[Resonates with the Heart] Masterpiece Ballads with Beautiful, Poignant Lyrics
There are so many moving ballads out there, aren’t there?
Among them, we’re going to spotlight ballads with a focus on “great lyrics.”
Of course, there are many ways lyrics can be good—what kind do you like?
From songs with rich storytelling, to love songs that sing of profound affection, to gentle pieces that move you to tears, we’ll dig into the charms of ballad lyrics across many styles.
Ballads, where the power of music can be felt even more strongly, stay close to our hearts.
Be sure to find ballads with lyrics that match your own tastes!
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[Heart-Touching] Ballad Masterpieces with Great Lyrics (111–120)
Peerless BlossomAina ji Endo
This is a wonderful ballad whose gentle yet powerful piano accompaniment and emotional vocals resonate deeply.
Released by AiNA THE END in March 2025, the song was written as the theme for Mononoke the Movie: Chapter Two — Fire Rat.
It portrays the happiness of knowing love, the pain of losing it, and the resolve to go on living that arises from both, expressed with her unique lyricism and artistry.
Created after her third album, RUBY POP, this track further expands her range as a solo artist.
It’s a work that will truly speak to anyone who feels both the joy and the bittersweetness of life.
Unrequited loveSUPER BEAVER
This song powerfully expresses the bittersweet emotions of unrequited love.
It was used as an insert song in the NHK General TV drama “Vanilla na Mainichi” in March 2025.
Through the drama, SUPER BEAVER portrays the frustration of one-sided love with gentle yet courageous words that leave a deep impression on listeners.
The track is included on the single “Kataomoi / Namida no Shoutai,” released on March 12 of the same year, blending seamlessly with the drama’s worldview.
It’s a song that stands beside those who still can’t convey their feelings and those weighed down by the ache of unrequited love—highly recommended for anyone seeking encouragement and empathy.
New WorldMoriyama Naotaro
This is a ballad that weaves together feelings for one’s father and mother.
It was created as the theme song for Naotaro Moriyama’s documentary film “Where Is This Wonderful World?” and released in March 2025.
The song, which reflects on feelings for a mother lost in early childhood, is marked by a gentle melody carried by acoustic guitar and piano, and a delicate vocal performance.
Describing heaven as a “new world” is such a beautiful sensibility.
Why not give it a listen when you want to reflect on the bonds and love of family?
single bedSha ran Q
This is a wistful ballad that poignantly sings of lingering feelings for a former lover, a classic that gently teaches the preciousness of love.
As the protagonist looks back on memories left behind on a single bed, they realize that a romance once taken for granted was in fact more valuable than jewels, weaving a moving drama.
Released by Sharam Q in October 1994, the song became a major hit, ranking 24th on the year-end charts.
It was also used as the ending theme for the anime D.N.A²: They Were Once a Thing, and included on the album Inferiority Complex.
It’s the perfect track for reminiscing about youthful love while sharing memories with friends.
GuildBUMP OF CHICKEN
A masterpiece that deeply questions the meaning of life and one’s own worth has been making waves.
The ballad released by BUMP OF CHICKEN in November 2006 is a work that expresses the self by likening life to a “job.” Its meticulously crafted guitar riffs and delicate vocals weave a melody that gently stays with the listener, evoking profound empathy.
The piece was also developed as a puppet-theater DVD, with band members serving as voice actors, expanding its world beyond music.
This is a song especially for those searching for what it means to live true to themselves, or for anyone feeling worn out by daily life.
DarlingMrs. GREEN APPLE
The song captures the youthful challenge of confronting one’s true self.
It reaches out to those who carry loneliness and anxiety, delivering a message of self-affirmation—one of Mrs.
GREEN APPLE’s most soulful tracks.
In December 2024, it was performed with 1,000 members of the 18-year-old generation on NHK General’s special program “18 Festival,” becoming a major talking point.
Along with its recurring melody, it gives you the courage to live without pretending to be someone you’re not.
When you feel like you’re losing your way, or when you’re struggling with relationships around you, this song is sure to be a powerful ally.
Liarieiri reo
This is a sublime ballad by Leo Ieiri that beautifully captures an inner world where joy and sorrow intersect.
Included on the album “Naked,” released in February 2023, and chosen as the opening theme for the WOWOW original anime The Fire Hunter, the song was born from a collaboration with Hikaru Ishizaki.
Dramatic string arrangements intertwine with Ieiri’s emotionally rich vocals to create a piece that evokes deep empathy.
It vividly portrays, within a fantastical setting, the inner conflicts that arise from trusting someone and the emotional turbulence of protecting those you love.
When you find yourself grappling with feelings wavering between truth and lies, lend an ear to this song—it will stay close to your heart.