"Tear-Stained Letter" is the opening track from Richard Thompson's 1983 album Hand of Kindness. The song has been recorded by others, including a notable hit version by Jo-El Sonnier in 1988.

With a strong zydeco feel, the song's length is 4 minutes and 40 seconds.^[1] The main riff is performed on saxophones by Pete Thomas and Pete Zorn, who also performs the background vocals, and on accordion by John Kirkpatrick. The coda features a duet between a sax solo, accordion solo, and guitar solo by Richard Thompson.

The song is in the key of G major, with a fast tempo in 4/4 time. It uses a chord pattern of E7-A-E7-A-D-G on the verses, and B7-C-D-G twice on the chorus.^[2]

The lyrics feature a narrator who has broken up with a tumultuous romantic partner: "Just when I thought that things would get better / Right through the door come a tear-stained letter".

• Richard Thompson - guitar, vocals
• Dave Pegg - bass guitar
• Dave Mattacks - drums
• Simon Nicol - guitar
• Pete Zorn - saxophone, backing vocals
• Pete Thomas - saxophone
• Clive Gregson - backing vocals
• John Kirkpatrick - accordion

Country music singer Jo-El Sonnier covered the song on his 1988 album Come On Joe. His version was released as a single in 1988, reaching number nine on the Hot Country Songs charts.^[3] Kenny Greenberg plays lead guitar on Sonnier's version.^[4] Actor Judge Reinhold appears in the music video for the song.

Patty Loveless covered the song on her 1996 album The Trouble with the Truth.^[8]

Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes covered the song on their 2005 album Into the Harbour.^[9]