A breakup song with great lyrics. A beautiful message that lingers in the heart.

Have you ever had your tear ducts give way to a gentle lyric that felt like it was comforting you, or found yourself drawn in by a song that happened to start playing just when you were going through a painful breakup?

In this article, we’ve gathered love songs that gently wrap around a heart wounded by heartbreak, focusing on tracks with particularly memorable lyrics.

Let’s slowly make our way through the pain together with that one song that “moves you to tears” or whose lyrics you “can’t help but relate to because they mirror how you feel right now.”

After growing through your heartbreak—by a step or two—you’re sure to encounter someone wonderful.

Playlist

A breakup song with great lyrics. A beautiful message that lingers in the heart.
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	PretenderOfisharu Higedan Dism		The heartrending sorrow of an unrequited love by Official HIGE DANDism
2	I forget you, who are so quiet, in October.atarayo		A signature song depicting a breakup with a taciturn lover
3	366 daysHY		A poignant ballad that sings of the pain of a broken heart
4	I wonder if I’d still say it’s too late.Saucy Dog		Saucy Dog’s songs about heartbreak and lingering feelings
5	So it wasn’t me, huh.riria.		A buzzworthy song that portrays the heartache of unrequited love
6	Goodbyewacci		Face forward with wacci’s breakup song
7	wa, wo, nnishina		A love song about bouncing back from heartbreak and realizing the preciousness of love
8	bookmarkkuriipuhaipe		From spring farewells to new beginnings
9	The Rain and Meback number		A sad breakup love song by back number
10	somedaySaucy Dog		Saucy Dog’s heartbreak song
11	pure whiteFuji Kaze		Fujii Kaze releases a new song portraying farewell and growth
12	rendezvousshaitoopu		Shytoop’s heartbreak song becomes a big hit
13	Dried flowersYuuri		Yuri’s breakup song resonates with my heart.
14	Happy Endingback number		A song that portrays the bittersweetness of parting and soothes the pain of heartbreak
15	Good-bye to YesterdayHirai Dai		A song that portrays moving forward after overcoming heartbreak
16	forget-me-notAwesome City Club		A heartbreak song, urbane and bittersweet
17	catDISH//		A DISH// song that portrays lost love in the form of a cat
18	Until the day I can no longer rememberback number		The pain of heartbreak and the healing process
19	lingering loveKitatani Ruki		A heartrending love song for heartbroken men
20	wishsumika		sumika's unrequited-love and hopeful romance support song
21	Beyond the goodbyeMatsushita Kohei		Kouhei Matsushita’s soothing song that comforts the brokenhearted
22	Song of the Eternal NightKamisama wa saikoro o furanai		A heartrending breakup song that portrays the pain of someone you loved drifting away.
23	Winter and Springback number		A poignant winter song portraying heartbreak
24	me me sheRADWIMPS		A masterpiece by RADWIMPS, a timeless song that gently embraces the pain of the heart.
25	change of heartindigo la End		indigo la End’s heartbreak-themed song
26	breakup songOkazaki Taiiku		The strength to rise from the pain of heartbreak
27	Good ByeHY		A soothing song that sings of gratitude and a positive heart
28	rainMoritaka Chisato		A signature song by Chisato Moritaka that expresses the pain of heartbreak
29	Everyday Revolutionneguse.		Gently singing of the bittersweet memories of a broken heart
30	moonlightOnitsuka Chihiro		The discontented singing voice of Chihiro Onitsuka
31	beetle (specifically, a rhinoceros beetle)aiko		Aiko’s love songs: bravado and delicacy
32	Summer IllusionGARNET CROW		GARNET CROW’s signature song themed around parting
33	Thank youikimonogakari		Ikimonogakari’s beloved smash-hit ballad
34	Kiss me here.Shiina Ringo		Representative love-themed songs by Ringo Sheena
35	I long to see you now.MISIA		MISIA's poignant ballads for women with broken hearts
36	I’m glad I met you.Koizumi Kyoko		Kyonkyon came to feel, not right after the breakup but after some time had passed, that it was good she was able to meet her ex again.
37	A bouquet of flowers with loveSuperfly		A love song by Superfly. Expressing love.
38	contact lens caseSaucy Dog		Gently tucking away the pain of heartbreak in my heart
