Tear-jerking foreign songs you’ll want to sing at karaoke. Timeless classics and popular hits from around the world.
It’s insanely cool if you can pull off a tear-jerking Western song at karaoke! Let’s pack your repertoire with goosebump-inducing masterpieces.
Even tearful songs can really hype up the crowd depending on the moment.
It never hurts to have a few up your sleeve.
This time, we’re introducing Western tear-jerkers you’ll want to sing at karaoke!
Tearjerker Western songs you want to sing at karaoke: World classics and popular hits (1–10)
Night Before ChristmasNEW!Sam Smith
Singer-songwriter Sam Smith, known for his distinctive high-tone voice, originally focused mainly on ballads, but his musical style has evolved since around “Unholy,” and he’s now exploring a variety of genres.
His Christmas number “Night Before Christmas” is a piece imbued with a soulful vibe.
Because it’s in 3/4 time, the rhythm can be hard for Japanese listeners to feel, but the tempo is very slow and the melodic leaps aren’t extreme, so if you’re comfortable with Black music, definitely give it a try.
All I Want for Christmas Is YouMerry Christmas
Mariah Carey’s signature song, “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” Although this piece is often cited as a difficult song, it’s not without singable elements.
The tricky part is mainly the slow-tempo opening; once the beat kicks in and the tempo picks up, the kind of wide-interval vocal runs heard in the intro appear less frequently.
Even so, the overall difficulty remains on the higher side, but given its top-tier recognition and popularity, it’s well worth the challenge.
The SubwayChappell Roan
It’s a song that really builds up toward the second half.
In the first half, the chorus goes up to D5, but it’s not a section where you should belt, so aim for an airy, gentle delivery.
The tempo isn’t fast, so it’s easier if you learn it melody by melody.
If you’re not used to using falsetto, practice humming so you can switch smoothly between chest voice and falsetto.
In the first half, try projecting your voice upward, resonating in the area between the eyebrows or the head to create a light, open sound.
In the second half, the resonance gets a bit stronger, so direct the sound downward and resonate in the chest to bring out more power.
Try speaking or singing with a hand on your chest—you’ll feel strong vibrations there—then sing while focusing on that resonance!
It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to YesterdayBoyz II Men
After parting with someone dear, have you ever felt your chest tighten with the thought that you can never return to the joyful “yesterday”? The song “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday” by the American R&B group Boyz II Men is a classic that sings of longing for the past and the pain of farewell.
Precisely because it’s performed a cappella, without any instruments, the warmth and poignancy of their voices seep directly into the heart.
It’s as if the beautiful harmonies gently embrace the sorrow that overflows no matter how hard you try to hold it back.
This song feels like a warm presence that quietly stays close to a heart that has experienced a painful parting, allowing the tears to flow.
Summertime SadnessLana Del Rey
“Summertime Sadness,” a signature song by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey.
It’s an achingly beautiful track that sings of the radiant days of summer and the sense of loss brought on by a friend’s tragic end.
Lana Del Rey’s languid, dreamlike vocals match the song’s melancholic atmosphere perfectly.
The chorus, pleading “Kiss me hard before you go,” feels like the climax of a tragic film.
As you listen, happy memories resurface even as you’re confronted with the reality that there’s no going back—you may find yourself unable to hold back tears.
HelloAdele
This soulful and beautiful ballad by Adele has reportedly been praised by artists around the world.
Its theme is a nostalgia akin to regret; it wasn’t written for any specific person, but rather as a song that lets listeners think of someone in their own lives.
I want to sing it with overflowing emotion.
One Call AwayCharlie Puth
This song, which celebrates unconditional support for a loved one, is a classic that deeply resonates with people struggling with long-distance relationships or physical separation.
Released in August 2015 by American singer-songwriter Charlie Puth, this pop-soul ballad features a warm melody with gospel influences.
As the second single from his debut album, Nine Track Mind, it peaked at No.
12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified triple platinum.
It’s a recommended track for those who spend a lot of time apart from their partner or loved ones, and for anyone hoping to build a supportive relationship.