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!
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Tearjerkers! Bittersweet Songs in Western Music—from Timeless Classics to the Newest Hits—(141–150)
What Hurts The MostRascal Flatts
A song with the message “Don’t wait to tell someone how you feel; don’t hold back your feelings.” It was originally first recorded in 2003 by country singer Mark Willis.
This Rascal Flatts version reached No.
1 on the Country and Adult Contemporary charts in 2006.
How Do You Sleep?Sam Smith
“How Do You Sleep?” is striking for its explosive, emotion-laden melody.
The song portrays the fragile feelings of a man being lied to by his lover.
Its serious melody accentuates the rawness of the lyrics.
It may bring you down, but it’s a real tearjerker.
Don’t need you toSamantha Mumba
This is a song featured in the film Legally Blonde 1.
The protagonist, Elle, is relentlessly positive, cheerful, and fiercely competitive.
I think this song portrays a strong woman who also shows glimpses of vulnerability, much like Elle.
It also conveys a woman’s desire for love to be shown through actions, not just words.
Tearjerkers! Bittersweet Western Songs — From Timeless Classics to the Newest Hits — (151–160)
PerfectSimple Plan
It’s a song that expresses the complicated feelings of adolescence—knowing I’m not perfect and feeling sorry toward my parents.
I think the reason Simple Plan resonates so well with teenagers is that they directly capture these uniquely adolescent emotions in their music.
I discovered this song when I was in middle school and listened to it all the time.
This Is The Sound OfSnow Patrol
A rock band that Scotland is proud of, Snow Patrol have released their first single in seven years.
Interweaving poetic, emotional lyrics with their signature melodic sound, the track is said to center on a long-distance relationship and truly resonates with listeners.
Speaking of the band, “Chasing Cars” from their 2005 album Eyes Open is known as the most-played song on UK radio in the 21st century.
With its romantic atmosphere, this new song is perfect for moments when you want to reminisce about a lover or think of someone special.
Why not give it a listen on a calm, quiet night?
LostSoccer Mommy
Released in June 2024, the song with a hauntingly poignant melody comes from American singer-songwriter Soccer Mommy, who performs indie rock influenced by pop music.
Blending emotionally rich lyrics with delicate acoustic guitar, orchestral strings, and natural birdsong, the track showcases her signature musicality to the fullest.
The lyrics revolve around regret and longing for lost relationships and missed opportunities.
They delve deeply into the protagonist’s inner world—lamenting not fully appreciating a past relationship and yearning for another chance amid feelings of alienation and an incomprehensible situation.
Following the album “Sometimes, Forever,” this song opens up a new frontier for her, making it a perfect choice for quiet nights alone or moments of introspection.
Crying My Eyes OutStephen Puth
For those who want to listen to a tear-jerker but aren’t into songs that feel too heavy, Crying My Eyes Out is highly recommended.
The lyrics are crafted to be sad, but the melody is an easy-to-listen-to, electro-infused pop sound.