Will Fenton
Sometimes you simply feel like you need to let your emotions out.
And you should, even if bottling up seems easier. Otherwise, things can get even more overwhelming.
Crying can help you ease your emotional pain. But it can also be triggered by something beautiful.
It’s a natural response to different kinds of emotions. And that’s exactly what songs about crying show.
Art, beauty, nice gestures, heartfelt stories… All of that can make us shed a tear.
And one of these songs will certainly make you do that: we’ve rounded up the best songs about crying.
Whether you’re searching for music to cry to or some good songs about tears, we’ve got you covered.
30 Songs About Crying
1. Adele – “Cry Your Heart Out”
Let’s begin with one of the best new songs about crying.
Adele is no stranger to heartwrenching songs, but this tune is (considering the topic) surprisingly uplifting.
It’s about Adele’s divorce and all the things she went through because of it.
And she believes that crying is a healthy way to deal with heartbreak.
“Cry your heart out, it’ll clean your face
When you’re in doubt, go at your own pace.”
2. Massive Attack – “Teardrop”
This is arguably one of the best songs with tears in the title.
It’s about love, loss, and fragility, and it’s very powerful and captivating.
“Love, love is a verb
Love is a doing word
Feathers on my breath
Gentle impulsion
Shakes me, makes me lighter
Feathers on my breath.”
3. Ane Brun – “All My Tears”
In “All My Tears”, Ane Brun is singing about life, death, love, and healing.
It sounds like a lot, but she does it in such a delicate and poetic way.
You just have to listen to it…
“When I go don’t cry for me
In my fathers arms I’ll be
The wounds this world left on my soul
Will all be healed and I’ll be whole.”
4. Taylor Swift – “My Tears Ricochet”
Taylor Swift released “My Tears Ricochet” on her 2020 studio album “Folklore.”
She was inspired by the 2019 film Marriage Story.
“And you’re tossing out blame, drunk on this pain
Crossing out the good years
And you’re cursing my name, wishing I stayed
Look at how my tears ricochet.”
5. Cigarettes After Sex – “Cry”
“Cry” by Cigarettes After Sex is a song about crying, commitment, and the complexities of a romantic relationship.
Just like most of their songs, it’s gentle, dreamy, and nostalgic.
“But I need to tell you something
My heart just can’t be faithful for long
I swear I’ll only make you cry.”
6. FKA Twigs and The Weeknd – “Tears In The Club”
“Tears In The Club” is one of the new songs about tears.
It’s upbeat, seductive, and slightly melancholic.
It’s everything you would expect from the collaboration of FKA Twigs and The Weeknd.
“I don’t wanna believe that I belong to you
I move myself in ways that you could never do
I want you more, I want you more.”
7. Billie Eilish – “When The Party’s Over”
In “When The Party’s Over”, Billie Eilish doesn’t mention crying, but if you’ve watched the music video, you understand why it’s on this list.
After all, it’s a very melancholic song that can help you process your emotions and let it all out.
“But nothin’ is better sometimes
Once we’ve both said our goodbyes
Let’s just let it go
Let me let you go.”
8. Roy Orbison – “Crying”
If you’re searching for old songs about crying, look no further than Roy Orbison’s heartbreaking track.
“Crying” was released in 1962, and the combination of romance, oldies vibe, and the pain of lost love is just stunning.
“I thought that I was over you
But it’s true, so true
I love you even more than I did before
But darling, what can I do?
For you don’t love me
And I’ll always be.”
9. Amy Winehouse – “Tears Dry On Their Own”
This is, without a doubt, one of the most uplifting popular songs about tears.
It will remind you to be hopeful and strong.
“He walks away
The sun goes down
He takes the day, but I’m grown
And in your way
In this blue shade
My tears dry on their own.”
10. Aerosmith – “Cryin'”
This is undoubtedly one of the most popular songs about crying.
Released in 1993, Aerosmith’s “Cryin'” is a rock classic that will probably never get old.
“I was cryin’ when I met you
Now I’m tryin’ to forget you
Your love is sweet misery.”
11. Fergie – “Big Girls Don’t Cry”
Speaking of famous songs with cry in the title, you’re probably familiar with Fergie’s 2006 hit.
It’s a beloved pop song about young love and a decision to break up with someone (and that ‘someone’ in Fergie’s music video is Milo Ventimiglia…)
“And I’m gonna miss you like a child misses their blanket
But I’ve got to get a move on with my life
It’s time to be a big girl now
And big girls don’t cry.”
12. Sia – “Big Girls Cry”
And Sia answers: big girls cry when their hearts are breaking.
Released in 2014, “Big Girls Cry” challenges the idea of what a tough girl means.
“Tough girl, I’m in pain
It’s lonely at the top, blackouts and airplanes
And I still pour you a glass of champagne
Tough girl whose soul aches.”
13. Coldplay – “Cry Cry Cry”
After “Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall”, Chris Martin decided to write another feel-good tear song.
It’s a good song for a ballroom dance (and not only because of the music video.)
“Don’t want us to hurt each other
Or cause each other pain
Don’t want to feel what they don’t know
We’re in this together, baby.”
14. Jorja Smith – “Don’t Watch Me Cry”
In “Don’t Watch Me Cry”, Jorja Smith is wondering about what could’ve been.
It’s a soulful tune with honest lyrics.
“Oh, it hurts the most ’cause I don’t know the cause
Maybe I shouldn’t have cried when you left and told me not to wait
Oh, it kills the most to say that I still care
Now I’m left tryna rewind the times you held and kissed me there.”
15. Justin Timberlake – “Cry Me A River”
You know this list isn’t complete without “Cry Me A River.”
Although Justin’s vengeful motivation for this song isn’t commendable at all, “Cry Me A River” became an iconic pop song.
