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! Bittersweet Songs in Western Music — From Timeless Classics to the Newest Hits — (1–10)
MemoriesMaroon 5
It’s a song by the hugely popular band Maroon 5, released in October 2019 and a certified hit.
Guided by a restrained arrangement and simple choral work, the music video—featuring vocalist Adam Levine calmly singing a melody that evokes nostalgia, just as the title suggests—left a strong impression as it kept the camera trained on him.
The MV’s cinematography was directed by Jeff Cronenweth, renowned as the cinematographer for David Fincher’s films, and both the song and the video are dedicated to the band’s former manager, who passed away suddenly in 2017.
Everyone has memories of someone who set off for a faraway place, just out of reach, and this song invites us to revisit those moments with loved ones from days gone by.
I Don’t Want to Miss a ThingAerosmith
The song made famous by the movie Armageddon is “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” by the legendary rock band Aerosmith.
It’s undoubtedly one of their signature tracks and an epic rock ballad.
Steven Tyler’s gritty vocals breathe emotion into the song.
In fact, Aerosmith’s popularity had been waning right up until the release of this track.
Then songwriter Diane Warren, a fan of the band, offered them the song, and Aerosmith regained their momentum.
It’s an essential track when talking about Aerosmith.
Don’t Look Back In AngerOasis
Released in 1995 by Oasis—the most powerful rock band to come out of the UK in the ’90s—Don’t Look Back in Anger is a timeless classic that has become a national anthem in their home country.
Sung by guitarist and songwriter Noel Gallagher, the song needs no explanation for anyone who has ever seen Oasis live; the overwhelming sense of unity as the entire crowd sings along is an unforgettable experience.
More recently, many will remember Ariana Grande and Coldplay’s Chris Martin performing the song at a charity concert following the tragic events in Manchester.
It’s best listened to not as a sad, mournful tune, but as a song to help you look forward after you’ve had a good, cathartic cry.
Good DaysSZA
It’s a song where wistfulness and hope coexist.
SZA, an American artist, delicately portrays the resolve to face forward while confronting past pain.
Her emotional vocals and dreamlike sound seep into the listener’s heart.
Released in December 2020, the track resonated with many and reached No.
9 on the Billboard Hot 100.
It’s recommended for times when you want to reflect on yourself or sort through your feelings.
As you listen to SZA’s voice, won’t you believe in “Good Days,” too?
So SickNe-Yo
An early classic released in 2006 by the hugely popular singer-songwriter Ne-Yo.
Even before debuting as a solo artist, he was highly regarded for his solid songwriting skills—famously credited as a composer of Mario’s 2004 smash hit “Let Me Love You.” One of Ne-Yo’s signature tracks, “So Sick,” is a gem of a mid-tempo ballad: a beautiful melody rooted in R&B but highlighted by smooth, universally appealing choruses, with the distinctive harp-like tone leaving a strong impression.
The lyrics capture a complex, aching state of mind—he’s “so sick of love songs” and yet can’t bring himself to turn off the radio—making it a truly first-rate heartbreaker.