Ranking of Sad Songs and Popular Tracks by Foreign Female Artists [2025]

goodbyeKelly Clarkson1rank/position

Kelly Clarkson – goodbye (Official Lyric Video)

A powerful song by Kelly Clarkson that resonates with anyone who’s experienced heartbreak or betrayal.

Centered on self-worth and strength, it captures the sense of liberation after overcoming trials and hardships.

Included on the deluxe edition of the album “Chemistry,” it was released in September 2023.

Clarkson’s vocal prowess—backed by over 25 million albums sold and three Grammy Awards—further elevates the song’s appeal.

It’s highly recommended not only for those who’ve endured a painful breakup, but also for anyone who needs the courage to step into a new stage of life.

Time to Say GoodbyeAndrea Bocelli & Sarah Brightman2rank/position

Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman – Time To Say Goodbye (Live From Teatro Del Silenzio, Italy / 2007)

British soprano Sarah Brightman and former Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli perform a duet.

Released in 1996, this song became a worldwide hit and helped turn classical crossover into a global movement.

In Japan, Sarah Brightman’s music has been used as a news program theme, making it feel familiar to many.

we can’t be friends (wait for your love)Ariana Grande3rank/position

Ariana Grande – we can’t be friends (wait for your love) (official music video)

Ariana Grande’s track, which stands out for its fusion of synth-pop and EDM, vividly portrays the emotions that waver between love and friendship.

Its emotional balladry and dance beats are exquisitely balanced, gripping listeners from start to finish.

Featured on her seventh album, “eternal sunshine,” released in March 2024, it debuted at No.

1 on the U.

S.

singles chart.

The music video is an homage to the film “Eternal Sunshine,” offering a striking narrative centered on a memory-erasure procedure.

It’s a must-listen for anyone wrestling with complex romantic feelings or determined to stay true to themselves.

yes, and?Ariana Grande4rank/position

Ariana Grande – yes, and? (music video rehearsals)

Ariana Grande has released a danceable new track.

This song delivers a powerful message centered on self-affirmation and pushing back against criticism from others.

It seamlessly blends rhythmical beats influenced by 1980s house music with Grande’s soaring vocals.

Released in January 2024, it drew attention as the lead single for the album “Eternal Sunshine,” which arrived in March.

It’s recommended for anyone who wants to cherish their individuality or lift their spirits.

It’s also a perfect track to light up the dance floor.

IrreplaceableBeyoncé5rank/position

Beyoncé – Irreplaceable

Beyoncé is an American R&B singer who captivates listeners with her powerful vocals.

She’s an artist with extremely high name recognition in Japan as well.

While many people associate her with powerful, high-energy melodies, her more laid-back tracks are actually quite good, too.

“Irreplaceable” is a song that reveals a new side of her.

It portrays a woman fed up with a clingy boyfriend, and the contrast with the melody makes it a really interesting piece.

Be sure to check it out!

Strange FruitBillie Holiday6rank/position

Billie Holiday – “Strange Fruit” Live 1959 [Reelin’ In The Years Archives]

This is a historic song by American legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday.

The shock I felt upon learning that the “strange fruit” in the title is a metaphor for Black people hanging from trees is beyond measure.

After an opening of piano that cuts through the silence, her voice—like it’s carving away at her soul—vividly depicts that terrifying scene.

This is not about the heartache of love; it’s a searing indictment of social injustice and a well of deep sorrow.

Intertwined with the epic hardships of her own life, her expression transcends mere music and seems to speak directly to the listener’s heart.

It’s a soul-shaking piece that can hardly be heard without tears.

Bam Bam (ft. Ed Sheeran)Camila Cabello7rank/position

Camila Cabello – Bam Bam (Official Music Video) ft. Ed Sheeran

Released in 2022, Bam Bam is a standout hit whose lively rhythms and catchy melodies overflow with Latin flavor—so characteristic of Camila Cabello, who was born in Cuba.

The song also drew attention as a duet with massively popular singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran, but what truly leaves a mark are the lyrics, widely thought to be about her ex-boyfriend Shawn Mendes, with whom her breakup was reported in 2019.

The vivid words convey just how painful the separation was, capturing Camila’s shifting emotional landscape with raw authenticity.

In the end, the song adopts a positive, forward-looking stance—life is like this, so just keep dancing—but it’s precisely because she endured that harsh, sorrowful period before reaching such acceptance that she was able to release a song like this.

A line that carries the nuance of “Not everything is going to work out, right?” holds a sense of letting go while still hinting at lingering feelings, leaving us with a poignant tightness in the chest.