Recommended breakup songs for high school students: classic and popular J-pop tracks

Just… I miss youEXILE

EXILE / I Just... Want to See You - Short version -

Both the vibe of the song and its lyrics make your chest ache with heartbreak when you listen after a breakup—it’s a classic heartbreak song.

As you’d expect from a breakup song by EXILE, the flagship group wildly popular among high school students, it’s a huge hit that constantly ranks on karaoke charts.

I want to forget.wacci

wacci “I Want to Forget” Music Video

This is a song by wacci that poignantly sings of the pain of wanting to sever memories of an ex but being unable to.

Released in July 2024, it was produced as the third installment of a three-part love song project.

It portrays a protagonist who, even while spending time with someone new, suddenly sees traces of their former lover—and the more they try to forget, the more vividly the memories return, conveying a deep sense of heartache.

If you’re nursing the pain of a breakup, it will surely hit home.

I didn’t want to know, if it meant losing it.atarayo

Atarayo – “I Didn’t Want to Know, If It Meant Losing You” (Music Video)

This piece portrays the emotional struggle of someone hurt by a lover’s betrayal, yet tormented by feelings that won’t fade.

Released by Atarayo in January 2022, it was produced as an advance single for the album “Gokuya ni Oite Tsuki wa Katarazu.” Born from a collaboration with the platform Jun-Aidan, which features real-life romance stories, the song is based on a story selected from over ten thousand submissions.

Even after being lied to repeatedly by someone you trusted, and knowing in your head that you should break up, you still can’t stop loving them.

It’s a song that will resonate with anyone carrying those contradictory feelings.

GibbsShiina Ringo

Shiina Ringo – Gibbs

This song teaches us that love is heartbreaking because we know it has an end, and it’s a breakup song I especially want heartbroken high school students to hear.

It also includes those “when we were dating” relatable moments in the lyrics, which makes it all the more heartrending as you listen.

I miss you.UVERworld

UVERworld 'Yearning for You'

Sung in Takuya∞’s soft voice and based on his own personal experience of realizing the value of something after losing it, the song carries a deeply sentimental tone.

It is UVERworld’s 11th single, selling about 50,000 copies in its first week and debuting at number 3.

It went on to sell close to 70,000 copies in total.

fireworksSandaime Jē Sōru Burazāzu fromu Eguzairu Toraibu

Sandaime J SOUL BROTHERS from EXILE TRIBE / Fireworks ~Short Version~

It’s a heartbreak song by the group Sandaime J Soul Brothers, especially popular among girls.

The mood and melody of the track are, of course, heartrending, but the slightly mature lyrics are also lovely, so it’s a summer breakup song I’d recommend not only to women but also to high school boys.

lampChatto Monchī

Chatmonchy “Orange” Music Video

It’s a heartbreak song that tightens your chest with the longing to go back to when we were together.

Used as an ending theme for the anime BLEACH, it became one of Chatmonchy’s signature tracks.

The song portrays a woman who can’t get anything done after a breakup, with lyrics many women can relate to.