Top 50 Songs That Will Make You Cry

Guns N Roses
Never underestimate the strength of a power ballad. The Sunset Strip rock of the 1980s knew this all too well, yet Guns N Roses was always so much more than just a simple rock band from that decade. This was evidenced by the grandeur present within epics like November Rain. The song was more than just a quick, four minute power ballad designed to generate sales for the latest hairspray brigade. This was something meticulously crafted by Axl Rose and company, a song designed with clear emotion in mind. The execution was flawless, particularly that ending coda full of majestic guitar soloing and piano flourishes that never fail to make our hearts flourish.

Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men
We all deal with the onset of tragedy in different ways. One Sweet Day was a collaboration between generational talents, specifically those belonging to Mariah Carey and the vocal group Boyz II Men. The song was inspired by the AIDS crisis that dominated a lot of news cycles during the 1980s and 90s, but didnt necessarily take a shock approach to its content. Instead, One Sweet Day feels sad and melancholic, an inner monologue into the brevity of life, and how many of us dont appreciate waking up every morning. Carey and Boyz II Men sing about hopefully rectifying these emotional struggles in the afterlife, reunited with friends and family that were lost along the way.

The Smiths
The discography of The Smiths is full of songs with deep, emotional resonance. This is despite historical criticism of the British group frequently labeling their songwriting as short-sighted and without much deviation. We couldnt disagree with those detractors more, as evidenced by the power of Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want. The song fits into The Smiths famously economical compositional style, a short and bittersweet ballad thats under two minutes. Yet at the same time, this B-side utilizes an old school, vintage sounding arrangement to its advantage, packing a lot of sincerity and introspective sadness within that time. The end results made Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want a certified fan favorite amongst followers of The Smiths.

Pearl Jam
It speaks to the defiantly independent spirit of Pearl Jam that they refused their record companys requests to make Black a single back when the bands debut was released in 1991. This didnt stop radio stations from playing it, of course, regardless of the absence of any accompanying music video. Black, as a result, gained traction the old fashioned way: via word of mouth and actual album listening by Pearl Jams increasing legions of fans. This made those same fans love Pearl Jam on an even deeper level, responding to Black in the live arena in a way that moves beyond powerful to become almost transformational in scope.

Harry Styles
If the passage of time proves anything, its that everybodys nostalgic for something, and there will come a point when a generation looks back at Sign of the Times by Harry Styles with misty-eyed wistfulness. Its sort of easy to see why, too, since this song from Styles first solo LP, post-One Direction, feels wise beyond its years. The spirit of classic art rock and pop looms large over the songs construction, a confessional tone thats simultaneously epic and intimate. Sign of the Times is impeccably produced, as well, striking a balance of art and commerce that effectively silenced any critics that still focused upon Styles boy band past.

Celine Dion
It was virtually impossible to escape the international success of My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion when it was released back in 1997. The tunes appeal swept far beyond the current achieved by the film soundtrack to Titanic, instead becoming ensnared within the cultural zeitgeist as a defining hit of the nineties. This, of course, came as no surprise to fans of Dions superstar abilities as a singer, yet My Heart Will Go On still manages to pull upon the heartstrings of those fans to this day. Maybe its the cinematic source material, or that one-of-a-kind chorus, but the success of My Heart Will Go On will likely not be replicated any time soon.

Rascal Flatts
The presence of sadness and heartbreak within country music shouldn't really come as a surprise to any music fan. That said, the part-and-parcel melancholy that arrived during the genres classic years remains intact with contemporary artists, as well. Case in point? Here Comes Goodbye by Rascal Flatts, whose emotional punch was bolstered by one of the all-time saddest video clips. This mini-movie is stylish, featuring a snow-covered set and quality acting from its cast. Meanwhile, the actual arrangement to Here Comes Goodbye almost feels like it would feel at home within one of those classic hair metal power ballads from the 1980s. Heck, theres even an epic guitar solo to hammer home that point.

