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Tear-jerking coming-of-age songs in Western music

We’ve put together a collection of moving youth-themed songs from Western music.

Whether you’re in the thick of your youth or looking back on it with nostalgia, these tearjerkers will tug at your heartstrings.

From nostalgic classics to the latest hits, we’ve gathered timeless tracks across the decades.

Savor those bittersweet memories as you listen.

Playlist

Tear-jerking coming-of-age songs in Western music
show_chartTitlePlaylistOne point
1eastLover, You Should’ve Come OverJeff BuckleyA beautiful ballad of young Buckley’s regret and love
2eastI Still…Backstreet BoysA bittersweet love song by the Backstreet Boys
3eastJust Want You to KnowBackstreet BoysA Backstreet Boys song that sings about the sadness of parting.
4eastMissing YouBackstreet BoysA gem of a ballad by a vocal group that epitomized the ’90s
5eastFadedAlan WalkerSomehow happy, yet tinged with a bittersweet feeling…
6eastSummertime SadnessLana Del ReyA sad masterpiece that sings of the sense of loss in summer
7eastIt’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to YesterdayBoyz II MenA timeless, heart-touching masterpiece that sings of the pain of parting.
8eastA Thousand MilesVanessa CarltonTo meet the one I have strong feelings for, what kind of...
9eastBad DayDaniel PowterEven if today was a bad day, tomorrow will...
10eastDon’t Stop Believin’JourneyWhile it's important to be mindful of how others see you, "ma...
11eastI Just Called To Say I Love YouStevie WonderTo someone special, a simple, single word of love…
12eastBest Day Of My LifeAmerican AuthorsWe’re a four-piece band who met at a music university…
13eastWe Are YoungFun. ft. Janelle MonáeWe’re a four-piece band who met at a music university…
14eastGood Riddance (Time Of Your Life)Green DaySpeaking of youth, it’s this Green Day song…
15eastShe Used To Be MineSara BareillesWhen I saw myself in the mirror, a stranger appeared...
16eastThis Is MeThe Greatest ShowmanI want to accept myself and live with my head held high…
17eastWe Are The WorldUSA For AfricaCreated for a fundraising campaign to combat famine in Africa…
18eastComplicatedAvril LavigneAmong Avril’s songs, this one is especially famous for making people cry...
19eastI’m Not In Love10ccA classic song that sings of the heartrending feelings of a man who has fallen in love
20eastHard To Say I’m SorryCHICAGOThe classic song “Hard to Say,” which sings of the pain of heartbreak.
21eastWish You Were HereAvril LavigneA song by Avril Lavigne that resonates with the heart
22eastShow Me The Meaning Of Being LonelyBackstreet BoysA heartbreaking ballad about lost love, a timeless song that resonates with the heart
23eastHappier Than EverBillie EilishA moving work that sings of growth and independence after heartbreak.
24eastYoung and BeautifulLana Del ReyLana Del Rey’s wistful vocals and aesthetics
25eastHere’s to Never Growing UpAvril LavigneIt’s a rousing anthem that celebrates eternal youth.
26eastSomeone Like YouAdeleA bittersweet ballad that brings back memories of a former lover I dearly loved…
27eastI Dont’t Want To Miss A ThingAerosmithIt's a classic song, and I think many people can relate to it...
28eastWhen I Was Your ManBruno MarsWhile I was her boyfriend, the things that made her happy…
29eastSee You AgainCharlie PuthThe main… of the American film “Furious 7”
30eastHappierEd SheeranThe me who was happy when we were together, and the me who...
31eastI’m YoursJason MrazBright and somehow soothing, with a distinctive ukulele...
32eastSomewhere Only We KnowKeanePiano rock that blends nostalgia with freshness...
33eastBreakawayKelly ClarksonWithout being too bound by the old, to new things...
34eastFingers CrossedLauren Spencer SmithBlue skies, gentle spring breezes, a glittering sun, youth…
35eastI Hope You DanceLee Ann WomackThis song, which is country music, is new…
36eastHeroMariah CareyIt's a classic song, but a nostalgic one that gives me confidence...
37eastPhotographNickelbackIt’s a classic American graduation song. It’s often played at graduation ceremoni…
38eastYou’ll Be In My HeartPhil CollinsUsed in the Disney movie Tarzan...
39eastOctober 25thSadie JeanBlue skies and the season of autumn leaves—a bittersweet memory from when I was 16...
40eastFriendsThe Beach BoysThe melody is very mysterious. For many years...
41eastWhere Is The Love?The Black Eyed PeasAfter the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States...
42eastAnother LoveTom OdellI started a new relationship, but I keep remembering the one before...
43eastEverybody HurtsR.E.M.A heartwarming classic that embraces sorrow
44eastTonight I’m Getting Over YouCarly Rae JepsenA pop and cute teenage girl’s…
