Recommended breakup songs for women in their 50s: classic and popular Japanese tracks

Goodbyeofukōsu

Sayonara – Off Course (Full)

Even now, Kazumasa Oda still has that bright, high voice, and when it comes to heartbreak, this song—whose title says it all—is the one.

For some reason, breakups in songs are often set in the rain or snow, probably because those images feel melancholic.

Of course, both snow and rain appear in this song as well, but the most striking line is “Soon it will be a white winter outside!” which, to me, amplifies the sorrow of the breakup even more.

cold rainhaifaisetto

cold rain

Written and composed by Yuming, it contains cruel depictions—ones you wouldn’t want to encounter even in a breakup—so it might be something you’d rather not listen to when you’re truly heartbroken.

Still, I’m impressed by how accurately it portrays a woman’s psychology.

The person to resent is the ex-boyfriend; you don’t want to resent his new girlfriend, and you just want to forget… In the end, with heartbreak, all you can do is forget.

Serenade, if anythingInoue Yosui

“Issho Serenade” — Yosui Inoue Special, 4 minutes 10 seconds

It’s a song that feels like it’s speaking to you, asking yourself questions, surely while listening to a love song drifting from a late-night radio show, sensing a love that has ended.

Inoue Yosui, who created numerous hits like “Kasa ga Nai,” “Riverside Hotel,” “Yume no Naka e,” and “Shonen Jidai,” and has also written songs for many other artists, naturally gets invited to NHK’s annual New Year’s Eve program Kohaku Uta Gassen.

Although someone like Yuming, after many years, finally appeared in 2012, artists from the New Music scene typically declined.

Inoue, in particular, is said to have turned it down not for any musical reason, but simply because he finds Kohaku too flashy and embarrassing.

Light Blue RainYagami Junko

Jennifer / Light Blue Rain

The opening, with its high, beautiful, and resonant voice, is striking.

This moving heartbreak song has been covered by many artists.

The lyrics are quite realistic: the man knows about the woman’s mistake and chooses not to blame her, and precisely because of that, the two end up breaking up.

I love you more than anyone.Furuchi Toko

I love you more than anyone.

When someone treats you gently, your heart aches; when they’re cold, you feel like crying…

This classic by Toko Furuuchi delicately portrays the feelings of everyone in love.

Capturing both the uncontrollable emotions toward a partner and the conflicts and contradictions that come with romance, the song was released in May 1996.

Used as an insert song for the drama “Watch Out for Us,” it was also included as a remixed version on the album “Hourglass.” Since then, it has been covered by numerous artists, including Sowelu, Hideaki Tokunaga, and JUJU.

If you’ve ever struggled with love, scenes from your own experience will surely come to mind.

It’s the perfect song to listen to quietly on your own or when you want to think about someone special.