Recommended ballad songs for women

First LoveUtada Hikaru

Hikaru Utada – First Love

Released in 1999 as Hikaru Utada’s third single.

It was a single cut from the album “First Love” and was used as the theme song for the TBS drama “Majo no Jōken” (The Conditions of a Witch).

Known as one of Utada’s signature ballads, it spent 15 consecutive weeks at No.

1 on the Oricon Karaoke Chart.

VoyageHamasaki Ayumi

Ayumi Hamasaki / Voyage (Short Ver.)

It was released in 2002 as Ayumi Hamasaki’s 28th single.

The song was used as the theme for the TBS drama “My Little Chef,” and in the same year, a short film starring her and inspired by the track, “Tsuki ni Shizumu” (Sinking into the Moon), was released.

With this song, Ayumi Hamasaki won the 44th Japan Record Awards and the 35th Japan Cable Radio Awards.

AlwaysNishino Kana

Kana Nishino 'Always (short ver.)'

It was released in 2012 as Kana Nishino’s 19th single.

Chosen as the CM song for SONY’s “MDR-1 Series” headphones and Honda Motor Co.’s “Honda meets Music,” the track is a warm, grand ballad that expresses deep gratitude for the miracle of people meeting and for the mutual care people can have for one another.

ForeverGosuperāzu

The Gospellers “Eien ni” Music Video

A song made to be listened to—a number that makes you want to say exactly that.

It’s the kind you want to play when you’re in a closed room, leaning in to savor the vocals.

Whether it’s a man’s feelings or a woman’s, whether it looks to the future or the past, I can’t say for sure.

But one thing is certain: it leaves you with a wonderful feeling.

Unrequited lovemiwa

miwa 'Unrequited Love'

Released in 2012 as miwa’s eighth single.

With lyrics that straightforwardly express deep feelings for someone you love, it’s a ballad that resonates more with the pain of loving too much and the heartbreak of unrequited feelings than with the ideals of a crush or the joy of simply liking someone.

It’s a song many people with unrequited love can deeply relate to.

Little by littleSARD UNDERGROUND

SARD UNDERGROUND “Little by little, little by little” MV YouTube Size

This medium-tempo ballad by SARD UNDERGROUND breathes new life into previously unreleased words left by Izumi Sakai of ZARD.

The song carefully portrays the delicate process of how our relationships with loved ones—and our own hearts—slowly change.

Many listeners will likely see themselves in the earnest protagonist, who refuses to rush yet steadily strives to move forward.

Vocalist Yua Jinno’s clear, pure voice gently wraps around that single-minded sincerity.

Released in February 2020, the track served as an ending theme for the anime Detective Conan and has been cherished by many fans.

On nights when your heart feels unsteady, listening to it may leave you with a warm feeling, as if someone is softly giving you a push from behind.

Stomp your bootsSHISHAMO

SHISHAMO “Stamping Boots”

Have you ever felt a sudden yearning for someone in the clear winter air? This ballad by SHISHAMO is a song that gently stays by your side through those helpless winter feelings of love.

You want to see the one you like but can’t be honest about it—those frustrating emotions are rendered dramatically by the beautiful tones of the strings.

Released in December 2021 as the title track of a winter-themed concept project and later included on the album SHISHAMO 7, the piece reflects the deepening of their artistic expression.

If you listen on a night when your chilled hands make you hesitate to reach out, Asako Miyazaki’s emotionally rich vocals will surely give courage to your frozen heart.

It might just give you that gentle push you need to take one more step.