Hidden gems among tear-jerker songs. Recommended popular tracks.
This is a playlist of carefully selected hidden gems among tear-jerking Japanese songs that move listeners to tears.
While it’s centered on ballads, the approaches vary: some are dramatic, some unadorned, some have a rich, weighty sound, and others are built simply.
All of them have great lyrics, so be sure to check them out.
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Hidden gems of tearjerker songs: Recommended popular tracks (21–30)
balladKetsumeishi
Ketsumeishi’s “Ballad” is a moving song that slowly soaks into your ears.
Its suggestive lyrics and the equally suggestive music video create a unique world alongside the music, which has sparked talk that it might be a song about an affair.
Either way, it doesn’t change the fact that it’s a tearjerker.
Robinsonsupittsu
Spitz’s “Robinson” is their 11th single, released in 1995.
By the way, the title “Robinson” was taken from the Robinson Department Store that they happened to see while traveling in Thailand, and it apparently has nothing to do with the lyrics.
It’s amazing that it became a hit anyway.
Hidden gems of tearjerker songs. Recommended popular tracks (31–40)
Goodbye PatternItō Toshihiro
Toshihiro Ito is a former employee of Japan National Railways (the old JNR).
For several years after his debut, while working as a singer-songwriter, he also continued to serve as a train conductor.
The refrain’s rise and fall in this song is strikingly memorable, making it a heartbreaking farewell tune you’ll never forget once you hear it.
Even if you don’t know the title, many people might recognize it immediately upon hearing the chorus.
Love is AllShiina Megumi
A skilled singer, Megumi Shiina, released this song about a mature love in 1986.
It’s an unforgettable piece that expresses the joys and pains of love from a woman’s perspective, with lyrics worth listening to closely—truly a song for adults.
It’s also a great choice to sing softly and with feeling at karaoke.
YELLikimonogakari
Ikimono-gakari’s “YELL” is a song created as the set piece for NHK’s National School Music Competition.
The CD includes “Joyful” as a double A-side, and it became a bit of a talking point because the difference in energy between the two songs is huge.
When Someone’s Wish Comes TrueUtada Hikaru
The 13th single, released on April 21, 2004.
It was her first release in a year and three months since the previous single, “COLORS,” and, unusually for her, it was a song for which the lyrics were written first.
It was used as the theme song for the film “CASSHERN.” Hikaru Utada really has too many masterpieces…
ArrowsBUMP OF CHICKEN
Released on December 19, 2007 as BUMP OF CHICKEN’s third major-label and fifth overall album.
A truly hidden gem within this studio album, their first in three years and four months since Yggdrasil.
Centered around acoustic guitar, this track enjoys immense popularity among fans.