[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 Song] To you I can never meet again... Tearjerking songs about death (151–160)
Love songSambomasutā
The song that captures the honest feeling of “I want to see that person one more time…” is Sambomaster’s Love Song, released in 2009.
In a world where a loved one is gone, the lyrics sing out like a heartfelt wish.
The band’s passionate three-piece performance and Takashi Yamaguchi’s vocals convey that straightforward emotion.
It’s a song that portrays the heart that longs to hear a voice or can’t help wanting to meet again.
Give this ballad a listen—it offers comfort in inescapable anxiety and loneliness.
me me sheRADWIMPS
RADWIMPS, a rock band known for releasing numerous emotionally stirring works, drew attention with the song “me me she,” included on the album RADWIMPS 4: Okazu no Gohan, released on December 6, 2006.
Centered on the theme of a breakup, the piece portrays mourning for a lost love and the singer’s emotional growth through the fusion of Yojiro Noda’s delicate lyrics and the band’s superb performance.
Through the universal experience of parting, this is a song that will offer empathy and courage to those who, while feeling a sense of melancholy, strive to look forward, and to those who seek to learn and grow from past separations.
Close your eyesHirai Ken
A gem-like, soul-stirring ballad by Ken Hirai that delicately portrays the deep sorrow and sense of loss after losing a loved one.
The story begins with a morning awakening, and the everyday moments and memories shared with the person who is gone are beautifully recounted.
A pure wish to let a cherished presence live on forever in one’s heart resonates throughout the lyrics, accompanied by vivid, moving imagery.
Released in April 2004, it topped the annual Oricon singles chart.
As the theme song for the film “Crying Out Love, in the Center of the World,” this work is etched into the memories of many and gently embraces the hearts of those left behind in times of parting.
LifeHamasaki Ayumi
Through her singing career, Ayumi Hamasaki has released numerous hit songs and has had a significant impact not only on Japan’s music scene but also on fashion and culture.
Her song “Life” is a work that portrays the sorrow of losing someone dear, as well as the journey of facing that pain and growing from it, delicately expressing feelings for the one who was lost and the small miracles found in everyday life.
Embracing the hearts of those striving to overcome life’s hardships and guiding them toward a hopeful outlook, this song gently envelops and heals those who have gone through difficult times.
A world without goodbyesŌhashi Torio
A medium-tempo ballad woven from a gently soul-soothing voice and richly expressive strings.
The melody spun by Ohashi Trio seems to tell us that, while parting from someone dear is unavoidable, there is a world without “goodbyes” that spreads within our hearts, where memories continue to shine forever.
Listening to this song, some of you may have quietly pictured someone you can no longer meet.
Released in September 2022, this work colored the story as the theme song for the drama “Sayonara no Mukougawa.” Rather than overcoming the sorrow of farewell, it tenderly stays close to those who wish to embrace their goodbyes as warm memories and keep living with them.
Wind NagiSuga Shikao
Singer-songwriter Shikao Suga captivates fans with a musical style that blends soul and funk into J-pop and with lyrics that skillfully portray human psychology.
Kaze Nagi, the closing track of his sixth album TIME, was featured as an insert song in the TV anime Honey and Clover II.
Its story, depicting the sorrow of having to keep walking forward while thinking of someone precious who has been lost, is perhaps a path everyone must walk at least once in life.
Driven by arpeggios on acoustic guitar that amplify the sense of longing, it is a heart-wrenching ballad.
[Bereavement Songs] To you whom I can no longer meet... Tear-jerking songs about death (161–170)
cradlesaji
A heart-stirring ballad woven from memories of the singer’s real grandmother, where poignancy and warmth intersect.
Yoshida Takumi, vocalist of saji, delicately portrays relationships with family that everyone experiences—from nostalgic childhood memories, to the regret of acting cold during adolescence, and the sorrow of parting.
The song is included on the June 2022 album “Eureka,” and its music video, starring actor Ojiro Maeda, drew attention for its moving, drama-like narrative.
It is sure to offer genuine comfort to those who want to express gratitude to their family or who have experienced the loss of someone dear.