Lovely Western music

Songs That Make You Cry: Heart-Wrenching Western Music—from Timeless Classics to the Newest Hits

Active club DJkento
Active club DJ. With over five years on the front lines of the club scene, they freely cross over from dance music to US hip-hop and Japanese rap. Blending in their own edits with assured mixing, they craft a unique groove that captivates the floor.
music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.

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!

Tearjerkers! Heart-wrenching Western songs—from timeless classics to the latest hits—(111–120)

Waiting For YouCharly Bliss

Charly Bliss – Waiting For You

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.

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Tearjerkers! Heart-wrenching Western Songs — From Timeless Classics to the Newest Hits — (121–130)

I don’t want you backEamon

Eamon – F**k It (I Don’t Want You Back) (Official Video)

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.

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Please Don’t Fall In Love With MeKhalid

Khalid – Please Don’t Fall In Love With Me (Visualizer)

Please Don't Fall In Love With MeKhalid

This song stands out for its poignant lyrics and a melody that really seeps into the heart.

Khalid, an American artist, weaves a story drawn from his own experiences, inviting listeners on a journey through love, loss, and self-discovery.

The arrangement, which samples an Alicia Keys classic, is excellent and reads as a thoughtful homage to R&B’s heritage.

Released in April 2024, the track signals the beginning of a new musical chapter for Khalid.

Anyone who’s been hurt by past relationships will likely relate.

It’s the perfect song for quiet nights alone or reflective rainy-day drives.

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How Am I Supposed To Live Without YouMichael Bolton

Michael Bolton – How Am I Supposed To Live Without You

How Am I Supposed To Live Without YouMichael Bolton

This song, styled after 1960s–70s soul music and lamenting the loss of a lover, was written by Michael Bolton and Doug James.

It was originally offered to Air Supply, but because the executive producer wanted changes to the chorus and Bolton refused, it has been placed on indefinite hold.

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CirclesPost Malone

Post Malone – Circles

CirclesPost Malone

I think it’s hard to catch the lyrics of songs in English.

With this song, “Circles,” many people might feel it sounds bright if they just listen to the melody.

The vibe is upbeat, but in fact it’s a song about losing someone important.

Please give it a listen.

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What Hurts The MostRascal Flatts

Rascal Flatts – What Hurts The Most

What Hurts The MostRascal Flatts

A song with the message “Don’t wait to tell someone how you feel; don’t hold back your feelings.” It was originally first recorded in 2003 by country singer Mark Willis.

This Rascal Flatts version reached No.

1 on the Country and Adult Contemporary charts in 2006.

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How Do You Sleep?Sam Smith

Sam Smith – How Do You Sleep? (Official Music Video)

How Do You Sleep?Sam Smith

“How Do You Sleep?” is striking for its explosive, emotion-laden melody.

The song portrays the fragile feelings of a man being lied to by his lover.

Its serious melody accentuates the rawness of the lyrics.

It may bring you down, but it’s a real tearjerker.

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