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 (41–50)
Unchanging ThingsOku Hanako
This is a piece with a beautiful piano melody, perfect for those summer evenings when you want to sink into a slightly sentimental mood.
Through the lyrics—almost as if a character in a film were speaking directly to you—feelings of nostalgia for irreplaceable days gone by and a deep, unwavering affection for someone precious, unchanged by time, come straight through via Hanako Oku’s clear, translucent voice.
If you’ve ever had those sudden moments when a memory rushes back and your chest tightens, this will really resonate.
The song is included on the single “Garnet,” released in July 2006, and can also be heard on the album “TIME NOTE,” released in March 2007.
It is also known for coloring some of the most moving scenes as an insert song in the feature-length animated film The Girl Who Leapt Through Time.
It’s a work I hope you’ll experience at least once in a summer filled with youthful memories—friendship, first love, and more.
Tear-jerking youth songs: Recommended masterpieces and popular tracks (51–60)
I…atarayo
A heart-stirring song by Atarayo that weaves a tale of bittersweet love and self-transformation.
The encounter with a beloved person changes the way the world looks, vividly portraying the rebirth into a new self.
It delicately expresses the anxiety of nearly losing one’s sense of self, alongside the beauty of a world expanded by loving someone, inviting empathy for the subtle emotions that come with embracing change.
Released in January 2024, this work was selected as the opening theme for season 2 of the TV anime The Dangers in My Heart.
Its lyrics, which stand with the wavering feelings of adolescence, will deeply resonate with anyone standing at a crossroads in life.
DarlingMrs. GREEN APPLE
A gem of a medium-tempo ballad that gently embraces the doubts and struggles of adolescence.
Released in January 2025 as the theme song for NHK General’s special program “Mrs.
GREEN APPLE 18 Festival,” the piece sings, like a letter to a loved one, of the beauty of being true to yourself.
The grand performance delivered by Mrs.
GREEN APPLE together with a thousand 18-year-olds brilliantly captured the interplay of youthful radiance and anxiety.
It is a song that stands by the feelings of those who, on the verge of losing their sense of self, long for someone who will accept their true selves.
Its tender melody is one that brings tears to your eyes.
sunflowerAdo
It takes courage to be honest with your feelings, doesn’t it? That’s why I’d like to introduce a cheering song that gives you a gentle push: “Himawari” (Sunflower).
This track by Ado was created as the theme song for the drama “18/40: Dreams and Love, Together.” It’s a warm ballad that portrays a woman who thinks of herself as timid mustering the courage to take a step forward.
It’s also sprinkled with summery imagery, so keep an ear out for that as you listen.
In that casemakaroni enpitsu
A narrative masterpiece by Macaroni Enpitsu that wraps a bittersweet longing for love in the refreshing tones of guitar and synthesizer.
While gently embracing the pain of heartbreak, the unshaken desire to believe in the other person’s dreams stirs the heart.
The melodic lines and Hattori’s emotionally rich vocals beautifully capture the warmth and ache of youth.
Released in January 2025 as the opening theme for the second cour of the TV anime Blue Box, it weaves unattainable love and a growing inner world together with the anime’s atmosphere.
A gem of a song that stands with everyone who knows the joy of love and the pain of heartbreak, soothing the soul.
sentimentalculenasm
Culenasm’s song delivers sentimental feelings with raw emotion.
It’s a shoegaze number where roaring guitars resonate beautifully.
Released digitally on February 5, 2025, the track centers on themes of regret over past relationships and the bittersweet wish to return to those moments.
Through its guitar sound, it expresses both the beauty of memories and the ache of regret.
In December 2023, they also provided the theme song for director Hideki Noda’s film “Futari no Kizuato” (The Scars of Two).
It’s a recommended listen for anyone looking to confront past memories and emotions as graduation season approaches.
SakurazakaFukuyama Masaharu
A gem of a love song that captures both the ache of parting and a glimmer of hope.
Its tender, bittersweet feelings and the sincere wish for the other’s happiness seep in together with a gently comforting melody.
Masaharu Fukuyama’s delicate vocals softly embrace the lingering emotions that remain even as he accepts the end of a romance.
Released in April 2000, the song drew attention as the theme for TBS’s popular segment “Mirai Nikki V” on the show “Uunnan no Hontoko!” and ranked second on Oricon’s year-end singles chart.
It became a massive hit, selling over 2.29 million copies in total.
With lyrics that depict a farewell mirrored by the falling cherry blossoms of spring, it’s a song you’ll want to hear in a season of new encounters and goodbyes.