When you’re hurting and feel like you want to disappear… timeless Western songs to listen to at times like these

The power of music is tremendous—sometimes just listening to a song when you’re feeling down can lift your spirits.

However, it’s rare to come across songs like that, and it’s not easy to find tracks that truly match your tastes.

In particular, I think Western music is harder to discover compared to Japanese music.

So this time, I’ve selected some classic Western songs for those moments when you’re struggling or feel like disappearing.

I’ve also included explanations of the lyrics, so even if you don’t understand English, you can still enjoy them without any trouble.

Please take your time and enjoy.

Playlist

When you’re hurting and feel like you want to disappear… timeless Western songs to listen to at times like these
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	MemoriesMaroon 5		Thankful for the memories, a requiem for the departed
2	Bad DayDaniel Powter		An iconic song that lifts you up on a down day
3	Wake Me UpAvicii		Avicii’s deeply moving, heart-touching masterpiece
4	Girl on FireAlicia Keys		A song that gives you the courage to overcome hardships
5	You’re BeautifulJames Blunt		A poignant song about unrequited love becomes a global hit
6	Fix YouColdplay		A hopeful song that heals sorrow, gently staying close to the heart
7	Fight SongRachel Platten		A song that encourages me and gives me the courage to move forward
8	PompeiiBastille		Bastille’s Pompeii depicts the struggles of life.
9	What a wonderful worldLouis Armstrong		A classic song that prays for peace and sings of the beauty of the world
10	StrongerKelly Clarkson		An encouraging song about growing stronger after heartbreak, “Stronger”
11	Counting StarsOneRepublic		A song that reexamines the anxieties of life
12	Wish You Were HereAvril Lavigne		A song by Avril Lavigne that resonates with the heart
13	Beautiful DayU2		U2’s masterpiece depicting hope and revival
14	Stand By MeBen E. King		A sense of security that comes with compassionate closeness
15	HeroMariah Carey		I’m a hero—let’s keep looking forward without giving up.
16	True ColorsCyndi Lauper		A song that sings about the importance of living true to yourself
17	Castle on the HillEd Sheeran		A moving song portraying love for one’s hometown and youthful days
18	BelieverImagine Dragons		A moving song by Imagine Dragons
19	Just Give Me A Reason ft. Nate RuessP!nk		Light of hope, a gemlike song that illuminates life
20	Boulevard Of Broken DreamsGreen Day		A classic song depicting disillusionment with the American Dream
21	F**kin’ PerfectP!nk		A powerful, big-sisterly message song in pink
22	Stressed Outtwenty one pilots		A heartfelt anthem for the soul that portrays anxieties about becoming an adult
23	Lose YourselfEminem		Eminem’s signature song “Lose Yourself”
24	The OutsideTaylor Swift		A song that sings about a lonely girl's heart
25	Born This WayLady Gaga		Let's accept ourselves as we are.
26	You Are Not AloneMichael Jackson		Michael Jackson’s soul-stirring masterpiece
27	How Soon Is Now?The Smiths		A song filled with empathy for marginalized people
28	Love Me MoreSam Smith		Encourage your heart with a Sam Smith song
29	Nothing Compares 2 USinéad O’Connor		The classic song composed by Prince, “Nothing Compares 2 U.”
30	Never Say Never ft. Jaden SmithJustin Bieber		Justin’s famous song that sings of an unyielding will to never give up
31	Rebel HeartMadonna		Madonna’s autobiographical heart-confession song
32	Another Lonely NightAdam Lambert		A bittersweet song that expresses the pain and loneliness of a broken heart
33	She Don’t Love YouEric Paslay		A heart-touching ballad about a disappointed woman
34	Simple ManKlaus Nomi		Nomi, the singer recognized by David Bowie
35	Lonely DaySystem Of A Down		A song about SOAD’s Daron and his sad past
36	So LonelyThe Police		A song that depicts the misery in Sting’s heart
37	WhateverOasis		Oasis’s classic song “Whatever,” which is free and comforting
38	FireworksMitski		A song of fireworks and sorrow by a New York-based singer
39	DriveThe Cars		A sad song contributes to aid for Africa
