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