[Relatable Lyrics] Emo songs to listen to when you're stuck after a breakup or relationship troubles

Heartbreak, relationships, work, school—sad and painful things can happen in so many parts of life.

You might find yourself hating someone, lamenting your bad luck, or even feeling self-destructive at times.

Here are some “dark” songs to listen to in those moments.

Because these lyrics are written and sung by artists who have been through a lot, they’re raw and real enough to sit with your feelings—and I’m sure you’ll relate.

I’d be happy if listening to the songs I’m about to introduce helps lift your spirits, even just a little.

Playlist

[Relatable Lyrics] Emo songs to listen to when you're stuck after a breakup or relationship troubles
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Eine KleineYonezu Kenshi		Contradictory feelings of happiness and anxiety
2	NonfictionHirai Ken		A song written by Ken Hirai to a friend about life and death
3	dissonanceKeyakizaka46		A powerful message that stays true to individuality
4	lipstickKato Miria		An answer song depicting the obsession of a heartbroken woman
5	a May flyRADWIMPS		Betrayal of a loved one turns into hatred
6	Reason(s) I can’t ask/listenMioyamazaki		Sing of an anxious, unspoken love
7	Your Anatomical Pure Love Song ~Die~aimyon		Aimyon becomes a national artist
8	palmMr.Children		Mr. Children’s 25th single
9	I wanted to be your last girlfriend.Koresawa		Koresawa sings about the days with a former lover she broke up with
10	magic mirrorOmori Seiko		Saved from loneliness by Seiko Oomori’s magic mirror
11	Phantom LifeSEKAI NO OWARI		SEKAI NO OWARI's song expresses the loss of life and sorrow.
12	Nightmare of the Galactic CitySEKAI NO OWARI		Anxiety about unchanging days due to illness
13	tear-coloredNishino Kana		Depicting the pain of heartbreak and a forward-looking hope
14	CountdownCocco		A passionate song that portrays the consequences of betrayal
15	moonlightOnitsuka Chihiro		A beautiful song where the piano and vocals soothe you
16	As an ex-boyfriendMy Hair is Bad		The complex feelings of a man who criticizes his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend
17	Biting the second handzutto mayonaka de ii no ni.		Zutto Mayonaka de Iinoni, debut work
18	cellsatou		A musical work with a body-swapping motif
19	Maybe it didn’t have to be you after all.yangusukinii		Young Skinny's rock song depicts the pain of love.
20	remainingYoshizawa Kayoko		A song whose charm lies in Kayo Yoshizawa’s heartrending vocals
21	Even if it’s one of a kindkujira		Whale songs ease the anxieties of the heart
22	I can’t stand that cute girl.narumiya		An unrequited love song depicting Narumiya’s feelings of love
23	What do you want to become?Rozarīna		A healing song to listen to when you lose yourself in busy days
24	If being alive is painfulMoriyama Naotaro		Naotaro Moriyama’s classic—a ballad that affirms life
25	Kiss me here.Shiina Ringo		Love songs by Ringo Sheena
26	planetariumOtsuka Ai		Ai Otsuka’s heartbreak song pierces the heart
27	IslandRemioromen		Remioromen, the fusion of darkness and light
28	See you in the next life.8utterfly		A song that depicts the complex emotions of heartbreak
29	IdentitySakanakushon		The Dilemma of Individuality and Conformity
30	Adult code of conductDoughnuts Hole		A drama unit song that sings of adult conflicts
31	indigoSukima Suichi		Expressing the earnest feelings of unrequited love
32	Our FailureMorita Doji		A gentle voice, but the singing is unstable and eerie
33	LonelinessMrs. GREEN APPLE		A song about embracing loneliness and deciding to take the first step
34	mentally unstable personMioyamazaki		Mio Yamazaki’s insane rock song
35	Girls don’t cry.katahira rina		A song that expresses the emotions of a heart afflicted by a forbidden love
36	Ultramarine DaysToukyou Jihen		Singing of the modern mindset of indifference that treats things as someone else’s problem
37	A Song for XXHamasaki Ayumi		The protagonist keeps questioning and finally finds a place to belong
38	in my placeHiguchi Ai		A song about hugging yourself and finding the courage to move forward
39	Another Name for LifeNakajima Miyuki		My heart is healed by the poignant songs of Miyuki Nakajima.
40	Stalker’s Song: Third Block, Your HouseAbe Mao		The psychology of a woman pursuing unrequited love
41	Run through the nightsupittsu		Be drawn into Spitz’s unique worldview