40	AlrightSam Fischer, Meghan Trainor		“Alright” is a cheer-up song for people who feel anxious.
41	Lucid DreamsJuice WRLD		Young rapper sings about the pain of heartbreak
42	Here I Go AgainWhitesnake		A moving song by Coverdale that sings of loneliness
43	HallelujahPentatonix		A Hallelujah song filled with gratitude and awe
44	Nessun DormaPlacido Domingo		A magnificent opera piece that delivers courage and inspiration.
45	Lonely AvenueRay Charles		Western music cover songs, early Beatles practice pieces
46	To ZionLauryn Hill		Lauryn Hill’s Maternal Love and Music
47	Blue MoonBeck		Music that leverages the characteristics of Beck’s songs
48	Alone AgainGilbert O’Sullivan		A sad classic by an Irish singer
49	Ave MariaLuciano Pavarotti		Healing masterpiece for the soul: Pavarotti singing Ave Maria
50	Only the Lonely (Know the Way I Feel)Roy Orbison		Roy Orbison’s classic song about loneliness
51	Alone I BreakKorn		An emotional ballad about cones
52	If I Were To DieWinona Oak		A work that expresses the vulnerability and affection of romantic love
53	Cool KidsEchosmith		A coming-of-age song by an indie pop band
54	FireworkKaty Perry		Believe in yourself and shine! Let your brilliance bloom like fireworks.
55	Dancing With MyselfBilly Idol		Dance of the dreamers in a hateful world
56	Spring Can Really Hang You Up The MostElla Fitzgerald		Ella Fitzgerald’s spring classic
57	Owner of a Lonely HeartYES		A hit song that portrays the paradox of loneliness
58	Fade Into YouMazzy Star		Within a fleeting, melancholic melody, a pang of longing and…
59	Old Man’s GraceNathan Evans		A heartwarming sea song that conveys the meaning of life
60	Away From The Sun3 Doors Down		Hit songs and classic albums by 3 Doors Down
61	Lonely BoyAndrew Gold		A child's loneliness felt upon the birth of a younger sister
62	You’ve Got a FriendCarole King		A classic that sings of friendship, music that soothes the soul
63	The LonelyChristina Perri		A moving song that sings of loneliness and pain
64	PaparazziEdward Maya x Carine		A song that portrays the relationship between celebrities' lives and the media
65	Are You Lonesome TonightElvis Presley		The classic hit song by Elvis that became a big success in 1960
66	Black GoldEsperanza		Esperanza’s jazz classic “Black Gold”
67	Best I Ever HadGary Allan		A love song filled with sorrow makes the top 10
68	I’M SO LONESOME I COULD CRYHank Williams		Signature songs that resonate with Williams’s heart
69	Everybody’s Got Somebody But MeHunter Hayes featuring Jason Mraz		A song of a lonely heart troubled by love
70	MétèqueJoeyStarr		When you’re feeling down, listen to something upbeat—especially hip-hop.
71	Breaking PointLogan Michael		An emotional song depicting the anguish of parting
72	My Love Mine All MineMitski		A beautiful ballad that sings of the essence of love
73	I Love U in MePrince		A timeless Prince song that heals the heart
74	Por amor al odioRafael Lechowski		A moving song by a rapper from Poland
75	Homeward BoundSimon&Garfunkel		The song Simon wrote in Brentwood
76	Eleanor RigbyThe Beatles		A masterpiece that portrays the stories of lonely people
77	Only The LonelyThe Motels		Hit song by the LA band The Motels
78	My WayThree Tenors		The Three Tenors’ “My Way” is moving.
79	Tonight We RideUNLEASH THE ARCHERS		A metal song perfect for people who want a boost of energy
80	Champs ElyséesZAZ		The famous song by the chanson singer Zaz
81	L’hymne A L’amourÉdith Piaf		Édith Piaf’s classic song “Hymn to Love”
82	Vete que te quieroBuika		An emotional song by the flamenco singer Buika
83	TrespassingAdam Lambert		Adam Lambert's uplifting songs
84	Move on UpCurtis Mayfield		Curtis Mayfield’s classic song
85	Need You NowLady Antebellum		A No.1 hit song that sings of love and growth
86	Foolish HeartSteve Perry		A classic song that sings of a lonely man's feelings
87	Eblouie par la nuitZAZ		The famous song by Zaz, a popular French singer
88	Feeling GoodNina Simone		Check out the uplifting classic 'Feeling Good'
89	All By MySelfEric Carmen		A famous piece inspired by Rachmaninoff that portrays the emotions of life