Blink-182
It wasnt necessarily a foregone conclusion back in 2000 that Blink-182 was going to expand beyond the creative confines of pop-punk. This was in part what made Adams Song feel so refreshingly different from songs by so many of the bands peers. The tune wasnt merely content to play in the often irreverent sandbox of Blink-182s trademarked genre, but instead spoke to real concerns of their audience. The topics of mental health struggles and self-destruction were handled with surprising poignancy by this young band. Meanwhile, the surprising inclusion of piano during the bridge of Adams Song revealed a willingness to experiment with different sounds and textures. A willingness that definitely didnt go unnoticed.

Bon Iver
The spirits of classic Americana and folk haunt the sound of modern indie icons Bon Iver. This was evidenced by the passionate response of fans to the groups debut album from 2007, For Emma, Forever Ago. Its easy to see (and hear) why, too, since songs like The Wolves (Act I and II) generate a lot of emotions within just over five minutes of stark beauty. This is a song that never needs to speak loudly in order to get its point across to the listener. Instead, The Wolves (Act I and II) whispers heartfelt sentiments in the hopes that Bon Iver will be heard and understood.

The Muppets
Film soundtracks can often create musical touchstones that span the listening habits of multiple generations. Rainbow Connection may have debuted as part of The Muppet Movie in 1979, but its since gone on to become a foundational sentiment for The Muppets as a whole. Were speaking specifically of creator Jim Hensons undeterred optimism for humanity, for its goodness and creativity. Rainbow Connection makes us cry happy tears as a result, weeping perhaps for the lost innocence of youth, but also for joy. And for hope in the future, for our children, and how The Muppets will always be a part of that future.

Wiz Khalifa Feat. Charlie Puth
The Fast and Furious franchise has never forgotten just how much its former star, Paul Walker, contributed to the success of those early entries. A song like See You Again, by Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth, celebrates this fact, as that same franchise carries on Walkers legacy. The tune is big-sounding, cinematic and sentimental, to be sure, but it nevertheless avoids any pitfalls of exploitation. Instead, See You Again attempts to make the most out of a horrible and tragic situation, processing grief through music in a way that fans of The Fast and The Furious franchise definitely appreciated.

The Fray
Its probably not hyperbole to state that the multiple music videos crafted for How to Save a Life by The Fray likely led to the songs continued success. All three clips packed different emotional punches. These ranged from the originals exploration of a car crash and its aftermath to the second, which tied into the television medical drama, Greys Anatomy. Its the third video for How to Save a Life that perhaps stayed with fans the longest, however, since it was a very raw and realistic depiction of grief, trauma and loss. Some of these scenes were particularly hard to watch back in 2006, and would likely arrive with a trigger warning in the modern day.

Yusuf / Cat Stevens
Cultures had shifted during the 1960s and 70s. More young people were seeking to break away from the expectations of their parents, and the generation gap felt very, very real for parents. Father and Son speaks to this gap, and never sugarcoats whats going on as Yusuf / Cat Stevens plays both roles within the song. The father here clearly loves his son, but is frightened where a new and deviating path might lead his son. The son, meanwhile, also cares for the father, but wishes the latter could understand fighting for an independent voice. Its remarkably poignant stuff from Stevens, and one doesnt necessarily need to be a parent in order to understand how Father and Son can affect us all in different ways.

Goo Goo Dolls
What a difference a decade made for the Goo Goo Dolls. This Buffalobased rock act actually started out life with a punk sound on their self-titled debut from 1987. This stood in very stark contrast to the Goo Goo Dolls we would hear perform Iris from the soundtrack to City of Angels. Its the strength of the songs lyricism and the power of music video that ultimately helped make Iris a hit back in 1998. A perfect storm of sorts emerged as guitarist Johnny Rzeznik became a visual focal point for the Goo Goo Dolls, and the bands edges were softened. This was sweeping, cinematic sentimentality that swung for the fences, and hit an emotional home run.

Bruce Springsteen
The discography of Bruce Springsteen has never been deficient in narrative brilliance. The Boss has always made it a point to tell powerful stories with his songs. This cut from the soundtrack to the film Philadelphia was no exception, and showcased a side of Bruce Springsteens songwriting in a cinematic vein. Streets of Philadelphia hinges upon an understated, but definitely groovy break-beat, while Springsteens vocals feel intimate and earnest, tethering the song to the tragic seriousness of its source material. Its a song that steps slowly, but with deliberate intent, never exploiting Philadelphias tale of a man unjustly terminated from his job during the AIDS crisis.

