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

Even when we say “songs with moving, tear-jerking lyrics,” their themes vary widely—love songs, fight songs, farewell songs, and more.

Depending on the situation, you probably find yourself wanting to listen to a song that stays close to your heart.

So in this article, we’ll introduce plenty of timeless tracks with wonderful, empathetic lyrics that will resonate with you and offer support.

Each song explores a different theme, so you’re sure to find at least one that speaks to your heart.

Playlist

[Just the Lyrics Make Me Cry] Tear-Jerking Songs That Touch the Heart
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Eine KleineYonezu Kenshi		Kenshi Yonezu’s masterpiece that portrays the anxiety and bonds of love
2	Happy Endingback number		The heart-touching masterpiece “Happy End” by back number
3	SoranjiMrs. GREEN APPLE		A moving, heart-stirring song that questions the meaning of life
4	Love is litrokudenashi		A moving song that portrays loneliness and hope
5	I became someone else’s girlfriend.wacci		Wacci’s moving love song resonates in the heart.
6	LeoYuuri		A poignant love story told from a dog's perspective
7	Oz.yama		A heartwarming, moving ballad that embraces loneliness
8	Motherkariyushi 58		A song from Okinawa filled with gratitude and feelings for my mother
9	Just being alive is admirable.ReoNa		ReoNa’s despair-themed songs are comforting to the heart.
10	budKobukuro		A moving theme song filled with feelings for my mother
11	globeYonezu Kenshi		Thoughts on Miyazaki’s works, the music of life
12	Flower of loveaimyon		Aimyon’s morning drama theme song entrusts thoughts to flowers and nature
13	It’s not a lie.Mrs. GREEN APPLE		A ballad that comforts the pain of heartbreak
14	Let’s go home.Fuji Kaze		Fujii Kaze’s ballad: a message about letting go of attachment and returning to your true self
15	lampSakiyama Soshi		Depicting the emotions of the ending theme of Jujutsu Kaisen
16	I miss youRADWIMPS		A song that gently embraces the heart with sorrow and pure emotion
17	I forget you, who are so quiet, in October.atarayo		Atarayo’s hit song is extremely popular.
18	lulu.Mrs. GREEN APPLE		A moving song that portrays endings and beginnings
19	March 9Remioromen		Remioromen’s classic ballad, a song of love and bonds
20	FanfareTamaki Kōji		Koji Tamaki’s new song, the theme for a drama, gives you the courage to move forward.
21	beloved captiveAraki Kazuhito		Kazuhito Araki’s answer song depicting the anxieties of romance.
22	weeping cherry (blossom)ANNA		The weeping cherry gently envelops the pain of a broken heart.
23	dogwood (flowering dogwood)Hitoto Yo		Yo Hitoto’s “Hanamizuki” is a song about love and peace.
24	PretenderOfisharu Higedan Dism		A poignant love story about deciding to part ways
25	mysteryHoshino Gen		Gen Hoshino’s classic song “Fushigi” is striking.
26	I long to see you now.MISIA		Toriko, Nissy’s movie theme song, the warmth of love
27	somedaySaucy Dog		A song depicting memories of love and parting
28	broad daylightKing Gnu		King Gnu's 'Hakujitsu' is a moving masterpiece.
29	One more time,One more chanceYamazaki Masayoshi		Masayoshi Yamazaki’s soul-stirring masterpieces that brighten everyday life
30	NAOHY		HY’s classic song “NAO,” a renowned ballad that conveys heartfelt emotions
31	I want to be kinder.Saito Kazuyoshi		Kazuyoshi Saito’s classic: rock filled with tenderness and wistfulness
32	KanadeSukima Suichi		Touching lyrics portraying the bond and love of a long-distance relationship
33	Because I fell in loveaimyon		A real-life breakup song by Aimyon
34	Letter to TomorrowTeshima Aoi		Aoi Teshima’s theme song adorns a popular drama
35	Before you become a memorysupittsu		Signature songs of Spitz, with gentle vocals and lyrics
36	Changing seasonsren		Express the pain of heartbreak in lyrics that people can empathize with
37	far; distant; by farGReeeeN		A Song of Resolve and Gratitude for Leaving My Hometown
38	Hide-and-seekYuuri		A song about feelings for a woman who left suddenly
39	around two o’clockaiko		aiko’s heartrending winter love song
40	Unrequited lovemiwa		A song depicting a girl’s bittersweet unrequited love
41	LiarWHITE JAM		A song that depicts the pure feelings of a boy who has fallen in love
42	Endless JourneyMr.Children		A million-hit song from the TV drama 'Naguru Onna' that delivers deep emotion as its theme song
43	The world calls it love.Sambomasutā		Fire up your heart with a powerful cheer song
