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 Songs in Western Music — From Timeless Classics to the Newest Hits — (31–40)
Say You Won’t Let GoJames Arthur
James Arthur, whose tattoo-covered look is striking, is a maverick singer-songwriter with a tumultuous past: he rose to fame as a musician, was knocked to rock bottom by scandal, and then clawed his way back to success.
His 2016 release “Say You Won’t Let Go” became the song that put his career back on track—a folky ballad that topped the UK charts.
Its very simplicity gives it a universal appeal; it’s a straightforward love song that leaves listeners feeling bittersweet yet warm.
It isn’t exactly sad, but its heartfelt melody and vocals are sure to bring a tear to your eye.
you were good to meJeremy Zucker & Chelsea Cutler
From the fact that the title is in the past tense, you can already sense the end of a relationship.
It’s a song released in 2019 by rising talent Jeremy Zucker from New Jersey, USA.
The track features guest vocals from Chelsea Cutler, the female singer known for her work on a Kygo track, and the interplay and harmonies between the two are truly beautiful.
Jeremy is an artist who blends electronic and acoustic elements, but this time he captivates with an organic, piano-centered sound kept to a minimum number of layers.
The lyrics depict what is likely a relationship between lovers that has come to an end; even as they try to look forward, the bittersweet inner landscapes they each carry are portrayed with a poignant, melancholic atmosphere.
Without YouMariah Carey
This work is a masterful rendition of a classic 1970s rock ballad, delivered on a grand scale by Mariah Carey.
Released as a single from her third album, Music Box, in January 1994, it spent four consecutive weeks at No.
1 in the UK and also topped the charts across Europe, including Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.
The lyrics portray deep grief and a heartfelt longing for a loved one, powerfully conveyed through her phenomenal vocal range and expressive delivery.
The surging emotion leading into the chorus, together with the dramatic soundscape woven by orchestra and piano, leaves a profound impact on listeners.
It’s a song I recommend when you want to reaffirm your feelings for someone important or when you’re in the mood for a moving, soul-stirring ballad.
Let her goPassenger
It’s a breakup song about her.
It makes you think that you mustn’t take the happiness right in front of you for granted.
You might feel you don’t need the sun when it’s hot, but when it’s cold you realize you do.
I think it’s a song that makes you reflect not only on love, but on life as well.
Rolling in the DeepAdele
This is the lead single from 21, the second album by Grammy-winning British R&B singer-songwriter Adele.
It was written by Adele and producer Paul Epworth.
The song is about taking revenge on an unfaithful man.
Tearjerkers! Heartbreaking Western Songs — From Timeless Classics to the Latest Hits — (41–50)
Anywhere I Lay My HeadTom Waits
A song depicting a man who longs for the joyful days he sees others enjoying.
It is sung by Tom Waits, an American singer-songwriter and actor.
The song is also known for being recorded by actress Scarlett Johansson as the title track of her 2008 album.
Because of youKelly Clarkson
A song Kelly Clarkson wrote about her parents’ divorce, which she experienced when she was six years old.
It depicts her resolve not to repeat her parents’ mistakes and her anxiety about falling in love for fear of experiencing the same pain they did.
She had written the song even before she won American Idol.