James Taylor
We, as music listeners, dont necessarily need to understand a songs intention or meaning to appreciate its end results. Fire and Rain, by James Taylor can simply be enjoyed in a vacuum, for its beautiful vocal melodies and quiet musical power. Those that dig a little deeper into Taylors lyricism will likely be struck with just how much pathos Fire and Rain can pack in around three-and-a-half minutes. Self-reflections upon fame, fortune and the music business are juxtaposed against a real life tragedy that afflicted Taylor and his childhood friend, Suzanne. Fire and Rain remains one of James Taylors trademark hits, but its also one that can be appreciated quietly, away from its cultural legacy.

Joni Mitchell
The crossroads of art and commerce can be an interesting place, particularly when it comes to analyzing the singer/songwriter boom of the 1970s. Artists such as Joni Mitchell were enjoying larger audiences than ever during this time, and this made songs like River connect with multiple generations. River utilizes Christmas time as a setting, incorporating the standard of Jingle Bells to tell an otherwise sad tale of heartbreak. Mitchell works as a painter to this end, coloring River with emotional colors to which all of us can relate. This idea of being depressing during what should otherwise be a happy time of the year was not lost on Joni Mitchells listeners then or now, and River sounds just as vibrant and important today.

Aerosmith
We dont, generally speaking, look to the worlds of big-budgeted disaster movies for emotionally resonant theme songs. Then again, 1998s Armageddon also wasnt your average, everyday disaster movie, because it contained I Dont Want to Miss a Thing by Aerosmith on its soundtrack. Sure, this song certainly feels like a slickly produced advertisement for the movie, because it is that, but that doesnt mean that it cant also touch people. I Dont Want to Miss a Thing almost makes us cry in spite of ourselves, as were overcome by the lush orchestration and impeccably produced power-ballad formula.

Dolly Parton
It doesnt really matter whether youre listening to the original version of I Will Always Love You by Dolly Parton, or the iconic cover by Whitney Houston. The emotional impact of this song remains the same. I Will Always Love You has that achingly beautiful chorus, but the secret to its success is probably more than that, at the end of the day. Its the simplicity and honesty of its composition that allows I Will Always Love You to transcend any perceived limitations of genre. A good song is a good song, after all, and Dolly Parton essentially leapfrogged over country music constraints with I Will Always Love You with the result that this song essentially became one of the best from any genre.

Snow Patrol
Some songs sound sad due to their lyrics, while others rely on their musical arrangements to achieve this end. Snow Patrol songs like Run have stuck with listeners of this Northern Irish-Scottish rock band over the years. Its probably Chasing Cars thats connected with more casual music fans over the years, however, ever since it was released as a single back in 2006. The tune is a perfect storm of sorts, combining the melancholy of its melody with lyrics that create that perfect, introspective mood. What can we say? Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol just gets us every time.

Kansas
As soon as you hear that opening line, you know youre in for a rough time. Dust in the Wind is dark and focuses on the one inevitable aspect of all our lives the end. The lyrics are reflective, pondering about how everybodys dreams, fears, and secrets are all ultimately meaningless, dust in the winds of time. Its a full existential crisis that plays out in the span of just over three minutes, and has an overall despondent mood that anyone can relate to. The harmonies and seemingly simple string instrumental add to the evocative vibe, making it impossible to not feel something as you listen.

Harry Chapin
Families can be a beautiful thing. But we dont often discuss the unavoidable shift in the relationship between parents and their children as the latter grow older. Cats in the Cradle, however, beautifully encapsulates this change. It laments the passage of time, and all the important milestones the narrator missed while working. Still, his son takes it in stride and strives to emulate him. Unfortunately, that ends up becoming true in the most depressing way, with the father being cast aside by his child. Its a gut-wrenching piece that will make any parent hug their kid a little harder.

Frank Ocean
Unrequited love is one of the most painful emotional experiences someone can go through. The feeling of caring deeply for another person just for them to not reciprocate is heart-wrenching. In Bad Religion, Frank Ocean details these complex feelings to someone he assumes will listen: a taxi driver. The track ends up being a cathartic release, where Ocean explains the often fanatic sensations that come with loving a man who doesnt feel the same way. The repetitive lines help convey this even further, highlighting just how painful unresolved feelings can be. Regardless of your relationship status, its hard to listen to this without sorrowfully reflecting on the one who got away or never even was.

