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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Guaranteed to make you cry! Tear-jerking masterpieces recommended for Gen Z (21–30)
DarlingMrs. GREEN APPLE
A warm, heartfelt ballad that resonates when you feel like you’re losing yourself.
This is Mrs.
GREEN APPLE’s digital single from January 2025, a song that voices the anxiety of remaining true to oneself, created as the theme for NHK General’s “18 Festival.” Performed together with a thousand young people, it delivers courage and hope for reexamining your own identity, wrapped in a gentle, embracing sound.
When you’re unsure how to live, this work gives you a reassuring push to accept yourself just as you are.
Dinner Songtuki.
A song that poignantly grips the heart with the ache of heartbreak.
Since its release in September 2023, it has drawn attention as tuki.’s debut work, and the music video featuring beautiful illustrations by Posuka Demizu also became a hot topic.
It portrays the image of oneself making a loved one cry and the wavering feelings of being unable to let go nonetheless, stirring the heart with gratitude and pain toward the other person.
With an appearance on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen secured, this work has established a solid presence in the music scene despite the artist being just 15 years old.
It’s a recommended track for those who carry memories of a bittersweet romance or who want to reexamine their feelings for someone dear.
Tear ducts guaranteed to burst! Tear-jerking masterpieces recommended for Gen Z (31–40)
hydrangeaShibasaki Kou
This is a song by Kou Shibasaki that overlays a deep love and a heartrending farewell with the image of hydrangeas.
It was released digitally in October 2024 and included on the EP “Kyoen,” released in November of the same year.
Its ballad-like melody is paired with Shibasaki’s delicate vocals, resonating deeply with listeners.
The wistful lyrics, inspired by the true story of Philipp Franz von Siebold, a late-Edo-period physician, and his Japanese wife Otaki, are also striking.
For those who have lost a loved one or feel the transience of life, the song offers empathy and healing.
I’ll forget the taciturn you of October.aratayo
A story that begins with words of farewell, this song portrays the end of a relationship with a partner who has grown distant and silent.
Released in March 2021 by the emotional rock band Atarayo, it later appeared on the EP Before Dawn and the full album In the Polar Night, the Moon Remains Silent.
Carefully expressing the feelings of two people who couldn’t overcome their stagnation, the track racked up astonishing views on YouTube and helped bring the band into the spotlight.
The male–female vocal interplay in the final section is deeply moving, resonating with listeners through the pain of “If we had never met, I wouldn’t have had to suffer this much.” It’s a song that will gently stay by your side when you’ve gone through a breakup or want to reflect on time spent with someone precious.
SAD SONG feat. No No Girls FINALISTSchanmina
A special song by Chanmina and the “No No Girls” finalists has moved many to tears with its stirring performance.
The lyrics—filled with the bittersweetness behind happiness and a strong resolve to believe in the future—captivate listeners and make the piece deeply compelling.
Said to be based on Chanmina’s real experiences, it conveys the loneliness of chasing a dream and the importance of bonds with fellow travelers.
Released in January 2025, the song’s performance on THE FIRST TAKE in May of the same year tied in with the audition project and generated great emotion, topping YouTube for 10 days.
If you’re working hard at something, this song is sure to gently nudge you forward.
Don’t miss the chance to experience it.
rendezvousshaitoopu
Released by Shitope in April 2023, this work is a song that vividly captures the emotions of a man right after a breakup.
With relatable yet distinctive metaphors—like losing his appetite and finding that even cream-filled bread has no taste—it sharply highlights the pain of separation.
The languid, sweet vocals and expansive choral work resonate as if enveloping the bittersweet ache of heartbreak.
It topped Spotify’s Viral Chart and has surpassed 300 million total streams.
It’s a track that deeply comforts those who have just lost someone precious and are not yet ready to accept reality.
CorrectRADWIMPS
RADWIMPS delivers a tender melody with a profound message that resonates deeply during graduation season.
The warm soundscape woven by piano tones and a student choir gently embraces moments of looking back on youthful days.
The lyrics, which depict the search for the right answers in life and the journey to find one’s true self, strike a universal chord that anyone can relate to.
Released for streaming in January 2024 and followed by a limited-production CD in February, this work was born from encounters with the younger generation and takes on a new challenge by incorporating a student choir.
It is a heartwarming song that stands beside young people leaving their schools and those facing turning points in life.