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Yami songs recommended for college students: melancholic tracks to listen to when you're feeling down

There are days when you feel like your heart might break or you feel lonely, aren’t there? In those moments, music becomes a precious source of support.

Songs that stay close to your sadness and pain can feel like a best friend who truly understands you.

In this article, we introduce healing “yami songs” that gently accompany you through tough times.

We’ll feature many tracks, focusing on works released in recent years.

You’re sure to find a song that resonates with your heart.

Playlist

Yami songs recommended for college students: melancholic tracks to listen to when you're feeling down
show_chartTitlePlaylistReview
1east-ness; typicality; the quality/essence of being [X] (as in “X-ness” or “X-like character”)SUPER BEAVER
-ness; typicality; the quality/essence of being [X] (as in “X-ness” or “X-like character”)SUPER BEAVERplay_arrow
A rock song by SUPER BEAVER that affirms change
2eastEven if it’s one of a kindkujira
Even if it's one of a kindkujiraplay_arrow
Whale songs ease the anxieties of the heart
3eastI can’t stand that cute girl.narumiya
I can’t stand that cute girl.narumiyaplay_arrow
An unrequited love song depicting Narumiya’s feelings of love
4eastI thought about killing myselfamazarashi
I thought about killing myselfamazarashiplay_arrow
A moving song that wraps the darkness of the heart in kindness
5eastMetronomeYonezu Kenshi
MetronomeYonezu Kenshiplay_arrow
The metronome’s misalignment reflects the relationship.
6easta May flyRADWIMPS
a May flyRADWIMPSplay_arrow
A dark, emo rock song that sings about the pain of heartbreak
7eastEverything other than death is just a scratch.Koresawa
Everything other than death is just a scratch.Koresawaplay_arrow
A song of courage to live positively without being defeated by difficulties
8eastI didn’t want to know, if it meant losing it.atarayo
I didn’t want to know, if it meant losing it.atarayoplay_arrow
The Conflict Between a Lover's Betrayal and Unfading Feelings
9eastRef:rainAimer
Ref:rainAimerplay_arrow
Aimer’s moving voice and heartrending feelings
10eastworst; minimum; the lowest; awfulIvy to Fraudulent Game
worst; minimum; the lowest; awfulIvy to Fraudulent Gameplay_arrow
A fantastical song depicting self-denial and loneliness
11eastOmelet riceReoNa
Omelet riceReoNaplay_arrow
ReoNa’s new song sings of loneliness and hope.
12eastI like you, but it seems you don’t really like me.back number
I like you, but it seems you don't really like me.back numberplay_arrow
A love song that portrays the bittersweet feelings of unrequited love
13eastIf I were to die tomorrowKitanitatsuya
If I were to die tomorrowKitanitatsuyaplay_arrow
A song that stays close to the heart and inspires hope
14eastWhat do you want to become?Rozarīna
What do you want to become?Rozarīnaplay_arrow
A healing song for university students anxious about the future
15eastseamUeno Daiki
seamUeno Daikiplay_arrow
A song's tale of facing the anxieties of memory
16eastAnswerIkuta Rira
AnswerIkuta Riraplay_arrow
Cheering songs that give you the strength to look forward: the music of Rira Ikuta
17eastThe world to youEVE
The world to youEVEplay_arrow
A fleeting song that gently cradles a weary heart
18eastRe:setSEKAI NO OWARI
Re:setSEKAI NO OWARIplay_arrow
An aggressive SEKAI NO OWARI song that depicts escapism
19eastI want to forget.wacci
I want to forget.wacciplay_arrow
A bittersweet love song that sings of the pain of farewell
20eastin my placeHiguchi Ai
