[Lingering Feelings and Regrets] A Love Song for You Who Can’t Forget Your Ex-Boyfriend

lingering attachment; regrets; reluctance to let goDomura Riu

Lingering Attachment / Riu Domura

A song that stays with you on nights weighed down by heartbreak.

Featuring Riu Domura’s distinctive low-register vocals, this track seamlessly fuses rhythmic rap with melody.

Released in October 2019, it portrays the complexities of modern love, where social media makes it hard not to keep tabs on the other person.

While trying to accept the breakup, the lingering attachment and inner conflict are laid bare, resonating deeply with listeners.

It’s a song that gently nudges those carrying the wounds of heartbreak to keep moving forward.

Once moreAteen

Ateen – Once Again (Lyric Video)

This is a poignant track by Ateen that overflows with unresolved feelings for a former lover.

The regret and inner conflict of wishing to go back to those days come through painfully in the lyrics, which the artist penned themselves.

The unadorned emotions written straight into the words are sure to pierce listeners’ hearts.

Released in July 2023, this work was only the second in Ateen’s early career, yet it resonated widely, even landing on Spotify’s viral charts.

It blends the accessibility of J-pop with elements of hip-hop in a pleasing way, and it’s sure to gently encourage anyone hoping for reconciliation.

Remember the Days ~Footprints with You~Hirai Dai

Remember the Days ~Footprints with You~

A memorable number sung by Dai Hirai, marked by the contrast between ukulele tones and wistful lyrics.

It conveys gratitude for cherishing the days spent with an irreplaceable person, alongside the frustration of not being able to go back.

Included on the mini-album “OHANA,” released in May 2011, this song is also known for its tie-in with a Nishi-Nippon City Bank TV commercial.

It’s such a beloved classic that it was later featured on the best album “LOVE+PEACE.” Holding the warm memories of those days close, this song will surely gently accompany your heart as you wish for a chance to start over.

MemoTakase Tōya

Toya Takase / Memorandum Self Cover Ver (Official Lyric Video)

As a “record for forgetting,” this song chronicles days with a former lover, yet the lingering attachment comes through with aching clarity.

Sung by Tōya Takase, this R&B ballad brings the reality of a lost love into sharp relief through vivid, everyday details of ordinary exchanges.

Wanting to go back but being unable to—the squeeze of that contradiction is hard to ignore.

Released in April 2021, the piece is a self-cover: originally written for a friend, then re-sung by Takase himself.

Its story of two people drawn together even after parting will quietly stay close to the heart of anyone hoping for reconciliation but unable to take that next step.

ArikaMarushii

Marcy – Arika (Official Music Video)

Marcy is a band that’s especially popular with Gen Z.

Released digitally in January 2023, this track is a gem of a ballad that was later included on the album Candle.

The word “Arika” in the title symbolizes the protagonist’s aching search for where happiness truly resides.

If you’ve ever found yourself looking for traces of someone even after a breakup, you’ll likely relate deeply.

Like the music video released in January 2023 featuring Nagi Hasegawa, it’s a song you’ll want to listen to alone on a winter night.

For those who can’t help but wish to go back to those days, it may stay close to your heart and offer a cleansing release through tears.

hundreds of millions of light-yearsOmoinotake

Omoinotake | Hundreds of Millions of Light-Years [Official Music Video]

This song was written as the theme for the drama “Eye Love You” starring Fumi Nikaido, and it’s performed by the piano rock band Omoinotake.

Its theme is steadfast love that never fades, no matter how far apart you are—even transcending time.

While the bright, exhilarating sound makes your heart dance, the lyrics portray a poignant longing for someone you may never meet again, and that contrast really hits home.

After its release in February 2024, the song captured so many hearts that it surpassed 100 million streams at the sixth-fastest pace in history.

When you can’t easily see someone important to you, this song is sure to gently stay by your side.

MPurinsesu Purinsesu

Princess Princess “M”

This song, which weaves together the pain of heartbreak and unforgettable memories, resonates deeply with listeners.

The lyrics, inspired by Kyoko Tomita’s own experiences of lost love, have struck a chord with many people.

Known as one of Princess Princess’s signature songs, it was released in April 1989 as the B-side to “Diamonds.” It went on to achieve major commercial success, including becoming the first million-selling single CD in history.

Each time you listen, recalling the one you parted from, it’s sure to soothe your heart.

When you want to reflect on a past romance, why not lend your ear to this song?