Lovely love song

[2026] A Collection of Love Songs with Memorable Cigarettes

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.

If you’ve dated someone who smokes, you might find that every time you smell cigarette smoke, you’re reminded of that person.

In fact, there are more songs than you might expect that depict similar experiences or use cigarettes as a theme, even among popular love songs.

Utada Hikaru’s “First Love” and Koresawa’s “Tabako” are especially well-known.

In this article, we introduce many love songs related to cigarettes besides these two, so if you’re interested, be sure to give them a listen.

[2026] A roundup of love songs with memorable cigarettes (11–20)

I exhale smoke from my usual seat.Andō Yūko

I exhale smoke from my usual seat.

I exhale smoke from my usual seat.Andō Yūko

This song, featuring Yuko Ando’s delicate vocals, captures a slice of everyday life adrift in cigarette smoke.

Included on the album “Merry Andrew,” released in January 2006, it has been highly praised as a work that showcases Ando’s musical maturity.

A slow-tempo ballad, it explores themes of bittersweet love and nostalgia for lost time, resonating deeply with listeners.

Drawing on small moments from daily life, it portrays the subtleties of human relationships and emotions, conveying a determination to look forward even while carrying loneliness and anxiety.

It is a particularly moving piece for those who have experienced memories with a lover or a parting.

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Unfit to be a loverKoresawa

Koresawa “Unqualified as a Lover” [Music Video]

Unfit to be a loverKoresawa

A breakup ballad from a male perspective that portrays the anguish and regret of the one who said goodbye.

It’s a self-cover sung from the viewpoint of the man who leaves the room in Koresawa’s signature song “Tabako.” Released as a digital single in June 2019, it was later included on the concept mini-album “Heartbreak Scrap” in January 2020.

Originally written for Miyuhan, the track drew attention with its music video featuring Ryusei Yokohama.

The song movingly captures the conflict of a man who ends the relationship precisely because he loves her, blaming not her but his own shortcomings.

Listening to it alongside “Tabako” deepens your understanding of the couple’s emotional misalignment.

Highly recommended for anyone who’s experienced the end of a cherished relationship or carries guilt over having hurt someone they love.

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Goodbye, City LightsAile The Shota

Aile The Shota / Goodbye City Light (Prod. Chaki Zulu) -Official Video-

Goodbye, City LightsAile The Shota

A city-pop sound with an urban, nostalgic vibe.

In this track from Aile The Shota, he portrays the complex feelings toward an ex who only calls when drunk.

Released for streaming on November 6, 2024, it’s included on the album “REAL POP,” out November 20 of the same month.

Co-created with Chaki Zulu, the song’s style blends retro warmth with modern flair for a uniquely captivating appeal.

The music video—told from a woman’s perspective—has also drawn attention for depicting turbulent emotions.

The push and pull between lingering attachment and the desire to move on after a breakup is something anyone can relate to.

It’s a mature love song you’ll want to listen to while strolling through the city at night.

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In conclusion

As mentioned at the beginning, cigarettes are closely intertwined with everyday life, and many people—whether or not it’s from a song lyric—have experienced how the scent of tobacco can bring memories rushing back. Whether you’re a smoker or not, please give the songs introduced here a listen while layering them with your own sweet-and-sour or bittersweet memories of love and cigarettes.