in my placeHiguchi Aiplay_arrow
A song about hugging yourself and finding the courage to move forward
21eastA love on the verge of witheringSuzuki Suzuki
A love on the verge of witheringSuzuki Suzukiplay_arrow
A song that portrays the sense of distance between lovers who are growing apart.
22eastStalker’s SongAbe Mao
Stalker’s SongAbe Maoplay_arrow
A song that deftly cuts into twisted affection
23eastthought crimeYorushika
thought crimeYorushikaplay_arrow
Music that sings of an unfulfilled heart and loneliness
24eastStray SheepKamisama, boku wa kizuite shimatta
Stray SheepKamisama, boku wa kizuite shimattaplay_arrow
Insert song “Stray Sheep” expresses the feelings of young people
25eastYuki-kun, you know…narumiya
Yuki-kun, you know...narumiyaplay_arrow
A lonely girl's cry to her imaginary friend
26eastRainingCocco
RainingCoccoplay_arrow
Cocco “Raining,” a beautiful song that pierces the heart
27eastHe was alive, wasn’t he?aimyon
He was alive, wasn’t he?aimyonplay_arrow
Aimyon: The impact of a heart-stirring masterpiece
28easttobacco / cigarette(s)Koresawa
tobacco / cigarette(s)Koresawaplay_arrow
A moving masterpiece by Koresawa—an absolute must-listen
29eastMarshmallowDECO*27
MarshmallowDECO*27play_arrow
DECO*27's song portrays complex human relationships.
30eastThere was no meaning to being born.mafumafu
There was no meaning to being born.mafumafuplay_arrow
A song that is a cry from the heart asking about the meaning of life
31eastThe kid who always gets comparedTsuyu
The kid who always gets comparedTsuyuplay_arrow
An anthem to encourage those hurt by comparisons with others
32eastThere are no gods.Rosu
There are no gods.Rosuplay_arrow
A dark song depicting revenge and karma, expressing deep emotions
33eastto liveMizuno Atsu
to liveMizuno Atsuplay_arrow
A Vocaloid song that gently supports a delicate heart
34eastJust being alive is admirable.ReoNa
Just being alive is admirable.ReoNaplay_arrow
ReoNa’s song “Nai Nai” gently embraces the heart
35eastThe Day the Curse Was LiftedTaito
The Day the Curse Was LiftedTaitoplay_arrow
Overcoming bullying and finding a smile through meeting people
36eastmentally unstable personMioyamazaki
mentally unstable personMioyamazakiplay_arrow
A 2015 song that depicts mentally unstable emotions
37eastIt will surely get better.Shinsei Kamattechan
It will surely get better.Shinsei Kamattechanplay_arrow
The appeal of a heart-touching song that discovers hope
38eastAbsolute GirlfriendOmori Seiko
Absolute GirlfriendOmori Seikoplay_arrow
The appeal of Seiko Oomori’s signature song “Zettai Kanojo”
39eastOur FailureMorita Doji
Our FailureMorita Dojiplay_arrow
The definitive “yami” song—watch out, it goes way too deep!
40eastseems like (just) my imaginationmaji musume
seems like (just) my imaginationmaji musumeplay_arrow
A song with many highly acclaimed cover versions that lightens the heart when you’re tired.
41eastRainywaySUPER BUTTER DOG
RainywaySUPER BUTTER DOGplay_arrow
Japanese funk with youthful sensibility and bittersweet lyrics
42eastjust a friendsalyu × salyu
just a friendsalyu × salyuplay_arrow
salyu × salyu, a unique musical world
43eastGrim ReaperOmori Seiko
Grim ReaperOmori Seikoplay_arrow
Seiko Oomori’s “Shinigami” is a song that soothes loneliness with its profound lyrics and distinctive vocals.
44eastThe Edge of the Blue SkyOkuda Miwako
The Edge of the Blue SkyOkuda Miwakoplay_arrow
A Song of Hope to Overcome Life's Despair
45eaststudio (apartment)Novelbright
studio (apartment)Novelbrightplay_arrow
A piece that soothes an aching heart with the beauty of the piano
46eastWolverine Nenzutto mayonaka de ii no ni.
