[Tearjerker] Songs that make your heart tremble with tears & moving tracks with lyrics that touch the soul

I forget you, who are so quiet, in October.atarayo

Atarayo - Forgetting You, the Quiet One in October (Music Video)

Since its release in November 2020, its bittersweet worldview sparked buzz and spread across social media and streaming services, becoming a long-running hit.

The lyrics—“If it was going to end, I wish it had never begun”—really sink in.

The emotionally charged band arrangement amplifies its highly realistic message about a partner who shows it in their behavior but never says it in words, and the exhaustion of not being able to truly understand each other.

Near the end, the climactic moment when the male and female vocals overlap in a call-and-response practically brings you to tears.

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KEI

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Like tonight’s moonElefanto Kashimashi

Like the Moon Tonight / Elephant Kashimashi

This is a single released by The Elephant Kashimashi in 1997, created as the theme song for the drama “Because the Moon Shines at Night.” Its tempo feels like walking through one’s hometown, evoking a lingering scent of youth.

It portrays looking back on days of youth that will never return, while at the same time conveying hope for the future—telling oneself that we are still on a journey and can shine even more from here.

The powerful vocals and sound seem to stir the listener’s heart.

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kappamaki

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HitomiFukuyama Masaharu

Masaharu Fukuyama – Hitomi (Drama 'When Spring Comes' Inspire Movie) Theme Song for the Double-Starring Nao × Noritake Kinashi [Mondays 10 PM on Kansai TV/Fuji TV Network]

Hitoshi by singer-songwriter Masaharu Fukuyama was released digitally on February 19, 2024, and has been moving listeners as the theme song for the drama When Spring Comes.

Written and composed by Fukuyama himself, the song celebrates pure love and the importance of human relationships.

It poetically expresses inner beauty and the strength people show when overcoming difficulties, evoking deep empathy in listeners.

Fukuyama’s warm yet powerful vocals deliver a deeply moving experience.

Notably, parts of the lyrics tie into the drama’s content, so knowing the story makes the song resonate even more.

Memories from todayAimer

Aimer 'Memories from Today'

Among the songs by the highly acclaimed singer-songwriter Aimer, this one, in particular, depicts a sorrowful, tear-jerking story.

The lyrics portray a farewell to someone precious, which seems less like a breakup and more like a parting by death.

From the title, you can sense the poignant message that no new stories will be created with the person who has passed away, and from today onward, everything will turn into memories.

Reading the lyrics, you can feel a pure love and bond toward the one who is gone—it’s a song that’s impossible to listen to without tears.

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Hane Keisuke

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hanatabamilet

milet “hanataba” Music Video (Theme song for TBS Sunday Drama “Antihero”)

A song by milet, written as the theme for the film “Anti-Hero.” With powerful vocals and a delicate melody, it explores love and fragility, as well as the complexities of human relationships.

It delves into philosophical themes such as “rightness and justice” and “the strength to protect what you want to protect,” resonating deeply with listeners.

Released in June 2024, this memorable track combines milet’s talent with the power of music.

It’s recommended for those struggling with life or love, and for anyone who wants to take a fresh look at their true self.

Sorrow Rides the Busmakaroni enpitsu

Macaroni Enpitsu “Sadness Rides the Bus” MV

An inspiring story from Macaroni Empitsu that captures the patterns of people’s hearts, carried by a quietly comforting melody.

The lead track from their August 2023 album, “Otona no Namida” (“Tears of Adults”), delicately portrays the fleeting emotions felt in everyday life and the farewells we face with family.

Hattori’s clear, transparent vocals and the gently unfolding melody resonate deep within the listener.

The song also drew attention for its music video directed by Yoshihito Mori, known for the Netflix film “We Couldn’t Become Adults.” Through the perspective of the protagonist played by Shota Sometani, it asks what life means and underscores the preciousness of life itself.

This is a highly recommended track for those who want to empathize with feelings for someone dear, or to heal the emotions they hold in their hearts.

I LOVE YOUkurisu haato

Chris Hart – I LOVE YOU

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.