Songs That Make You Cry: Heart-Wrenching Western Music—from Timeless Classics to the Newest Hits
There are times when, instead of listening to music to get pumped up or fired up, you deliberately want to listen to poignant or slightly sad songs and have a good cry alone, right?
Upbeat tracks that give you a push are great, but in this article we’ve researched and selected timeless, heart-wrenching English-language songs that empathize with listeners’ feelings, both old and new.
From classic standards to recent hits and the latest buzzworthy tracks, we’re bringing you a genre-crossing selection.
Try listening in whatever setting makes you feel most at ease—whether that’s in your bedroom or on a drive!
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Tearjerkers! Heartbreaking Western Songs — From Timeless Classics to the Newest Hits — (71–80)
SonnetThe Verve
Originally, it seems that the band The Verve mainly focused on psychedelic music.
Although this song has the feel of a slightly pop-leaning ballad, their spirit of taking on various musical genres is truly admirable.
ou’re The Best ThingThe Style Council
Since it was a hit in Japan as well, I think many people know this classic.
It has a distinctly mature vibe.
The Style Council’s sweet vocals match the pop melody, so it doesn’t really come across as a ballad.
Stuck with UAriana Grande & Justin Bieber
This is a joint single by Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber, two leading young stars in today’s pop music scene! Released on May 8, 2020 as part of a charity effort, its proceeds go toward grants and scholarships for the children of healthcare workers, EMTs, paramedics, police officers, and firefighters.
Watching the music video—featuring a wide range of people, from celebrities to everyday folks—paired with the nostalgic, oldies-style track, you can’t help but feel warmed and moved to tears.
Their calm, composed vocals are wonderful, and it’s fair to say this is a tear-jerking masterpiece born of these times.
Tearjerkers! Heart-wrenching Western songs — from timeless classics to the latest hits — (81–90)
I Still…Backstreet Boys
Pivoting toward a rock sound and captivating fans with a more mature allure, the Backstreet Boys reached a new chapter in their music.
Featured on their 2005 album Never Gone, this song symbolizes that fresh direction.
Even though the relationship is over, the other person still feels vivid and present—that painfully bittersweet lingering attachment is sung through the group’s beautiful five-part harmonies.
It’s also a memorable track for fans, as Kevin temporarily left the group after this song.
When you’re carrying the ache of an unforgettable love, this is a song that quietly stays by your side.
Just Want You to KnowBackstreet Boys
This song by the American group Backstreet Boys pours unspoken feelings for a former lover into a powerful sound.
Released in July 2005, it’s included on the acclaimed album “Never Gone” and reached the top 10 on the charts in the UK and Spain.
Stepping beyond their traditional pop image, the track shifts to a rock-tinged sound marked by memorable guitar riffs, revealing a new side of the group.
It portrays a bittersweet yet straightforward male perspective, wishing to tell someone they’ll never meet again, “There’s just this one thing I want you to know.” If you have lingering feelings about a past relationship, listening to this song might help you face your emotions.
Missing YouBackstreet Boys
The Backstreet Boys are a U.S.-born vocal group that dominated the music scene in the ’90s, and they’re also known for their 1999 album Millennium, which sold over 24 million copies worldwide.
This song is a hidden gem of a ballad quietly included on their classic 1997 release Backstreet’s Back, during the height of their fame.
The earnest longing to see a cherished person who has gone away is sung straight from the heart over a wistful melody.
The structure, with members taking turns as lead vocalists, and the beautiful harmonies woven by all five members are truly moving—simply mesmerizing.
It’s the kind of song that will gently comfort your heart when you want to bask in a bit of sentimentality at night or when an old love suddenly comes to mind.
Bleeding LoveLeona Lewis
It’s a song that really brings out Leona Lewis’s sexy, powerful vocals.
The melody has a somewhat rhythmic, pop-like structure, and it’s a bittersweet track that sings about the joy that comes from falling in love.