Wolverine Nenzutto mayonaka de ii no ni.play_arrow
Zutto Mayonaka de Iinoni, which expresses loneliness and self-denial
47eastaitaiKato Miria
aitaiKato Miriaplay_arrow
A heartrending love song that sings of the pain of a broken heart
48eastcrimsonX JAPAN
crimsonX JAPANplay_arrow
An iconic X JAPAN masterpiece that speaks for the cries of the heart
49eastcowardTatetakako
cowardTatetakakoplay_arrow
A singer who moves the heart with passionate music
50eastEine KleineYonezu Kenshi
Eine KleineYonezu Kenshiplay_arrow
Singing of an adolescent girl's anxieties and hopes
51eastChristmas EveYamashita Tatsuro
Christmas EveYamashita Tatsuroplay_arrow
Christmas song, Tatsuro Yamashita’s masterpiece
52eastIt’s not that I want to die.Asanomachi
It's not that I want to die.Asanomachiplay_arrow
KAFU’s fleeting, heartrending singing voice resonates in the heart.
53eastCinderella BoySaucy Dog
Cinderella BoySaucy Dogplay_arrow
Cinderella Boy, the pain of heartbreak
54eastTo My AdolescenceAka-hoho Shishunki (BOL4)
To My AdolescenceAka-hoho Shishunki (BOL4)play_arrow
BOL4’s soothing song delicately depicts the feelings of adolescence
55eastIt’s okayberii guddoman
It's okayberii guddomanplay_arrow
BERRY GOODMAN’s “Daijoubu” is a song that embraces those who are suffering.
56eastI tried singing a J-POP hit song in the style of Tatsuro Yamashita.Poseidon Ishikawa
I tried singing a J-POP hit song in the style of Tatsuro Yamashita.Poseidon Ishikawaplay_arrow
Arrange J-POP in the style of Tatsuro Yamashita
57eastDon’t Change Your MindHamada Mari
Don't Change Your MindHamada Mariplay_arrow
Mari Hamada’s classic song that sings of a heartrending love
58eastI miss you so much and want to see you.Nishino Kana
I miss you so much and want to see you.Nishino Kanaplay_arrow
A poignant song about lingering feelings for an ex-lover
59eastmeteor showerOnitsuka Chihiro
meteor showerOnitsuka Chihiroplay_arrow
Free your heart with music that heals loneliness
60eastStoryAI
StoryAIplay_arrow
Even when ill, we are not alone and support each other.
61eastShut up.Ado
Shut up.Adoplay_arrow
Healing my heart with the edgy song “Usseewa”
62eastbad cryNEE
bad cryNEEplay_arrow
NEE’s heartbreak song “Bad Cry”
63eastYami modepaatii inkya
Yami modepaatii inkyaplay_arrow
A relatable song that portrays the feelings of youth
64eastResignation from being humanboku no ririkku no bouyomi
Resignation from being humanboku no ririkku no bouyomiplay_arrow
A self-destructive song whose sick/anguished lyrics resonate with the heart
65eastHonestly, living is really painful.mirukīuei
Honestly, living is really painful.mirukīueiplay_arrow
A heart-piercing song that sings of the hardship of living
66eastLove even your melancholyKoresawa
Love even your melancholyKoresawaplay_arrow
A heartwarming, healing song that encourages you in difficult times
67eastproof; evidence; certificate (context-dependent)haji→
proof; evidence; certificate (context-dependent)haji→play_arrow
When you're in trouble, lean on someone.
68eastKagomeYuuri
KagomeYuuriplay_arrow
The moving impact of Yuuri’s shocking new song “Kagome”
69eastBirthday Complexsensei tasukete
Birthday Complexsensei tasuketeplay_arrow
Singing about the feelings of a girl on the eve of her birthday
70east20-CRY-Kato Miria
20-CRY-Kato Miriaplay_arrow
A moving song that sings of life's loneliness and hope
71eastI want to protect youMatsutōya Yumi
I want to protect youMatsutōya Yumiplay_arrow
Yumi Matsutoya songs that are perfect for encouraging someone who is ill
72eastGibbsShiina Ringo
GibbsShiina Ringoplay_arrow
Sheena Ringo’s dark “yami” songs: soul-stirring masterpieces
