Thousands of poignant tear-jerkers have been recorded over the years. This is a list of 25 of our favorite sad country songs of all time.
25. "When I Call Your Name" - Vince Gill
MCA Nashville
About the song:
The man comes home one day to find his wife has left him, leaving behind a note that says she's tired of living a lie.
Lyrics Explain:
"Oh the lonely sound of my voice calling, is driving me insane. And just like rain the tears keep falling. Nobody answers when I call your name."
Song Info:
- Released in 1989. The song peaked at No. 2.
- "When I Call Your Name" Lyrics
- Download/Purchase the song.
- From Vince's When I Call Your Name album. Compare Prices
- Awards: 1990 Grammy Best Male Vocal Performance. 1990 CMA Single of the Year. 1991 CMA Song of the Year.
- Watch Vince Gill's "When I Call Your Name" video.
24. "For My Broken Heart" - Reba McEntire
MCA Nashville
About the song:
In this song, the couple is breaking up, and the woman doesn't know if she can make it through the pain. She cries herself to sleep, and finds out in the morning that the world didn't stop for her broken heart.
Lyrics Explain:
"Last night I prayed the Lord my soul to keep, then I cried myself to sleep, so sure life wouldn't go on without you. But oh this sun is blinding me as it wakes me from the dark. I guess the world didn't stop for my broken heart."
Song Info:
- Releases in 1991. Topped the charts.
- For My Broken Heart" Lyrics
- Download/Purchase the song.
- From Reba McEntire's For My Broken Heart album. Compare Prices
- Watch Reba's "For My Broken Heart" video.
23. "What Hurts the Most" - Rascal Flatts
Lyric Street Records
About the song:
This song tells the story of a couple in love, but for whatever reason, the woman ends the relationship and walks away, leaving the man to wonder what could have been.
Lyrics Explain:
"What hurts the most, was being so close, and having so much to say, and watching you walk away."
Song Info:
- Released in 2006. Topped the charts.
- "What Hurts the Most" Lyrics
- Download/Purchase the song.
- From Rascal Flatts' album Me and My Gang album. Compare Prices
- Watch Rascal Flatts' "What Hurts the Most" video.
22. "Somewhere in My Broken Heart" - Billy Dean
Capitol Nashville
About the song:
In this song, the woman breaks up with the man. The man doesn't understand her reasoning, but he forgives her and tells her she should try and find out who she is. He hopes that when she does find a love that's written in the stars, that she'll see that it's with him.
Lyrics Explain:
"I hope that in time you will find what you long for. Love that's written in the stars. When you finally do, I think you will see it's somewhere in my broken heart."
Song Info:
- Released in 1989. Peaked at No. 3.
- "Somewhere in My Broken Heart" Lyrics
- Download/Purchase the song.
- From Billy Dean's Young Man album. Compare Prices
21. "The Best I Ever Had" - Gary Allan
MCA Nashville
About the song:
The woman in the song breaks up with the man, and the man remembers what he had with her, thinking it was the best he ever had.
Lyrics Explain:
"But it's not so bad. You're only the best I ever had. You dont want me back. You're just the best I ever had."
Song Info:
- Released in 2005. Peaked at No. 7.
- "Best I Ever Had" Lyrics
- Download/Purchase the song.
- From Gary Allan's Tough All Over album. Compare Prices
- Watch Gary Allan's "Best I Ever Had" video.
20. "Help Me Make It Through The Night" - Sammi Smith
Varese Sarabande
About the song:
The woman sings about spending the night with the man. It's not said outright, but the lyrics imply that they may be having an affair. She says he doesn't care what's right or wrong. All she needs is a friend.
Lyrics Explain:
"Yesterday is dead and gone, and tomorrow's out of sight. And it's sad to be alone. Help me make it through the night."
Song Info:
- Released in 1971. Topped the charts.
- "Help Me Make It Through the Night" Lyrics
- Download/Purchase the song.
- From Sammi Smith's The Best of Sammy Smith Compare Prices
19. "Someone Else's Star" - Bryan White
Asylum
About the song:
The guy in this song is alone, and wishing he could find his true love. But, he feels that maybe he's wishing on someone elses star, because good things happen for others, but not for him.
Lyrics Explain:
"I guess I must be wishin on someone else's star. It seems like someone else keeps gettin what I'm wishin' for. Why can't I be as lucky as those other people are? I guess I must be wishin' on someone else's star."
Song Info:
- Released in 1995. The song topped the charts.
- "Someone Else's Star" Lyrics
- Download/Purchase the song.
- From Bryan White's self-titled album. Compare Prices
- Watch Bryan's "Someone Else's Star" video.
18. "Go Rest High On That Mountain" - Vince Gill (w/ Patty Loveless and Ricky Skaggs
MCA Nashville
About the song:
This song was a tribute that Vince wrote for his brother who had passed away, and then became a tribute to Keith Whitley. Note the "you were no stranger to the rain" line, which was a Keith Whitley song.
Lyrics Explain:
"Go rest high on that mountain. Son, you work on earth is done. Go to heaven a shoutin' love for the Father and Son."
Song Info:
- Released in 1994. The song peaked at No. 14.
- "Go Rest High On That Mountain" Lyrics
- Download/Purchase the song.
- Awards: 1995 Grammy - Best Country Song.
- From Vince Gill's When Love Finds You album. Compare Prices
- Watch Vince's "Go Rest High On That Mountain" video.
17. "Holes in the Floor of Heaven" - Steve Wariner
Capitol Nashville
About the song:
We witness three different events in a young man's life, as he loses his grandmother just before he turns eight, loses his wife, then at his daughter's wedding, misses his wife. All three times it rains, and we're told these are tears from the loved ones who wish they were with us.
Lyrics Explain:
"And there's holes in the floor of heaven, and her tears are pouring down, that's how you know she's watching, wishing she could be here now."
Song Info:
- Released in 1998. Peaked at No. 2.
- "Holes in the Floor of Heaven" Lyrics
- Download/Purchase the song.
- From Steve Wariner's Burnin' the Roadhouse Down album. Compare Prices
- Awards: 1998 CMA Single and Song of the Year.
16. "Your Cheatin' Heart" - Hank Williams
Island Def Jam
About the song:
The singer is singing to his cheating girlfriend, saying that her cheating heart is going to tell on her.
Lyrics Explain:
"Your cheatin' heart will make you weep. You'll cry and cry and try to sleep. But sleep won't come the whole night through. Your cheatin' heart will tell on you."
Song Info:
- Released in 1953. Topped the charts.
- "Your Cheatin' Heart" Lyrics
- Download/Purchase the song.
- From Hank Williams, Sr.'s 20 of Hank Williams' Greatest Hits album. Compare Prices