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[Dark Songs] A carefully curated selection of deeply dark tracks and heartbreaking songs that accompany you in tough times

There are times when something tough or sad happens and you just feel down, right?

In those moments, listening to overly positive songs like “Keep your head up!” or “You can do it!” can actually make things harder for some people, surprisingly.

So in this article, instead of upbeat tracks, we’ll introduce songs with a darker mood that gently sit with your more negative feelings.

By intentionally listening to songs with heavy or heartbreaking lyrics, you might find your feelings become just a little easier to bear.

Playlist

[Dark Songs] A carefully curated selection of deeply dark tracks and heartbreaking songs that accompany you in tough times
show_chartTitlePlaylistReview
1eastUnfading TemperatureKotoha
Unfading TemperatureKotohaplay_arrow
A poignant song of hope that resonates in Kotoha’s heart
2eastIf I were to die tomorrowKitanitatsuya
If I were to die tomorrowKitanitatsuyaplay_arrow
A moving song that questions the meaning of life
3eastjunkYonezu Kenshi
junkYonezu Kenshiplay_arrow
Regret for what was dearly lost and moving forward
4eastLove is litrokudenashi
Love is litrokudenashiplay_arrow
A heartwarming ballad that sings of loneliness and anxiety
5eastThe kid who always gets comparedTsuyu
The kid who always gets comparedTsuyuplay_arrow
A song that portrays the pain of comparing oneself to others and the importance of self-acceptance
6eastHell Love Lettertuki.
Hell Love Lettertuki.play_arrow
A heartfelt track by a 15-year-old artist portraying hellish love
7eastthe depths of the heartrokudenashi
the depths of the heartrokudenashiplay_arrow
A heartwarming ballad that soothes loneliness, a song that inspires hope
8eastAufhebung (Hegelian term often rendered as ‘sublation’)Mrs. GREEN APPLE
Aufhebung (Hegelian term often rendered as ‘sublation’)Mrs. GREEN APPLEplay_arrow
A moving song that portrays the growth and hopes of young people
9eastThere was no meaning to being born.mafumafu
There was no meaning to being born.mafumafuplay_arrow
A heart’s song beyond loneliness, a melody of hope
10eastIt’s fine for now.MIMI
It's fine for now.MIMIplay_arrow
A soothing song that gently accompanies the heart with a tender melody
11eastIf being alive is painfulMoriyama Naotaro
If being alive is painfulMoriyama Naotaroplay_arrow
A moving song that depicts the suffering and hope of life
12eastviviYonezu Kenshi
viviYonezu Kenshiplay_arrow
Kenshi Yonezu’s poignant masterpiece filled with emotion, “vivi”
13eastUntil your night breaks (into dawn)Kasamura Tōta
Until your night breaks (into dawn)Kasamura Tōtaplay_arrow
Questioning a broken world, searching for a light of hope
14easta May flyRADWIMPS
a May flyRADWIMPSplay_arrow
A shocking song by RADWIMPS with provocative lyrics
15eastI thought about killing myselfNakajima Mika
I thought about killing myselfNakajima Mikaplay_arrow
Mika Nakashima’s emotionally resonant songs
16eastThe holeKing Gnu
The holeKing Gnuplay_arrow
A heart-touching ballad that portrays loneliness and loss
17eastconfessionHirai Ken
confessionHirai Kenplay_arrow
A heart-touching song by Ken Hirai that portrays sorrow
18eastUninstallIshikawa Chiaki
UninstallIshikawa Chiakiplay_arrow
The theme of the anime “Bokurano,” which depicts despair
19eastGoodbye, my hero.Kasamura Tōta
Goodbye, my hero.Kasamura Tōtaplay_arrow
Singing of severing ties with emotional scars and the resolve to take a new step
20eastPAPARAZZI — *This story is a work of fiction.*RADWIMPS
PAPARAZZI — *This story is a work of fiction.*RADWIMPSplay_arrow
A song depicting anger and madness toward the paparazzi
21eastmoonlightOnitsuka Chihiro
moonlightOnitsuka Chihiroplay_arrow
Chihiro Onitsuka’s signature song “Gekkou” evokes a sense of loneliness.
22eastOn nights when I’m too lonely to sleepAimer
On nights when I'm too lonely to sleepAimerplay_arrow
A quiet song whose heartrending vocals resonate in the heart
23eastWords I will never forgetAjimine Kiwako
Words I will never forgetAjimine Kiwakoplay_arrow
A masterpiece of enchanting music that soothes the soul
24eastOur FailureMorita Doji
Our FailureMorita Dojiplay_arrow
A masterpiece that sings of the loneliness and poignancy of youth, moving and inspirational.
