[For when you want to cry or feel sad] Tear-jerking masterpieces that make you cry when you listen
Even when you feel like crying, it’s not as easy to shed tears as it was when you were a child once you’ve grown up.
In this article, we’ll introduce a variety of songs perfect for when you want to cry—from tear-jerking melodies to moving masterpieces.
These are all tracks you can listen to alone at home and really let the tears flow.
We’ve gathered everything from classics to the latest hits: songs that help you free the part of yourself that can’t cry, and songs that stay close to your pain and lift you up.
Find that one song that speaks to your heart—and let yourself have a good, cathartic cry.
- Crying songs, tear-jerker tunes. A request of tears dedicated to you.
- For When You Need a Good Cry: Soul-Soothing Tearjerker Classics — Life, Love, and Work
- [When You're Lonely] A Collection of Songs That Resonate With Those All Alone
- [So touching it makes you cry] A heartbreakingly wistful and sad song that tightens your chest
- Tear ducts guaranteed to burst! Heart-wrenching masterpiece songs I’d recommend to Gen Z
- A collection of tear-jerking songs trending on TikTok: timeless tracks that will move you to tears.
- Tear-jerking inspirational songs: recommended masterpieces and popular tracks
- Vocaloid Songs for When You Want to Cry [Moving and Heart-wrenching]
- Love, bonds, parting, cheers… songs so moving they pierce the heart and make you cry uncontrollably
- [Today's Tearjerker Song] Tear ducts destroyed! Timeless and trending tracks that will make you cry no matter what
- When you want to immerse yourself in music alone! Tear-jerker songs released in the Reiwa era
- Tear-jerking songs that will loosen your tear ducts, perfect for Instagram Stories
- The lyrics are profoundly good. The more you listen, the more it sinks in. Masterpieces of Japanese music, recommended popular songs.
Tear-Jerking Masterpieces That Make You Cry When You Want to or Feel Sad (101–110)
Happinessback number
A song by back number whose poignant love theme captivates listeners and resonates with many.
The lyrics depict the story of a woman with a one-sided crush.
The man she longs for is likely her childhood friend or someone close to her.
However, he is in love with another woman, and the heroine is aware of it.
This song portrays a heartbreaking love story that could happen to anyone nearby.
Even if she isn’t the one chosen, her pure and beautiful wish for his happiness is sure to move your heart.
Ah, what a relief.Hana＊Hana
Often sung at weddings, Hana*Hana’s “Ah—Yokatta” is a moving song that beautifully captures the moments when you feel glad to be with your partner.
It’s great to listen to alone and savor your happiness with tears, but the harmony parts in this song are so gorgeous that singing it together with your beloved partner might make the emotion swell all at once—and bring even more tears.
The time you spend practicing the harmonies together will likely overflow with happiness and move you to tears, too!
Even if I’m not there.Hirai Dai
Hirai Dai’s “Moshimo, Boku ga Inakutemo” is a song told from the perspective of a father who sets off on a journey without ever meeting his unborn children, and its lyrics are tear-jerking.
Released as his first single of 2022, it’s also included on the album HOPE / WISH.
The lyrics, written as a letter to his children yet to be born, are painful to listen to.
The music video is a collaboration with Tekken, the comedian famous for flipbook-style animation, so be sure to check it out.
Voice of the SeaKiritani Kenta
This is one of Kenta Kiritani’s signature songs, which also won a Japan Record Award for Excellence.
Composed by Yuu Shimabukuro of BEGIN, its uniquely tear-jerking melody really tugs at the heartstrings.
With a simple yet powerful voice singing about feelings for someone precious, it truly evokes the grandeur of the sea.
Listening to it alone, you might find tears welling up.
And it makes you want to sing it out in nature!
tear(s)Marushii
A heartrending ballad that vividly recalls days spent with a former lover under the summer sky.
Released by Marcy in August 2025, it’s a breakup song and their first ballad to be delivered for the summer, despite their history of producing many uptempo summer numbers.
The story begins with memories at a seaside park and is written entirely in the past tense, conveying the lingering attachment and pain of a love that can never return.
The way it retraces the past, as if touching memories, portrays the lingering afterglow of feelings that remain even after a breakup.
It’s a song that gently stays by your side when you’ve experienced a farewell with someone important or when you want to cry your heart out and set your feelings free.
[For when you want to cry or feel sad] Tear-jerking classic songs that make you cry when you listen (111–120)
Before morning comesHata Motohiro
It’s a message song that makes you feel like you can move forward, overcoming sadness and tears.
It’s a track by singer-songwriter Motohiro Hata, also known for hits like “Himawari no Yakusoku,” released in 2009 as his seventh single.
The soundscape is so deep it even feels quiet, and his vocals are truly wonderful.
It’s as if Hata is right beside you, gently speaking to you.
I hope you’ll listen while savoring each and every word of the lyrics.
far; distant; by farGReeeeN
The song Haruka, which was used as the theme for the hit drama ROOKIES’ movie adaptation, has also become a staple graduation song.
Released in 2009, it’s GReeeeN’s ninth single.
For anyone living away from their parents, it’s a track that brings back memories of your younger self—the times you troubled your parents.
If you’re busy with everyday life, it might move you to tears, stirring up nostalgia for familiar faces and scenes and leaving you feeling sentimental.