39	missing youTomioka Ai		A song that delicately portrays the feelings after a heartbreak
40	Youthful RegretMatsutōya Yumi		Regret and Memory in Yuming’s Lyrics
41	Gentle RedFukuhara Miho		A ballad song expressing Miho Fukuhara’s state of mind
42	HappinessOnda Masanori		A poignant song reflecting on memories of heartbreak
43	I want to forget.wacci		A heartbreak song swayed by memories of the past
44	Good-bye, My LoveAn Ruisu		Accepting the parting and moving forward
45	You are in full color.Ohtaki Eiichi		A pop song that depicts heartbreak
46	hot coffeeAYANE		AYANE’s heartbreak song, hot coffee
47	Only I liked it.suisou gurashi		A Heartbreak Song from Life in a Fish Tank
48	Say goodbye to the love I clung to.matsuri		The feelings of a woman trying to move forward and break free from the pain of heartbreak
49	Until we meet againHirai Dai		A ballad that depicts parting and reunion
50	MetronomeYonezu Kenshi		A bittersweet love song expressed through a metronome by Kenshi Yonezu
51	A world without youto shiki		Looking back on the past and taking a new step forward
52	Merry XmasBoA		BoA's signature romantic ballad
53	Single AgainJUJU		Singing about the desire to rekindle a romance with an ex-boyfriend
54	Time machineSEKAI NO OWARI		A song that portrays the feelings of heartbreak and moving forward
55	A Lonely ToothbrushTOKIO		The feeling of being dragged down by memories after a heartbreak
56	I’ll wait.amin		A heartbroken woman keeps waiting for her ex-lover to return.
57	remainingYoshizawa Kayoko		A song that delicately expresses the pain of heartbreak
58	An unexpected giftOhnuki Taeko		The tenderness embedded in Taeko Ohnuki’s heartbreak songs
59	LOVE Tear-ColoredMatsuura Aya		The feeling of tears welling up from heartbreak
60	Under the same skyayaka		Having someone you love gives you courage
61	The rain won’t stop.Yakushimaru Hiroko		A heartrending love in the never-ending rain
62	Dear…Nishino Kana		A love song that expresses Kana Nishino’s feelings of love
63	If ISekitori Hana		An encouraging song filled with love for children
64	Your third button＝LOVE		A song depicting the bittersweet unrequited love of a protagonist on the verge of graduation
65	I want to be dumped with a happy endingAnri		A heartbreak song that poignantly sings of the end of summer
66	KissHugaiko		Aiko’s bittersweet love ballad
67	Before the end credits.Hirai Dai		Hirai Dai’s heart-stirring ballad portraying farewell and gratitude
68	KanadeSukima Suichi		Depicting love and bonds that remain in the heart even when apart
69	Cold fireworksKami ga nokoshita yume o kuu.		At summer’s end, singing of a frustrating heartbreak
70	GarnetOku Hanako		Okubana's heartbreak songs heal the heart
71	wedgeOku Hanako		Okuda Hanako’s breakup ballad gains popularity through word of mouth
72	Broken-winged angelNakamura Ayumi		Expression of a broken-winged angel
73	Song of LoveKōda Kumi		Kumi Koda's heartbreak ballad song
74	The Correct CityShiina Ringo		A woman's heart waiting for her ex-boyfriend's new lover
75	Stardust VenusAimer		Aimer’s heartrending love song. Beautiful sounds of piano and strings.
76	non-lie heartTani Yuuki		A poignant song that expresses the pain and inner conflict of heartbreak
77	Rouge of Fragmentsbokula.		A heartbreak rock song by bokula.
78	Oh, my former lovermatsuri		A song that portrays the feelings of a woman trying to move on from a heartbreak
79	springKaneyori Masaru		Delicately portraying the end of the seasons and of love
80	humorKitanitatsuya		Tatsuya Kitani sings about heartbreak with humor
81	AfterwordTonbokōpu		A ballad that sings of heartbreak and positivity
82	Prologue feat. AimerShimizu Shota		A bittersweet love ballad by Shota Shimizu and Aimer
83	On nights when I’m too lonely to sleepAimer		Aimer’s romantic ballad song
84	Snow, Moon, and Flowersyangusukinii		A poignant song that portrays lingering feelings after a heartbreak
85	I LOVE YOUkurisu haato		Chris Hart's heartbreak ballad song
86	freesiaMarushii		Marcy’s heartbreak song, the pain of a breakup
87	To fall like a roseAKASAKI		AKASAKI’s break-up song
88	In loveHY		A gem of a ballad that portrays the feelings of overcoming heartbreak and moving forward
89	LOVEDMISIA		MISIA's heartwarming ballad song