44	StoryAI		A love song about cherishing the present
45	light blueUA		A song that resonates with the heart, evoking the preciousness of life
46	era; age; time; periodNakajima Miyuki		An inspiring, timeless masterpiece passed down through song—a cheering anthem for life
47	Stop this nightJUJU		A poignant love story moved by JUJU’s breakup song
48	tobacco / cigarette(s)Koresawa		Expressing the pain of heartbreak and the poignancy of memories
49	YukiyanagiMicro		You don't have to push yourself; let's live facing forward.
50	moonlightOnitsuka Chihiro		Onitsuka’s hit song “Hikari” is the theme song for the drama.
51	PerfumeEito		The pain of heartbreak awakened by a scent
52	wedgeOku Hanako		An adult romance, a quietly moving song that resonates with the heart
53	365 Days’ Paper AirplaneAKB48		Cheering song with Sayaka Yamamoto as center, now on sale to great acclaim
54	Pale BlueYonezu Kenshi		Kenshi Yonezu’s “Pale Blue,” a masterpiece depicting a romantic breakup
55	Letter ~To My Beloved~Fujita Maiko		A heartwarming classic filled with gratitude to my parents
56	rainbowSuda Masaki		Masaki Suda delivers a moving theme song for the Doraemon movie
57	canaryYonezu Kenshi		Kenshi Yonezu’s song “Canary” resonates with the heart.
58	I don’t want to let go.T-BOLAN		A bittersweet love song of youth, a hit by T-BOLAN
59	Until I know loveaimyon		Aimyon's 'Until I Knew Love'
60	aloneGosuperāzu		A moving love song by The Gospellers
61	SWEET 19 BLUESAmuro Namie		A movie theme song that sings of Namie Amuro’s youth
62	horizonback number		Encouragement song by back number, Suiheisen (Horizon)
63	Even if you went and became somebody’s damn girlfriendwandafurubōizu		Lyrics expressing deep feelings and gratitude toward the other person
64	flameLiSA		LiSA’s “Homura” is the theme song for the Demon Slayer movie.
65	No ComplaintsDef Tech		Let go of discontent and live positively.
66	The road I still came onShibata Jun		Jun Shibata's songs resonate with the heart and give me courage.
67	NonfictionHirai Ken		Ken Hirai's 'Nonfiction' resonates with my heart.
68	spin; weave; compose (e.g., a story)tota		Layering nature with emotions to depict ephemeral beauty
69	Sorrow Rides the Busmakaroni enpitsu		An inspiring song by Macaroni Empitsu
70	spring breezekururi		A song with profound lyrics and an emotionally moving worldview
71	DarlingMrs. GREEN APPLE		A poignant song that expresses the importance of staying true to oneself
72	Every dayAbe Mao		Abe Mao's love song, deep emotions that resonate in the heart
73	Even if I’m not thereHirai Dai		Hirai Dai’s grand love song for the future is moving.
74	I’ll be by your side.Maeda Nobuteru		Toru Maeda’s moving love song, his fifth single
75	REMEMBER YOUImawano Kiyoshirō		A song that resonates in the heart, sung with Hiroto Kōmoto
76	White lilies on my birthdayFukuyama Masaharu		Masaharu Fukuyama’s “Tonbi” theme song: love for one’s parents
77	Joined handsMINAMI		A heartwarming song that sings of the courage to move forward
78	bento (boxed lunch)Hanbaato Hanbaato		A heartwarming song that conveys the importance of everyday life
79	By your sideMirei Touyama		A heartwarming song filled with gratitude for someone special
80	At the end of the dayHanaregumi		The healing power of lyrics for a weary heart
81	He was alive, wasn’t he?aimyon		A treasured song by Aimyon that questions the weight of life
82	Until your night breaks (into dawn)Kasamura Tōta		A poignant ballad about longing for someone far away
83	HeavenMrs. GREEN APPLE		The deep emotions and expressions concealed within film theme songs
84	Because you are hereUru		Warm singing voice and lyrics that think of a loved one
85	The Toilet GodUemura Kana		Feelings for my grandmother and the sorrow of parting
86	remainingYoshizawa Kayoko		A gentle melody whose lyrics resonate with the heart
87	Song of the SeaBEGIN		A lyrical ballad by BEGIN, singing of longing for their hometown
88	Until the day I can no longer rememberback number		A poignant song about parting with a loved one
89	Dried flowersYuuri		A bittersweet story of parting, a song that resonates in Yuuri’s heart
90	DestinyKato Miria		A song about a passionate woman who is swept away by a fated love.
91	Velvet Poemback number		An emotional song by back number used as a movie theme
92	heartaimyon		Aimyon, a heartrending love ballad
93	To new loversback number		back number's heartrending song
