Breakup songs that were hits in the 2000s
Breakups with a beloved partner, unrequited love that never comes true…
Heartbreak is something many people experience at least once in their lives.
Precisely because it’s so universal, countless artists have sung about heartbreak over the years.
In this article, we introduce heartbreak songs that were hits in the 2000s.
For those who spent their youth in that era, some of these songs may have comforted your broken hearts back then.
And for anyone who’s recently gone through a breakup or can’t forget someone, these tracks are sure to resonate.
Find the one song that helps heal your wounds.
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Breakup songs that were hits in the 2000s (11–20)
A dream I saw while burning with longingayaka
The ninth single by singer-songwriter Ayaka, who has gained popularity with emotional songs like “Mikazuki” and “Nijiiro.” The track was used as the ending theme for the TV anime Cross Game and was released as a double A-side single together with “Yume wo Mikata ni.” The gap between the desire to stay together forever and the reality that it can’t come true may resonate with anyone who has experienced a painful love.
A soulful vocal performance over a piano-focused arrangement conveys a poignant ache, making this a gem of a love ballad.
Love SongGO!GO!7188
This is the third single by GO!GO!7188, a three-piece rock band that gained popularity with melodies evoking a sense of “wa” (Japanese aesthetic) and an alternative sound, despite disbanding in 2012.
The song was used as the AX POWER PLAY #005 theme on the music program AX MUSIC-FACTORY.
It’s a striking number with a simple yet richly layered arrangement and distinctive harmonies.
The lyrics convey steadfast feelings that remain unchanged even if the other person doesn’t return your gaze, and a sense of being dazzled by their very presence—evoking a kind of human love that feels different from typical romantic love between men and women.
It’s a quintessential love song of the 2000s that brought the name GO!GO!7188 to a wider audience.
dearestKOH+
This is the second single by KOH+, the musical duo of actress-singer Kou Shibasaki and singer-songwriter Masaharu Fukuyama, who are both active as actors as well.
Written specifically as the theme song for the film “The Devotion of Suspect X,” its lyrics—told from the perspective of characters in the movie—are heartrending.
The message, which sings of a love lost because one couldn’t be honest, and of feelings that still won’t fade, will resonate with anyone who has experienced a romance marked by lingering regret.
Its lyrical melody further expands the story within the lyrics, making it a love ballad that truly touches the heart.
GarnetOku Hanako
This is the fourth single by singer-songwriter Hanako Oku, who, even after her major-label debut, continued to perform street shows in a keyboard-and-vocals style.
Selected as the theme song for the animated film The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, the track became one of Oku’s signature songs, enjoying long-term sales alongside the movie’s success.
The lyrics, which sing of someone she kept cherishing even though she couldn’t convey her feelings, may remind some listeners of their school days, before they’d grown accustomed to romance.
With a delicate melody, this outstanding number prompts a fresh reflection on the difficult question of where to draw the line between friendship and love.
powder snowRemioromen
The eighth single by the three-piece band Remioromen, which became a massive hit after being featured as an insert song in the TV drama “1 Litre of Tears.” With its intro that evokes wintry scenes and an emotional chorus melody marked by wide interval leaps, it’s widely recognized as a signature of Remioromen.
Many listeners may also find themselves struck by its message about the truth of love: that you can’t truly understand someone through a seemingly trouble-free, peaceful relationship alone.
A winter classic of the post-2000 J-pop scene that conveys both the depth of romance and the beauty of its arrangement.
Goodbye to you…Tiara
Before her debut, Tiara, a female singer-songwriter who honed her vocals by taking part in numerous tracks as a chorus singer and featured artist, released this as her first single.
The song features Spontania, a music duo she looks up to like big brothers, and the lyrics—said to be a direct reflection of a heartbreak she experienced at the time—are heartrending.
The feeling of being unable to share your true feelings with each other and being unable to move forward is something many who can’t forget an ex will relate to.
With its seamless fusion of handsome rap and emotional vocals, this track became a long-running hit, especially among younger listeners.
Breakup songs that were hits in the 2000s (21–30)
secret base ~What You Gave Me~ZONE
It’s a song about parting ways while believing that someday you’ll meet your beloved again as a changed version of yourself.
The protagonist doesn’t let the sudden breakup defeat them, and believes they will surely reunite.
It’s a pure song that trusts the memories shared by the two will always remain in each other’s hearts.
Listening to this track makes me feel like I can regain that straightforward, earnest feeling.