Breakup songs by Japanese bands: recommended classics and popular tracks

PretenderOfisharu Higedan Dism

Official HIGE DANDism – Pretender [Official Video]

This is one of Official HIGE DANDism’s signature ballads, sung over a dramatic melody about the end of a heartrending love.

The protagonist deeply loves the other person yet realizes they are not meant to be, and their inner struggle is heartbreaking.

Holding an impossible wish—if only in another timeline—and ultimately stepping back while praising the other’s beauty, the lyrics are impossible to hear without tears.

Released as a single in May 2019, it became widely known as the theme song for the film “The Confidence Man JP.” Pouring your feelings into it at karaoke will surely lighten the burden on your heart.

A song that heals the pain of heartbreak and helps you gradually look forward, this masterpiece gently stays by your side in the season of farewells.

bad habitMy Hair is Bad

My Hair is Bad – Bad Habit (Fantastic Home Run Tour, 2019-04-17, Yokohama Arena)

A beloved classic from My Hair is Bad since their early days, this song closes out the single “Hitomebore e.p.,” released in July 2015.

Through conversations between lovers and everyday miscommunications, the lyrics capture the frustration of swallowing one’s true feelings, striking straight to the heart.

The accumulation of vivid, concrete scenes gradually exposes the unbridgeable distance between the two—an absolutely stunning structure.

Although it never had a tie-in, it was performed with high intensity at their Yokohama Arena show in April 2019, letting you feel the essence of them as a live band.

Despite its relaxed tempo, the chorus overflows with emotion and is thoroughly compelling, making it a perfect listen for those carrying unspoken truths or for nights when you want to fully immerse yourself in the world of the lyrics.

Idiot!UNFAIR RULE

UNFAIR RULE 'Idiot!' Music Video

This is a song by UNFAIR RULE, a three-piece rock band from Okayama Prefecture.

It’s just over a minute long, yet it’s packed with lingering feelings for an ex, bravado, and even a cathartic parting shot at the end.

The track features tempo changes that keep it dramatic and engaging despite its brevity.

It’s included on their first mini-album, “Takaromono,” released in February 2022.

Perfect for blasting away post-breakup blues and getting that refreshing rush!

GraduationMy Hair is Bad

My Hair is Bad – Graduation (Official Video)

A track by My Hair is Bad that tells the story of two people sensing changes in their relationship amid the bustle of a station and the cityscape.

It was included on the EP “Jidai o Atsumete,” released in May 2016, and was produced as a kind of sequel to the previous song “Makka.” From the perspective of a timid, awkward young person, the song vividly portrays the growing distance between former lovers.

Its theme is a farewell as a rite of passage—putting a period on a relationship and moving on to the next stage.

Driven by a fast-paced 8-beat and dynamic arrangement, Tomomi Shiiki’s husky voice conveys the ebb and flow of emotion.

It’s a song that stays with you when you want to put an end to an ambiguous relationship with an ex and need the courage to face forward and start walking.

Crimson-colored sunsetFujifaburikku

Fujifabric – Akane-Colored Sunset

A masterpiece by Fujifabric with a wistful melody that really hits home.

Its profound lyrics make you think and instantly conjure vivid scenes—there’s something about it that seeps into your heart.

Vocalist Shimura’s slightly ennui-tinged voice resonates with an uncanny sense of realism.

The Night Before Goodbyeyayuyo

Yayuyo “The Eve of Goodbye” MV

A love song playing from an earphone with the left side silent, the wavering feelings of a protagonist facing farewell at an evening station.

It’s rare to find a song that captures the bittersweetness residing in such small, everyday moments so vividly.

Written by Riko, the vocalist of Yayuyo, as the first song she ever composed, it was released as a single in December 2019 and was later included on the following year’s mini-album “Yayuyo.” After surpassing one million views on YouTube, this track quickly spread the band’s name far and wide.

While it sketches the premonition of parting over a buoyant rhythm, it also subtly reveals the protagonist’s strength as they try to look ahead.

With its driving guitar-rock energy and approachable melody, it’s a song I especially want those who are hurting from heartbreak yet determined to move forward to hear.

tear(s)Marushii

Marcy – Tears (Official Music Video)

A love ballad that portrays the ache of heartbreak in stark contrast to the dazzling summer sun.

It’s a work released in August 2025 by the rock band Marcy, known for down-to-earth lyrics that resonate.

Memories of love told in the past tense and words detailing feelings that will never reach their destination shake the listener’s heart.

Skillful metaphors—like the pain of memories lingering as sensations in the body and a future that was never opened—reflect the protagonist’s earnest emotions and are sure to bring tears.

The song is slated to be included on their third original album, set for release in November 2025, which will also feature Aozora, the theme song for the film “Youth Gestalt Collapse.” It’s a track you’ll want to listen to quietly on nights when you want to immerse yourself in unforgettable memories of love.