Breakup songs sung by male artists that I’d recommend to Gen Z
In the history of J-pop, countless heartbreak songs have been born.
Japanese listeners in particular tend to favor music that evokes melancholy and poignancy, so songs with heart-wrenching lyrics paired with arrangements that heighten those emotions are cherished as timeless classics across eras.
With that in mind, here we’ll introduce breakup songs sung by male artists, released roughly between 2011 and 2024—the years that likely defined Gen Z’s youth.
We’ve compiled a wide-ranging list that includes songs from a male perspective, those written from a female point of view, and even darker, more macabre takes—so don’t miss it!
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- A heartbreak song that resonates in the chest of a man in his 60s: memories of youth woven by classic Showa-era masterpieces
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- [2026] Recommended for Men in Their 40s! A Collection of Classic Japanese Breakup Songs
- Recommended love songs for men: A collection of classic hits that sing about men's love
- Recommended for Gen Z! Classic love songs sung by female artists
- For men in their 30s: Heart-touching breakup songs—masterpieces that can move grown men to tears
Breakup songs sung by male artists that I’d recommend to Gen Z (21–30)
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.
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.
Breakup songs sung by male artists that I’d recommend to Gen Z (31–40)
Hide-and-seekYuuri
A poignant ballad that likens a breakup with a live-in lover to the children’s game of hide-and-seek.
Through images of a tumbler left behind and a messy room, it vividly portrays a man’s heart steeped in emptiness and loneliness.
Yuuri’s delicate vocals, paired with a simple, guitar-centered arrangement, superbly convey the pain of heartbreak.
Released in December 2019, the recording was supervised by Hiro of MY FIRST STORY.
The music video, directed by Elizabeth Miyaji and featuring actress Yuu Kinoyama, further deepens the work’s world.
It is a gem of a love song that closely resonates with those who have just experienced a breakup or who still harbor longing for someone dear.
for a whilerikon densetsu
A lyrical ballad that gently paints a tender nostalgia for the past through a legend of divorce.
It blends soulful elements strongly influenced by Marvin Gaye with a nostalgic melody reminiscent of 1980s New Music in perfect harmony.
Released in January 2025, this piece is a labor of love that Ayumu Matsuda and Jun Beppu nurtured over three years, and it has been selected as the theme song for the drama “Taigan no Kaji — This Is My Way of Life!.” A warm track that stays close to the hearts of those who have experienced heartbreak or separation, it quietly encourages the courage to face forward and keep walking.
Winter and Springback number
Back number’s stirring melodies and delicate vocals beautifully capture the emotions of moving on from heartbreak amid the transition from winter to spring.
Produced in January 2024, the piece was helmed by Masanori Shimada, who also produced “Suiheisen,” and the music video marks Iyori Shimizu’s first attempt at directing.
The use of snow-covered asphalt on the jacket symbolically expresses both the change of seasons and the transformation of the heart.
It’s a song that resonates with the pain of heartbreak—an experience shared by all—and the journey of recovery that follows, making it a track you’ll want to listen to alone on a quiet night.
In conclusion
How was it? This time, we introduced breakup songs by male artists recommended for Gen Z.
There’s a wide variety—not just in the situations, but also in the emotions and vibes after a breakup—so you can’t simply lump them all together as “breakup songs.” We hope you’ll find tracks that resonate with you.