94	What do you want to become?Rozarīna		A healing song that helps you face your true feelings
95	AnswerIkuta Rira		An encouraging song that gives you the courage to keep walking toward the future, even while you're unsure
96	LetterSHE’S		A warm rock track, “Letter,” by SHE’S
97	Moon CryingKōda Kumi		"Puzzle" theme song, a ballad praising the moon
98	In a dreamBO GUMBOS		I feel hope in the song “Donton” of a distant dream.
99	SO GOOD SO NICEJAMOSA		A heartwarming love song that leads from heartbreak to happiness
100	The sky grows dark again.RC sakuseshon		The gentle, encouraging songs of Kiyoshiro Imawano
101	There was no meaning to being born.mafumafu		A heart’s song beyond loneliness, a melody of hope
102	Be…Ms. OOJA		Theme song of a romance drama, a classic about gratitude and bonds
103	If you call it loveUru		Portraying bonds that support each other even in hardship
104	Crimson-colored sunsetFujifaburikku		Fujifabric’s classic song “Akane-iro no Yūhi” (Crimson-Colored Sunset)
105	waxing; filling up; becoming full; growing (e.g., the moon growing fuller)Fuji Kaze		Fujii Kaze’s love theme song, a masterpiece that heals the heart
106	HappinessOnda Masanori		A poignant song reflecting on memories of heartbreak
107	to go see (someone) / to go meetaimyon		Unspoken feelings and fading memories
108	humorKitanitatsuya		Words have the power to heal the heart forever.
109	gardenFuji Kaze		Fujii Kaze’s soul-stirring songs
110	HOMEAnjura Aki		A classic, heartwarming melody that sings of one’s hometown
111	scale (as of a fish or reptile)Hata Motohiro		Hata Motohiro’s “Uroko,” a masterpiece about the resolve to convey one’s feelings
112	Fragments of LoveEvery Little Thing		ELT’s “Ma Chérie” commercial song: a classic that hit No. 2
113	Unforgettable DaysMISIA		“LOVE IS THE GROUND” — an inspiring/emotional ballad
114	Night journeyYorushika		The moving music and vocals of n-buna
115	paintingŌmori Motoki		A hauntingly mystical song that stirs Motoki Omori’s heart
116	YC&K		C&K’s classic song “Y” — moved by the depth of its lyrics
117	The Final RiverCHEMISTRY		The theme song of The Elephant's Back, which deals with death and love
118	Well, whatever.CRAZY KEN BAND		A mature heartbreak song with a wistful, aching vocal
119	AloneMayo Okamoto		A timeless, soul-stirring song about the pain of heartbreak
120	season (best time for something, especially when a food is at its peak), in vogueShiina Ringo		A poignant song that calls on us to keep living
121	Children of the SunBEGIN		Memories of Boyhood and a Wish for Peace
122	Stay just the way you are.Mayo Okamoto		A heartfelt song filled with feelings for a best friend
123	Shizuku (feat. indigo la End)yama		Expressing complex feelings toward a loved one in an emotional way
124	If I had been living aloneSUPER BEAVER		SUPER BEAVER's ballad depicting bonds between people
125	Where does our sorrow go?Harukamirai		A message song imbued with Harukamirai’s hope and strong will
126	Theory of the Mindful HeartRADWIMPS		Ballads by RADWIMPS heal the heart
127	Unfading TemperatureKotoha		A poignant song of hope that resonates in Kotoha’s heart
128	The True Nature of TearsSUPER BEAVER		SUPER BEAVER conveys the importance of tears
129	Song for…HY		HY’s beloved classic overflowing with romance, “Song for…”
130	May it be filled with kindnessJUJU		A heartwarming ballad that depicts gratitude and love for a beloved person
131	rootKing Gnu		A song of effort and feelings symbolized by roots
132	single bedSha ran Q		A ballad that portrays the feelings of recovering from heartbreak and moving forward
133	Maplesupittsu		A gem-like ballad by Spitz that poignantly sings of lost feelings
134	That’s all there is to it.Marushii		Depicting lingering attachment and love for someone you broke up with
135	sympathetic tearsHitoto Yo		Hitoto Yo's debut work, a heartwarming, original sound
136	BOW AND ARROWYonezu Kenshi		Theme song of a figure skating anime
137	Homeayaka		Ayaka’s “Home” is a gentle song about thinking of someone far away.
138	To the futureayaka		A commercial song in which Ayaka sings about love for the future
139	A Farewell SongHilcrhyme		A love song filled with feelings for someone special
140	I can’t put it into wordsofukōsu		Off Course's ballad about the end of love
141	fireflySazan Ōrusutāzu		A peace-aspiring ballad by Southern All Stars
142	signJUJU		JUJU delivers a heartfelt song as a movie theme
143	Spring, Summer, Autumn, WinterSuga Shikao		Suga Shikao’s 10th anniversary compilation album track