Love Songs by Male Western Artists: Popular Song Rankings [2025]

Never Gonna Give You UpRick Astley92rank/position

Rick Astley – Never Gonna Give You Up (Official Video) (4K Remaster)

Rick Astley is a singer-songwriter from the United Kingdom.

He has a well-groomed, handsome look, but he’s known for a rich, soulful, and deep singing voice that, in a good way, contrasts with his appearance.

His song Never Gonna Give You Up was the work that propelled his popularity onto the international stage and became a global mega-hit.

It’s a classic that I recommend to fans of Black music, disco, and synth-pop.

TRUESpandau Ballet93rank/position

Spandau Ballet – True (HD Remastered)

Spandau Ballet is a band from the United Kingdom, known for their success in the British music scene of the 1980s.

Among their works, the song True is especially famous.

Created as an homage to the Motown sound they admired, it became a major hit not only in their home country but also in the United States and Japan.

Released in 1983, the track has a clear, autumnal tone.

Everybody Wants To Rule The WorldTears for Fears94rank/position

Tears For Fears – Everybody Wants To Rule The World (Official Music Video)

It really feels like an ‘80s Western pop ballad, doesn’t it? It’s a bittersweet ballad where a gentle yet powerful worldview peeks through, sung with a voice as soft as cotton.

It’s a song that can help you regain a sense of calm, so why not give it a listen when you’re feeling irritated?

Out of TimeThe Weeknd95rank/position

The Weeknd – Out of Time (Official Video)

Hailing from Canada and transcending the boundaries of contemporary R&B to stand as a top star in the world of popular music, The Weeknd is known for crafting many songs inspired by his own romantic experiences.

His ability to transform even messages steeped in lingering feelings for an ex into mysterious, beautiful masterpieces is nothing short of remarkable.

Among his sad yet beautiful breakup songs, this time we’ll focus on “Out of Time,” released in 2022.

Featured on his fifth studio album, Dawn FM, it became a hot topic for sampling “MIDNIGHT PRETENDERS,” composed by Tetsurō Oda and included on Tomoko Aran’s 1983 album Fuyū Kūkan—a classic of Japanese city pop.

While the track is a sleek, urban pop song that’s a pleasure to listen to, the lyrics, as the title suggests, express thoughts for a former lover that arrive too late, no matter how much one regrets.

Some listeners may find it so relatable that it’s almost painful.

Save Your TearsThe Weeknd96rank/position

The Weeknd – Save Your Tears (Official Music Video)

The Weeknd is an American singer-songwriter known for his distinctive musical style that blends elements of modern R&B and pop with synth-pop, a genre that was a huge hit in the 1980s.

Among his works, “Save Your Tears” centers on the theme of saying goodbye.

The lyrics depict a heartbroken man feeling down as he watches his ex-girlfriend, who doesn’t seem to care about him at all.

It’s a unique piece, so be sure to check it out.

Apologize ft. OneRepublicTimbaland97rank/position

Timbaland – Apologize ft. OneRepublic

If you’ve ever made an irreversible mistake and been told “it’s too late to apologize,” you’ll probably feel a deep connection to this song.

In the face of shattered trust, any words ring hollow.

That kind of hopeless situation is unbearably painful.

Produced by American hitmaker Timbaland and fused with OneRepublic’s plaintive vocals, this track tightens its grip on the listener’s heart.

Released in September 2007 from the album Shock Value, it reached number one in the charts of 16 countries and was also featured in the TV drama Cold Case.

When you realize you won’t be forgiven, all you can do may be to fully sink into that sense of powerlessness.

Brown Eyed GirlVan Morrison98rank/position

Van Morrison – Brown Eyed Girl (Official Audio)

Van Morrison is a superstar overseas, yet he’s hardly known in Japan—probably largely because he’s never toured here.

This was his first hit after going solo, and it’s even considered one of the defining songs of the 1960s.