Tear-jerking songs recommended for men in their 50s: classic and popular Japanese hits

As of 2023, those in their 50s likely spent their sensitive teenage and twenties years experiencing in real time the golden age of Japan’s music industry—from late-70s New Music through 90s J-POP.

Each of you must have your own songs filled with memories.

In this feature, we’ve gathered tracks we recommend for all of you—songs that will likely resonate and move you.

We hope they help you relive and enjoy your younger days.

Playlist

Tear-jerking songs recommended for men in their 50s: classic and popular Japanese hits
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Sorrow like snowHamada Shogo		A famous song in which Shogo Hamada sings about his love for his mother
2	Rainy BlueTokunaga Hideaki		Hideo Tokunaga's classic, a heart-touching ballad
3	I can’t put it into wordsofukōsu		A classic by Off Course, an emotional ballad by Kazumasa Oda
4	Kindness Picture-Story ShowMizutani Yutaka		Yutaka Mizutani’s 80s drama theme songs, memories of youth
5	Ballad of a SingerSaitō Kazuyoshi		Kazuyoshi Saito’s masterpiece: a song that makes men cry
6	unrequited loveHamada Shogo		Shogo Hamada’s classic song “Let Love Sleep,” included on the B-side
7	CheersNagabuchi Tsuyoshi		Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi’s anthem “Kanpai,” a toast to friends
8	Broken RadioTokunaga Hideaki		The appeal of Hideaki Tokunaga, who continues to sing classic J-pop masterpieces
9	GraduationOzaki Yutaka		Yutaka Ozaki’s classic song depicting the oppression of schools in the 1980s
10	SubaruTanimura Shinji		Shinji Tanimura’s signature song, a Nikka commercial tune
11	If I Could Play the PianoNishida Toshiyuki		Toshiyuki Nishida’s smash hit song “Genta Ikenaka.”
12	MPRINCESS PRINCESS		The pain of a broken heart, a bittersweet ballad, resonating in the heart.
13	My teacher is feverishHarada Jun		Jun Harada’s signature song “Boku no Sensei” is popular.
14	Just by you being herekome kome CLUB		Kome Kome Club’s smash hit song “Just by Having You”
15	YES MY LOVEYazawa Eikichi		Eikichi Yazawa's slow-tempo masterpiece
16	My Dear EllieSazan Ōrusutāzu		Southern's third single, a ballad
17	My RevolutionWatanabe Misato		Misato Watanabe’s classic song about searching for one’s true self
18	FOREVER LOVEX JAPAN		An iconic song by X JAPAN—grand and moving
19	Forget-me-notOzaki Yutaka		Let's sing Yutaka Ozaki's classic with feeling.
20	Words of FarewellKaientai		Kaientai refers to both Sakamoto Ryōma’s trading company-like organization and a music group.
21	I LOVE YOUOzaki Yutaka		Yutaka Ozaki’s signature song, a soul-stirring ballad
22	Beyond the GoodbyeYamaguchi Momoe		Momoe’s final song: a farewell voice at the Budokan
23	SAY YESCHAGE and ASKA		Chage and Aska’s classic hit, an iconic song of youth
24	It’s a sad color, isn’t it?Ueda Masaki		Masaki Ueda’s smash hit song “Kanashii Iro Yanen”
25	Under the Big Onion ~ Distant Feelingsbakufū suranpu		A remake song of the big onion
26	loveMatsuyama Chiharu		A famous song by Chiharu Matsuyama that sings of the feelings of heartbreak.
27	Sonnet of the Clownsadamasashi		Masashi Sada’s classic song “Icarus”
28	I want to take only you away just like this.DEEN		DEEN’s debut song, a classic 90s J-pop hit
29	Aoba Castle Love Songsatou muneyuki		A classic heartbreak song that sings the heart of Tohoku
30	Breath of DawnChekkāzu		A love song filled with love and gratitude
31	A song I made for youMatsuyama Chiharu		Chiharu Matsuyama’s clear, translucent singing voice, scenes of youth
32	fireflySazan Ōrusutāzu		A peace-aspiring ballad by Southern All Stars
33	River of Ten Thousand MilesCHAGE and ASKA		A love story inspired by the Yangtze River, first TOP 10 song
34	While listening to a distant train whistleArisu		A classic song by Alice, co-written by Shinji Tanimura and Takao Horiuchi.
35	From Yamato with lovesawada kenji		The theme song of Space Battleship Yamato, a moving masterpiece
36	Close your eyesHirai Ken		A ballad about longing for a lost lover
37	Shadows of Youthchūrippu		The tulip’s signature song, “Ordinary Happiness.”
38	somedaySaucy Dog		A love song that portrays heartbreak and memories
39	Tears of Magnolia ~acoustic~Sutādasuto☆Rebyū		Introduction to Stardust Revue’s classic ballads
40	MissingKubota Toshinobu		Singing the heartache of Toshinobu Kubota’s unrequited love
41	I won’t fall in love anymore.Makihara Noriyuki		Makihara Noriyuki’s signature breakup song
42	Another SaturdayHamada Shogo		Shogo Hamada’s “Another Saturday” is easy to sing.
43	I can’t say it.Gō Hiromi		Hiromi Go's famous ballad, a drama theme song