The Beatles
With a discography as vast as theirs, it only makes sense for the Beatles to have multiple solid emotional tunes under their belt. Whether theyre talking about letting go or singing about love, they capture the human condition in plenty of their hits. Yesterday is one of their most wistful. It focuses on a relationship thats recently decayed, and how the narrator wishes he could return to a time when they were still happy. The straightforward nature of the number only adds to the devastation. Using just one vocalist and string accompaniments, the band paints a clear picture of heartbreak that always gets us in our feelings.

Fleetwood Mac
Crises can strike anyone, even rock stars. There was a time when Stevie Nicks was wondering if the path she was on was the right one. That, coupled with the fact that it was an uncertain time in her and Lindsey Buckinghams career, led to Landslide. And lives were changed. The folk rock number details how it feels when everything comes crashing down around you, and you wonder if you can weather the storm. It also captures the fear of potentially losing the chance to achieve ones dreams. To say thats difficult, heavy stuff would be an understatement but its real, which is why it continues to resonate so deeply today. Somehow, it almost hits harder each time its played.

Luther Vandross
The memories we make with our parents are precious, but limited. Each one is made with the knowledge that eventually, the relationship will come to a natural end. However, the times we experience together never truly fade, and even affect us in adulthood. In Dance With My Father, Luther Vandross looks back on core experiences he shared with his late father growing up, like dancing with him and his mom. He reminisces on the pure love he felt, and wishes he could bring him back. Its more than just a song. Its a gut-wrenching plea for something that can never be fulfilled, and we can never maintain our composure when we hear it.

David Bowie
While a track can be sad on its own, sometimes the context surrounding it amplifies that emotion. David Bowies career was long and illustrious, spanning decades and genres. He continued working until the very end, with his last efforts including his swan song, Lazarus. Its extremely self-aware, with the legend reflecting on life coming to an end. While the content is bleak enough, it being released shortly before Bowies death twisted the proverbial knife. Its undoubtedly harrowing, but theres also a sense of freedom like hed come to terms with his fate and was ready to tackle it head on. It became a fitting piece to cap off his legacy.

Evanescence
With Amy Lees ethereal voice and melancholic production, Evanescence created a ballad thats impacted the lives of millennials everywhere. My Immortal captures the feelings of unrelenting grief, and how it never seems to fade despite how much time has passed. From detailing the pain that comes with loss to attempting to accept it, the stirring tune encapsulates what its like to be stuck in the mourning process. The natural crescendo into the bridge is also gorgeous, ushering in an emotional peak. Its one of the most recognizable and well-loved ballads of the 2000s, and its clear to see why. Its nearly impossible not to sing along and shed a tear as you listen.

Queen
While it may have been created for Highlander, this power ballad has become so much more. The orchestra-backed tune is gorgeous, and asks a simple yet existential question. Is living forever worth it without the person you love? While its always been melancholic, it was made even more sorrowful by Freddie Mercurys passing in 1991. Suddenly, the lyrics took on a new, somehow even deeper message and he and Brian May trading lines on the album version seemed extra fitting. The posthumous context has helped Who Wants to Live Forever endure beyond its soundtrack beginnings, cementing it as one of the most haunting and poignant entries in the bands catalog.

Linkin Park
Its hard to believe that one song can be so soaked in sadness. Written after the death of a friend, One More Light is centered around grief and letting your nearest and dearest know how you feel. The words and melody cut deep, but the pain goes beyond them, which is saying a lot. Indeed, the ambient ballad was notably performed as a tribute to Chris Cornell after his death. It was also among the last songs Chester Bennington recorded with Linkin Park before his passing. These events further amplify the raw hurt that permeates the number. Not only does One More Light make anyone whos grieved feel understood, it also serves as a tribute to those weve lost.

Louis Armstrong
Heres an inspiring, uplifting, intensely emotional song that's never likely to be forgotten! Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World" is considered by many to be the soundtrack to the twentieth century - despite the bloody conflicts that dominated the period! A piece of music that puts everything into perspective, it brings a tear to the eye because it pits the miracle of life against the waste of war... The world would be a better place if we all just listened to these lyrics, and actually put them into practice.

