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)
somedaySaucy Dog
A straightforward, honest love song that brings the ache and poignancy of heartbreak right to your chest.
Through real-life scenes—like the deserted park at Tawarayama and the sloping road where you can see the starry sky—the memories woven together vividly portray feelings for a precious person you can never meet again.
Released in May 2017 as a track on the album “Country Road,” this piece gently embraces an unforgettable love with warm lyrics that blend in the local Shimane dialect.
Its softly resonant melody offers quiet comfort to those who want to hold their one-sided love close, and to those who can’t quite put an end to a past romance.
Guaranteed to make you cry! Must-listen tearjerker masterpieces for Gen Z (51–60)
Heart Rainindigo la End
A heart-stirring ballad that quietly observes a bittersweet parting in love.
Its melody delicately captures subtle emotions, while the graceful sound of acoustic guitar and electric piano resonates deep within.
Released by indigo la End in February 2016, the song was featured as the TV commercial theme for the smartphone game ‘Shoumetsu Toshi’ and is also included on their second major-label album, ‘Aiiro Music.’ Told from the perspective of a woman reflecting on the end of a relationship, the lyrics leave a strong impression as they carefully express emotional shifts through the metaphor of rain.
It’s a song that stays close to your heart when you want to quietly accept the pain of heartbreak and move forward.
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.
Rainy Amusement ParkSasuke
This is a ballad that poignantly depicts memories of a couple’s date at an amusement park and their bittersweet parting.
It weaves together contrasting scenes: a past moment of riding a carousel in the rain, and the present, where the narrator catches sight of a former lover with shorter hair, looking happy.
The lingering attachment the protagonist still feels, along with a quiet resolve to face forward and live on, gently presses on the heart.
A warm sound centered on acoustic guitar and piano highlights the story-rich lyrics.
Included on Sasuke’s album “Smile,” the piece was released in October 2004, reached No.
3 on the Oricon charts, sold over 450,000 copies, and was certified Platinum.
It’s a song you’ll want to listen to on a rainy day, especially when you’re trying to heal the pain of a broken heart.
single bedSha ran Q
This is a gem of a ballad that strikingly portrays the poignant feelings of a heartbroken man.
Sharam Q released the song in October 1994. It was used as the ending theme for the Nippon TV anime “D·N·A²: A Girl Who Arrived?” and went on to become a million-selling hit.
It is included on the album “Rettōkan” (Inferiority Complex) and was later featured as an insert song in the 2017 film “Memoirs of a Murderer.” Furniture steeped in memories of a former lover is depicted as a symbol that highlights the protagonist’s loneliness, powerfully expressing a shift in values toward love.
This moving masterpiece is perfect for a calm night drive or for quiet moments when you think of someone dear.
180°yamazaru
A heart-wrenching love ballad by Yamasaru that tugs at the listener’s heartstrings.
Its words quietly resonate, asking what true kindness really is.
Released in February 2016, it stands out as a memorable piece in his musical career.
The song portrays the conflict of a love that must end and the delicate feelings of not wanting to hurt the other person, showcasing Yamasaru’s refined sensitivity and expressive power.
The warm tone of the acoustic guitar and his unique blend of rap and singing deepen the story’s impact.
It is a heartwarming ballad that offers comfort to those who have experienced heartbreak or a farewell to someone dear.
dearestFukuyama Masaharu
Produced in October 2008 as the theme song for the film “The Devotion of Suspect X,” this gem of a ballad portrays deep affection and the ache of parting.
While anticipating farewell to a dreamlike presence, it sings of the fragility and beauty of continuing to love.
The pure love that Tetsuya Ishigami, a character in the story, holds for Yasuko Hanaoka is expressed through the delicate words crafted by Masaharu Fukuyama, and the song was also used in Toshiba’s LCD TV “REGZA” commercial.
As the unit KOH+ with Kou Shibasaki, it reached No.
5 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.
Fukuyama later included his own version on the album “Zankyo.” It is a supreme masterpiece that accompanies adult romance—perfect for quietly savoring a drink in a night lounge.