44	Sake, Tears, Men, and WomenKawashima Eigo		Eigo Kawashima’s classic song “Jinrui” (“Humanity”), a masterpiece that touches the heart
45	Azure NocturneOzaki Ami		A serenade song by Ami Ozaki that sings of love
46	Time, stop.Yazawa Eikichi		Eikichi Yazawa’s 1978 Shiseido commercial song, a manly masterpiece
47	As a personKaientai		Kinpachi-sensei theme song, a classic for graduation ceremonies
48	I want to see you.yuzu		Yuzu releases a ballad dedicated to expressing gratitude to his father
49	Ruby RingTerao Akira		Akira Terao’s smash hit wins the Japan Record Award.
50	Christmas EveYamashita Tatsuro		The classic Christmas song “Christmas Eve”
51	Unrequited loveSUPER BEAVER		A bittersweet love ballad by SUPER BEAVER
52	Sakura, flutterSazan Ōrusutāzu		A message song of hope and rebirth themed around cherry blossoms
53	In the Middle of a DreamKisugi Takao		A lyrical love song that portrays parting and reunion
54	Wine Red Heartanzenchitai		A signature song by Anzen Chitai, known for its wistful vocals.
55	Your heart is marine blue.Sugiyama Kiyotaka & Omega Tribe		Singing of the pain of heartbreak and a fervent longing to reunite
56	Banzai ~ So glad I loved you ~Urufuruzu		A rock song by Ulfuls that sings about love
57	ForeverGosuperāzu		A masterpiece that sings of an eternal bond with a loved one
58	TSUNAMISazan Ōrusutāzu		A representative song by Southern All Stars with a heartbreak theme
59	White LoversKuwata Keisuke		Introduction to Keisuke Kuwata’s winter ballad songs
60	countrysideTamaki Kōji		Koji Tamaki’s gem of a masterpiece, gently advising on the journey of life
61	Goodbye DayKisugi Takao		Takao Kisugi's classic song "Goodbye Day"
62	I knew it—I love you.yashiki takajin		An inspiring song that is one of Takajin Yashiki's signature hits
63	MelodyTamaki Kōji		Koji Tamaki’s heartwarming ballad
64	You’re the Only..Ono Masatoshi		Signature song of 90s idol Masatoshi Ono
65	You’re My Only Shinin’ StarKadamatsu Toshiki		The famous song Toshiki Kadomatsu gave to Miho Nakayama
66	Smiling Backkyandīzu		Candies’ final single, a classic
67	Let’s become a familyFukuyama Masaharu		A heartwarming classic by Masaharu Fukuyama that depicts love and the bonds of family
68	SakurazakaFukuyama Masaharu		Masaharu Fukuyama's classic song 'Sakurazaka' is easy to sing.
69	You’re no longer here.FUNKY MONKEY BABYS		A ballad about the pain of heartbreak
70	Goodbyeofukōsu		Off Course’s pure love ballad, poignantly expressing the end of a romance
71	First loveHata Motohiro		A ballad by Motohiro Hata. It sings of bittersweet memories of love.
72	Mary AnnTHE ALFEE		THE ALFEE’s first major hit: a classic youth rock anthem
73	Friendanzenchitai		A masterpiece depicting romance by Anzen Chitai
74	single bedSha ran Q		A ballad about lingering feelings for an ex-lover
75	Bridge of Gloryyuzu		An anthem that cheers you on to overcome hardships and seize hope
76	prideImai Miki		Miki Imai’s classic hit “PRIDE,” the legendary theme song
77	Stars on EarthNakajima Miyuki		A musical piece of respect and inspiration for the unnamed people
78	Lovers’ PavementTHE ALFEE		ALFEE's moving autumn and winter ballad songs
79	Far, far awayMakihara Noriyuki		A classic song that sings of longing for one’s hometown and friends.
80	Let’s start from goodbyeSano Motoharu		A poignant breakup song by Motoharu Sano
81	Azure RabbitNoriko Sakai		90s TV drama theme songs sung by Noriko Sakai
82	In the Sun and the DustCHAGE and ASKA		A powerful pop number by CHAGE and ASKA that portrays youth and the struggles of life
83	Before anything else, from atop the roadIsseifubi Sepia		A message of courage and hope that asks about the meaning of life
84	sonetACIDMAN		A song that portrays Hokkaido’s nature and embodies a resolve to live
85	Endless JourneyMr.Children		A signature work by Mr.Children. It depicts the courage to keep moving forward.
86	SymphonyHirai Dai		Dai Hirai sings powerfully about his feelings for someone special
87	homeKiyama Yusaku		A song by Yusaku Kiyama that celebrates parental love and the joys of raising children
88	A woman born in OsakaBORO		A song depicting the life of a woman from Osaka
89	loadTHE toraburyū		THE Toraidar’s signature song, a classic that depicts the journey of life
90	youyashiki takajin		The appeal of Takajin Yashiki’s classic song “Anta”
91	Like tonight’s moonElefanto Kashimashi		A masterpiece that sings of loneliness and passion for the future
92	Romance PromenadeNOVELA		A classic NOVELA song, a beautiful ballad
93	LOVE LOVE LOVEDREAMS COME TRUE		A smash hit by DREAMS COME TRUE