Death Cab for Cutie
The afterlife is often a tricky topic to tackle, but Death Cab For Cutie's Ben Gibbard talks us through with such brilliant tenderness, it's all but impossible not to well up! "I Will Follow You" is one man, one voice, one acoustic guitar and one simple, splendid ideal that we might meet our closest loves once again, when our life on Earth has ended. An outwardly depressing subject matter is turned into an incredibly hopeful moment, as this song has us all take stock of ourselves, and of the people who we care for most!

Adele
Probably the most popular modern break-up song to make today's countdown, "Someone Like You" is still a signature tune for Adele, despite the countless hits that the UK singer has had before and since. A touching almost-tribute to an ex-boyfriend of hers, she lays it all on the lyrical line with this one, and almost every music listener respects her for that. Adele wears her heart firmly on her sleeve, while we without a doubt wear our tears on our cheeks.

Sam Smith
We could have gone with Sam Smith's "Stay With Me" for this spot, but "Lay Me Down" will make you cry just a little bit harder. The lead single from Smith's Grammy Award winning debut album In The Lonely Hour, "Lay Me Down" was built around many of the same themes that are found on the album, specifically unrequited love. The video alludes to Smith's ongoing hope that equal LGBTQ+ rights will one day be a worldwide reality, while the singers powerful voice will haunt you and force you to bawl your eyes out.

Radiohead
Radiohead are well known for being a little brutal with their views on society, but this is surely the band's best, if not most depressing, take on the world around them... A scathing critique of the inescapable artificial nature of life in the '90s, it grows more and more relevant by the day! Although "Exit Music For A Film" is awfully melancholy in its own right, there's just nothing else as bleak or as brilliant as "Fake Plastic Trees." Listen to it, look at the world around you, and we defy you not to be moved.

Sinéad O'Connor
One of the most instantly recognisable songs and music videos ever created, very little compares to this when it comes to tempting tears! "Nothing Compares 2 U" is easily Sinead O'Connor's greatest commercial success - not that the controversial performer got to enjoy much of the fame that it generated for very long... Originally written by Prince, this song is about love, loss, and lots of emotionally effective close-up camera work! O'Connor's famous tear toward the song's end wasn't planned, but wow does it work! 'Nothing can stop her lonely tears from falling', or ours of course!

Sarah McLachlan
A song originally written in relation to substance use disorder and the spiralling psychology of those that suffer from it, this especially touching Sarah McLachlan number has subsequently been linked with teary-eyed topics of all kinds. The ambiguous, eponymous 'Angel' is an almost unknowable thing, designed to give hope or relief when times are hard... As McLachlan's piano plays softly in the background, her listener is invited to interpret her lyrics for themselves, and project the pain of her voice onto their own past experiences... A good cry that comes naturally.

Coldplay
By now even the toughest amongst you must have at least a little 'something in your eye', and if not then our next pick will set you sobbing, no doubt! Tackling love and loss like so many on our countdown before them, Coldplay turns the saddest subject matter into a tear-filled rollercoaster of a record with this song! The first half has us subdued; The second half has us singing along! And if that doesnt have your eyes watering, just watch them perform it live.

The Rolling Stones
Exactly who this song was written for remains a mystery. Marianne Faithfuls the most likely, though it has also been linked to Bianca Jagger, and Keith Richards son, Marlon. What is clear is that with one quite simple hook, the Stones produced an ageless piece of music that has stood hairs on end for generations. Micks distinctive voice finds a perfect match, as this brooding, crooning, subdued song leaves the listener as lonely as the frontman.

Green Day
While Good Riddance is a tear-jerking song we all love, our pick for Green Day had to go to this track from American Idiot. This rock ballad was originally written about lead singer Billie Joe Armstrongs father who passed away from cancer when Billie was only 10 years old. But the songs backstory became even more emotional after Hurricane Katrina struck in late August of 2005. Serving as a symbolic anthem for all the victims and families struck by the disaster, this tracks meaning was then further elevated by its accompanying music video that also served as a critique of the Iraq war.

