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! Must-listen tearjerker masterpieces for Gen Z (51–60)
MetronomeYonezu Kenshi
A gemlike ballad that gently captures the subtleties of meetings and partings.
It likens the relationship of two lovers to a metronome, meticulously portraying how hearts that once beat in unison gradually fall out of sync.
Kenshi Yonezu’s delicate vocals and memorable melodic lines convey the ache of love with nothing left unsaid.
Included on the album Bremen, released in October 2015, the song also garnered attention for its distinctive music video composed of hand-drawn illustrations.
It is a track that will surely resonate deeply with anyone suffering the pain of heartbreak or struggling with growing distance from someone dear.
To new loversback number
This song delicately portrays bittersweet emotions buried deep in the heart.
Released in 2024 by back number, it was written as the theme for Fuji TV’s Monday 9 p.m.
drama “Umi no Hajimari” (The Beginning of the Sea).
Set to a melody that resonates, it expresses the weakness of a self that can’t quite grow up, a yearning for the innocent faces of children, and hopes for the next generation.
With lyrics that contrast light and shadow and a clear, translucent vocal, the piece achieves beautiful harmony and offers comfort to anyone carrying unspoken, aching feelings for someone.
It’s a recommended track for those who wish to feel the sense of loss and regret that comes with living, as well as hope for the future.
Theory of the Mindful HeartRADWIMPS
A signature ballad by RADWIMPS that gently soothes hidden feelings and a lonely soul.
Its poetic lyrics, which portray delicate emotions, and its emotional melody sink deeply into the heart.
You can’t help but empathize with the protagonist—burdened by self-denial and fear of others—who encounters a pure presence, is cleansed at heart, and discovers a new self.
Released in July 2006, it reached No.
13 on the Oricon weekly chart.
It was later included on the album “RADWIMPS 4 ~Okazu no Gohan~,” significantly boosting the band’s popularity.
When you feel lost in life or have experienced a farewell with someone precious, this song is sure to be a source of support.
The True Nature of TearsSUPER BEAVER
This song gently seeps into the heart, delicately portraying the inner conflicts and emotional fluctuations that people carry.
In this work from SUPER BEAVER, the tender vocals and warm melody line express the loneliness everyone experiences and the feelings we hold inside, wrapping them in kindness.
It tells us that tears are not a sign of weakness, but rather something precious that helps us understand and accept ourselves.
Released in January 2025, it was written as the theme song for the NHK General TV drama “Vanilla na Mainichi.” The song is used strikingly within the show, carrying significant meaning for the story’s protagonist.
It’s the perfect track for those who are trying to overcome painful experiences or want to face their own emotions—an ideal song for when you need a good cry.
Tear ducts guaranteed to burst! Must-listen tearjerker classics for Gen Z (61–70)
Welcome back.Tani Yuuki
A gem of a song filled with Tani Yuuki’s heartfelt emotions, gently singing of feelings for a loved one far away.
Even when separated by distance, two people bound by a red thread of fate will surely remain connected—such a wish imbues these story-rich lyrics.
It expresses a bittersweet love for a counterpart, like the sun and the moon, through delicate vocals and melody.
Released in November 2022 and included on the album “Memories,” this piece gently accompanies those experiencing parting from someone dear or yearning for a reunion.
realmiwa
This is a song whose warm, gentle guitar tones and clear vocals resonate deeply with the heart.
It carefully depicts the small happinesses of everyday life and conveys the preciousness of moments spent with someone important.
With a rich melody, it expresses the warmth of being connected to someone rather than being alone, and the importance of mutually supportive relationships.
Released in February 2025, it was chosen as the ending theme for the anime “Momentary Lily.” It is also included on miwa’s best-of album “miwa,” commemorating the 15th anniversary of her debut.
It’s recommended for times when you want to cherish moments with someone special, or when you want to listen while thinking of someone dear.
Wrapped in the gentle singing voice, your heart, too, will be enveloped in warmth.
Spring, Summer, Autumn, Wintersumika
A song that beautifully portrays the changing of the four seasons, which gained attention as the theme song for the animated film Let Me Eat Your Pancreas.
Released by sumika in August 2018, this slow ballad features a warmly resonant acoustic guitar, and the delicate emotions depicted across spring, summer, autumn, and winter deeply move the listener.
Along with the shifting seasons, memories with a loved one and farewells are depicted, and the hope that leads into the next spring is expressed through gentle vocals and melody.
Its beautiful, heartrending lyrics—echoing the film’s story—are sure to resonate deeply with anyone who has experienced parting from someone dear.