Tear ducts guaranteed to burst! Heart-wrenching masterpiece songs I’d recommend to Gen Z
Do you ever cry in your everyday life?
In fact, it’s said that crying has a relaxing effect on humans.
Of course, we’d rather avoid tears of sadness, but in today’s so-called stress-filled society, healthy ways to release stress are essential for maintaining mental and physical balance.
So this time, we’re introducing tear-jerking songs recommended for Gen Z.
From blockbuster hits everyone knows to hidden gems, we’ve compiled a wide-ranging list—so go ahead and use it to cleanse your heart.
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Tear ducts guaranteed to burst! Must-listen tearjerker classics for Gen Z (61–70)
I…atarayo
A heart-stirring song by Atarayo that weaves a tale of bittersweet love and self-transformation.
The encounter with a beloved person changes the way the world looks, vividly portraying the rebirth into a new self.
It delicately expresses the anxiety of nearly losing one’s sense of self, alongside the beauty of a world expanded by loving someone, inviting empathy for the subtle emotions that come with embracing change.
Released in January 2024, this work was selected as the opening theme for season 2 of the TV anime The Dangers in My Heart.
Its lyrics, which stand with the wavering feelings of adolescence, will deeply resonate with anyone standing at a crossroads in life.
Maplesupittsu
A gem of a ballad that weaves a fleeting yet beautiful farewell scene with a clear, transparent melody.
Released by Spitz in July 1998 from the album “Fake Fur,” this song tenderly sings of longing for what has been lost.
It portrays the heartache that gradually softens over time and the strength to keep looking forward, carried by a warm, gentle performance.
Beginning with its use in the 1999 Fuji TV drama “Over Time” and continuing through to the network’s 2022 series “silent,” it has colored many stories.
It’s a song to listen to when your heart is deeply wounded or when you’ve said goodbye to someone dear.
Masamune Kusano’s tender, comforting vocals are sure to become a source of support for your heart.
Sorrow Rides the Busmakaroni enpitsu
Set to melodies that gently stay close to the heart, this moving story by Macaroni Empitsu captures the shifting patterns of human emotion.
The lead track from their August 2023 album, “Otona no Namida” (“Tears of Adults”), delicately depicts the fleeting feelings found in farewells with family and in everyday life.
Hattori’s clear, transparent vocals and the softly unfolding melody resonate deep within the listener.
The song also drew attention for its music video directed by Yoshihito Mori, known for the Netflix film “We Couldn’t Become Adults.” Through the perspective of a protagonist played by Shota Sometani, it asks profound questions about the meaning of life and the preciousness of existence.
It’s a recommended track for those who want to empathize with feelings for loved ones or soothe the quiet emotions they carry inside.
In that casemakaroni enpitsu
A narrative masterpiece by Macaroni Enpitsu that wraps a bittersweet longing for love in the refreshing tones of guitar and synthesizer.
While gently embracing the pain of heartbreak, the unshaken desire to believe in the other person’s dreams stirs the heart.
The melodic lines and Hattori’s emotionally rich vocals beautifully capture the warmth and ache of youth.
Released in January 2025 as the opening theme for the second cour of the TV anime Blue Box, it weaves unattainable love and a growing inner world together with the anime’s atmosphere.
A gem of a song that stands with everyone who knows the joy of love and the pain of heartbreak, soothing the soul.
sympathetic tearsHitoto Yo
A debut work by Yo Hitoto that delicately portrays people’s emotions in our lonely modern society.
Amid an information-saturated daily life, the protagonist searches for a place to belong, gently expressing the warmth of a heart that empathizes with others’ tears and stays by their side.
Its original sound weaves together elements of gospel, R&B, and oriental influences, beautifully harmonizing with her crystal-clear vocals.
Since its release in October 2002, the song reached No.
4 on the Oricon weekly chart.
The following year, it won the Japan Record Award for Best New Artist and was performed on the NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen.
It’s a song I sincerely want to share with those struggling with human connections or those who feel the urge to be there for someone.
Magic CarpetKawasaki Takaya
Kawasaki Takaya’s pure, affectionate vocals seem to speak for the feeling of being in love.
The lyrics, woven with straightforward words, convey a deep yet gentle devotion to a loved one.
Even without money or status, the song candidly expresses the desire to protect someone important.
Released in July 2018 as a track on the album “I believe in you,” it was later selected as the theme song for a LINE drama in December 2020, drawing even more attention.
Don’t miss the beautiful, repeating vibrato in the chorus and the warm tone of the acoustic guitar.
It’s a gem of a love song to listen to when you realize your feelings for someone special—or when you want to confess them.
Prayer FlowerHirai Dai
A gem of a ballad that gently sings of the sorrow of losing a loved one and the gratitude that remains, carried by a tender, warm melody.
Dai Hirai’s ukulele tones and soft vocals gently embrace his boundless love for his late grandmother.
Released as a single in October 2011 and included on the album “ALOHA,” this song is imbued with an eternal sentiment for the person who taught him the strength to live and the meaning of love.
In March 2021, it was featured on the love-song compilation CD series “It Was Surely Love,” winning the hearts of a new generation.
A heartwarming piece that deeply resonates with those who have experienced parting from someone dear or who wish to express their gratitude.