Moving Western songs: classic and popular tracks among the world’s most emotional songs.
Unlike Japanese music, one of the advantages of Western music is that you can be moved by the mood of the melody even if you don’t know the lyrics.
This time, I’ve selected Western songs that are especially moving.
In the first half, I’ve prioritized commercially successful works and well-known tracks.
In the second half, I’ve gathered truly moving Western masterpieces, regardless of their popularity or commercial scale.
If you’re well-versed in Western music, you’ll likely encounter masterpieces you haven’t heard before in the latter half—so be sure to check them out!
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Moving Western music. Masterpieces and popular tracks among the world’s most emotional songs (101–110)
When You’re GoneAvril Lavigne
A track about the feelings of being apart from a lover.
Released by Avril Lavigne in 2007, it reached the Top 10 on charts around the world.
It was sampled in DJ Nate’s 2010 track “Ga Ga Lord R.
I.
P.”.
Leave Your LoverSam Smith
A song from the debut album In the Lonely Hour, released in 2013.
It portrays the aching feelings of a man who has fallen in love with a friend who already has a partner.
This beautiful track showcases Grammy-winning singer Sam Smith’s falsetto voice.
Sk8er BoiAvril Lavigne
It’s a feel-good rock song by Canadian pop-rock singer Avril Lavigne, who became explosively popular in Japan with “Girlfriend.” For many, listening to it now brings back nostalgic memories—one of those songs that defined their youth.
CreepRediohead
It’s the well-known masterpiece ‘Creep’ by the British rock band Radiohead.
Because it became overwhelmingly popular, the band members decided to stop performing it at live shows, which only heightened the song’s legendary status.
I’m Not The Only OneSam Smith
It’s a song about knowing your lover is cheating on you but being unable to tell them properly, singing of complex feelings where affection and hatred are intertwined.
The delicate music and chilling lyrics send shivers down the spine.
Sam Smith’s vocals are nothing short of magnificent.
Moving Western songs: Masterpieces and popular tracks of the world's most emotional songs (111–120)
ChandelierSia
It’s an astonishing song by the mysterious masked singer Sia.
With her powerful voice, she sings about the pain of her own experience with alcohol addiction and the fleeting pleasure it brings.
By the way, the girl who appears in the music video isn’t Sia herself, but her hairstyle and other features were made to resemble Sia.
You’re BeautifulJames Blunt
It’s a song by English singer James Blunt included on his album “Back to Bedlam,” and it was also released as a single.
It was used in a Toyota Vitz commercial and served as an insert song for the drama “Kobayakawa Nobuki no Koi.”
In conclusion
This time, I picked out songs under the theme of Western music that can move you, and I think many of the tracks in the first half were ones you’re already familiar with.
In the second half, there were quite a few songs in languages other than English.
The broader your scope with Western music, the easier it is to find great tracks, so if you’re interested, be sure to check out works from outside the English-speaking world too!