42	Sentimental KissShio Reira		A song that depicts an unbreakable, lingering love
43	Unfit to be a loverKoresawa		Koresawa regrets breaking up with her lover
44	applausechiaki naomi		The anguish and inner conflict of a singer who has lost their lover
45	It’s not that I want to die.Asanomachi		KAFU’s fleeting, heartrending singing voice resonates in the heart.
46	tobacco / cigarette(s)Koresawa		The regret of parting as I search for the warmth that was lost
47	A Bouquet for YouUtada Hikaru		Morning drama theme song. A requiem for my mother.
48	existenceTENSONG		A deeply moving song depicting TENSONG's heartbreak
49	ETERNAL BLUEMinami		A song that defies the world’s abusive words and the hardship they cause
50	to yell, telephone, downpourChatto Monchī		An emotional breakup song with rain and phone calls
51	scattered; in pieces; all over the placeHoshino Gen		You're just one person, and that's okay.
52	I want to forget.wacci		A bittersweet love song that sings of the pain of farewell
53	I didn’t want to know, if it meant losing it.atarayo		The Conflict Between a Lover's Betrayal and Unfading Feelings
54	MetronomeYonezu Kenshi		The metronome’s misalignment reflects the relationship.
55	A love on the verge of witheringSuzuki Suzuki		A song that portrays the sense of distance between lovers who are growing apart.
56	excuseSha ran Q		The poignant love of an affair drama’s theme song
57	I want to see you.sawada chikako		Memories and promises with my late lover
58	wailing in griefKudō Shizuka		Shizuka Kudo’s quintessential 90s “yami” song
59	He was alive, wasn’t he?aimyon		A treasured song by Aimyon that questions the weight of life
60	Write it as “regret,” read it as “future.”mafumafu		Mafumafu’s rock ballad: a cry from the heart
61	Changing seasonsren		Express the pain of heartbreak in lyrics that people can empathize with
62	I don’t want to see you; I want to see you.Ueno Yūka		Express the bittersweet emotions of heartbreak through a piano ballad
63	The Refrain Is ScreamingMatsutōya Yumi		A dramatic piece singing about the regrets of a breakup
64	I don’t have an umbrella.Inoue Yosui		Modern people who prioritize their own lives above all else
65	Best-before date of lovetuki.		A work that sings of the contradictory emotions of sensing the end of love yet being unable to let it go.
66	Fruit of SandNakatani Miki		Miki Nakatani covers a song by Ryuichi Sakamoto
67	Revolveryonige		A song about moving forward by drawing strength from past relationships
68	together; along with; bothWANIMA		A cheering song that conveys a positive spirit—courage and hope
69	The holeKing Gnu		A heart-touching ballad that portrays loneliness and loss
70	PrimroseFLG4		FLG4’s heartrending song keeps lonely company
71	Only HumanK		A song of hope where smiles await beyond sorrow
72	7 daysphatmans after school		A delicate song that asks about the meaning of life
73	Act like an adult.suisou gurashi		A bittersweet song portraying the romantic struggles of a woman you meet on the last train
74	Only I liked it.suisou gurashi		A Heartbreak Song from Life in a Fish Tank
75	I can’t bring myself to hate (you/it).ren		A song that expresses emotions wavering between dependence and affection
76	Love even your melancholyKoresawa		The strength to accept negative emotions and move forward
77	MindsetKamikita Ken		A profound ballad that confronts the inner self
78	codependencyDomura Riu		A love song by Riu Domura portraying the struggle between loneliness and dependence
79	nonsenseHitsuji Bungaku		An introduction to “Kudaranai,” a song by Hitsujibungaku.
80	IDASKA		An Escape into an Asian Fantasy World
81	I don’t mind being unhappy for the rest of my life.mafumafu		A song that candidly portrays despair and self-denial
82	People who hate meKazuki Koucha		A song themed around self-loathing and romantic feelings
83	Effeminate; overly sentimental; being clingy/whiny (context-dependent)Gōruden Bonbā		A heart-fluttering song that comically portrays a dumped man's lingering feelings
84	To My AdolescenceAka-hoho Shishunki (BOL4)		BOL4’s soothing song delicately depicts the feelings of adolescence
85	Single AgainTakeuchi Mariya		Singing calmly about a breakup with a former lover
86	By the time of the Christmas carolsInagaki Junichi		The sorrowful feelings of a parting in a Christmas song
87	Friend’s PoemNakamura Ataru		Conflict over losing a friendship