Simon & Garfunkel
The opening lines to our next track are amongst the most recognizable in all of modern music. Written shortly after the JFK assassination, this song also became an accompaniment to the Vietnam War. It welcomes darkness, and is perhaps most effective when its played within it. The combination of vocals and the high tones are as haunting today as they were in the mid-1960s. While Bridge over Troubled Water is another contender, the legacy of The Sound of Silence is hard to beat!

Pink Floyd
The title track to their 1975 album, Wish You Were Here was written for Pink Floyd founder member Syd Barrett in response to his alleged battle with schizophrenia. The whole album explores the theme of detachment, and David Gilmours vocals retain a curiously absent quality as he pines for his friend. The whole track comes across as an effortless piece of music a train of thought that is at once sad and beautiful in its simplicity.

Michael Andrews feat.Gary Jules
Originally written by Tears For Fears in 1982, this song saw a big resurgence when it was showcased in the 2001 thriller Donnie Darko. With delicate piano notes and calming vocals by Gary Jules, this new version quickly overshadowed the original song and resonated with listeners feeling helpless and intimidated by modern life. Weve all needed a song to drown our sorrows in from time to time, and Mad World speaks to the difficult and uncertain journey were all taking in this life, allowing us to reflect on what true happiness might feel like.

Tracy Chapman
One of the hardest things about growing up is figuring out who you want to be. This question is even more difficult to answer for those living in poverty and with the odds stacked against them. Tracy Chapman expressed this beautifully in the song Fast Car, the lead single from her debut album. In this track, Chapman describes a young woman desperately seeking out a better life for herself, but struggling to get there. Everyone deserves happiness in this life, yet without family or friends to help you get there, it can be difficult to achieve, and thats what makes this song just downright heartbreaking.

Mike + The Mechanics
This 80s ballad once again picks apart the question of life and death, and summarizes the conundrum in 6 short words: Its too late when we die. A global chart hit, this song addresses an unresolved conflict between songwriter B.A. Robertson and his father shortly before he died. Specifically about the bond between a boy and his father, the idea is applicable to just about any relationship that we could have thats why it gets us singing along even if it is difficult to do that and not shed a tear.

Elton John
Originally penned in memory of Marilyn Monroe, Candle in the Wind is also famously linked to Diana, Princess of Wales, after Elton played it at her funeral. Though the lives of its subjects have been tragically short-lived, the song itself has endured for generations and rightly so! Its emotional enough without context, but its a fitting tribute to two iconic women, and to celebrities in general, that die too young an elegy of the highest order.

Jeff Buckley
This song was powerful when Leonard Cohen sang it originally but when Jeff Buckley caressed his vocals around the lyrics, hairs stood on end and lumps formed in throats. Its love thats gone stale so its relatable for many of us. Theres also anguish in his voice that is impossible to fake he isnt just singing the words, he understands them. A talent that was lost too soon, this song is his legacy.

R.E.M.
We defy anyone not to be moved by our first podium entry. Everybody Hurts has become a staple soundtrack to modern day life. Adopted by the Samaritans charity, it was originally written by the band for anyone struggling with severe depression. This song not only prompts tears, it saves lives! According to the lyrics, we all cry, and most of us do when we sing them! Everybody hurts, and after this song, everybodys reaching for the tissues!

Johnny Cash
Originally penned by Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, Hurt was taken on by the legendary Johnny Cash several years later. It brings the memories of his past under the cold, harsh spotlight of his present. Cash was very frail when recording the song, and he died seven months after its release. Relaying the unstoppable passing of time, its accompanying video is a memorial to one man, but something that well all experience. Its about as powerful as music can be.

Eric Clapton
Eric Claptons Tears in Heaven is an incredibly moving piece of music, made all the more impactful by the great personal tragedy Clapton experienced. When his 4-year-old son tragically passed away in 1991, wed have understood if Clapton never picked up a guitar again. But he did, and was able to produce a record thats as terrific as it is teary! Reminding us all of anyone who has passed, Tears in Heaven verbalizes what everybody else would like to say. Its a tear-jerking tune that gets us every time!




What is it about sad songs that strike the deepest chord? Lyrics? Music? Or both? Let us know in the comments.