Tear-jerking Western breakup songs: recommended classics and popular hits

What's NewLinda Ronstadt

Linda Ronstadt – What’s New (Original Video)

A breathtakingly beautiful song that you can’t help but listen to intently.

“What’s New” is a famous jazz standard.

While Helen Merrill’s version is well known, this 1983 rendition by Linda Ronstadt is also compelling.

It’s a bittersweet piece about running into an old lover by chance and asking, “Have you changed since then?”

Shout Out to My ExLittle Mix

Little Mix – Shout Out to My Ex (Official Video)

A girl group formed from the TV program X Factor.

This song is said to be about Zayn, formerly of One Direction, whom member Perrie Edwards was even engaged to.

It also appears that the lyrics mention Zayn’s ex-girlfriend, Gigi Hadid.

That Girl Disappeared (She’s Out Of My Life)Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson – She’s Out of My Life (Official Video – Upscaled)

A song by the “King of Pop,” Michael, released in 1980.

It was included on the previous year’s album Off the Wall and became the fourth single from it.

The song was originally prepared for Frank Sinatra, and for Michael—who was still in his early twenties at the time—it was quite a mature ballad.

I’m Not The Only OneSam Smith

Sam Smith – I’m Not The Only One (Official Music Video)

As the song’s title suggests, it portrays the heartbreak of knowing you’ve been betrayed and aren’t someone’s number one, yet still being unable to walk away.

The music video features Glee’s Dianna Agron playing the woman who cheats and betrays.

I'll Be Over YouTOTO

TOTO – I’ll be over you　【HQ】

It’s a song about a protagonist heartbroken after a breakup, telling themselves that they will surely overcome it someday.

It was recorded by the studio-musician collective band TOTO on their 1986 album “Fahrenheit,” and was also released as a single.

RedTaylor Swift

Taylor Swift – Red

Taylor Swift often releases breakup songs, and this one turns the emotions of heartbreak and the memories from when they first met into colors.

Because it was such a memorable relationship with intense feelings, she reportedly titled the song “Red.”

LingerThe Cranberries

The Cranberries – Linger (Official Music Video)

This work features the cute vocals of Dolores O’Riordan, the singer who passed away suddenly in January 2018, and a refreshing sound.

The Cranberries are a band from Ireland.

In addition to this song, “Dreams” was also a hit.

The single was released in 1993.

It was written based on Dolores’s sad romantic experiences.