45eastI Need To Be In LoveCarpentersThe unstable feelings of a minor that exist during adolescence...
46eastWithout YouChris BrownIt sings of the feelings of compassion for someone dear...
47eastYou’re BeautifulJames BluntA tear-jerking love so… by James Blunt
48eastDon’t Stop Believin’JourneyTo the youth of that time: don't stop believing...
49eastCry Me A RiverJustin TimberlakeSuper popular artist “Justin Tim…”
50eastDon’t Look Back In AngerOasisIf you’re talking about an Oasis song that makes you cry, it’s this one.
51eastEverytime You Go AwayPaul YoungA British musician, an inspiring song
52eastCreepRadioheadEven among the hugely popular band Radiohead, particu...
53eastUnder The BridgeRed Hot Chili PeppersRed Hot Chili Pepper…
54eastVapour TrailRideA wistful, shoegaze-tinged melody leaves an impres...
55eastUntitledSimple PlanSimple Plan’s smash hit “Un…”
56eastI Gotta FeelingThe Black Eyed PeasThe Black Eyed Peas's...
57eastOn Our WayThe Royal ConceptWe are young, and we are one, shining…
58eastSay It Ain’t SoWeezerA full-on Weezer vibe with a somewhat lonely melody...
59eastSee You Again ft. Charlie PuthWiz KhalifaWhen it comes to tear-jerker songs recommended for young people, this is the one...
60eastSay SomethingA Great Big World ft. Christina AguileraA heartrending masterpiece, a moving movie insert song
61eastWhen We Were YoungAdeleLooking at the profile of the person I once loved, I remembered when I was young...
62eastCryinAerosmithA bittersweet song about parting with someone dear
63eastWhen your goneAvril LavigneA song of sorrow and resolve for a cherished person
64eastEnd Of The RoadBoyz II MenBoyz II M..., who helped define an era of R&B.
65eastI Don’t Think That I Like HerCharlie PuthA masterpiece that sings of the pain and anxiety of love
66east100 YearsFive for FightingSinger-songwriter Fi from Los Angeles…
67eastHold OnGood CharlotteThe appeal of iconic songs that encourage the anguish of adolescence
68eastWake Me Up When September EndsGreen DayAn anti-war song protesting the 9/11 attacks
69eastHappiest YearJaymes YoungA heartwarming song that sings of the pain of heartbreak and gratitude
70eastLeave (Get Out)JoJoA song about the anguish of breaking up with her boyfriend...
71eastSingMy Chemical RomanceHaving recently reunited, they are also scheduled to come to Japan...
72eastCounting StarsOneRepublicA five-piece rock band gaining support in the English-speaking world...
73eastCirclesPost MaloneForeign song lyrics are difficult, but they have unexpected depth too.
74eastPerfectSimple PlanSinging about the struggles of adolescence and feelings toward one’s parents
75eastCrying My Eyes OutStephen PuthA song with sad lyrics and an upbeat melody
76eastNow Is The HourThe 1975A moving long-distance love ballad that resonates with the heart
77eastIf I die youngThe Band PerryMoving music that sings of life and of birth and death
78eastYoung BloodThe Naked And FamousA globally famous band originating from New Zealand…
79eastMiles ApartYellowcardThe punk rock band Yellowcard…
80eastSeventeenAlessia CaraA song from Canada depicting the youth of a 17-year-old
81eastYoung BloodBea MillerThe moving classic song that heals the troubles of youth, 'Young Blood'
82east19 You + MeDan + ShayA classic song that colors the memories of summer vacation
83eastThirteenElliott SmithA pure-love cover song by Elliott Smith
84eastSpringsteenEric ChurchA classic song by Eric Church that sings about youth
85eastYoung VolcanoesFall Out BoyFocus on iconic songs that encourage youthful struggles
86eastMemoriesMaroon 5Maroon 5's moving tribute song
87eastFRIENDSMarshmello & Anne-MarieA relatable song that portrays youthful romance
88eastBuilt To LastMêléeA bittersweet love ballad, a moving work
89eastLive While We’re YoungOne DirectionOne Direction’s classic that portrays the troubles of youth
90eastFifteenTaylor SwiftTaylor Swift’s classic from her country era
91eastYOUTHTroye SivanTroy Sivan’s iconic anthem celebrating youth
92eastGraduationVitamin CThe famous song “Graduation,” which depicts the moving emotions of graduation
93eastWhen You’re GoneAvril LavigneIt's a singing voice that seems to stretch on forever. You...
94eastWe Are Young ft. Janelle MonáeFunA fan who debuted in 2008, 201…
95eastNever Grow UpTaylor SwiftAn American country-pop singer and vocalist…
96eastBeautifulChristina AguileraI think it’s a song that everyone has heard at least once…
97eastTime After TimeCyndi LauperBecause time cannot be stopped, people look ahead...
98eastLet Her GoPassengerWe take things for granted and lose something, and only then, for the first time...
99eastI’m Not The Only OneSam SmithA husband who is having an affair, and as I begin to realize it...
100eastI Believe I Can FlyR. KellyIt's a classic American graduation song, especially for elementary school...