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
	Title	Playlist	One point
1	Lover, You Should’ve Come OverJeff Buckley		A beautiful ballad of young Buckley’s regret and love
2	I Still…Backstreet Boys		A bittersweet love song by the Backstreet Boys
3	Just Want You to KnowBackstreet Boys		A Backstreet Boys song that sings about the sadness of parting.
4	Missing YouBackstreet Boys		A gem of a ballad by a vocal group that epitomized the ’90s
5	FadedAlan Walker		Somehow happy, yet tinged with a bittersweet feeling…
6	Summertime SadnessLana Del Rey		A sad masterpiece that sings of the sense of loss in summer
7	It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to YesterdayBoyz II Men		A timeless, heart-touching masterpiece that sings of the pain of parting.
8	A Thousand MilesVanessa Carlton		To meet the one I have strong feelings for, what kind of...
9	Bad DayDaniel Powter		Even if today was a bad day, tomorrow will...
10	Don’t Stop Believin’Journey		While it's important to be mindful of how others see you, "ma...
11	I Just Called To Say I Love YouStevie Wonder		To someone special, a simple, single word of love…
12	Best Day Of My LifeAmerican Authors		We’re a four-piece band who met at a music university…
13	We Are YoungFun. ft. Janelle Monáe		We’re a four-piece band who met at a music university…
14	Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)Green Day		Speaking of youth, it’s this Green Day song…
15	She Used To Be MineSara Bareilles		When I saw myself in the mirror, a stranger appeared...
16	This Is MeThe Greatest Showman		I want to accept myself and live with my head held high…
17	We Are The WorldUSA For Africa		Created for a fundraising campaign to combat famine in Africa…
18	ComplicatedAvril Lavigne		Among Avril’s songs, this one is especially famous for making people cry...
19	I’m Not In Love10cc		A classic song that sings of the heartrending feelings of a man who has fallen in love
20	Hard To Say I’m SorryCHICAGO		The classic song “Hard to Say,” which sings of the pain of heartbreak.
21	Wish You Were HereAvril Lavigne		A song by Avril Lavigne that resonates with the heart
22	Show Me The Meaning Of Being LonelyBackstreet Boys		A heartbreaking ballad about lost love, a timeless song that resonates with the heart