25eastvortexPorunogurafiti
vortexPorunogurafitiplay_arrow
A moving song that portrays human emotions
26eastIt’s not that I want to die.Asanomachi
It's not that I want to die.Asanomachiplay_arrow
KAFU’s fleeting, heartrending singing voice resonates in the heart.
27eastIt’s true.Natsunose
It's true.Natsunoseplay_arrow
A song that gently accompanies the heart with healing melodies
28eastColorless Self-Harmnekobōro
Colorless Self-Harmnekobōroplay_arrow
A soulful song that explores the meaning of life, evoking a sense of hope.
29eastseems like (just) my imaginationChōchō P
seems like (just) my imaginationChōchō Pplay_arrow
A heart’s cry and a sense of despair conveyed through music
30eastto liveMizuno Atsu
to liveMizuno Atsuplay_arrow
Delicately expressing life's tribulations through the piano
31eastSleeping Townkujira
Sleeping Townkujiraplay_arrow
A heartwarming song with a melancholic worldview
32eastHitchcockYorushika
HitchcockYorushikaplay_arrow
Yorushika's 'Hitchcock' resonates with the heart.
33eastOn that night that couldn’t become the futureamazarashi
On that night that couldn’t become the futureamazarashiplay_arrow
Listening to bleak lyrics seeking salvation
34eastRuru-chan’s suicide livestreamShinsei Kamattechan
Ruru-chan’s suicide livestreamShinsei Kamattechanplay_arrow
Dark music of an internet pop-rock band
35eastHe was alive, wasn’t he?aimyon
He was alive, wasn’t he?aimyonplay_arrow
A moving song that depicts the weight of life
36eastyouyuzuki
youyuzukiplay_arrow
Higurashi theme song: beautiful vocals and lyrics of despair
37eastMayB’z
MayB'zplay_arrow
B’z’s poignant memory song “May”
38eastCountdownCocco
CountdownCoccoplay_arrow
A dark, destructive song of death resonates in my heart.
39eastdespairMUCC
despairMUCCplay_arrow
A MUCC track with heavy low-end that depicts despair and loneliness
40eastOnly a single voicerokudenashi
Only a single voicerokudenashiplay_arrow
A heart-stirring song that delicately portrays the struggles of living
41eastdark and blackzutto mayonaka de ii no ni.
dark and blackzutto mayonaka de ii no ni.play_arrow
A movie theme song that is striking and resonates with the heart
42eastBoukyaku featuring KOHHUtada Hikaru
Boukyaku featuring KOHHUtada Hikaruplay_arrow
Music of sorrow filled with despair, a life without light
43eastnight after nightKurahashi Yoeko
night after nightKurahashi Yoekoplay_arrow
Yohna Yohna Yohna, the moving masterpiece by Yoeko Kurahashi
44eastreassessmentMARETU
reassessmentMARETUplay_arrow
Agony and lament repeated within the cycle of reincarnation
45eastGrim ReaperOmori Seiko
Grim ReaperOmori Seikoplay_arrow
A song that feels like despair, lyrics without salvation
46eastNo, noReoNa
No, noReoNaplay_arrow
ReoNa’s despair theme song “Nai Nai”
47eastKagomeYuuri
KagomeYuuriplay_arrow
In Yuuri’s song, the agony of living and the hope of salvation
48eastI’ll wait.amin
I'll wait.aminplay_arrow
Aming’s smash hit, a song that sings of a bittersweet love.
49eastBeautiful nameThe Back Horn
Beautiful nameThe Back Hornplay_arrow
A quiet masterpiece where kindness and emotion resonate
50eastThe moon for youCocco
The moon for youCoccoplay_arrow
Cocco’s songs that portray the darkness of the heart, weaving loneliness and hope
51eastTenshō Shō Tenshōkikuo
Tenshō Shō Tenshōkikuoplay_arrow
Kikuo’s distinctive musical world
52eastaloneNakajima Mika
aloneNakajima Mikaplay_arrow
A beautiful song in which Mika Nakashima sings about poignant loneliness
53eastThe Slope of KarmaPorunogurafiti
The Slope of KarmaPorunogurafitiplay_arrow
A song of suffering in which heavy karma rules the heart
54eastRoom 304, The Cherry Blossoms of White DeathDIR EN GREY
Room 304, The Cherry Blossoms of White DeathDIR EN GREYplay_arrow
Express a dark world with a death growl
55eastYour Dissection Pure Love Song ~Die~aimyon
Your Dissection Pure Love Song ~Die~aimyonplay_arrow
Songs of mad love, a world laid bare with possessiveness
56eastWhen the con man starts to laughNashimoto P
When the con man starts to laughNashimoto Pplay_arrow
Nashimoto-P’s Vocaloid rock — a decadent, piercing track.
