Top Sad Songs by Western Female Singer-Songwriters: Popular Rankings [2025]

Yoü And ILady Gaga22rank/position

Lady Gaga – Yoü And I

As a heartrendingly beautiful breakup song, it has captured the hearts of many.

Showcasing Lady Gaga’s rich emotional expression, this work is a grand ballad that lingers on a past love.

The lyrics, sung over a beautiful melodic line, will give courage and a sense of kinship to those nursing unrequited feelings.

Released in July 2011, the track was issued as a single from the album “Born This Way.” The passion and melancholy felt throughout the song speak to the frustrations of love that everyone experiences, and its evocative lyrics are sure to enchant many listeners.

EmotionsMariah Carey23rank/position

Mariah Carey – Emotions

Among Mariah’s many songs, this track stands out as one of her signature hits and a go-to anthem for girls in love.

With her soaring vocals and those uniquely Mariah high notes, she delivers a crisp, uplifting performance that captures the giddy, floating feeling of falling in love.

B-e-a-utifulMegan Nicole24rank/position

“B-e-a-utiful” – Megan Nicole

It’s a song that portrays a girl who’s in love with the idea of love, spending her youth.

As friends around her keep finding boyfriends and girlfriends and growing happy, she’s left with the aching loneliness of feeling left behind—thinking, “My ideal guy still hasn’t appeared.”

Just a Friend to YouMeghan Trainor25rank/position

Meghan Trainor – Just a Friend To You (Vevo Presents)

“Just a Friend to You,” sung by American artist Meghan Trainor.

Though its cheerful ukulele tones feel comforting, the song actually tells a bittersweet story of unrequited love—wishing to be more than “just friends.” You want to be lovers, but the other person only sees you as a friend… By pairing those frustrating feelings with an unapologetically bright melody, the poignancy hits even deeper.

Many of us know that sweet-yet-bitter experience of laughing beside the person we love as their “best friend,” while crying on the inside.

Let this song help you breezily get through the helpless ache of a one-sided crush!

IslandMiley Cyrus26rank/position

Miley Cyrus – Island (Official Lyric Video)

Let me introduce a deeply affecting, emotionally rich tropical ballad by Miley Cyrus that resonates at summer’s end.

Featured on her March 2023 album Endless Summer Vacation, the song stands out for its gentle sound that skillfully blends pop and reggae elements.

Anchored by the question of whether one has been left stranded on a deserted island or arrived in paradise, it portrays a complex emotional state swaying between loneliness and freedom.

The protagonist’s feelings, poised on the boundary between the end of a romance and a new beginning, are sung with aching tenderness over a mellow melody.

It’s a perfect track for quiet moments spent alone in the twilight of summer.

Rose Colored LensesMiley Cyrus27rank/position

Miley Cyrus – Rose Colored Lenses (Official Lyric Video)

Singer-songwriter Miley Cyrus.

Her release “Rose Colored Lenses” is crafted in a way that anyone can relate to.

At the very beginning of the song, we meet a woman who wakes up because of the strong sunlight streaming into her room.

It then depicts her heading out even though she doesn’t want to go into the heat.

It’s a classic summertime scenario, right? Another highlight is how a bittersweet love story unfolds alongside it.

When I Look At YouMiley Cyrus28rank/position

When I Look At You

A poignant ballad that portrays the power of love to bring hope and comfort during difficult times in life.

Miley Cyrus’s soaring vocals are striking, resonating deeply with listeners.

Released in 2009 and featured on the soundtrack of the film “The Last Song,” this track beautifully expresses how true love can transform one’s life.

It’s especially recommended for those experiencing unrequited love or seeking to heal from heartbreak.

The presence of a loved one becomes a light in the darkness, helping one find hope amid despair—this song carries such a universal message of love.