[Masterpiece] Tear-jerking Western songs. The tears won’t stop… truly sad songs [2026]

Music has a mysterious power to heal the heart and, at times, move us to tears.

In this article, we introduce timeless Western songs that transcend language barriers and resonate deeply with the soul—sad and heartrending masterpieces.

The bittersweetness of love, the sorrows of life, the pain of parting…

We present a selection of exquisite melodies and lyrics that have touched hearts around the world, across genres and eras.

If you’re carrying something heavy in your heart right now, these songs will surely stay close to your feelings.

Please enjoy these treasured classics in the playlist here.

Playlist

[Masterpiece] Tear-jerking Western songs. The tears won’t stop… truly sad songs [2026]
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Tears In HeavenEric Clapton		A song in which Clapton mourns his son's death
2	See You Again ft. Charlie PuthWiz Khalifa		Surging in popularity as an insert song in the Fast & Furious series
3	Time After TimeCyndi Lauper		Cyndi Lauper's number-one hit song in the United States
4	Depression (feat. Coconut Records)Ben Kweller		A father's deep love and despair as he mourns his son's death
5	Wish You The BestLewis Capaldi		A song by Lewis Capaldi that sings about the regret of a breakup
6	Summertime SadnessLana Del Rey		Lana Del Rey’s classic: the joy of summer and the beauty of loss
7	emails i can’t sendSabrina Carpenter		Introduction to a song about unspoken feelings
8	PhotographEd Sheeran		Ed Sheeran’s 2015 release song
9	You Break Me FirstTate McRae		Tate McRae’s breakup song: strength and fragility
10	All My Happiness Is GonePurple Mountains		The sorrow of Purple Mountains’ posthumous song
11	Love Is a Losing GameAmy Winehouse		A poignant classic that sings of the sorrow of love.
12	Only Love Can Break Your HeartNeil Young		The pain of heartbreak, love shattering the heart
13	Someone Like YouAdele		Adele’s heartbreak ballad: the complex feelings of wishing happiness for an ex-lover
14	Strange FruitBillie Holiday		Billie Holiday’s song denouncing racism
15	Cruel SummerTaylor Swift		A song that depicts Taylor Swift’s secret romance
16	White HorseTaylor Swift		Sad Taylor Swift songs are popular
17	It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to YesterdayBoyz II Men		Parting with a loved one and the pain in the heart
18	Alone I BreakKorn		An emotional ballad about cones
19	Fast CarTracy Chapman		A story where the dream of escaping poverty is shattered by reality
20	The Show Must Go OnQueen		Make the most of Brian May's musical life
21	I Want It That WayBackstreet Boys		Signature songs of the Backstreet Boys
22	Like a StoneAudioslave		A song that portrays the feelings of a person waiting to reunite in the next life
23	the way things gobeabadoobee		Beabadoobee’s heartbreak ballad
24	F**k it I love youLana Del Rey		Songs by Lana Del Rey that express sadness
25	I Always Wanna Die (Sometimes)The 1975		Introduction to a rock ballad song by THE 1975.
26	Viva La VidaColdplay		Coldplay's award-winning song
27	The TeacherFoo Fighters		Dave Grohl’s gratitude and courage for the one he lost
28	when the party’s overBillie Eilish		Billie Eilish’s introspective, loneliness-tinged lyrics resonate with listeners
29	Sing For The MomentEminem		Eminem is within the top 100 greatest artists
30	When You’re GoneAvril Lavigne		Avril’s mature-sounding ballad
31	You Know You’re RightNirvana		Kurt Cobain's last recorded song
32	Wake Me Up When September EndsGreen Day		A song about his father's death is included on American Idiot
33	Spanish SaharaFoals		Foals’ new song chosen as one of the best tracks of 2010
34	Back To DecemberTaylor Swift		Swift apologizes for her relationship with her ex-boyfriend.
35	The greatestLana Del Rey		Lana Del Rey’s sorrowful songs
