[Just the Lyrics Make Me Cry] Tear-Jerking Songs That Touch the Heart

around two o’clockaiko

With Lyrics: Around Two O'Clock – aiko (included on the best album “Matome I”) piano and vocal cover.

A love song bursting with Aiko’s signature style.

You’re drawn into a world of steady, mid-tempo storytelling.

I think the “two o’clock” in this ‘Around Two’ refers to 2 a.m.

It’s a story of calling her boyfriend to break up while thinking about winter’s cold—her hands and feet going numb, sniffing her nose.

The situation is so detailed that the heartache comes through vividly and real.

If you’re a woman who’s ever initiated a breakup yourself, these lyrics will make you cry.

I want to be kinder.Saito Kazuyoshi

Kazuyoshi Saito – I Want to Be Gentle [Music Video Short ver.]

Kazuyoshi Saito is a singer-songwriter who has released timeless hits everyone knows, such as “Aruite Kaerou” and “Utautai no Ballad.” His 39th single “Yasashiku Naritai,” used as the theme song for the TV drama “I’m Mita, Your Housekeeper,” opens with a memorable arrangement featuring a delay-soaked guitar riff.

The lyrics convey a resolve to protect someone precious, evoking a complex mix of tenderness and melancholy.

It’s an emotional rock tune with a sentimental melody that tugs at the heart.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Letter to TomorrowTeshima Aoi

Aoi Teshima “Letter to Tomorrow (Drama Version)”

It was released in 2016 as Aoi Teshima’s fifth single.

Serving as the theme song for the drama “Love That Makes You Cry” starring Kasumi Arimura and Kengo Kora—which won the Confidence Award for Best Drama and Best Screenplay—this song, sung by Aoi Teshima, features very gentle lyrics and was embraced alongside the drama as a perfect fit for it.

Before you become a memorysupittsu

Before You Become a Memory / Spitz

It was released in 1993 as Spitz’s seventh single.

It’s a re-cut single from their fourth album, Crispy!.

It became one of Spitz’s signature songs and marked their first entry on the Oricon charts.

In 1997, it was used in a commercial song for Ajinomoto gift sets.

It’s a song whose gentle sound and lyrics resonate with the heart.

StoryAI

AI – Story

It’s a song released in 2005 as AI’s 12th single.

It carries a strong message: cherish the time you spend with your loved ones today, in this very moment, because you might not be able to see them tomorrow.

It’s one of AI’s most popular ballads.

Hide-and-seekYuuri

Yuuri “Kakurenbo” Official Music Video

It’s a love ballad that expresses feelings for a woman who suddenly left him.

Yuuri was discovered by Hiro, the vocalist of MY FIRST STORY, while performing street gigs, and he broke through after guest-performing at a MY FIRST STORY concert.

This song is his signature piece, and it’s said to be the song that made Hiro fall for his talent.

The lyrics compare the missing girlfriend to a game of hide-and-seek, and the protagonist knows the truth in his head but can’t fully accept reality.

Thinking about that emotional state really brings you to tears.

It can be taken as a breakup song or a song about bereavement; I think there are many ways to interpret it depending on the listener.

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Hane Keisuke

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LiarWHITE JAM

[True Story] The trending tear-jerker song that’s ranked #1 on the internet!! [PV] Usotsuki / WHITE JAM (Shirose Juku)

This song reached number one on the iTunes overall chart.

I bet many of you have heard it.

It’s basically about a boy who’s head over heels for a girl, repeating how much he likes her over and over.

The light, witty rap doesn’t feel flashy at all, and the back-and-forth between male and female vocals suits the love story of the song perfectly.

No matter how many lies he’s told or how badly he’s treated, he forgives her—his straightforwardness is enough to bring you to tears.

The clever use of the conjunction “demo” (meaning “but”) in the lyrics also really lands—good stuff!