57eastParticipation prizesoredemo sekai ga tsuzuku nara
Participation prizesoredemo sekai ga tsuzuku naraplay_arrow
The dangerous allure hidden within a punk band’s kindness
58eastatonementKasamura Tōta
atonementKasamura Tōtaplay_arrow
A song about small worries that others can't understand
59eastHill of DespairPlastic Tree
Hill of DespairPlastic Treeplay_arrow
A tragic yet beautiful song where hope and despair intersect
60eastThe happiest way to die in the worldkoka
The happiest way to die in the worldkokaplay_arrow
A song that portrays the anguished cries of a suffering heart
61eastDarkening RoomMatsutōya Yumi
Darkening RoomMatsutōya Yumiplay_arrow
A soul-stirring masterpiece by YOSHIKI and Yumi
62eastQCQCKamisama, boku wa kizuite shimatta
QCQCKamisama, boku wa kizuite shimattaplay_arrow
A moving song that sings of a sad reality
63eastTelepathYorushika
TelepathYorushikaplay_arrow
Yorushika’s “Telepath” resonates with listeners
64eastI’ll destroy every part of the me you want.Abe Mao
I'll destroy every part of the me you want.Abe Maoplay_arrow
Aggressive lyrics and a raw, raucous sound
65eastSong of the Eternal NightKami wa saikoro o furanai
Song of the Eternal NightKami wa saikoro o furanaiplay_arrow
A poignant masterpiece that captures the heartbreak of lost love and resonates with the soul
66eastI wanted to dance to your heartbeat.Pikon
I wanted to dance to your heartbeat.Pikonplay_arrow
A song whose piano melody resonates with the heart
67eastAtonementsadamasashi
Atonementsadamasashiplay_arrow
A heavy song depicting the tragedy of a traffic accident.
68eastMISS WORLDART-SCHOOL
MISS WORLDART-SCHOOLplay_arrow
A poignant masterpiece by ART-SCHOOL that stirs the heart
69eastChild of the devilHiguchi Ai
Child of the devilHiguchi Aiplay_arrow
Attack on Titan ED, a song that resonates with a heart that questions justice
70eastMiddle Finger ft. Son GONGCHOUJI
Middle Finger ft. Son GONGCHOUJIplay_arrow
A rebellious song that challenges the system
71eastBacterial contaminationKanimiso P
Bacterial contaminationKanimiso Pplay_arrow
A dark song that portrays the shadows of bullying
72eastArabesqueLily Chou-Chou
ArabesqueLily Chou-Chouplay_arrow
The heartrending masterpiece by Lily Chou-Chou
73eastAt daybreakkinoko teikoku
At daybreakkinoko teikokuplay_arrow
A masterpiece that sings of hatred and sorrow
74eastreincarnationboku no ririkku no bouyomi
reincarnationboku no ririkku no bouyomiplay_arrow
A masterpiece that resonates with the heart, condensing raw emotion: 'Reincarnation'
75eastRevengeMy Hair is Bad
RevengeMy Hair is Badplay_arrow
A song that expresses the sorrow and anger of betrayal
76eastSomeone, the sea.Aimer
Someone, the sea.Aimerplay_arrow
The Emotions of a Boy Conveyed Through an Anime Theme Song
77eastWhen Someone’s Wish Comes TrueUtada Hikaru
When Someone's Wish Comes TrueUtada Hikaruplay_arrow
A heartfelt poem singing of love’s pain and the difficulty of choices
78eastI don’t mind being unhappy for the rest of my life.mafumafu
I don’t mind being unhappy for the rest of my life.mafumafuplay_arrow
A moving song that sings of deep despair and self-denial
79eastchernobylTHE NOVEMBERS
chernobylTHE NOVEMBERSplay_arrow
The NOVEMBERS’ heartrending vocals and lyrics
80eaststreet tree(s)Ozaki Yutaka
street tree(s)Ozaki Yutakaplay_arrow
Yutaka Ozaki, a song of hope with a dark tone
81eastHappinessSyrup16g
HappinessSyrup16gplay_arrow
A masterpiece whose wistful lyrics and melody resonate with the heart
82eastoni; demon; ogre; spirit (depending on context)kuriipuhaipe
oni; demon; ogre; spirit (depending on context)kuriipuhaipeplay_arrow
The emotional masterpiece MV by CreepHyp is striking.
83eastETERNAL BLUEMinami
ETERNAL BLUEMinamiplay_arrow
Minami’s “ETERNAL BLUE” is a cry from the heart.
