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—(141–150)
Run To YouWhitney Houston
It’s a song used in part of the movie The Bodyguard, in which Whitney Houston herself appeared.
The film’s theme song is I Will Always Love You, and both songs are quite poignant.
Cry Me A RiverJustin Timberlake
A song Justin Timberlake wrote about Britney Spears.
They both appeared on The Mickey Mouse Club and lived together for two and a half years before breaking up in 2002.
The piano on the track is performed by Scott Storch.
Damn You For Breaking My HeartCaitlyn Smith
If you love grand, sweeping songs, I recommend “Damn You For Breaking My Heart.” The verses are relatively calm, but once the chorus hits, it bursts into a powerful, fast-paced, expansive melody.
The lyrics are quite dark and heavy, so have a handkerchief ready when you look them up…
Tearjerkers! Bittersweet Western Songs — From Timeless Classics to the Newest Hits — (151–160)
CryinAerosmith
When we met, I was crying, and when we parted, I cried too.
This song expresses the helpless feeling of having to part with someone you truly love from the bottom of your heart.
I especially love Steven Tyler’s harmonica in this track—it’s beautiful.
There’s about a 40-second harmonica solo in the middle of the song, and it really resonates with the heart.
The Power Of LoveCéline Dion
This is Celine Dion’s cover of The Power of Love, originally sung by Jennifer Rush.
It’s a song that really showcases her clear, crystalline vocals.
Since it’s so famous, you’ve probably heard it somewhere at least once.
Heartbreak HotelElvis Presley
A song written by Tommy Durden, a Nashville steel guitar player who once worked as a dishwasher repairman.
When the song was released on January 27, 1956, Elvis Presley was 21 years old.
It became his first No.
1 hit on the Billboard pop chart.
I’m Not Gonna Miss YouGlen Campbell
Glen Campbell revealed in 2011 that he was battling Alzheimer’s disease.
This song is the last piece he wrote with Julian Raymond.
Inspired by his struggle with Alzheimer’s, it serves as a message to his wife and children.