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! Heartbreaking Western Songs — From Timeless Classics to the Newest Hits — (11–20)
Adore YouHarry Styles
Harry Styles, a member of One Direction who also enjoys worldwide popularity as a solo artist.
This track, included on his December 2019 album Fine Line, perfectly blends a ’70s-style groove with a contemporary pop sensibility.
The lyrics, which express deep love and devotion for another, gently stay close to a lonely heart and wrap it in warmth.
The song has been widely embraced in many contexts, including its inclusion in the game Just Dance 2021.
The music video—like a film set on a fictional island—is also a must-see.
Give it a listen on nights when you want someone to affirm you, or when you’d like to quietly let your emotions out and have a good cry.
Fix YouColdplay
This song is memorable for its warm, empathetic lyrics and a melody that starts softly and gradually swells.
Released in September 2005 by the British rock band Coldplay, it carries a powerful message of healing and support for those who are hurt.
Included on the album X&Y, it also drew attention when it was performed at the Live 8 concert in 2005.
It’s a track that stands by anyone trying to overcome life’s harsher moments—such as heartbreak or loss—so why not give it a listen?
FlowersMiley Cyrus
It’s a powerful song carrying a message of self-love and independence.
Released in January 2023 by American artist Miley Cyrus, the track drew attention as a pop song infused with disco and funk elements.
Its lyrics, which emphasize the importance of valuing oneself without relying on past relationships, have resonated with many listeners.
It also achieved major commercial success, including 13 consecutive weeks at No.
1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Highly recommended for those who want to cherish time alone or boost their self-esteem.
Easy On MeAdele
The exquisite ballad woven by Adele, hailing from the UK, is a cry from the soul born out of the life-changing experience of divorce.
Carried by a gentle piano melody, her powerful voice resonates deeply.
Released in October 2021, the song garnered major attention as the lead single from the album “30.” Adele writes candidly from her own experience, imbued with love and apology to her son.
It’s a track I highly recommend to anyone standing at a crossroads in life or looking to sort out their feelings.
Why not savor it slowly in a bedroom or a quiet café?
someone like youAdele
Adele is the queen of breakup songs, and among them, “Someone Like You” is especially heartbreaking.
It expresses the unbearable feelings of a woman whose former love has married someone else.
She still can’t forget her ex and is trying to move on, but her fixation is so strong that she’s looking for “someone like him.” Some might even think it’s a bit of a stalker prelude—lol.
Happier Than EverBillie Eilish
A song by American artist Billie Eilish that candidly chronicles her past romantic experiences.
It begins as a quiet ballad and shifts into a guitar-driven rock style, a structure that brilliantly mirrors the emotional changes after a breakup.
Released in July 2021, it is the title track of the album Happier Than Ever and centers on themes of her growth and independence.
Reflecting on her relationship with an ex, the lyrics trace how she learned the importance of valuing herself.
This work conveys the joy of overcoming painful experiences and discovering a new self, making it recommended for those looking to recover from the pain of heartbreak.
Tearjerkers! Heart-wrenching Western songs—from timeless classics to the latest hits—(21–30)
Your SongElton John
Just from the intro that begins with a lyrical piano tone, you know it’s an achingly beautiful masterpiece bursting with emotion! It’s one of the early signature songs by Elton John, a singer-songwriter who will go down in music history, and in Japan it’s also well known by the title “Boku no Uta wa Kimi no Uta” (My Song Is Your Song).
In 2019, the autobiographical musical film Rocketman was released, which, much like Queen’s resurgence, gave younger generations a chance to discover John anew.
Featured on the Rocketman soundtrack, Your Song was released in 1970; it’s a perfect love song that needs nothing added, blending a folky texture with elements of jazz.
The lyrics are simple and easy to understand, and perhaps it’s nice, from time to time, to immerse yourself in such a sweet and gentle world and spend a moment shedding warm tears that are different from sadness.
