[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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[Tearjerker] Classic and Recommended Love Ballads (111–120)
EndlessTOMOO
A piano ballad by TOMOO that sincerely portrays a straightforward love for someone dear.
A pure wish for an enduring, certain bond that goes beyond physical fulfillment resonates with delicate melodies.
Expressing the depth of love and its complex emotions, this piece was chosen as the ending theme for the 2024 October drama “Zen Ryōiki Ijō Kaiketsu-shitsu” (All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office).
Its simple yet expansive piano sound and TOMOO’s smoky vocals leave a strong impression.
It’s a song to listen to when you’re struggling with a relationship with someone important, or when you want to sort out your feelings for them.
The earnest sentiment and gentle, enveloping voice will surely stay close to your heart.
petalback number
A heartbreaking breakup song that overlays the fleeting memories of love with cherry blossom petals.
The lyrics delicately portray how memories with a lover linger everywhere in the city, turning even everyday scenes into amplifiers of pain.
While still holding on to love, the reality is that they will never meet again.
This song carries a message that gently embraces that hurt.
Released in April 2011, it was featured as the ending theme for JAPAN COUNTDOWN.
It is sure to resonate deeply with anyone who has experienced a painful romance.
Happy Endingback number
A touching song that sings of the aching feelings for a former lover.
The portrait of a woman who tries to act tough yet cannot sever her lingering attachment is striking.
It depicts the complex emotions of someone who, despite her words, still truly loves the other person.
Released in November 2016, it was also used as the theme song for the film “My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday.” It’s recommended as a chance to sort out your feelings if you’ve experienced parting from someone you love.
Let yourself be carried by back number’s gentle vocals and take a moment to face your own emotions.
Until the day I can no longer rememberback number
This is a poignant song about parting with someone dear.
Iyori Shimizu’s delicate vocals gently enfold the feelings for the one who was lost.
It carefully depicts the depth of their bond and the emptiness that follows their absence, making it a piece that resonates deeply with listeners.
The song was also selected as the ending theme for a TV Tokyo music program, winning widespread empathy.
It’s the perfect track for when you want to remember someone important, or reaffirm your feelings for them.
Why not close your eyes and listen slowly?
I stillmilet
A gem-like love ballad by milet, known for a voice where aching tenderness and strength intertwine, beautifully capturing the emotions of the character she portrays in the film.
Its richly emotive melody weaves together a yearning for eternal love and the anxieties that come with it, while lyrics that speak of unwavering, straightforward affection resonate deeply.
Written as the theme song for the film “The Girlfriend I Don’t Know,” slated for release in February 2025, the track will debut on streaming platforms in January 2025, followed by a CD single release in February.
It’s a heartwarming song you’ll want to listen to on your morning commute, on your way home at night, or while thinking of someone special.
Flower of loveaimyon
Aimyon, who has crafted numerous iconic ballads, wrote “Ai no Hana” as the theme song for the NHK morning drama Ranman.
In this piece, she compares love to a flower and portrays the way it blooms beautifully.
Listen while paying attention to its lovely imagery.
It’s also a song about love for someone you can no longer meet, so those who have had a similar experience will surely relate.
Its gentle, triple-meter sound soothes and warms the listener’s heart.
Be happy, okay?matsumura kanau
Reflecting on memories while gazing at the sea alone—“Be Happy, Okay” is the perfect song for that kind of scene.
It’s a work released by the new-generation artist Kanau Matsumura.
This heart-wrenching breakup song portrays, from a male perspective, the moment he initiates the split for the other person’s sake, and how he later looks back on their memories.
While the word “sea” doesn’t appear directly, there are descriptions that evoke it.
Listen closely and see for yourself.