36	The Day We Caught The TrainOcean Colour Scene		Ocean Colour Scene 1996 release song
37	All Things Must PassGeorge Harrison		Songs from George Harrison's triple album
38	OneMetallica		An award-winning song about soldiers of war
39	So Far AwayAvenged Sevenfold		Avenged Sevenfold, a song dedicated to a late friend
40	BeautifulChristina Aguilera		The Grammy Award-winning song sung by Christina
41	ImagineJohn Lennon		John Lennon's iconic song that sings of peace
42	RetrogradeJames Blake		A song by James Blake about complex emotions after a fight
43	Harvest MoonNeil Young		Neil Young is underrated in Japan
44	VCRThe xx		The xx’s debut song
45	Hunger of the PineAlt-J		A track from Alt-J’s second album
46	Let’s All Make BelieveOasis		Oasis's despairing song
47	22 (OVER S∞∞N)Bon Iver		The title track of Bon Iver’s third album
48	AngieThe Rolling Stones		A Stones classic that gives a sense of hope
49	Off At The Next ExitBeady Eye		A song with Liam’s amazing vocals
50	Stairway to HeavenLed Zeppelin		Covers of numerous iconic songs in rock history
51	Toy SoldiersMartika		Martika’s song was sampled by Eminem and drew renewed attention
52	Street Spirit (Fade Out)Radiohead		Thom Yorke dark song, UK Top 5
53	Forget MeLewis Capaldi		A heartfelt song that empathizes with the pain of heartbreak
54	Seasons In The SunTerry Jacks		A man saying goodbye to his loved one
55	The EndThe Doors		A song inspired by my breakup with Jim
56	SilhouetteOwl City		Listen to the strengths of all artists regardless of era
57	The Winner Takes It AllABBA		A song themed around the divorces of ABBA members
58	Fix YouColdplay		The greatness of Coldplay’s songs
59	The Beat Goes OnBeady Eye		Beady Eye's Heaven live song
60	Five YearsDavid Bowie		In Memory of David Bowie and Reflections on His Masterpieces
61	Car’s OutsideJames Arthur		A song that expresses the poignancy of a long-distance relationship
62	Rest Of My LifeJonas Blue, Sam Feldt, Endless Summer, Sadie Rose Van		A summery love song by a DJ
63	AndromedaWeyes Blood		The Mystical Songs of Weyes Blood
64	MotherJohn Lennon		A song about the pains of John Lennon's childhood
65	You And MeLifehouse		The perfect combination of a sad ballad and instruments
66	This Is How It FeelsRichard Ashcroft		A recent favorite song that I’m addicted to
67	cecilia and the satelliteAndrew McMahon		A solo song filled with love for my daughter
68	All MirrorsAngel Olsen		Angel Olsen's orchestral rock song
69	The Way We WereBarbra Streisand		A song where a couple in love looks back on their memories
70	November RainGuns N’ Roses		Composed by Axl Rose, released as a single in ’92
71	Leave Out All The RestLinkin Park		A song about atoning for past mistakes and seeking forgiveness
72	HURTNine Inch Nails		A song to guide you wisely through life
73	Where did you sleep last nightNirvana		Nirvana’s cover of Red Velvet
74	FifteenTaylor Swift		An American artist’s first-love love song
75	I Will Always Love YouWhitney Houston		Became a big hit when Whitney covered it
76	War is a GodJesse Welles		Jesse Wells’s poignant question about religious conflict
77	AlwaysDaniel Caesar		The complex state of mind of confronting feelings for an ex-partner
78	Till I Get Over YouMichelle Branch		A mature love song by Michelle Branch
79	DESPERADOThe Eagles		A song depicting a rock star’s stress
80	How Do I Say GoodbyeDean Lewis		A moving song by Dean Lewis about family love and farewell
81	Tears can be so softChristine&the Queens		A healing ballad that releases emotions through tears
82	Eyes ClosedEd Sheeran		A ballad that sings of feelings for someone lost
83	Wait For YouElliott Yamin		Elliott Yamin’s tear-jerking masterpiece
84	Empty Garden (Hey, Hey Johnny)Elton John		A tribute song dedicated to John Lennon
85	Standing StillJewel		Jewel’s debut album is a smash hit
86	This Used To Be My PlaygroundMadonna		The movie theme song sung by Madonna
