[Tear-Jerking] Classic and Recommended Love Ballads
This is a playlist that spotlights ballads among love songs—nothing but love ballads.
These ballads are filled with tender, heartrending emotions unique to romance, from sorrowful love to songs that gently draw you in.
There are nights when you just want to dive into love ballads and have a good cry, right?
We’ve gathered a wide selection, from recent hits to timeless classics.
Even when they describe happiness, they somehow bring tears—so immerse yourself in these exquisite love ballads and let it all out.
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[Tearjerkers] Classic and Recommended Love Ballads (71–80)
Better Half (feat. JEONGHAN of SEVENTEEN)Omoinotake
Even from far apart, Omoinotake delivers a moving ballad that sings of unwavering, powerful feelings set to a warm melody.
It also drew attention for featuring SEVENTEEN member Jeonghan.
Centered on a long-distance relationship, the song portrays the aching thoughts for a lover who’s far away and the love that deepens across the distance.
Its dramatically unfolding melody and the clear, expansive vocals of Reo Fujii and Jeonghan blend beautifully, resonating deeply with listeners.
The track was included on Omoinotake’s major second album, “Pieces,” released in January 2025, and was also chosen as the theme song for ABEMA’s original romance show “Koisuru ♥ Shuumatsu Homestay 2025 Fuyu” (Falling in Love: Weekend Homestay, Winter 2025).
It’s a song that will surely be there for anyone living apart from someone important or thinking of a distant loved one.
leap day personRADWIMPS
A poignant song by RADWIMPS written as the theme for the film “The Last 10 Years.” It portrays the fragility of spending limited time with a loved one and highlights the preciousness of life.
The lyrics strikingly express a contradiction of modern society: physical distance can shrink, yet emotional distance remains.
The sense of helplessness and inner conflict—wanting to do something for someone you love but being unable to—hits close to the heart.
It’s a song that stays close to the sorrow of losing someone important while evoking hope for a reunion.
That’s not fair…arekunn
Are-kun’s song, which beautifully portrays aching love and suffering, has deeply moved many listeners.
While harboring intense feelings for the other person, the work delicately weaves the complex emotions of a woman swayed by ambiguous behavior.
Released in August 2021 as an advance track from the album “Breath,” it was also chosen as the ending theme for TV Asahi’s “BREAKOUT” in September, allowing it to resonate with an even wider audience.
Confused and hurt by the other person’s vague kindness, yet unable to suppress her feelings—this piece offers heartfelt empathy and comfort to anyone who bears the pain of an unrequited love.
Song of PointillismMrs. GREEN APPLE
A gem of a duet song that delicately weaves together the tenderness of a budding crush and the sorrow of parting.
Released in 2018 as an insert song for the film “Aonatsu: 30 Days with You,” it blends the voices of Mrs.
GREEN APPLE and Sonoko Inoue into a track that leaves a fleeting yet warm afterglow.
From both male and female perspectives, it carefully portrays the joy of meeting, the premonition of goodbye, and feelings that are hard to put into words.
The gentle tones of piano and acoustic guitar express the subtle shifts of the heart as summer draws to a close.
It is a heartwarming piece that offers comfort to those who have experienced parting with someone dear or who wish to cherish irreplaceable memories.
I LOVE YOUkurisu haato
A heart-stirring ballad that poignantly sings of a love growing cold.
Released in February 2014 as Chris Hart’s first original single, the song is known as the theme for the ACE JTB TV commercial.
While cherishing the happy memories with a lover, it vividly portrays the emotional turmoil of drifting apart.
Though American-born, Hart masterfully conveys the delicate nuances of Japanese and delivers a warm vocal that resonates deeply with listeners.
Scenes of memories unfolding with the changing seasons—like springtime cherry-blossom viewing and winter kisses indoors—further heighten the ache of heartbreak.
It’s a song that gently supports those who have lost someone precious or who are seeking closure.
Linju Lovemakaroni enpitsu
A moving story that portrays profound love and longing in the face of death.
This piece was released as a single by Macaroni Empitsu in January 2023.
Created as the theme song for the TBS Friday drama “I Wish I Had Said It a Million Times,” it captured the hearts of many viewers alongside the show’s poignant narrative.
Woven with a heartrending melody of love and an emotional vocal performance, the lyrics contain the soul’s cry of someone forced to part with the one they love.
It’s a song that brings to the fore the ache of holding someone dear in your heart right up to the final moment, along with the feelings left unspoken.
Perfect for those who want to empathize with the pain of lost love or are seeking music that stirs the soul.
You are here—that’s everything.Kotora
This is a love ballad by Kotora, marked by gentle piano melodies and delicate strings.
It tenderly and carefully portrays the happiness that comes from having someone you love and the immense presence they hold in your life.
Released on YouTube in March 2025, the song fully conveys pure feelings of love and the desire to cherish the other person, earning high praise from fans.
Its soothing music and lyrics, filled with sincere emotions, will resonate with anyone who cares deeply for someone.
It’s a perfect track for moments when your feelings of love grow stronger or as background music while spending time with someone special.