Popular Western music. Latest rankings [2025]

Someone You LovedLewis Capaldi50rank/position

Lewis Capaldi – Someone You Loved

A gem of a ballad that gently stays close to the hearts of those in pain.

Hailing from Scotland, Lewis Capaldi is a singer-songwriter known for his powerful vocals and deep emotional expression.

Released in November 2018, this work is a soulful song that tenderly embraces the ache of heartbreak and loss.

Set to the sound of piano, it quietly portrays the earnest feelings of a protagonist who has lost someone dear.

The music video features actor Peter Capaldi, and through a story of organ donation, it conveys both the sorrow of parting from a loved one and the connection to a new life.

Included on the album “Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent,” it won Song of the Year at the 2019 Brit Awards.

It’s a track that gently gives you a push when you stand at a crossroads in life with a deeply wounded heart.

Viva La VidaColdplay51rank/position

Coldplay – Viva La Vida (Official Video)

This is a song by the British rock band Coldplay, whose grand strings portray the sorrow of a king who has lost his power, striking straight at the heart.

Released in May 2008 from the album “Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends,” many will remember it for winning Song of the Year at the 51st Grammy Awards.

You may also have heard it in Apple’s iPod commercials.

Among fans, it enjoys overwhelming popularity as “majestic yet bittersweet,” and “like an anthem for life.” The protagonist’s emptiness—“I once ruled the world, and now I sleep alone”—echoes the hollow feeling that can follow great success.

Reflecting on the fragility of life revealed only after reaching the top makes you want to cherish the happiness you have now.

10,000 HoursDan + Shay, Justin Bieber52rank/position

Dan + Shay, Justin Bieber – 10,000 Hours (Official Music Video)

This is a song born from a miraculous collaboration that crosses the boundaries between country and pop! It’s a luxurious joint work by the talented Nashville duo Dan + Shay and global pop star Justin Bieber, released in October 2019.

The anecdote that it came out just four days after Justin’s wedding further heightens its romantic mood.

The song expresses steadfast love—the desire to know every corner of a loved one’s heart, even if it takes ten thousand hours.

Listening to the warm acoustic tones and the gentle harmonies of the three voices blending together, you can’t help but feel your heart warmed and be moved to tears.

It’s truly a tear-jerking masterpiece that resonates with everyone who holds someone dear.

GirlfriendAvril Lavigne53rank/position

Avril Lavigne – Girlfriend (Official Video)

The song released in 2007 by Canadian singer-songwriter Avril Lavigne is a striking work that portrays competitive spirit in romance and a confident self-assertion.

Its lyrics express jealousy toward someone else’s partner and a powerful conviction of being the more suitable match, delivered in a direct and provocative manner.

Set to a pop-punk sound, the protagonist’s emotions vividly embody a youthful rebelliousness and a passionate desire for love, powerfully moving listeners.

Included on the album “The Best Damn Thing,” the track became a massive global hit with 7.

3 million copies sold and marked Lavigne’s first Billboard No.

1 single.

SeptemberEarth, Wind & Fire54rank/position

Earth, Wind & Fire – September (Official HD Video)

Just hearing the sparkling horn section in the intro makes your heart start to dance—the definitive disco anthem! It’s a worldwide smash hit by the American musical group Earth, Wind & Fire.

With lyrics that celebrate an irreplaceable, memorable day and a relentlessly positive, euphoric sound, it instantly fills listeners with happiness.

Released in November 1978, the song was included on the greatest hits album The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol.

1 and featured in the film Night at the Museum, continuing to captivate audiences to this day.

Put it on when you’re gathering with your favorite people, and the moments you share might shine even brighter!

Closer ft. HalseyThe Chainsmokers55rank/position

The Chainsmokers – Closer (Official Video) ft. Halsey

Released in 2016, Closer, a collaboration between The Chainsmokers and Halsey, is a song that delicately portrays the complexities and misalignments of love.

While reflecting on a past relationship and weaving in hope for the future, it’s perfect for couples trying to bring their hearts back together after a fight.

In particular, the refrain “We ain’t ever getting older” reminds us that, no matter how much time passes, there’s an unchanging bond between the two.

If you’re feeling distant after an argument, be sure to give it a listen.

Counting StarsOneRepublic56rank/position

OneRepublic – Counting Stars

Have you ever struggled with the gap between ideal and reality, spending sleepless nights anxious about the future? In those moments, this song gently frees the heart from materialistic values, whispering, “Instead of counting money, why not count the stars?” Created by the American band OneRepublic, it offers courage with a message that even the moments that knock you down are proof that you’re alive.

Included on their 2013 album Native and reaching number one on the UK charts, the song was also featured in the film Earth to Echo.

When daily life threatens to make you lose sight of your dreams, simply shifting your focus to what truly matters can make your heart feel a little lighter, don’t you think?