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! Heart-wrenching Western songs—from timeless classics to the latest hits—(21–30)
someone like youAdele
Adele is the queen of breakup songs, and among them, “Someone Like You” is especially heartbreaking.
It expresses the unbearable feelings of a woman whose former love has married someone else.
She still can’t forget her ex and is trying to move on, but her fixation is so strong that she’s looking for “someone like him.” Some might even think it’s a bit of a stalker prelude—lol.
I Want It That WayBackstreet Boys
Speaking of the Backstreet Boys, they’re a male group that epitomized the 1990s and, as the best‑selling boy band, have maintained enduring popularity well into the 2000s and beyond.
Among the many timeless hits they produced, this time I’ll introduce one of their signature songs, “I Want It That Way,” released in 1999 and a massive hit.
Back then, it was playing everywhere in Japan, too, and just hearing that ultra-famous chorus phrase will probably make many people think, “Oh, that song.” Even if you don’t understand the lyrics, the delicate melody alone gives you a twinge of sadness.
In fact, the lyrics poignantly depict a subtle “disconnect” between two important people, and when you realize their paths likely won’t cross, it leaves you with a profound sense of helplessness.
Stay With MeSam Smith
Sam Smith’s biggest hit, “Stay With Me.” It’s quite a famous song, so many of you may already know it.
First of all, the melody is heartbreaking.
I recommend it to anyone looking for a deeply emotional tearjerker that distills sadness.
And if you read the lyrics, you might cry even more.
Thinking Out LoudEd Sheeran
This song, with its strikingly beautiful music video that opens with a man and woman dancing, is a ballad that perfectly suits Ed Sheeran’s sweet vocals.
With a somewhat bright tone, it’s a track you’ll want to listen to during a late-night drive or when you’re alone with your partner.
Missing YouBackstreet Boys
The Backstreet Boys are a U.
S.
-born vocal group that dominated the music scene in the ’90s, and they’re also known for their 1999 album Millennium, which sold over 24 million copies worldwide.
This song is a hidden gem of a ballad quietly included on their classic 1997 release Backstreet’s Back, during the height of their fame.
The earnest longing to see a cherished person who has gone away is sung straight from the heart over a wistful melody.
The structure, with members taking turns as lead vocalists, and the beautiful harmonies woven by all five members are truly moving—simply mesmerizing.
It’s the kind of song that will gently comfort your heart when you want to bask in a bit of sentimentality at night or when an old love suddenly comes to mind.
I Still…Backstreet Boys
Pivoting toward a rock sound and captivating fans with a more mature allure, the Backstreet Boys reached a new chapter in their music.
Featured on their 2005 album Never Gone, this song symbolizes that fresh direction.
Even though the relationship is over, the other person still feels vivid and present—that painfully bittersweet lingering attachment is sung through the group’s beautiful five-part harmonies.
It’s also a memorable track for fans, as Kevin temporarily left the group after this song.
When you’re carrying the ache of an unforgettable love, this is a song that quietly stays by your side.
Consequences (Orchestra)Camila Cabello
We no longer need to introduce her as a member of Fifth Harmony—Camila Cabello has firmly established herself as a solo artist.
While many may associate her with a passionate sound rooted in her Cuban, Latin heritage, the song we’re featuring today, “Consequences,” is a beautiful ballad imbued with a melancholic atmosphere.
It not only reveals a different side of her but also showcases her outstanding vocal ability, and it’s said to be a song that holds special meaning for Camila herself.
As she tenderly sings about reminiscing on the wonderful days of being in love—along with what was lost, the wounds left behind, and the price paid—her voice is achingly sorrowful.
Anyone who has had a similar experience may find themselves moved to tears.