23	Happier Than EverBillie Eilish		A moving work that sings of growth and independence after heartbreak.
24	Young and BeautifulLana Del Rey		Lana Del Rey’s wistful vocals and aesthetics
25	Here’s to Never Growing UpAvril Lavigne		It’s a rousing anthem that celebrates eternal youth.
26	Someone Like YouAdele		A bittersweet ballad that brings back memories of a former lover I dearly loved…
27	I Dont’t Want To Miss A ThingAerosmith		It's a classic song, and I think many people can relate to it...
28	When I Was Your ManBruno Mars		While I was her boyfriend, the things that made her happy…
29	See You AgainCharlie Puth		The main… of the American film “Furious 7”
30	HappierEd Sheeran		The me who was happy when we were together, and the me who...
31	I’m YoursJason Mraz		Bright and somehow soothing, with a distinctive ukulele...
32	Somewhere Only We KnowKeane		Piano rock that blends nostalgia with freshness...
33	BreakawayKelly Clarkson		Without being too bound by the old, to new things...
34	Fingers CrossedLauren Spencer Smith		Blue skies, gentle spring breezes, a glittering sun, youth…
35	I Hope You DanceLee Ann Womack		This song, which is country music, is new…
36	HeroMariah Carey		It's a classic song, but a nostalgic one that gives me confidence...
37	PhotographNickelback		It’s a classic American graduation song. It’s often played at graduation ceremoni…
38	You’ll Be In My HeartPhil Collins		Used in the Disney movie Tarzan...
39	October 25thSadie Jean		Blue skies and the season of autumn leaves—a bittersweet memory from when I was 16...
40	FriendsThe Beach Boys		The melody is very mysterious. For many years...
41	Where Is The Love?The Black Eyed Peas		After the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States...
42	Another LoveTom Odell		I started a new relationship, but I keep remembering the one before...
43	Everybody HurtsR.E.M.		A heartwarming classic that embraces sorrow
44	Tonight I’m Getting Over YouCarly Rae Jepsen		A pop and cute teenage girl’s…
45	I Need To Be In LoveCarpenters		The unstable feelings of a minor that exist during adolescence...
46	Without YouChris Brown		It sings of the feelings of compassion for someone dear...
47	You’re BeautifulJames Blunt		A tear-jerking love so… by James Blunt
48	Don’t Stop Believin’Journey		To the youth of that time: don't stop believing...
49	Cry Me A RiverJustin Timberlake		Super popular artist “Justin Tim…”
50	Don’t Look Back In AngerOasis		If you’re talking about an Oasis song that makes you cry, it’s this one.
51	Everytime You Go AwayPaul Young		A British musician, an inspiring song
52	CreepRadiohead		Even among the hugely popular band Radiohead, particu...
53	Under The BridgeRed Hot Chili Peppers		Red Hot Chili Pepper…
54	Vapour TrailRide		A wistful, shoegaze-tinged melody leaves an impres...
55	UntitledSimple Plan		Simple Plan’s smash hit “Un…”
56	I Gotta FeelingThe Black Eyed Peas		The Black Eyed Peas's...
57	On Our WayThe Royal Concept		We are young, and we are one, shining…
58	Say It Ain’t SoWeezer		A full-on Weezer vibe with a somewhat lonely melody...
59	See You Again ft. Charlie PuthWiz Khalifa		When it comes to tear-jerker songs recommended for young people, this is the one...
60	Say SomethingA Great Big World ft. Christina Aguilera		A heartrending masterpiece, a moving movie insert song
61	When We Were YoungAdele		Looking at the profile of the person I once loved, I remembered when I was young...
62	CryinAerosmith		A bittersweet song about parting with someone dear
63	When your goneAvril Lavigne		A song of sorrow and resolve for a cherished person
64	End Of The RoadBoyz II Men		Boyz II M..., who helped define an era of R&B.
65	I Don’t Think That I Like HerCharlie Puth		A masterpiece that sings of the pain and anxiety of love
66	100 YearsFive for Fighting		Singer-songwriter Fi from Los Angeles…
67	Hold OnGood Charlotte		The appeal of iconic songs that encourage the anguish of adolescence
68	Wake Me Up When September EndsGreen Day		An anti-war song protesting the 9/11 attacks
69	Happiest YearJaymes Young		A heartwarming song that sings of the pain of heartbreak and gratitude
70	Leave (Get Out)JoJo		A song about the anguish of breaking up with her boyfriend...
71	SingMy Chemical Romance		Having recently reunited, they are also scheduled to come to Japan...
72	Counting StarsOneRepublic		A five-piece rock band gaining support in the English-speaking world...
73	CirclesPost Malone		Foreign song lyrics are difficult, but they have unexpected depth too.
74	PerfectSimple Plan		Singing about the struggles of adolescence and feelings toward one’s parents
75	Crying My Eyes OutStephen Puth		A song with sad lyrics and an upbeat melody
76	Now Is The HourThe 1975		A moving long-distance love ballad that resonates with the heart
77	If I die youngThe Band Perry		Moving music that sings of life and of birth and death
78	Young BloodThe Naked And Famous		A globally famous band originating from New Zealand…
79	Miles ApartYellowcard		The punk rock band Yellowcard…
80	SeventeenAlessia Cara		A song from Canada depicting the youth of a 17-year-old
81	Young BloodBea Miller		The moving classic song that heals the troubles of youth, 'Young Blood'
82	19 You + MeDan + Shay		A classic song that colors the memories of summer vacation
83	ThirteenElliott Smith		A pure-love cover song by Elliott Smith
84	SpringsteenEric Church		A classic song by Eric Church that sings about youth
85	Young VolcanoesFall Out Boy		Focus on iconic songs that encourage youthful struggles
86	MemoriesMaroon 5		Maroon 5's moving tribute song
87	FRIENDSMarshmello & Anne-Marie		A relatable song that portrays youthful romance
88	Built To LastMêlée		A bittersweet love ballad, a moving work
89	Live While We’re YoungOne Direction		One Direction’s classic that portrays the troubles of youth
90	FifteenTaylor Swift		Taylor Swift’s classic from her country era
91	YOUTHTroye Sivan		Troy Sivan’s iconic anthem celebrating youth
92	GraduationVitamin C		The famous song “Graduation,” which depicts the moving emotions of graduation
93	When You’re GoneAvril Lavigne		It's a singing voice that seems to stretch on forever. You...
94	We Are Young ft. Janelle MonáeFun		A fan who debuted in 2008, 201…
95	Never Grow UpTaylor Swift		An American country-pop singer and vocalist…
96	BeautifulChristina Aguilera		I think it’s a song that everyone has heard at least once…
97	Time After TimeCyndi Lauper		Because time cannot be stopped, people look ahead...
98	Let Her GoPassenger		We take things for granted and lose something, and only then, for the first time...
99	I’m Not The Only OneSam Smith		A husband who is having an affair, and as I begin to realize it...
100	I Believe I Can FlyR. Kelly		It's a classic American graduation song, especially for elementary school...