[Touching the Heart] Timeless Ballad Masterpieces. A Collection of Unfading Classics and the Latest Songs [2026]

I’m home.Teshima Aoi

Aoi Teshima “I’m Home” Music Video

This is a song sung by Aoi Teshima that was used as the theme for the drama “Heaven and Hell: Two Faces of the Psycho.” It’s striking for her breathy vocals—one of her greatest charms—which fill the track and lend it an overall sense of sorrow.

The lyrics tell the story of a loved one who has disappeared from the home they once shared.

Seeing mail arrive addressed to the absent lover brings a pang of loneliness, and even the sight of the now-tidy room—made neat in the absence of the messy partner—stirs up sadness.

By depicting these ordinary, everyday scenes, the song vividly conveys the ache of being left alone, drawing us as listeners closer to the events in the lyrics and moving our hearts.

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Hane Keisuke

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Ballad of a SingerSaitō Kazuyoshi

Kazuyoshi Saito – Ballad of a Singer (2008 Ver.) [Music Video Short ver.]

When it comes to Kazuyoshi Saito’s classic ballads, “Utautai no Ballad” is the standout.

It’s a beloved masterpiece that has been covered by many artists, and in 2017 it was chosen as the theme song for the film Lu Over the Wall.

This song, which expresses love for someone dear, delivers words of love so directly yet so naturally.

No matter how many times you listen to it, or at what age, it resonates with the heart.

It’s a song that warms you from within, so try listening to it together with a beloved partner or cherished family.

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sasashina

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Family SongHoshino Gen

Gen Hoshino – Family Song (Official Video)

This is the 10th single by Gen Hoshino, chosen as the theme song for the TV drama “Overprotected Kahoko.” Released in 2017 as the follow-up to the smash hit “Koi,” the song has a gentle feel that celebrates the warmth of family.

The must-see music video features Hoshino in an outfit reminiscent of a certain beloved anime protagonist, set against a uniquely nostalgic Showa-era family atmosphere.

homeKiyama Yusaku

Yusaku Kiyama - Home

This is a warm ballad number by Yusaku Kiyama, performed at the Kōhaku Uta Gassen, expressing his love for his family.

While ballads often sing about romantic partners, “home” conveys feelings for his own children.

It’s rare to find songs from a father to his children, but whether it’s a lover or a child, they’re both precious, aren’t they? The song has also been covered by Chris Hart and Yo Hitoto.

Listening to OliviaAnri

Listening to Olivia

This is the debut single by singer-songwriter Anri, who made her major-label debut at the young age of 17 and is also known for the massive hit CAT’S EYE, the theme song of the TV anime Cat’s Eye.

The storyline of the lyrics—hard to believe it was written by a teenager—and her powerful vocals drew attention, and the song went on to become a standard covered by numerous artists.

The lyrics, written from a woman’s perspective about a love that has reached an impasse, may strike men with a tightening feeling in their chests.

With its calm melody and heartrending words that sink into the soul, this is a ballad you’ll want to savor slowly, letting each line of the lyrics resonate.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Things that have formShibasaki Kou

Ko Shibasaki – Something That Has Form

Kou Shibasaki’s “Katachi Aru Mono,” released in 2004, was used as the theme song for the drama “Crying Out Love, in the Center of the World.” It’s a ballad marked by lyrics that overlap with the drama’s worldview and strings that evoke beautiful memories.

Shibasaki truly shines in ballads! I feel she captures a subtle balance that conveys a sense of light, not just sorrow.

She also took part in writing the lyrics for this piece, and it suggests a future where feelings for a loved one transform sadness and frustration into strength.

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KEI

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hydrangeaShibasaki Kou

hydrangea

Gently stirring the emotions that slumber deep within, this song by Kou Shibasaki draws on the story of the Edo-period physician Philipp Franz von Siebold and his Japanese wife Otaki, mirroring the flow of time and the fragility of fate in the image of hydrangeas.

Her delicate vocals blend exquisitely with HAINOMI’s electronica-tinged arrangement.

Pre-released on October 30, 2024, it is included on the EP “Kyōen” (Hibikigai/Resonant Banquet) out November 27.

It’s recommended for moments when you want to heal the pain of heartbreak or move past a farewell to someone dear.

Wrapped in Shibasaki’s voice, why not take some time to sort through your feelings?