73eastHey HoSEKAI NO OWARI
Hey HoSEKAI NO OWARIplay_arrow
A song that supports zero animal euthanasia
74eastTomorrow as wellSHISHAMO
Tomorrow as wellSHISHAMOplay_arrow
The enjoyment of the weekend is the energy that helps me get through tough days.
75eastNon-breath ObligePinokio P
Non-breath ObligePinokio Pplay_arrow
Introducing the appeal of Non-Breath Oblige
76eastHowl at the MoonYorushika
Howl at the MoonYorushikaplay_arrow
Yorushika's 'Howl at the Moon,' a song that keeps company with the loneliness of the night
77eastGo for it!Nakajima Miyuki
Go for it!Nakajima Miyukiplay_arrow
Songs included on Miyuki Nakajima’s 10th album
78eastI thought about killing myselfNakajima Mika
I thought about killing myselfNakajima Mikaplay_arrow
Introducing songs that make your heart gentle in tough times
79eastDried flowersYuuri
Dried flowersYuuriplay_arrow
Dry Flower is a song that vividly portrays the emotions of heartbreak.
80eastA Bouquet for YouUtada Hikaru
A Bouquet for YouUtada Hikaruplay_arrow
A love song Hikaru Utada dedicated to her mother
81eastNonfictionHirai Ken
NonfictionHirai Kenplay_arrow
Ken Hirai's requiem-themed drama theme song
82eastHereditySaitō Kazuyoshi
HereditySaitō Kazuyoshiplay_arrow
Saito Kazuyoshi’s melancholy-tinged 46th single
83eastIf being alive is painfulMoriyama Naotaro
If being alive is painfulMoriyama Naotaroplay_arrow
Naotaro Moriyama’s songs that face life
84eastcarnationShiina Ringo
carnationShiina Ringoplay_arrow
Sheena Ringo’s gentle morning drama theme song
85eastAt all times.Makihara Noriyuki
At all times.Makihara Noriyukiplay_arrow
Makihara Noriyuki's cheering song: Move forward as yourself
86eastfragileEvery Little Thing
fragileEvery Little Thingplay_arrow
This ballad son called 'fragile'...
87eastKanadeSukima Suichi
KanadeSukima Suichiplay_arrow
“Kanade” by Sukima Switch is in the autumn season…
88eastFlower -Memento Mori-Mr.Children
Flower -Memento Mori-Mr.Childrenplay_arrow
The 11th single by Mr.Children...
89eastfightYUI
fightYUIplay_arrow
It’s YUI’s 21st single. Bright and…
90eastIf I can laughUrufuruzu
If I can laughUrufuruzuplay_arrow
It’s Ulfuls’ 23rd single. Entrance exams...
91eastFull-Power BoySukima Suichi
Full-Power BoySukima Suichiplay_arrow
It’s Sukima Switch’s fifth single and one of their signature songs…
92eastCheer up!Takeuchi Mariya
Cheer up!Takeuchi Mariyaplay_arrow
It’s Mariya Takeuchi’s 17th single, and it…
93eastYo, you there, kid.Takehara Pisutoru
Yo, you there, kid.Takehara Pisutoruplay_arrow
A streaming-only single by Takeshi “Pistol” Takehara, used as a commercial song…
94eastLOSERYonezu Kenshi
LOSERYonezu Kenshiplay_arrow
It’s Kenshi Yonezu’s fifth single. In the music video, too…
95eastTomorrow will surely be a good day.Takahashi Yuu
Tomorrow will surely be a good day.Takahashi Yuuplay_arrow
It’s Yu Takahashi’s 12th single. Very much in Yu Takahashi’s style…
96eastFlowerKinKi Kids
FlowerKinKi Kidsplay_arrow
It's KinKi Kids' seventh single...
97eastEchoes of a rainy voiceOrangestar
Echoes of a rainy voiceOrangestarplay_arrow
Songs that resonate with the heart when things aren’t going well
98eastThe saddest thing in the worldmirukīuei
The saddest thing in the worldmirukīueiplay_arrow
A pop-sounding band from Osaka that sings about heavy themes
99eastsoftly deadyurayura teikoku
softly deadyurayura teikokuplay_arrow
The appeal of a band whose wobbliness feels pleasant
100eastParticipation prizesoredemo sekai ga tsuzuku nara
Participation prizesoredemo sekai ga tsuzuku naraplay_arrow
Healing the heart’s pain with music that sings of loneliness