87	Last NightMorgan Wallen		A ballad that heals the pain of a broken heart
88	THE LONELIESTMåneskin		Måneskin’s bittersweet love ballad
89	Blonde on BlondeNada Surf		Introducing Hidden Gems from Nada Surf’s Albums
90	Nothing But A FoolNew Order		A veteran band releases a youthful work with a cutting-edge sound
91	early morning rainPaul Weller		Paul Weller has continued to be active on the front lines for many years.
92	Evil FriendsPortugal. The Man		A song where sadness and a bursting melody are fused
93	You Don’t Love Me YetRoky Erickson		The vocalist of the 13th Floor Elevators
94	Shape of My HeartSting		STING, the movie Léon, ending song
95	As Tears Go ByThe Rolling Stones		Rolling Stones songs
96	never had no one everThe Smiths		The Smiths' masterpiece album
97	Across The UniverseFIONA APPLE		An excellent performance of a Beatles cover song.
98	Breaking PointLogan Michael		A piercing song that captures the pain of heartbreak
99	Hero Of WarRise Against		A song depicting the PTSD of returning soldiers
100	ShipbuildingRobert Wyatt		An unknown song is the truly sad one.
101	BrokenSeether ft. Amy Lee		A song that portrays the pain left behind
102	Don`t dream it`s overSixpence None The Richer		The wistful singing voice of a Texas band
103	On Your OwnThe Verve		Richard Ashcroft’s sad classic
104	SadboyWolf Alice		Wolf Alice’s dynamically shifting noisy rock
105	Feminine Effectsof Montreal		A sincere beautiful song within perverse pop
106	Small BumpEd Sheeran		Ed Sheeran’s global popularity
107	HallelujahRufus Wainwright		Only a very small number of truly capable, genuine artists exist.
108	BrielleSky Sailing		Adam Young, pop song, sad
109	Goodbye Never Felt So BadJames Bay		Introduction to James Bay’s heartbreak rock songs
110	Time to Say GoodbyeAndrea Bocelli & Sarah Brightman		Sarah and Andrea’s smash-hit duet
111	StrawberryfireApples In Stereo		The band that used Indian instruments broke up.
112	The RiverBruce Springsteen		Songs influenced by Hank Williams's music
113	Our HouseCrosby, Stills, Nash & Young		Supergroup. I'm a Neil Young fan.
114	Birthday CakeDylan Conrique		A song about living to the fullest the life that the departed wished for
115	RescuedFoo Fighters		A hopeful ballad by Foo Fighters
116	He Stopped Loving Her TodayGeorge Jones		A country song released in 1980 wins an award
117	Happiest YearJaymes Young		A poignant song that sings of the pain of heartbreak and gratitude
118	goodbyeKelly Clarkson		Kelly Clarkson's self-affirmation theme song
119	Used To Be YoungMiley Cyrus		A pop ballad that looks back on the past and cherishes growth
120	A Hazy Shade Of WinterSimon&Garfunkel		Simon & Garfunkel’s classic “A Hazy Shade of Winter”
121	Ruthlesssomething corporate		Something Corporate's masterpiece emo song
122	I’m With YouAvril Lavigne		I recommend Avril’s ballads
123	LoveKeyshia Cole		A moving ballad by an R&B singer from California
124	Fingers CrossedLauren Spencer Smith		A ballad that depicts the pain of a broken heart
125	RunLeona Lewis		Leona Lewis has universally wonderful songs
126	Moonlight Shadow ft. Maggie ReillyMike Oldfield		Mike Oldfield 1983 release
127	Against All OddsPhil Collins		Phil Collins' smash hit wins a Grammy Award
128	angelsRobbie Williams		Robbie Williams’s comeback classic
129	Make MyThe Roots ft. Big KRIT		Introduction to sad rap songs about roots
130	Shine OnJet		Jet, a tribute song to my father
131	Celluloid HeroesKinks		The Kinks are a band that represents the uniquely British music culture.
132	I Need To Be In LoveCarpenters		A poignant classic by the Carpenters
133	Un-Break My HeartToni Braxton		A song that sings of the heartache of parting
134	Little Lou, Ugly Jack, Prophet JohnBelle & Sebastian／Norah Jones		I like the band’s maturity and the appeal of their songs
135	sad dayFKA Twigs		A track from FKA twigs' second album