84eastnonsenseHitsuji Bungaku
nonsenseHitsuji Bungakuplay_arrow
A quiet song by Hitsujibungaku that sings of apathy
85eastLive.Suiyōbi no Campanella & yahyel
Live.Suiyōbi no Campanella & yahyelplay_arrow
A striking song that portrays the anguish of life and death
86eastMy own crossF.Chiriāno
My own crossF.Chiriānoplay_arrow
Chiliano’s “My Only Cross”
87eastHeavenMrs. GREEN APPLE
HeavenMrs. GREEN APPLEplay_arrow
A heart-stirring movie theme song, the depths of emotion
88eastHated by life.Kanzaki Iori
Hated by life.Kanzaki Ioriplay_arrow
Songs that resonate with the heart, music that gives hope to live
89eastYayoiNaoko Ken
Yayoi Ken Naokoplay_arrow
A song of sorrow and repentance for the child I could not bear
90eastI will fly.Yamazaki Hako
I will fly.Yamazaki Hakoplay_arrow
The melody is dark, but the lyrics are positive.
91eastAzure Daysplenty
Azure Daysplentyplay_arrow
An inspiring musical work that portrays effort and setbacks
92eastVALON-1Salyu
VALON-1Salyuplay_arrow
A track whose music video visuals and vocals leave a strong impression
93eastJust being alive is admirable.ReoNa
Just being alive is admirable.ReoNaplay_arrow
An anthem cheering you on just for being alive
94eastThere isn’t, right?meiyo
There isn’t, right?meiyoplay_arrow
Meiyo, popular on TikTok, debuts with 'Nee yo na'
95eastloadTHE toraburyū
loadTHE toraburyūplay_arrow
George Takahashi’s hit song and film adaptation
96eastIf I Had Two LivesInoue Yosui
If I Had Two LivesInoue Yosuiplay_arrow
Songs of Aging and Memories by Yosui Inoue
97eastShowa Karésusukisakura to ichirō
Showa Karésusukisakura to ichirōplay_arrow
A hit from the Showa era—birth of a melancholy masterpiece
98eastAll My Homies [Prod. BACHLOGIC / Dir. Himatsu]ZORN
All My Homies [Prod. BACHLOGIC / Dir. Himatsu]ZORNplay_arrow
A song that portrays the loneliness and anguish of living in modern society
99eastAkariMy Hair is Bad
AkariMy Hair is Badplay_arrow
A warm, healing song that lights a fire in the heart
100eastTears of Sakura feat. Saekidelics & MadkosmosShin Holmes
Tears of Sakura feat. Saekidelics & MadkosmosShin Holmesplay_arrow
A song that sings of unanswered questions in life and of indignation
101eastmentally unstable personMioyamazaki
mentally unstable personMioyamazakiplay_arrow
A candid portrayal of the inner world of a mentally fragile girl
102eastBuy with revolving payments.Tajyusaim boyz (LB-RUG,Young SEX,M.A.G,PizzaLove)
Buy with revolving payments.Tajyusaim boyz (LB-RUG,Young SEX,M.A.G,PizzaLove)play_arrow
A song warning about the dangers of revolving payments (installment credit)
103eastIf I Could Paint LifeYOASOBI
If I Could Paint LifeYOASOBIplay_arrow
A moving song by YOASOBI that sings about the importance of life
104eastLazy BoyCreepy Nuts
Lazy BoyCreepy Nutsplay_arrow
The Struggles and Challenges of a Hip-Hop Duo
105eastchameleonKing Gnu
chameleonKing Gnuplay_arrow
King Gnu, a theme song depicting anxiety of the heart
106eastWhere We From feat. T-PablowAnarchy
Where We From feat. T-PablowAnarchyplay_arrow
An eerie dark rap of madness and poverty
107eastOnly on nights when I want to dieAina ji Endo
Only on nights when I want to dieAina ji Endoplay_arrow
A heartwarming song that keeps you company on lonely nights
108eastLove Me Up (Prod. Chaki Zulu)Awich
Love Me Up (Prod. Chaki Zulu)Awichplay_arrow
A catchy, seductive song with a dark rap vibe
109eastART( OBKR / Yaffle Remix ) feat. Gottz,Tohji,Shurkn PapOKAMOTO’S
ART( OBKR / Yaffle Remix ) feat. Gottz,Tohji,Shurkn PapOKAMOTO'Splay_arrow
A heavy rap that portrays the dark side of modern society
110eastAlkalemiamol-74
Alkalemiamol-74play_arrow
A song that portrays regret and sorrow that come too late
111eastA night that makes me want to dieRen
A night that makes me want to dieRenplay_arrow
A heartfelt R&B song that portrays sorrow
112eastMirageBikkeburanka
MirageBikkeburankaplay_arrow
Vickeblanka’s poignant theme song “Mirage”
113eastSamezame-ooYOAKE
Samezame-ooYOAKEplay_arrow
A poignant song of deep despair and heartbreak