90	deep redMy Hair is Bad		A rock song that portrays the pain and joy of love
91	maybeYOASOBI		A song that portrays the complex emotions of a morning of parting
92	Tulipindigo la End		A song that expresses the pain of heartbreak through the language of flowers
93	Regretsumika		sumika’s heartbreak song
94	I can’t put it into wordsofukōsu		Off Course's ballad about the end of love
95	That’s all there is to it.Marushii		Depicting lingering attachment and love for someone you broke up with
96	I won’t fall in love anymore.Makihara Noriyuki		An iconic song of hope for overcoming the pain of heartbreak
97	As many times as you likeDREAMS COME TRUE		The theme of DREAMS COME TRUE rising up
98	frecklesJUDY AND MARY		JUDY AND MARY’s farewell theme
99	Lonely ButterflyREBECCA		A love that ends in breakup because of a difference in how warm our feelings are, even though we love each other
100	Hologram of LoveSKE48		An SKE48 song depicting the sorrow of heartbreak and the hope that follows
101	When I feel like seeing youZARD		I’ll do my best, believing I can see you.
102	Akasaka Rainy Nighthayabusa		Expressing a heartrending heartbreak in the rain of Akasaka
103	unsatisfying; anticlimactic; abruptmei-chan		Expressing a bittersweet love in a nostalgic disco
104	red darkroomKei Junko		Kei Junko Chanson Heartbreak Song
105	As usualShugā Beibu		A legendary group that had a major influence on Japanese music, Sugar Babe, and a song about how everyday life remains unchanged even after a heartbreak.
106	clownMarushii		A song that sublimates heartbreak into dark pop
107	Serenade, if anythingInoue Yosui		Yosui Inoue, who immerses himself in his own world even after heartbreak
108	Love is…Kato Miria		Miliyah Kato's love song
109	For that dayKitahara Mirei		Mirei Kitahara’s signature song that sings of hope after heartbreak
110	cherry (sweet cherry; cherry fruit)Otsuka Ai		Expressing the happiness of being loved in Otsuka Ai’s signature songs
111	Love StoryAmuro Namie		From Namie Amuro's love to being myself
112	Tomorrow ColorYasuda Rei		Rei Yasuda's uplifting karaoke songs
113	Christmas EveYamashita Tatsuro		Tatsuro Yamashita’s Christmas Eve is a breakup song
114	Blue Sky Pedalarashi		Aozora Pedal is selected as a movie ending theme
115	sayonaraHirai Dai		A heartbreak ballad about a man moving forward while holding feelings for his ex in his heart
116	Rainy BlueTokunaga Hideaki		The pain of heartbreak comes over you with time.
117	I can’t stop this sadness.Anri		Introduce two of Anri’s heartbreak songs
118	Eyes Are Like DiamondsMatsuda Seiko		A special feature on Seiko Matsuda’s heartbreak songs
119	Love Scoremichiru		Ending theme of Lupin the Third
120	I still believe ~sigh~Shizukusa Yumi		A bittersweet longing for a former lover I can’t forget
121	Self and others are alikesawada sorari		A forward-looking farewell song that gently embraces heartbreak
122	ambushIshikawa Hitomi		A revenge song for the one who broke my heart
123	I can’t dance well.Ishikawa Seri		So heartbroken I can't get anything done
124	NOW ON AIRakai kouen		Akaikoen’s lively karaoke song
125	I don’t want to see you; I want to see you.Ueno Yūka		Express the bittersweet emotions of heartbreak through a piano ballad
126	Fortune Cookie in LoveAKB48		AKB48’s representative song on the theme of romance
127	Farewell, YouthChatmonchy		Chatmonchy Graduation Theme Song
128	Self-Destruct Device of LoveChara		Introduction to the Broken-Heart Song Self-Destruct Device
129	If I Fall in LoveCrystal Kay		Crystal Kay's love support song
130	Unshown tears will surely, somedayGReeeeN		Tears shed in secret become nourishment for tomorrow.
131	Thank you…KOKIA		KOKIA's heartbreak number
132	I don’t like it.yangusukinii		A heartbreak song that portrays the feelings of being unable to forget an old lover
133	Snow BlossomNakajima Mika		Mika Nakashima’s signature love ballad
134	First LoveUtada Hikaru		Hikaru Utada First Love Ballad
135	Goodbye, goodbyeTakenaka Eri		A ballad that expresses the bittersweet pain of heartbreak
136	I want to go back to that day.Arai Yumi		Yuming’s romanticized and nostalgic view of youthful love
137	A Perfect SkyBONNIE PINK		A song by BONNIE PINK that encourages living true to yourself