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