Songs That Make You Cry: Heart-Wrenching Western Music—from Timeless Classics to the Newest Hits
There are times when, instead of listening to music to get pumped up or fired up, you deliberately want to listen to poignant or slightly sad songs and have a good cry alone, right?
Upbeat tracks that give you a push are great, but in this article we’ve researched and selected timeless, heart-wrenching English-language songs that empathize with listeners’ feelings, both old and new.
From classic standards to recent hits and the latest buzzworthy tracks, we’re bringing you a genre-crossing selection.
Try listening in whatever setting makes you feel most at ease—whether that’s in your bedroom or on a drive!
Tearjerkers! Bittersweet Songs in Western Music — From Timeless Classics to the Newest Hits — (1–10)
All of MeJohn Legend
John Legend has long been recognized not just as a popular R&B and soul singer, but as a truly accomplished singer-songwriter in the post-2000 music scene.
Spanning everything from sweet love songs to socially conscious soul, his 2013 release All of Me not only topped the U.
S.
charts but became a global hit.
With Legend’s signature soulful melodies and choral arrangements set against simple piano accompaniment, the song unfolds as a gem of a love ballad.
The way he straightforwardly declares, “I give you all of me,” is truly moving.
It’s no wonder it’s one of the most popular songs at weddings around the world!
See you againWiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth
This is a song released in 2015 by popular rapper Wiz Khalifa featuring singer-songwriter Charlie Puth.
Chosen as the theme song for the film Furious 7, it became a worldwide hit and received high acclaim, including a nomination at the 58th Grammy Awards.
Charlie’s falsetto-driven vocals and Khalifa’s conversational rap are truly moving.
In fact, the song is also dedicated to Paul Walker, who played Brian O’Conner in the Fast & Furious series and tragically passed away in an accident in 2013.
When you revisit the lyrics knowing this background, the powerful bond of brotherhood between men hits you so hard it’s guaranteed to bring you to tears.
HappierEd Sheeran
Since the 2010s, Ed Sheeran, a singer-songwriter from the UK, has become a household name worldwide as one of the best-selling artists.
Influenced by hip-hop, his distinctive vocal style and timeless melodies—paired with performances that skillfully use acoustic guitar and a loop pedal—produce songs imbued with his own raw reality, capturing listeners’ hearts and not letting go.
The song “Happier,” introduced here, is included on his 2017 album ÷ (Divide) and was also released as a single.
It features Sheeran’s signature beautiful melodies and lyrics that candidly portray the melancholy feelings toward a past lover—an explosion of heartache, you might say.
If there’s someone you can’t forget, this is a masterpiece you should definitely hear!
Young and BeautifulLana Del Rey
The poignant song sung by American artist Lana Del Rey portrays the fragility of youth and beauty.
Released in April 2013 as part of the soundtrack for the film The Great Gatsby, it beautifully captures the movie’s world.
This piano- and string-based ballad, coupled with her distinctive melancholic vocals, resonates deeply with listeners.
Delicately voicing anxieties about the permanence of love and fears of the passage of time, the piece is perfect for a quiet night alone.
It received high acclaim, including a Grammy nomination, and reached No.
22 on the Billboard charts.
Someone You LovedLewis Capaldi
Born in 1996 and hailing from Scotland, Lewis Capaldi is one of the leading young singer-songwriters in both popularity and talent.
With an unassuming, down-to-earth look far removed from stardom and a voice rich with depth that belies his early twenties, he scored a major hit with his 2019 debut album, “Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent.” The song that first brought Capaldi worldwide recognition was his 2018 smash hit “Someone You Loved.” Precisely because it’s a simple piano ballad with no frills, his magnificent vocals strike straight to the heart.
Together with lyrics that convey the feelings of a protagonist who has lost a loved one, and a music video created in collaboration with an organ donation charity, it’s a track you should take time to face on your own.
Good DaysSZA
It’s a song where wistfulness and hope coexist.
SZA, an American artist, delicately portrays the resolve to face forward while confronting past pain.
Her emotional vocals and dreamlike sound seep into the listener’s heart.
Released in December 2020, the track resonated with many and reached No.
9 on the Billboard Hot 100.
It’s recommended for times when you want to reflect on yourself or sort through your feelings.
As you listen to SZA’s voice, won’t you believe in “Good Days,” too?
MemoriesMaroon 5
It’s a song by the hugely popular band Maroon 5, released in October 2019 and a certified hit.
Guided by a restrained arrangement and simple choral work, the music video—featuring vocalist Adam Levine calmly singing a melody that evokes nostalgia, just as the title suggests—left a strong impression as it kept the camera trained on him.
The MV’s cinematography was directed by Jeff Cronenweth, renowned as the cinematographer for David Fincher’s films, and both the song and the video are dedicated to the band’s former manager, who passed away suddenly in 2017.
Everyone has memories of someone who set off for a faraway place, just out of reach, and this song invites us to revisit those moments with loved ones from days gone by.