Tear-jerking songs recommended for men in their 40s: classic and popular Japanese hits
When you hear the phrase “songs that make you cry,” what kind of songs come to mind?
From heartbreaking ballads like breakup songs to tracks that sing about life, there are many kinds of tear-jerkers.
In this article, we’ll introduce a comprehensive selection of moving songs recommended for men in their 40s!
We’ve picked a wide range—from songs that perfectly match your current situation to ones that will bring back old emotions and move you to tears—so be sure to read the lyrics and listen closely!
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Tear-jerking songs recommended for men in their 40s: Classic and popular Japanese tracks (21–30)
Can’t Say Anything… SummerTHE JAYWALK
J-WALK is a band that has been active since the 1980s, and in the 1990s they released many classic songs, including one of their signature tracks, “Nani mo Ienakute…
Natsu” (“At a Loss for Words…
Summer”).
If you’re in your 40s today, there’s a good chance you listened to their music back then.
This song was created based on “Nani mo Ienakute,” which was released the previous year, and it portrays a breakup between a couple set in the summer.
The lyrics look back on how the man and woman were out of sync because their values didn’t align, and many men may feel a tightness in their chest reading them.
It’s a song that can move you to tears if it overlaps with your own experiences.
I want to become a rainbow.TUBE
Since their debut in 1985, TUBE has released countless songs set against the backdrop of summer, earning them the title of the kings of summer bands.
Many people in their 40s often listened to their music during their teens and twenties.
Among their repertoire, this particular song stands out as a notably tender ballad.
Looking at the lyrics, you can read a relationship in which the man loves the woman straightforwardly, while the woman’s feelings gradually fade.
It’s a track that evokes a poignant sense of frustration, as heartfelt emotions remain unreturned.
Tear-jerking songs recommended for men in their 40s: Classic and popular Japanese tracks (31–40)
aloneGosuperāzu
The Gospellers are a vocal group formed in 1991, and if you spent your youth in the ’90s through the early 2000s, you probably listened to a lot of their songs.
Among them, their signature track “HitorI,” released in 2001, has never lost its luster over the years and is still a classic you hear often.
The five members’ beautiful harmonies and the gentle melody line that seems to sink straight into your heart feel purifying just by listening.
If you pay attention to the lyrics that portray earnest love, you’ll find tears naturally welling up.
I won’t fall in love anymore.Makihara Noriyuki
This song is one of singer-songwriter Noriyuki Makihara’s signature tracks, and even now, long after its 1992 release, you still hear it often.
His gentle vocals resonate over a mid-tempo, soft-feeling arrangement.
The lyrics portray a man who has just been heartbroken putting on a brave face.
But the more he tries to act tough, the more memories of her come flooding back, and the more he realizes how important she was—a poignant breakup song.
It’s a recommended track for men who can’t easily shake off their lingering feelings.
I want to see you.yuzu
In April 2009, Yuzu released a gem of a ballad imbued with a stirring melody and deep feelings for a loved one.
Created by Kitagawa as an expression of gratitude and love for his late father, the song touched many hearts as the theme for the NHK drama “Ghost Friends.” Carried by a warm piano tone and a beautiful string arrangement, it gives voice to a heartfelt wish for a beloved person who has been lost.
Their moving performance on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen remains fresh in memory, and the song was also included on the album “Yuzu Iroha 1997–2017,” where it continues to be cherished.
It is a piece that gently stays close to the hearts of those who have experienced the parting of a dear one or who carry feelings they cannot fully express.
Believe in your dreamsTokunaga Hideaki
Released in 1990 as Hideaki Tokunaga’s ninth single, this song is highly popular, partly because it was used as the ending theme for the anime Dragon Quest.
Its lyrics are striking, evoking an adventurous spirit shared with the series: even if difficulties lie ahead, believe in the dreams you held before setting out and move forward toward the future.
The cheerful sound combined with these lyrics conveys a strong sense of exhilaration and freshness, making the adventure feel like something truly enjoyable.
Far, far awayMakihara Noriyuki
It’s one of Noriyuki Makihara’s signature songs, included on the album “Kimi wa Boku no Takaramono.” It’s an unexpectedly outstanding track that was never released as a single.
It’s said that Makihara wrote it while thinking of friends from his hometown, and you can feel a strong conviction—as if he’s determined to keep striving in his own place to make his dreams come true, so that the message reaches friends he hasn’t seen in a while.
The song also portrays how he cherishes his friends even from afar, conveying tenderness and warmth.