Saddest Western Songs Ranking [2025]

I Want It That WayBackstreet Boys15rank/position

Backstreet Boys – I Want It That Way (Official HD Video)

This is a song by the five-member American pop idol group Backstreet Boys.

It was released in 2001 as the lead single from the album Millennium.

Although they had been popular in Europe, this track became the catalyst for their breakthrough in their home country.

It’s a quintessential pop song of the ’90s that poignantly sings about the heartbreak caused by differences in how men and women think.

Lost On YouLP16rank/position

LP – Lost On You (Live)

LP’s 2016 release “Lost On You.” Many of you may know this song, as it became a massive hit worldwide.

You can’t talk about this track without mentioning LP’s background.

She openly identifies as a lesbian, and the song depicts a heartbreak from that perspective.

With its emotionally charged vocals and melancholic lyrics, it’s a striking piece that resonates even if you’re not a lesbian.

Be sure to give it a listen.

When I Was Your ManBruno Mars17rank/position

Bruno Mars – When I Was Your Man (Official Music Video)

Bruno Mars is an artist known for his husky voice and groovy sound.

He has changed his style several times—starting with pop in his early period, then rock ’n’ roll in the middle, and now R&B and disco.

“When I Was Your Man” is a song from the transition between his mid-period and his current style.

Despite its simple arrangement of just piano and vocals, it’s a powerful piece.

The climactic chorus melody is heartrending yet overwhelmingly impactful!

PhotographEd Sheeran18rank/position

Ed Sheeran – Photograph (Official Music Video)

It was released in 2015 by the British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran.

His debut album debuted at number one and was certified platinum.

The music video for this song uses his home videos, letting viewers watch adorable baby Ed grow up, almost as if they were part of the family.

Like a StoneAudioslave19rank/position

Audioslave – Like a Stone (Official Video)

This is a song by Audioslave, the American supergroup formed by Chris Cornell of Soundgarden and members of Rage Against the Machine.

It is said to portray the state of mind of someone at the end of their life, quietly waiting to reunite with a loved one in the afterlife.

The late Chris Cornell’s powerful yet heartrending vocals gently embrace profound themes of solitude and mortality.

You can almost picture someone waiting alone, like a stone, in complete stillness for that moment to come.

Coupled with a guitar solo that feels like an inexpressible cry from the heart, it’s an affecting track that squeezes the chest with an unbearable loneliness.

Die With A SmileLady Gaga, Bruno Mars20rank/position

Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars – Die With A Smile (Official Music Video)

A song that opens with a refreshing guitar tone and blossoms into soul-stirring harmonies.

The vocals woven by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars deliver a heartfelt ode to the depth of love on the brink of the world’s end.

Released in August 2024, the track quickly dominated charts around the globe, spending eight consecutive weeks at No.

1 on Billboard’s Global 200, cementing its popularity.

It was also selected as the theme song for the film “Eternal Love,” drawing even more attention.

It’s a must-listen for anyone who has experienced parting from someone dear or feels the fragility of love.

Someone You LovedLewis Capaldi21rank/position

Lewis Capaldi – Someone You Loved

Lewis Capaldi is a singer-songwriter from Scotland.

He’s a popular artist known for his powerful expressiveness and distinctive baritone voice, and he’s highly acclaimed around the world.

His signature song, Someone You Loved, was released in 2019 and, thanks to its high level of craftsmanship, was nominated for the Grammy Award for Song of the Year.

Both the melody and the lyrics are deeply sentimental, so if you’re going through a breakup, be sure to give it a listen.