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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Tear-Jerking! Heartbreaking Songs in Western Music — From Timeless Classics to the Newest Hits — (91–100)
Hate MeBlue October
A song by Justin Furstenfeld, the frontman of Blue October, about taking back his life and making amends to those he hurt through his drug addiction.
The track is notable for Justin’s very straightforward vocals, and the music video features his mother.
Waiting For YouCharly Bliss
A masterpiece where wistfulness and hope intersect—Charlie Bliss return with a brand-new track.
It’s the lead single from their upcoming album FOREVER, slated for release in August 2024, and it’s a song that conveys both the pain of heartbreak and the strength to overcome it.
Eva Hendricks’s deeply expressive vocals mesh perfectly with a sound that recalls ’90s alternative.
Packed with the charm of this New York–based four-piece, the track captures the complexities of romance and the subtleties of human relationships, sure to resonate with anyone who’s experienced a breakup.
It’s the kind of song you’ll want to listen to alone—on a drive or during a nighttime walk.
Tearjerkers! Heart-wrenching Western Songs — From Timeless Classics to the Newest Hits — (101–110)
I don’t want you backEamon
It’s a bittersweet song, but it’s also packed with a lot of anger toward the ex-girlfriend.
Since the lyrics are full of F**k, they made quite a few changes when it aired on TV.
Still, I think it’s great how it expresses honest feelings about love so directly.
Crying My Eyes OutStephen Puth
For those who want to listen to a tear-jerker but aren’t into songs that feel too heavy, Crying My Eyes Out is highly recommended.
The lyrics are crafted to be sad, but the melody is an easy-to-listen-to, electro-infused pop sound.
Wish You Were HereAvril Lavigne
This moving song comes from Canadian singer-songwriter Avril Lavigne.
It expresses the bittersweet feelings that follow the loss of a loved one, conveyed through her uniquely powerful vocals.
Included on the album Goodbye Lullaby, it was released as a single in September 2011 and reached No.
65 on the Billboard Hot 100.
It’s recommended for those who have experienced heartbreak or farewells, or who want to reflect on time spent with someone special.
You’re sure to relate to Avril’s delicate emotional expression.
In November 2011, she also delivered a live performance on Good Morning America that resonated deeply with many viewers.
Show Me The Meaning Of Being LonelyBackstreet Boys
The poignant ballad by the American group Backstreet Boys is a moving song themed around heartbreak and loneliness.
Featuring beautiful strings and a wistful melody, the members’ emotive vocals strike a chord.
Included on the May 1999 album “Millennium,” it was released as a single in December of the same year.
It became a global hit, reaching as high as No.
6 on the Billboard Hot 100.
As a song that offers solace to those grappling with a sense of loss, it continues to be beloved by many listeners today.
I SurrenderCéline Dion
This is a ballad sung by Canadian diva Celine Dion that expresses a resolve to give everything for love.
With its grand melody and powerful vocals, it deeply moves listeners.
It’s included on the album “A New Day Has Come,” released in March 2002, and has been showcased as one of the highlights of her Las Vegas performances.
It’s the perfect song for those who believe in the power of love—something anyone with experience in romance can relate to.