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 recommended for Gen Z (41–50)
threadNakajima Miyuki
A beautiful ballad that likens human connections to warp and weft threads soaks into the heart through Miyuki Nakajima’s gentle yet powerful voice.
The lyrics, depicting fateful encounters and the warm fabric of life woven from them, evoke deep empathy—a true masterpiece.
Included on the album EAST ASIA, this song has continued to resonate with many people since its release in October 1992.
In 1998, it was chosen as the theme song for the TBS drama “Seija no Koshin” (March of the Saints), earning even broader acclaim.
It’s a track that soothes the heart at life’s turning points—meetings and farewells, fresh starts, and more.
Celebrated by many, it’s perfect for weddings, anniversaries, and any occasion that honors bonds with loved ones.
If you laugh at the skywacci
A heartwarming anthem that tenderly portrays the bonds formed with friends in youth, it resonates deeply and offers courage to overcome hardship while standing beside young people who can’t always face straight ahead.
Released by wacci in July 2018, the song drew attention as the support anthem for the “Japan Tsunagaru Project” segment on Fuji TV’s “Mezamashi TV.” Included on the album Kanjo Hyakkei (“A Hundred Views of Emotion”), its driving melody gently pushes forward those standing at life’s crossroads.
It’s a song we especially recommend to anyone striving to move ahead—despite doubts and anxieties—while supporting one another with their friends.
DestinyAee! group
A gem of a love song that delicately portrays a straightforward devotion, even while harboring clumsy feelings of love.
The Aぇ! group’s intricately woven vocals and deeply emotive melody brilliantly color a bittersweet love story.
Set for inclusion on the album “Chameleon,” slated for release in June 2025, this track has been selected as the theme song for the TV Asahi drama “Musashino Rondo,” starring group member Yoshinori Masakado.
The music video’s world, in which the message of love is conveyed with strength even under the pouring rain, superbly captures a heart buffeted by fate.
It’s a song that stands by everyone troubled by love and gives them courage.
KaraBank Band
A soulful work by Bank Band that begins with the quiet resonance of a piano and gradually unfolds into a grand scale.
Its lyrics, interwoven with reflections on the depths of life and sharp insights into society, sound a warning to the modern world.
Released in January 2025, the piece beautifully blends Kazutoshi Sakurai’s emotionally rich vocals with Takeshi Kobayashi’s delicate arrangements.
Aina The End, Mone Kamishiraishi, and Salyu join on chorus, adding a vibrant flourish to the track.
Created for the ap bank fes ’25 performance, proceeds from this work are dedicated to supporting recovery from the Noto Peninsula earthquake, making it a meaningful contribution to society through music.
It is a jewel-like ballad that sinks deeply into the heart when your emotions are stirred, when you want to look within, and when you wish to connect with someone.
You’re no longer here.FUNKY MONKEY BABYS
This is a gem of a ballad that sings of the sweet, aching pain of heartbreak.
The farewell scene on the station platform and the memories the two shared are delicately portrayed and delivered with a melody that pierces the heart.
Among FUNKY MONKEY BABYS’ works, it stands out for its rich emotional expression.
Released in October 2007, it reached No.
8 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.
It was selected as the ending theme for Nippon TV’s “Otona no Shikaku,” earning broad support across generations.
The song is also included on the album “FUNKY MONKEY BABYS 2,” and has been covered by Mariko Takahashi.
It’s a heartwarming track that stays by your side when you sense the end of a romance or go through a farewell with someone dear.
I want to hug you.Mr.Children
A gemlike love ballad whose sweet, wistful feelings seep gently into the heart.
Created by Mr.Children in December 1992, the song is marked by its key changes—born from producer Takeshi Kobayashi’s idea—and the tender tone of the piano.
Infused with pure affection and devoted sentiment, its melody exudes a grown-up allure perfect for a late-night lounge.
It was featured as an insert song in the Fuji TV drama “Pure” and used in NTT Docomo commercials, and has been covered by many artists, including Ryuichi Kawamura and Anri.
Its warmth, which seems to envelop deep feelings for a loved one, is part of its charm, and as a song that keeps close company on nights spent with someone special, it has been etched into the hearts of many.
Unrequited loveSUPER BEAVER
SUPER BEAVER’s in-show song for NHK’s late-night drama “Vanilla na Mainichi” delivers a powerful rendition of aching, unrequited love that truly stirs the heart.
It’s a gem of a ballad where a melody that gently cradles a faint yearning blends beautifully with subtly warm lyrics.
First released digitally on March 7, 2025, and included on the single “Kataomoi / Namida no Shoutai,” out March 12, the track enriches the drama’s world alongside its main theme, “Namida no Shoutai.” With tender, emotional soundscapes and the band’s signature straightforward message, this heartwarming song keeps you company in those quiet moments when you secretly think of someone you love.