And it still sounds incredibly catchy and fresh.
“You don’t have to say, what you did
I already know, I found out from him
Now there’s just no chance
With you and me
There’ll never be
Don’t it make you sad about it?”
16. Kodaline – “Shed a Tear”
Maybe this tune will make you shed a tear.
And maybe it will motivate you to keep your head up.
“And I’ll feel your pain when I know you’re in trouble
And I’ll take the blame from your hurt and your struggle
Oh, when you’re tryna speak out but nobody hears a word
I’ll be your voice, lay your head on my shoulder.”
17. Lana Del Rey – “Pretty When You Cry”
Lana Del Rey makes crying look artistic.
That’s what she does: she turns sadness into captivating beauty. And “Pretty When You Cry” is no exception.
“I’ll wait for you, babe, you don’t come through, babe
You never do, babe, that’s just what you do
Because I’m pretty when I cry.”
18. Lykke Li – “Sadness Is a Blessing”
Lykke Li also has a unique and artistic approach to sadness.
In “Sadness Is a Blessing”, sadness is her boyfriend, an ally, a companion. It’s something familiar.
On the other hand, the song can be interpreted as the appreciation of all feelings. Sometimes, it’s better to feel sad than to feel nothing at all.
“My wounded rhymes make silent cries tonight
My wounded rhymes make silent cries tonight
And I’ll keep it like a burning
Longing from a distance.”
19. The National – “Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks”
As we’ve just mentioned, sometimes it’s good to feel a little sad, as long as it doesn’t affect you on a deeper level.
And The National’s music is always a good choice if you need something to cry to.
It somehow feels very healing.
“All the very best of us
String ourselves up for love.”
20. Ludovico Einaudi – “Experience”
Speaking of good music to cry to…
There’s something very special about Ludovico Einaudi’s “Experience.”
It can make you feel a dozen of emotions at the same time.
It’s sad, exciting, heartwrenching, liberating… It’s everything.
21. Damien Rice – “The Blower’s Daughter”
This could also be considered a good song for crying.
“The Blower’s Daughter” is actually very heartbreaking. And it’s probably one of the best love songs ever written.
If you’re feeling somber or nostalgic, just listen to it and let the music do the healing…
“And so it is just like you said it would be
Life goes easy on me
Most of the time
And so it is the shorter story
No love, no glory
No hero in her sky.”
22. Sting – “I’m So Happy I Can’t Stop Crying”
“When you’re happy, you enjoy the music but when you’re sad, you understand the lyrics.” Frank Ocean is right.
And this is one of those songs that will drive you to tears if you pay attention to the lyrics.
In a way, it feels comforting and healing.
“Something made me smile
Something seemed to ease the pain
Something about the universe and how it’s all connected.”
23. Gary B.B. Coleman – “The Sky Is Crying”
“The sky is crying,
Can you see the tears roll down the street.”
“The Sky Is Crying” is a blues classic.
So, if you’re feeling blue, give it a chance to make you feel better.
24. Womack & Womack – “Teardrops”
Womack & Womack’s “Teardrops” is one of the few songs about crying that will cheer you up.
It’s a popular dancefloor hit released in 1988.
“Whenever I hear goodbyes, remind me baby of you
I break down and cry, next time I’ll be true, yeah
Fever for lost romance remind me baby of you
I took a crazy chance
And next time I’ll be true, I’ll be true, I’ll be true.”
25. Emma Steinbakken – “Not Gonna Cry”
It’s not easy to simply decide that you’re not going to cry for someone.
But Emma Steinbakken believes it might be possible.
However, tears sometimes come when you least expect them.
“Choking all these thoughts I’m thinking
You’re a cigarette and I’m quitting
But I know, I know, I know
I’m not gonna cry for you.”
26. Lady Gaga – “Before I Cry”
Many people find the movie “The Star Is Born” very emotional.
Well, one thing is for sure: Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper had undeniable chemistry, and songs from the movie are loved by fans around the world. “Before I Cry” is one of them.
“Promise me, baby, you know I can’t fake it
Why don’t you hold me?
Tell me you love me
Before I cry.”
27. Clean Bandit and Louisa Johnson – “Tears”
This is one of the upbeat songs about tears.
It’s about getting over someone and moving on. You can feel that sense of relief in the melody.
“When did you lose your emotion?
When did you become so cruel?
And if you want to cut me open
Says a thousands words ’bout you.”
28. Tom Odell – “Heal”
When you’re feeling sad, depressed, or overwhelmed, you’ll have been patient and hopeful.
Healing takes time. But music like this can help you in that process. You’re not alone.
“Take my mind
And take my pain
Like an empty bottle takes the rain
And heal, heal, hell, heal.”
29. Ultravox – “Dancing With Tears In My Eyes”
You’re probably familiar with this one.
“Dancing With Tears In My Eyes” was a huge hit in the 80s, and it’s still one of the most famous songs about tears.
It’s a political commentary on the dangers of a potential nuclear war.
“Dancing with tears in my eyes
Weeping for the memory of a life gone by
Dancing with tears in my eyes
Living out a memory of a love that died.”
30. Bob Marley – “No Woman No Cry”
Let’s complete this playlist with a positive note.
And who better to send positive vibes than Bob Marley?
It’s okay to cry your heart out, to grieve, to feel low. But know this: everything’s gonna be all right.
“My feet is my only carriage
And so I’ve got to push on through
But while I’m gone
Everything’s gonna be all right.”
Final Thoughts
As you can see, songs about crying are often emotionally intense, but some songs can also help you look at your own emotions from a different perspective.
Tears can be caused by something hurtful, but they can be beautiful too. And that’s why so many artists decided to write a song about it.
In the end, we hope that this playlist will be a source of comfort and inspiration every time you need it.
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