Tear-jerking youth songs: recommended classics and popular tracks
What comes to mind when you hear the word “youth”? For some, it’s the club activities or studies you poured your heart into; for others, the friends you spent joyful days with, or a straightforward, mutual romance—the images differ from person to person.
In this article, we’ll introduce many songs themed around different scenes of youth.
Among them, we’ve especially picked tracks that can overflow the feelings you’ve kept in your heart and move you to tears.
Be sure to listen while reading the lyrics!
- [Guaranteed to resonate!] Youth songs that strike a chord with teens. Recommended coming-of-age tracks.
- [For adults too] Youth songs that let you look back on your memories
- A collection of songs you’ll want to listen to when retiring from your school club [Youth]
- Club Activity Youth Songs: Motivational Anthems and Timeless Tracks of Memories with Teammates
- A classic, bittersweet youth song. Recommended popular tracks.
- A youth song with great lyrics. A lovely message that stays with your heart.
- [A moving friendship song] For dear friends and best friends. Songs of friendship that make you feel the bond.
- [Clubs, Friendship, Romance] Youth songs middle schoolers should listen to
- Packed with everything from friendship to romance! Youth anthems recommended for Gen Z
- A poignant masterpiece that sings of adolescence. Popular songs you’ll want to hear during your teenage years.
- [Tearjerker] Songs that make your heart tremble with tears & moving tracks with lyrics that touch the soul
- Popular Youth Songs Ranking [2026]
- Tear-jerking songs recommended for high school students: classic and popular Japanese hits
Tear-jerking youth songs: Recommended masterpieces and popular tracks (11–20)
Promise of SunflowersHata Motohiro
Hata Motohiro’s signature song “Himawari no Yakusoku” is his 17th single, released in 2014, and became widely known across generations as the theme song for the film STAND BY ME Doraemon.
With Hata’s touching vocals, it’s a friendship anthem that many people have also heard through numerous tie-ins.
Not only does it work as a youth and friendship song, but it’s also a moving track that resonates with anyone’s heart—one that can bring you to tears when you listen while thinking of someone special.
Adolescent RhapsodySambomasutā
One of the signature songs by Sambomaster, Japan’s most passionate rock band, is “Seishun Kyosokyoku.” It became the theme song for the anime Naruto, so it’s a track loved by a wide range of listeners.
You can tell from the first listen that this song packs in the restlessness and early turbulence of youth.
It’s not the kind of melody that aims to move you to tears, but for adults who look back on their younger days, it brings those feelings rushing back and connecting—and before you know it, a quiet tear may fall.
It’s that kind of fiery, heartfelt song.
sparklergagaga supi
One of the signature bands that supported the youth punk boom, Gagaga SP, has a popular song called “Sparklers.” From the intro riff and the rugged vocals of frontman Kozak Maeda to the lyrics that bring back all kinds of memories from your youth, every part of this song radiates youthful energy.
Especially for those who listened to it in real time back then, the lyrics may resonate even more deeply—you might even find yourself moved to tears.
brand-newSaucy Dog
A song by the three-piece rock band Saucy Dog.
Chosen as the tie-in track for radiko’s 15th anniversary brand movie, it’s included on their 9th mini-album “Curry Rice,” released in December 2025.
The lyrics, which capture the moment of letting go of hesitation and taking a first step forward, are written in tangible, down-to-earth language without excessive metaphor, offering comfort to listeners in their own everyday lives and decision-making moments.
It’s a rock tune that affirms the feeling of a fresh start.
secret base ~What You Gave Me~ZONE
Released in 2001, “secret base ~Kimi ga Kureta Mono~” is ZONE’s third single and their signature song.
At the time, it was used as the theme song for the drama Kids War, which featured Mao Inoue as a child actress and became a breakout hit.
The song found renewed popularity in 2011 as the ending theme for the anime Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day.
It’s a timeless youth anthem—a classic packed tightly with feelings from both the past and the future, loved for many years.
Blue SpringSUPER BEAVER
Aoi Haru (Blue Spring) is SUPER BEAVER’s 9th single, released in 2016.
It features handclaps, and among fans it’s well known as a song that really fires up the crowd at live shows.
You can’t easily answer the question “What is youth, exactly?”, but this track is packed with it—it evokes the feeling of opening a box of youth you’ve kept inside yourself, with a warm nostalgia and a little heart-twinge.
It lifts your spirits, yet its lyrics also hit you right in the chest and can even bring you to tears.
It’s a youth anthem we’d love listeners of all generations to hear.
Tear-jerking youth songs: Recommended masterpieces and popular tracks (21–30)
End and Beginningkariyushi 58
“Owari Hajimari,” one of the signature songs by Kariyushi58, a band from Okinawa.
As a track that evokes the feeling of youth, I can’t help but introduce this one! With its gentle mid-tempo accompaniment and the warm vocals of Shingo Maekawa, the song truly stands out.
I really want you to listen closely while reading the lyrics.
If you do, you’ll likely find tears welling up as you look back on your own life and all the feelings that come with it.
At the same time, it will make you want to keep challenging yourself wholeheartedly so that you leave nothing undone in the life ahead.