Tear-jerking Western songs: recommended classics and popular tracks

Young and BeautifulLana Del Rey

Lana Del Rey – Young and Beautiful

A gem-like ballad from the soundtrack of The Great Gatsby that deeply questions the enduring nature of beauty and love.

Sung by American artist Lana Del Rey, the song renders a universal anxiety—whether love endures even when youth and looks fade—through a cinematic soundscape.

Its grand, orchestra-based arrangement and her wistful vocals beautifully portray the fear of passing time and a bittersweet plea for love.

Released in April 2013 and peaking at No.

22 on the Billboard Hot 100, this piece is recommended for those feeling uneasy about their relationships or facing life’s transitions.

Apologize ft. OneRepublicTimbaland

Timbaland – Apologize ft. OneRepublic

A deeply piercing ballad that sings of apology and regret toward a loved one.

Its aching desire to mend a broken relationship is conveyed through Ryan Tedder’s emotive vocals and a beautiful piano melody.

Released in September 2007 as a remix produced by American producer Timbaland, it became a global hit, reaching number one on the charts in 16 countries.

The song was also featured in the TV drama Cold Case and is cherished as a classic that remains in many listeners’ memories.

It’s a track that offers comfort to those suffering from heartbreak or struggling with relationships with someone important.

Alone AgainGilbert O’Sullivan

Gilbert O’Sullivan – Alone Again (original version)

Gilbert O’Sullivan, who works as a singer-songwriter, is an artist particularly famous for this number.

However, the lyrics sung in this song are extremely heavy, expressing life’s hardships in stark contrast to its light, breezy melody.

One could say that the charm of pop music lies in its ability to convey heartfelt, deeply felt emotions hidden inside through a familiar, accessible tune.

BADU2

BAD – U2

A track included on “The Unforgettable Fire,” released following “War,” the album that catapulted U2 to fame.

In contrast to the dynamic previous record, this album features many introspective songs that invite contemplation, and on this track Bono’s quietly impassioned vocal delivery is absolutely stunning.

Yesterday Once MoreCarpenters

The Carpenters – Yesterday Once More (INCLUDES LYRICS)

Karen Carpenter can be considered a songstress who epitomized American pop music in the 1970s.

“Yesterday Once More” is a single the Carpenters released in 1973, and its lyrics express nostalgia for the oldies they used to hear on the radio.

No SurprisesRadiohead

Radiohead – No Surprises

Radiohead burst onto the music scene with Creep, a song charged with dark, fierce passion, and went on to establish a firm place in it.

No Surprises, which opens with a neat, elegant guitar phrase, is a calm and beautiful track.

Yet isn’t it fair to say that, like their early songs from their debut era, this piece also harbors a pale, inner flame of spirit?

At Last I Am FreeRobert Wyatt

Robert Wyatt – At Last I Am Free

The original is by Chic, known for numerous disco numbers, but for rock fans this version is the more familiar one.

Robert Wyatt is a long-standing artist active since the 1960s in the progressive scene.

Backed by a jazzy performance, his relaxed, soaring delivery on this song has made it one of the signature works of Robert Wyatt’s career.