[Bereavement Song] To you 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 someone dear. Tracks to listen to while thinking of a loved one.
- [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
- A classic song that sings of gratitude to one’s parents. Thank you, Dad and Mom!
- Farewell Song: A goodbye song. A tearful parting song.
[Bereavement Songs] To you whom I can no longer see... Tear-jerking songs about death (1–10)
NonfictionHirai Ken
This song was released as the theme for a 2017 drama.
Taken at face value, the lyrics don’t sound like they’re addressed to someone who has passed away, yet from this string of words I can deeply feel—and understand—the emotions of having lost my wife.
The words seem to question me.
And still, the conclusion is only this: “I just want to see you.” That’s all.
Whether in failure or success, I don’t know for whom I should live.
The pain of being lost in life comes through, and I find myself in tears when I listen.
If there is someone precious to you, it makes you want to protect them with all your strength.
It’s a song I highly recommend.
leap day personRADWIMPS
“Uruubito” is a ballad by RADWIMPS that portrays the sorrow of happiness—once thought to last forever—suddenly coming to an end.
Set to a wistful melody, it expresses the longing and regret of parting with a loved one.
The lyrics feel as if they share the weight of loss, stirring the hearts of many.
The gentle piano accompaniment softly embraces the listener’s emotions.
When you find yourself renewing your thoughts for someone you’ve lost, “Uruubito” will surely stay close by your side.
In times when you are enveloped in grief over losing someone dear, we recommend spending a quiet moment with this song.
I want to see you.Yoshida Yamada
The duo Yoshida Yamada, who drew attention with Hibi, a song depicting a married couple, included Aitakute on their 2014 album Yoshida Yamada Singles.
Their voices are gentle, warm, and soothing, yet the lyrics convey the aching desire to see someone who has passed away and the deep sorrow of the absence of someone who should be there, which is heart-wrenching.
Like this song, many people may find that even as time goes by, their sadness does not fade in the least.
[Bereavement Songs] To you whom I can never meet again... Tear-jerking songs about death (11–20)
1106WANIMA
WANIMA’s “1106” is a well-known song among fans, created for vocalist KENTA’s grandfather who has passed away.
The lyrics are written in the style of a letter, and the title “1106” refers to November 6, the date of his grandfather’s passing.
Through the lyrics, you can picture his gentle yet strong grandfather, who encouraged him by saying, “Do what you want to do.”
budKobukuro
Even when you know the day will come, losing someone precious is so painful that the tears won’t stop.
The song “Tsubomi” is memorable for its gentle lyrics that look back on memories with someone who has passed away.
Try listening to this song and immersing yourself in the memories of your loved one.
Rather than forcing a lid on your feelings, it’s okay to remember and let the tears flow.
When you feel sad, this song will be there by your side.
I think you’ll find the lyrics relatable, so please listen to this song together with your memories of that special person.
A Bouquet for YouUtada Hikaru
Hikaru Utada’s masterpiece “Hanataba o Kimi ni,” known across generations and featured as the theme song for NHK’s morning drama series Toto Nee-chan, begins gently, almost like spoken narration.
It is said to be a song she dedicated to her late mother.
While the melody is tender and deeply soothing, it is also a track that quietly conveys a sense of sorrow.
Phantom LifeSEKAI NO OWARI
A heartrending song themed around life, death, and loss.
Its beautiful yet sorrowful melody leaves a strong impression, gently embracing the hearts of those who have experienced parting with someone dear.
Released in February 2010 as SEKAI NO OWARI’s indie debut, it features Fukase’s emotive vocals and Saori’s delicate piano tones that strike deeply at the listener’s heart.
The lyrics, which long for a reunion in dreams, convey profound love and lingering attachment.
When you want to face the grief of losing someone important, listening to this song and shedding tears might help.
It may just make your heart feel a little lighter.