Tear-jerking masterpieces sung by male artists that I’d recommend to Gen Z
Have you ever listened to music and been moved to tears?
Not just songs performed by artists—sometimes even a track your friend sings at karaoke can bring you to tears, depending on how you’re feeling in that moment.
Especially for Japanese listeners, the lyrics that shake the heart tend to draw our attention.
So this time, we’re introducing tear-jerking songs recommended for Gen Z, focusing exclusively on male artists.
From songs about parting with someone to tracks that give you a push forward, we’ve compiled a wide range.
We hope you’ll find at least one song you can relate to.
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- Nothing but masterpieces! Love songs by male artists recommended for Gen Z
- Tear-jerking songs recommended for men in their 30s: classic and popular Japanese tracks
Tear-jerking masterpieces sung by male artists that I recommend to Gen Z (41–50)
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.
Heartbreaker (I fell in love with a cowgirl)Hirai Dai
A gem of a love song by Dai Hirai that paints uncontrollable infatuation and aching longing with a sound that skillfully weaves in elements of country music.
It sings of a man’s pure feelings for a free-spirited, cowgirl-like woman, set to a refreshing beach sound.
Released in April 2025, the piece conveys the bittersweetness of love through a gentle narrative tone and a pleasant melodic line.
Created as the first installment of a series leading up to “HIRAIDAI presents THE BEACH TRIP 2025,” which kicks off in May, it’s a perfect fit for open-air moments like seaside drives or BBQs under clear blue skies.
A soul-stirring ballad that deeply resonates with those nursing heartbreak or struggling with single-minded love.
Let’s become a familyFukuyama Masaharu
A love song woven by Masaharu Fukuyama, a gem of a ballad overflowing with warm affection.
Its gentle melody tenderly embraces the precious feelings you share, harmonizing beautifully with heartwarming lyrics that focus on marriage and family bonds.
It carefully portrays gratitude toward one’s partner and hope for a future walked together, making it a timeless masterpiece that resonates deeply with listeners.
Released in August 2011, the song was featured in the commercial for Recruit’s wedding magazine Zexy and reached No.
1 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.
It has continued to be cherished at many weddings ever since.
This is a song that stays close to the heart—one to listen to when you want to feel the bond with someone special or when you’re about to take a new step in life.
An unfinished love song I’ve been working on foreverHata Motohiro
In harmony with the world of the film “Love Letters on Our 35th Year,” Motohiro Hata delicately captures warm, nuanced emotions.
This work weaves together the love of a long-married couple and feelings that deepen day by day with a gentle yet powerful melody, beautifully expressing a form of love that grows more vibrant with time.
It will be released and made available for streaming between February and March 2025.
The limited first edition includes jacket cards featuring visuals from the film, handwritten lyric cards, and a Blu-ray containing live performance footage.
It is a song that will resonate deeply with those who hold feelings for someone dear or who struggle to put their emotions into words.
First loveHata Motohiro
A ballad by Motohiro Hata, woven with sincere feelings carried by his clear, translucent voice.
He tenderly portrays memories of a love that ended against the flow of fate, likening them to a blue apple and tangled threads.
Released in January 2013 as the ending theme for the TV anime “Space Brothers” and later included on the album “Signed POP,” this work is a characteristically minor-key song from Hata.
Coupled with Seiji Kameda’s delicate arrangement, it strikingly depicts the pain and regret of a love that reached its farewell while still immature.
Hata’s relatable vocals make it a song that recalls the bitter experiences of a first love.
AzaleaYonezu Kenshi
A song by Kenshi Yonezu written as the theme for the Netflix drama “Sayonara no Tsuzuki.” Reflecting the story of meeting a stranger who has inherited the heart of a lost lover, it portrays the sorrow of losing someone beloved and the hope that life carries on nonetheless.
Blending delicate piano melodies with electronic elements in a modern ballad style, it was released in November 2024.
In step with the drama’s narrative, it centers on themes of inherited memories and unwavering love, resonating with the sentiment embodied in the white azalea’s language of flowers: “fulfilled love.” It is a gentle companion for those who have lost someone dear or wish to heal the pain of heartbreak.
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.