2025: Heartbreak songs in Western music — tearjerkers to listen to when love ends

Always Been YouJessie Murph

Jessie Murph – Always Been You (Official Video)

This is a heart-wrenching love song sung by Jesse Murph, an American singer-songwriter drawing attention for her genre-defying musicality.

It portrays the bittersweet feelings of unrequited love—realizing that no matter how you compare them to others, it’s always been “you” in my heart.

The more you try to forget, the more their smile and voice stick in your mind—a familiar experience in love.

Through her husky, soulful vocals, the unstoppable longing and the frustration of being unable to confess come through with piercing clarity.

The fusion of country and pop further dramatizes and colors these pure emotions.

Born With a Broken HeartDamiano David

Damiano David – Born With a Broken Heart (Official Video)

This is a song that gently embraces wounded hearts, sung by Damiano David, frontman of the world-renowned Italian rock band Måneskin.

It’s a pop ballad that portrays the struggle of facing new love while still carrying one’s own weaknesses and the pain of the past.

Even as he admits, “I was born with a broken heart that no one can fix,” his determination to move forward will deeply resonate with anyone who can’t shake the pain of heartbreak.

Released in October 2024 as a lead single from the album Funny Little Fears, it drew major attention, becoming the most-added track at U.

S.

radio in its first week.

When you can’t forget a past love but still want to take the next step, this song might just give you a gentle push forward.

AlwaysDaniel Caesar

Daniel Caesar – Always (Official Audio)

Have you ever wished happiness for someone you broke up with, while still holding unchanged feelings deep in your heart? This song, performed by Canadian singer-songwriter Daniel Caesar, gently accompanies that kind of complicated emotion.

Set to a quiet, dreamy sound, it portrays a protagonist who realizes that their love for the other person will never fade.

The track is included on the acclaimed album “NEVER ENOUGH,” released in April 2023, and in October 2023 he performed it on a popular American TV show.

If you feel pressured to forget and move on too quickly, quietly facing your emotions—like in this song—might actually lighten your heart and help you take a new step forward.

Lose ControlTeddy Swims

Teddy Swims – Lose Control (Live)

Despite being in love, it feels like the relationship is breaking me.

This song, sung by American singer-songwriter Teddy Swims, portrays the pain of a codependent romance.

It’s included on his debut album, “I’ve Tried Everything but Therapy (Part 1),” and in March 2024 it reached No.

1 on the Billboard Hot 100 after a record-setting 32-week climb for a solo male artist.

The dependence that makes you unable to hold yourself together without the other person—and the struggle that keeps you from leaving anyway.

Anyone who has ever felt on the verge of losing themselves in love will recognize these helpless emotions.

If you’re forcing yourself to forget, letting yourself sink into this song might be what helps you finally take the next step.

Less Than ZeroThe Weeknd

The Weeknd – Less Than Zero (Official Lyric Video)

This piece by The Weeknd, Canada’s globally acclaimed artist, stands out with a sound reminiscent of 80s synth-pop.

In this song, the end of love—and the inescapable guilt and self-reproach that come with it—are expressed through delicate vocals.

The feeling of endlessly blaming your past self for a breakup is something anyone who’s experienced heartbreak can recognize.

Featured on the January 2022 album Dawn FM, the track was also chosen as an official theme for the global wrestling spectacle WrestleMania 39.

On nights when it’s hard to face your mistakes, letting yourself sink into this pain-laden melody might paradoxically lighten your heart and help you take the next step.

I Remember Everything (feat. Kacey Musgraves)Zach Bryan

Zach Bryan – I Remember Everything (feat. Kacey Musgraves)

This duet by American singer-songwriters Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves tells the story of a past love from both a man’s and a woman’s perspective.

Although they spent the same time together, his memories and hers don’t quite line up.

He turns to alcohol; she remains unhealed.

Many listeners will relate to their emotional misalignment and that lingering “How did it come to this?” feeling after a breakup.

No matter how hard you try to forget, some memories resurface in unguarded moments.

The song won a Grammy in February 2024.

Rather than forcing yourself to move on, taking time to fully dwell in those memories might give you the courage to take your next step.

WESTSIDEkeshi

keshi – WESTSIDE (Visualizer)

This song is performed by Keshi, a singer-songwriter from the United States with the unique background of being a former nurse.

It sounds like it portrays the resolve of choosing to part ways with someone important and setting out alone toward a new future.

The gentle guitar and beautiful falsetto seem to softly accompany the complex feelings of moving forward while carrying loneliness.

The debut album GABRIEL, which includes this track, was released in March 2022 and reached No.

16 on the U.

S.

charts.

Rather than forcing yourself to forget the past, you want to quietly take the next step.

Perhaps this song will gently give you that encouraging push.