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)
PerfectSimple Plan
It’s a song that expresses the complicated feelings of adolescence—knowing I’m not perfect and feeling sorry toward my parents.
I think the reason Simple Plan resonates so well with teenagers is that they directly capture these uniquely adolescent emotions in their music.
I discovered this song when I was in middle school and listened to it all the time.
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.
Not A Day Goes ByLonestar
The American country music band Lonestar released a single from I’m Already There in January 2002, a gem of a ballad that portrays profound sorrow and a sense of loss after losing a loved one.
Its gentle, resonant melody, rich harmonies, and deeply expressive vocals blend beautifully to convey both the pain of grief and the enduring love for someone dear.
The song touched many listeners, reaching No.
3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, and was nominated for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal at the 45th Annual Grammy Awards in 2003.
With its quietly consoling character, it has often been chosen to comfort those who have lost someone and for use in memorial settings—a heartwarming piece that offers solace.
Apologize ft. OneRepublicTimbaland
Starting with a romantic piano melody and Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic’s poignantly resonant vocals that tug at the heartstrings, this is a bittersweet love song.
Included on Timbaland’s 2007 September release Shock Value, the track is a gem of a ballad that portrays the fate of a broken romance.
The superb production by the American producer Timbaland breathed new life into the original song, propelling it to No.
2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and keeping it in the Top 10 for 25 weeks, sparking worldwide acclaim.
Also featured in the TV drama Cold Case, this song gently stays by your side when you want to heal the pain of a breakup or linger in memories of someone special.