wally De Backer is an indie rock singer-songwriter who performs under the name Gotye.

This song, which samples the guitar break from Brazilian musician Luiz Bonfá’s track “Seville,” features vocals by New Zealand singer-songwriter Kimbra.

EverybodyJoan Shelley

Everybody

This is a song by Joan Shelley, a singer-songwriter from Louisville, Kentucky, whose serene folk sound has earned high praise from critics.

The piece explores themes of genuine warmth born from human touch and deep compassion for others.

Delicate acoustic guitar tones and a softly embracing saxophone create a sense of comfort, like talking by the fireside on a cold day.

The track comes from her album “Real Warmth,” slated for release in September 2025, and is the long-awaited follow-up to the acclaimed “The Spur,” which Uncut magazine ranked No.

2 in its Best of 2022.

On nights when you long for human connection, listening to these warm tones may help you remember precious feelings you’d nearly forgotten.

People WatchingSam Fender

Sam Fender – People Watching (Official Lyric Video)

Sam Fender, a popular singer-songwriter from the UK, has released a song imbued with feelings for a late friend.

Released in November 2024, the track sharply portrays memories with her and the transience of life.

Through experiences in a care facility and observations of people on the way home, it highlights the importance of human relationships.

It’s a song that showcases Fender’s deep emotions and exceptional songwriting abilities.

As the lead single from the album “People Watching,” it stands as an important work that marks his musical growth.

Highly recommended for listeners interested in the nuances of life and social issues.

CreepRadiohead

Radiohead – Creep

Needless to say, it’s a classic.

Hearing the four-on-the-floor count-in before this song kicks in makes fans thrilled.

Until last year, the band had declared this song off-limits, making it one of those tracks you wanted to hear but couldn’t.

Now that it’s been brought back, any fan would be on the verge of fainting.

Bad DayDaniel Powter

Daniel Powter – Bad Day (Official Music Video) [HD]

It’s a song that’s well-known in Japan too.

It’s been used countless times as background music, and on Japanese TV shows it’s usually played during the moving scenes of Unbelievable’s emotional reenactment dramas.

Daniel Powter practically conquered the world with this song, and I think you’ll understand its persuasive power once you listen to it.

Heavens SirensDavid Kushner

David Kushner – Heavens Sirens (Official Lyric Video)

This is a song by David Kushner, a singer-songwriter from Chicago, USA, whose intense emotional expression and gothic atmosphere stir the soul.

After going viral on TikTok, he gained worldwide attention, and in 2023 he won the Grand Prize at the International Songwriting Competition with his masterpiece “Daylight.” Released in July 2025 as a non-album single, this work, as the artist himself describes, strongly reflects his own psychological struggles and his lament over a chaotic world.

The heart-wrenching story, delivered in his deep baritone voice, feels imbued with a desperate prayer for salvation.

Listen to it on nights when you want to confront your inner self, or when you’re burdened by unspoken anxiety, and it will quietly stay by your side.