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! Heartbreaking Western Songs — From Timeless Classics to the Newest Hits — (11–20)

Be AlrightDean Lewis

Dean Lewis – Be Alright (Official Video)

Be AlrightDean Lewis

Dean Lewis is a singer-songwriter from Sydney whose debut album, A Place We Knew, released in 2019, reached No.

1 in his home country of Australia and earned worldwide acclaim.

Though he made a late-blooming debut in his thirties, he has become a standout singer-songwriter drawing attention here in Japan as well.

One of his signature songs, Be Alright, released in 2018, showcases his wonderful vocals and strong melodies, racking up over 500 million streams.

Its lyrics—about friends gently encouraging a protagonist who can’t get over a heartbreak—are deeply moving.

If you’re going through something similar, listen to your friends’ advice, put this song on, and keep looking forward, believing you can get through it.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

You asked for thisHalsey

Halsey – You asked for this (Lyric Video)

You asked for thisHalsey

This song vividly captures a poignant sense of longing.

The lyrics, woven from the personal experiences of American singer-songwriter Halsey, lay bare the turmoil of a heart caught between societal expectations and self-actualization.

Featured on the album If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power, released in August 2021, the track is marked by a heavy sound that incorporates industrial elements.

Combined with its dark, powerful musicality, it leaves a deep impression on listeners.

For those searching for their true selves or feeling on the verge of losing their identity within society, it offers empathy and courage.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Lose You to Love MeSelena Gomez

Selena Gomez – Lose You To Love Me (Official Music Video)

Lose You to Love MeSelena Gomez

It’s a beautiful ballad that captivates you from the moment you hear the solemn piano accompaniment and whisper-like vocals in the opening.

Released in 2019 by the popular singer and actress Selena Gomez, the single “Lose You To Love Me” topped the U.S.

Billboard chart, marking her first-ever No.

1 hit in the United States.

The raw emotion Selena pours into lyrics like “I had to lose you to love me” reaches its peak in the chorus, where majestic harmonies layer together.

Precisely because the melody and arrangement are restrained throughout, the song conveys not just sorrow, but a quiet strength as well.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

I Want It That WayBackstreet Boys

Backstreet Boys – I Want It That Way (Official HD Video)

I Want It That WayBackstreet Boys

Speaking of the Backstreet Boys, they’re a male group that epitomized the 1990s and, as the best‑selling boy band, have maintained enduring popularity well into the 2000s and beyond.

Among the many timeless hits they produced, this time I’ll introduce one of their signature songs, “I Want It That Way,” released in 1999 and a massive hit.

Back then, it was playing everywhere in Japan, too, and just hearing that ultra-famous chorus phrase will probably make many people think, “Oh, that song.” Even if you don’t understand the lyrics, the delicate melody alone gives you a twinge of sadness.

In fact, the lyrics poignantly depict a subtle “disconnect” between two important people, and when you realize their paths likely won’t cross, it leaves you with a profound sense of helplessness.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Fix YouColdplay

Coldplay – Fix You (Official Video)

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?

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem