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		Alicia Keys’ powerful song about overcoming adversity
5	Fix YouColdplay		A hopeful song that heals sorrow, gently staying close to the heart
6	You’re BeautifulJames Blunt		A poignant song about unrequited love becomes a global hit
7	PompeiiBastille		Bastille’s Pompeii depicts the struggles of life.
8	What a wonderful worldLouis Armstrong		A classic song that prays for peace and sings of the beauty of the world
9	StrongerKelly Clarkson		An encouraging song about growing stronger after heartbreak, “Stronger”
10	Beautiful DayU2		U2’s masterpiece depicting hope and revival
11	Fight SongRachel Platten		A song that encourages me and gives me the courage to move forward
12	Wish You Were HereAvril Lavigne		A song by Avril Lavigne that resonates with the heart
13	Counting StarsOneRepublic		A song that reexamines the anxieties of life
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	BelieverImagine Dragons		A moving song by Imagine Dragons
17	Just Give Me A Reason ft. Nate RuessP!nk		Light of hope, a gemlike song that illuminates life
18	Castle on the HillEd Sheeran		A moving song portraying love for one’s hometown and youthful days
19	True ColorsCyndi Lauper		A song that sings about the importance of living true to yourself
20	Stressed Outtwenty one pilots		A heartfelt anthem for the soul that portrays anxieties about becoming an adult
21	Boulevard Of Broken DreamsGreen Day		A classic song depicting disillusionment with the American Dream
22	F**kin’ PerfectP!nk		A powerful, big-sisterly message song in pink
23	You Are Not AloneMichael Jackson		Michael Jackson’s soul-stirring masterpiece
24	Lose YourselfEminem		Eminem’s signature song “Lose Yourself”
25	The OutsideTaylor Swift		A song that sings about a lonely girl's heart
26	How Soon Is Now?The Smiths		A song filled with empathy for marginalized people
27	Born This WayLady Gaga		Let's accept ourselves as we are.
28	Love Me MoreSam Smith		When my heart feels like it's about to break, Sam Smith's songs keep me going.
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	Another Lonely NightAdam Lambert		A bittersweet song that expresses the pain and loneliness of a broken heart
32	She Don’t Love YouEric Paslay		A heart-touching ballad about a disappointed woman
33	Lonely DaySystem Of A Down		A song about SOAD’s Daron and his sad past
34	WhateverOasis		Oasis’s classic song “Whatever,” which is free and comforting
35	AlrightSam Fischer, Meghan Trainor		“Alright” is a cheer-up song for people who feel anxious.
36	Lucid DreamsJuice WRLD		Young rapper sings about the pain of heartbreak
37	Rebel HeartMadonna		Madonna’s autobiographical heart-confession song
38	FireworksMitski		A song of fireworks and sorrow by a New York-based singer
39	Alone I BreakKorn		The American nu metal band Korn...
40	So LonelyThe Police		A song that depicts the misery in Sting’s heart
41	DriveThe Cars		A sad song contributes to aid for Africa
42	Here I Go AgainWhitesnake		A moving song by Coverdale that sings of loneliness
43	Alone AgainGilbert O’Sullivan		A sad classic by an Irish singer
44	Only the Lonely (Know the Way I Feel)Roy Orbison		Roy Orbison’s classic song about loneliness
45	If I Were To DieWinona Oak		A work that expresses the vulnerability and affection of romantic love
46	HallelujahPentatonix		A Hallelujah song filled with gratitude and awe
47	Nessun DormaPlacido Domingo		A magnificent opera piece that delivers courage and inspiration.
48	Lonely AvenueRay Charles		Western music cover songs, early Beatles practice pieces
49	To ZionLauryn Hill		Lauryn Hill’s Maternal Love and Music
50	Cool KidsEchosmith		A coming-of-age song by an indie pop band
51	Blue MoonBeck		Music that leverages the characteristics of Beck’s songs
52	Ave MariaLuciano Pavarotti		Healing masterpiece for the soul: Pavarotti singing Ave Maria
53	FireworkKaty Perry		Believe in yourself and shine! Let your brilliance bloom like fireworks.
54	Old Man’s GraceNathan Evans		A heartwarming sea song that conveys the meaning of life
55	My Love Mine All MineMitski		A beautiful ballad that sings of the essence of love
56	Fade Into YouMazzy Star		Mazzy Star’s classic infused with longing and love
57	Away From The Sun3 Doors Down		Hit songs and classic albums by 3 Doors Down
58	You’ve Got a FriendCarole King		A classic that sings of friendship, music that soothes the soul
59	The LonelyChristina Perri		A moving song that sings of loneliness and pain
60	Are You Lonesome TonightElvis Presley		The classic hit song by Elvis that became a big success in 1960
61	Best I Ever HadGary Allan		A love song filled with sorrow makes the top 10
62	Breaking PointLogan Michael		An emotional song depicting the anguish of parting
63	Champs ElyséesZAZ		The famous song by the chanson singer Zaz
64	TrespassingAdam Lambert		Adam Lambert's uplifting songs
65	Dancing With MyselfBilly Idol		Dance of the dreamers in a hateful world
66	Move on UpCurtis Mayfield		Curtis Mayfield’s classic song
67	Lonely BoyAndrew Gold		A child's loneliness felt upon the birth of a younger sister
68	PaparazziEdward Maya x Carine		A song that portrays the relationship between celebrities' lives and the media
69	Spring Can Really Hang You Up The MostElla Fitzgerald		Ella Fitzgerald’s spring classic
70	Black GoldEsperanza		Esperanza’s jazz classic “Black Gold”
71	I’M SO LONESOME I COULD CRYHank Williams		Signature songs that resonate with Williams’s heart
72	Everybody’s Got Somebody But MeHunter Hayes featuring Jason Mraz		A song of a lonely heart troubled by love
73	MétèqueJoeyStarr		When you’re feeling down, listen to something upbeat—especially hip-hop.
74	Simple ManKlaus Nomi		Nomi, the singer recognized by David Bowie
75	I Love U in MePrince		A timeless Prince song that heals the heart
76	Por amor al odioRafael Lechowski		A moving song by a rapper from Poland
77	Homeward BoundSimon&Garfunkel		The song Simon wrote in Brentwood
78	Eleanor RigbyThe Beatles		A masterpiece that portrays the stories of lonely people
79	Only The LonelyThe Motels		Hit song by the LA band The Motels
80	My WayThree Tenors		The Three Tenors’ “My Way” is moving.
81	Tonight We RideUNLEASH THE ARCHERS		A metal song perfect for people who want a boost of energy
82	Owner of a Lonely HeartYES		A hit song that portrays the paradox of loneliness
83	L’hymne A L’amourÉdith Piaf		Édith Piaf’s classic song “Hymn to Love”
84	Vete que te quieroBuika		An emotional song by the flamenco singer Buika
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