A wonderful heartbreak song

A heartbreak song that was a hit in the 1980s. A classic and popular track in Japanese music.

lighterutatane
A person from the melodic hardcore boom generation who loves music, photography, and eating. I’ve been going to live houses for over 20 years. I’m at the age where summer festivals are starting to feel tough physically. I sometimes try shooting live photos and videos for MVs. I’m not great at English, so I often listen to straightforward Japanese rock that hits directly, but if someone recommends something, I’ll listen to anything—Western or Japanese—broadly and casually. I like cooking while listening to music; it’s a nice way to relieve stress.
Keyboard playerSAKI
I’ve been playing the Electone since I was six, mainly performing Disney music, anime songs, and music from dramas and films. I post performance videos on YouTube and social media, and I also give concerts. Building on my Electone experience, I took up synthesizer and piano during my student years and performed at school-sponsored events. As a writer, I’ve covered not only music-related topics but a wide range of genres, so I hope to draw on my experience to deliver articles that make readers think, “I want to try that!” or “I want to listen to that!”

Picking out “breakup songs” from among the classic hits of the ’80s!

When it comes to breakup songs, that contrast between a wistful melody and lyrics still burning with uncooled passion really hits home, doesn’t it?

The tracks we’re introducing today are all packed with the powerful feeling of “I still love you” amid the sadness—songs that’ll bring you to tears.

If you’re thinking, “I want to know ’80s breakup songs,” or “I want to hear the hit songs of my youth again,” be sure to check these out.

They may be from the ’80s, but true classics move us regardless of the era.

If you’re younger, take this chance to give them a listen!

Breakup songs that were hits in the 1980s. Classic and popular Japanese songs (21–30)

I wanted to talk to you.Minamino Yoko

Yoko Minamino – I Wanted to Talk to You (with Lyrics)

I wanted to talk to you.Minamino Yoko

Yoko Minamino, who debuted in 1984 and was affectionately known as “Nanno,” released “Hanashikaketakatta” in 1987.

The lyrics of this song are truly heartrending.

They sing about that time when I could only watch from afar, without the courage to speak up, as time simply slipped by—those timid days.

Yet, in contrast to the lyrics, Minamino sings it with a bright, lively energy, and that very cheerfulness makes her seem all the more brave and makes the song feel even more poignant.

It’s a bittersweet heartbreak song that seems to speak for our youthful days, and it remains a classic I still want to listen to now.

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Midnight Flight – A Lonely Christmas EveHamada Shogo

Midnight Flight - A Lonely Christmas Eve (Wasted Tears/1989) / Shogo Hamada

Midnight Flight - A Lonely Christmas EveHamada Shogo

A bittersweet breakup song set at Christmas.

The first verse is written from a man’s perspective, and the second from a woman’s.

Each verse weaves in their feelings and the scenes they’re seeing, making it easier for listeners to empathize.

The wintry beauty of the music further accentuates the poignancy of the story told in the lyrics.

While many Christmas songs tend to be happy, there are also songs like this—about a helpless, heartrending breakup between a man and a woman.

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Sad Colors, huh? ~ OSAKA BAY BLUESUeda Masaki

Masaki Ueda - Kanashii Iro Yane ~ Osaka Bay Blues.mp4

Sad Colors, huh? ~ OSAKA BAY BLUESUeda Masaki

A classic ballad that lets you fully savor the charm of old-school songcraft, “Kanashii Iro Yane.” It’s a 1982 single by soul singer Masaki Ueda—who also delivered many beloved tunes with the band emblematic of the Kansai blues scene, Ueda Masaki & South To South.

The lyrics were written by the legendary Chinfa Kan, who colored countless masterpieces from the Showa to Heisei eras.

The composition is by Tetsuji Hayashi, a melody maker known for crafting breezy songs now often grouped under city pop.

Masaki Ueda’s husky, overwhelmingly emotive vocals are incredibly cool, and the lyrical expressions resonate with a deep, heartrending poignancy.

It truly brings tears to your eyes…

A masterpiece whose quietly evocative expressions heighten the sense of melancholy, gently nestling close to a broken heart, while setting many memories in motion and even conveying a certain strength.

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She and TIP ON DUOImai Miki

Miki Imai – She and TIP ON DUO

She and TIP ON DUOImai Miki

Miki Imai’s fourth single, “Kanojo to TIP ON DUO.” Released in 1988, this track was used as the Shiseido autumn campaign song that year, so those familiar with the ’80s probably heard it often in TV commercials.

While the melody is pop, the lyrics are moving: beneath the tough front of “I won’t think about him anymore!” you can feel the powerful sentiment of “I still love him.” It’s a quintessential ’80s song that people will want to revisit from their youth—and one that younger listeners should hear as well.

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Rock ‘n’ Roll in a Dumped MoodTOM★CAT

TOM CAT – Rock ’n’ Roll in a Dumped Mood (Furare Kibun de Rock ’n’ Roll)

Rock 'n' Roll in a Dumped MoodTOM★CAT

Furare Kibun de Rock’n’ Roll is characterized by its upbeat, exhilarating rhythm.

Released in 1984, it was TOM★CAT’s debut single.

Sung with a techno vibe, big sunglasses, and a futuristic costume, this song became a major hit that continued to sell well into the following year, making it one of the signature tracks of the 1980s.

The lyrics are striking for their contrast: even after being dumped, there’s a determination to never show weakness and to one day turn the tables, while still revealing lingering feelings of love.

It’s a hit song you’ll want to keep listening to across the generations.

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