[Bereavement Song] To you, my precious one whom I can no longer meet. Tear-jerking songs about death
I thought it was only natural for you to be by my side, but one day you suddenly disappeared…
If you’ve experienced the death of someone dear, you probably can’t help but feel, “No matter how much time passes, I can’t forget,” and “I wish I could see them once more.”
At the same time, you might be trying to move forward by putting a lid on your grief and forcing yourself to face ahead.
In this article, we introduce songs themed around “death,” told from a variety of perspectives.
Surely there will be a song that stays close to your sorrow.
When times are hard, please give them a listen.
- [Songs of Bereavement] Songs about losing a loved one. Tracks to listen to while thinking of someone dear
- [Memorial Song] A moving classic and love song dedicated to a beloved person embarking on a journey to heaven
- A song I want people who have lost a beloved partner to listen to
- [Tearjerker] Songs that make your heart tremble with tears & moving tracks with lyrics that touch the soul
- Songs to Play at My Own Funeral: Timeless Gems to Make Farewells Uniquely My Own
- A song about losing a friend: bereavement, betrayal, and separation.
- [Music Funeral] BGM to Remember the Deceased | Spotlight on Requiems and Dirges Praying for Peace
- [So touching it makes you cry] A heartbreakingly wistful and sad song that tightens your chest
- [Dark Songs] A carefully curated selection of deeply dark tracks and heartbreaking songs that accompany you in tough times
- “I Want to See You”: A love song that makes you cry when you listen to it while you can’t meet
- Love, bonds, parting, cheers… songs so moving they pierce the heart and make you cry uncontrollably
- [Thank You] A classic song expressing gratitude to one’s parents. A number loved across generations.
- Farewell Song: A goodbye song. A tearful parting song.
[Bereavement Songs] To you, my precious one I can no longer meet. Tear-jerking songs about death (111–120)
Dear daysHirai Ken
A song in which Ken Hirai’s vocals spin a tale of longing for a loved one that grips the heart.
A bond that doesn’t fade with time, memories burned in even when you try to forget.
It conveys the aching feeling of continuing to hold deep love while accepting a fate that doesn’t even allow an embrace.
Released in May 2011, it was used as the theme song for TBS Television’s 60th anniversary drama JIN: The Final Chapter.
It’s sure to resonate with those who have lost someone precious, or who cherish their bond with a loved one despite being buffeted by the times and by fate.
[Bereavement Songs] To you, my precious one whom I can no longer meet. Tear-jerking songs about death (121–130)
If tomorrow comesJUJU with JAY’ED
The collaborative single Ashita ga Kuru Nara by JUJU and JAY’ED features poignant yet powerful vocals from the two artists, expressing profound love and the sorrow of parting within a limited time.
It also gained attention as the theme song for the film April Bride.
The piece delicately portrays the fleeting happiness shared with a loved one and the melancholy of the parting that eventually comes, leaving a deep impression on listeners’ hearts.
In the moments when we mourn lost love and renew our feelings for someone we hold in our memories, this song will surely give us the courage to look forward.
Missin’ you ～It will break my heart～Hirai Ken
Ken Hirai, one of Japan’s leading singer-songwriters, released the single “Missin’ you ~It will break my heart~” on January 30, 2002, which drew attention as a collaboration with internationally renowned producer Babyface.
The song conveys lost love and deep sorrow through Hirai’s unique sensibility.
In particular, the pain of parting and the strength to keep holding on to love resonate deeply with listeners.
Hirai’s warm vocals and piercing melody may offer comfort to those mourning a lost love.
As the song also touches on the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States, it carries an even deeper message.
It is a track I strongly recommend to anyone overwhelmed by grief or unable to forget a love they have lost.
Ghost of the SeaYonezu Kenshi
Released in June 2019 as the theme song for the film Children of the Sea, this piece features poetic lyrics that evoke loneliness, nostalgia, and the ocean’s unpredictable beauty.
Images like an empty room and a chair steeped in the scent of the sea breeze symbolize lost connections and the fleeting nature of happiness, expressing how precious moments and feelings can be too important for words.
The song was a major hit, reaching No.
1 on the daily digital singles chart and recording over 120,000 downloads in its first week on the Oricon Weekly Digital Singles chart.
It’s a heartwarming track that offers comfort to those carrying the sorrow of losing someone dear.
HitotsuboshiKOH+
KOH⁺ is a musical unit with lyrics and composition by Masaharu Fukuyama and vocals by Kou Shibasaki.
They created “Hitotsuboshi” as the theme song for the film Silent Parade.
The song is sung from the perspective of someone who has passed away, expressing gratitude and love for those left behind, and a wish for them to keep looking forward.
Its powerful sound paired with the delicate vocals creates a truly one-of-a-kind style.
First, give it a listen and experience how amazing it is for yourself.
SakuramigaokaLocal Bus
A heartrending love song that portrays parting from someone dear.
It interweaves the scene of seeing off a train with the loneliness within the landscape and the joy of meeting, powerfully expressing the feelings of longing for a loved one.
Released on March 17, 2004, it was also used as the theme song for the PlayStation 2 game “PoPoLoCrois: Adventure of the Rule of the Moon.” In addition, it is known as the second ending theme for the TV Tokyo anime “PoPoLoCrois.” This is a song we hope those who have experienced the loss of someone important, or those who wish to reminisce about a past romance, will listen to.
afterimageflumpool
This song, which was the theme for season two of the drama Bloody Monday, is one of the signature tracks by the rock band flumpool.
The lyrics, written about precious things that have been lost, resonate with feelings for a loved one who has departed for heaven.
The slow-tempo, ballad-like arrangement that incorporates strings, combined with vocalist Ryuta Yamamura’s beautiful voice, creates an even more moving atmosphere.
Since it also ties in with the drama’s storyline, why not take this opportunity to rewatch the series?
