[Graduation Songs] Tear-Jerking, Heartwarming Ballads | A Showcase of Classics and the Newest Hits!
Among the many graduation songs, the ones that move us to tears most are surely the heartfelt ballads.
Just listening to music with a gentle, mellow tone can make memories and feelings of gratitude well up uncontrollably, bringing you to tears.
In this article, we introduce such moving graduation ballad songs.
They’re recommended as graduation chorus pieces, as background music, and for singing at karaoke.
Please enjoy these inspiring songs that will beautifully color your special day.
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[Graduation Songs] Moving Ballads That Bring Tears | A Roundup of Classics and the Newest Hits! (41–50)
Song of DepartureMr.Children
Mr.Children, a nationally beloved band across generations, released this song “Tabidachi no Uta” as their 31st single in 2007.
It’s also known for being the theme song of the film “Koizora,” starring Yui Aragaki and Haruma Miura.
While not strictly a graduation song, its lyrics about meeting and parting with loved ones and taking a new step forward make it a perfect fit for graduation season.
It’s a track brimming with the poignant sentiment that Mr.Children excels at.
[Graduation Songs] Tear-Jerking, Moving Ballads | A Full Showcase of Classics and the Newest Hits! (51–60)
Don’t bloom.WHITE JAM
Once the cherry blossoms bloom, the season of partings arrives—so please don’t bloom.
That’s the sentiment behind the song “Sakanaide” (“Don’t Bloom”).
The season when cherry blossoms open is also the season of farewells.
“Sakanaide,” which expresses the bittersweet wish for the cherry blossoms not to bloom because we don’t want to say goodbye, is a track released by WHITE JAM in 2016.
WHITE JAM is a music group that provides songs to many artists, while also releasing their own work.
Among their songs, “Sakanaide” is cherished as a graduation song.
It turns the sorrow of parting with the seemingly trivial, repeating days of everyday life into a beautiful melody.
Yui (Knot/Bond)miwa
Miwa, a singer-songwriter very popular among women of her generation, released the single “Yui (Knot)” in 2016.
It was featured on NHK’s Minna no Uta and was created as the required piece for the junior high division of that year’s NHK National School Music Competition.
As a graduation song that captures the troubled hearts of adolescents—junior high and high school students alike—many listeners who feel the same way may have found that this song resonated perfectly with them.
It’s a number that will surely strike a chord with anyone chasing their dreams.
The Beginningayaka
This song, which was also used as the ending theme for the morning information program “Sukkiri!”, is included on the first album Ayaka released after resuming her music career following a hiatus.
Centered on the themes of partings and new encounters in life, it carries Ayaka’s heartfelt emotions.
BoyhoodInoue Yosui
Yosui Inoue’s classic “Shonen Jidai” (Boyhood).
Although it was released in 1990, it’s still used in the media and sung at karaoke today.
As the title suggests, it features a delicate melody and lyrics that evoke boyhood.
It’s rare to find a song where the melody and lyrics are this perfectly in sync.
On the day of departure…Kawashima Ai
Ai Kawashima’s “Tabidachi no Hi ni…” is a heartwarming ballad.
Its bittersweet yet beautiful piano melody enhances the moving scenes of graduation ceremonies.
The lyrics are filled with memories from student days, evoking moments of friendship and parting.
No matter what feelings you carry as you leave your school behind, this song will help you engrave the days you spent together in your heart.
It’s great for chorus performances, as background music, or to sing at karaoke.
It’s a wonderful song that both celebrates a new beginning and reminds you of the true value of student life.
Sakura (2019)Moriyama Naotaro
“Sakura” by Naotaro Moriyama is so famous that it’s practically synonymous with graduation songs.
The track was released in 2002 as his second single.
“Sakura (2019)” is a newly arranged and re-recorded version from 2019, and it was used as the theme song for the TV drama “同期のサクラ” (“Sakura at Work”) starring Mitsuki Takahata.
Cherry blossoms are vibrant and gently uplifting, with a charm that captivates people, yet during graduation season their fluttering petals evoke a poignant sadness.
It’s a ballad that highlights that bittersweet feeling—and is loved across generations.