[Tear-Jerking] Classic and Recommended Love Ballads

ALONEB’z

B’z / ALONE

Under the twilight sky, standing alone while thinking of a loved one.

It conjures a poignant yet beautiful scene—an exquisite ballad that represents B’z.

The lyrics, which portray how time apart only deepens one’s feelings for the other, are truly heart-wrenching.

Released in October 1991, the song became a million-seller as the theme for the drama “Hotel Woman.” In live performances, Koshi Inaba’s piano-and-vocal rendition has become a legendary moment among fans.

Listen to it on a night spent alone, and it will gently keep your lonely heart company.

more than anyoneBE:FIRST

BE:FIRST / Stronger Than Anyone -Lyric Video- (Theme song for the film “Hold Me Tighter Than Anyone”)

A poignant longing wrapped in kindness strikes the heart in this ballad by BE:FIRST.

While yearning for closeness with a loved one, the vivid lyrics portray a man’s struggle to keep his distance because of mental illness, along with the feelings that remain unchanged.

The richly expressive vocals of all the members and the melody beautifully color the story’s world.

Included on the single “Spacecraft / Sailing,” released on February 5, 2025, the song was also selected as the theme for the film “Hold Me Tighter Than Anyone,” which premiered that February.

This piece invites deep reflection on the meaning of continuing to care for someone important and on human connection.

It is recommended for those wrestling with feelings for someone they love, or for anyone seeking a touching ballad that resonates with the heart.

somedaySaucy Dog

Saucy Dog "Someday" MUSIC VIDEO

A straightforward, honest love song that brings the ache and poignancy of heartbreak right to your chest.

Through real-life scenes—like the deserted park at Tawarayama and the sloping road where you can see the starry sky—the memories woven together vividly portray feelings for a precious person you can never meet again.

Released in May 2017 as a track on the album “Country Road,” this piece gently embraces an unforgettable love with warm lyrics that blend in the local Shimane dialect.

Its softly resonant melody offers quiet comfort to those who want to hold their one-sided love close, and to those who can’t quite put an end to a past romance.

A midsummer passing showerUtada Hikaru

Hikaru Utada – Midsummer Shower

A song that delicately weaves together the deep sorrow of losing someone precious and the love that still refuses to cease.

Like a gentle rain falling in the depths of the heart, it moves the listener—so quintessentially Hikaru Utada.

Included on the 2016 album Fantôme, this piece was released when Utada resumed musical activities after about eight years.

When you want something to quietly accompany the loneliness at summer’s end or those sudden pangs of wistfulness, this warm melody will envelop you.

On a night when you’re thinking of someone dear, why not listen closely?

Unrequited loveSUPER BEAVER

SUPER BEAVER “Unrequited Love” MV

This emotional rock ballad, powerfully voicing the ache of unrequited love, is a quintessential work from SUPER BEAVER.

Centered on the universally relatable theme of one-sided love, it conveys both frustration and profound affection, resonating deeply alongside the band’s gentle yet powerful melodies.

The commanding guitar sound and expressively charged vocals create a sonic world that grips listeners and won’t let go.

Included on the single “Kataomoi / Namida no Shoutai,” released in March 2025, the song was featured within the NHK General late-night drama Vanila na Mainichi.

Praised for complementing the drama’s atmosphere and enriching its storytelling, it’s a track for anyone struggling with love—and, truly, for anyone who can relate to the feeling of caring for someone.

Only HumanK

K　『Only Human』

A dramatic ballad by K that shines a light of hope, telling us that “beyond sorrow lies a smile.” Chosen as the theme song for the drama One Litre of Tears, the piece portrays people who keep looking forward even as they face life’s hardships.

When you’re exhausted, when you stop and wonder if things are okay as they are, this song gently gives you a push.

Released in November 2005, it reached No.

5 on the Oricon charts.

It’s also included on the album Beyond the Sea and continues to be cherished as one of K’s signature works.

Its tender, enveloping vocals are sure to give you strength.

the red threadKobukuro

Kobukuro “Red Thread”

This is a long ballad that carefully depicts the feelings of a young person entering a rough patch with their partner, unfolding over seven minutes.

As a year passes, the protagonist’s heart gradually starts to look forward, and that progression is portrayed in a striking way.

Included on the album “Root of my mind,” which Kobukuro produced soon after forming, the song gently conveys the importance of trust in love.

It’s recommended for those who, while struggling with a relationship with someone important, still want to cherish their feelings for each other.

It’s a song you’ll want to sing with all your heart at solo karaoke or in the company of close friends.