Masterpieces that sing of despair. Recommended popular songs.
I’ve put together a generous selection of negative, melancholy songs with the theme of “despair.” Whether it’s heartbreak from unrequited or impossible love, or setbacks in life, the shades of despair vary, with each artist’s individuality and emotions on full display.
When you just want to sink into your feelings, why not listen closely and let yourself fully experience despair, all the way to the very bottom? Some songs even let a glimmer of hope shine through the despair.
Savor that deep despair, then switch gears and get back to enjoying life!
Playlist
| Masterpieces that sing of despair. Recommended popular songs. | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1east | moonlightOnitsuka Chihiro |  play_arrow | It makes you imagine an adult child... |
| 2east | a May flyRADWIMPS |  play_arrow | A happy song usually meant for my beloved girlfriend… |
| 3east | viviYonezu Kenshi |  play_arrow | Kenshi Yonezu’s songs are masterpieces that fuse dark lyrics with beautiful melodies. |
| 4east | I thought about killing myselfNakajima Mika |  play_arrow | In Mika Nakashima’s songs, there’s one with such a shocking title... |
| 5east | Despair BillyMakishimamu Za Horumon |  play_arrow | Ending theme of the anime 'DEATH NOTE'… |
| 6east | despairMUCC |  play_arrow | The title mentions despair, and that’s exactly wha— |
| 7east | The moon for youCocco |  play_arrow | It’s one of Cocco’s many negative songs… |
| 8east | FogDAOKO |  play_arrow | When I created Fog, back then Daoko’s... |
| 9east | Teru’s SongAoi Teshima |  play_arrow | It was used as the theme song for the Ghibli film Tales from Earthsea… |
| 10east | RingHirai Ken |  play_arrow | When you want to listen to songs that sing of despair, you must be feeling sad… |
| 11east | ALIVEMr.Children |  play_arrow | Included in the album “BOLERO”… |
| 12east | If being alive is painfulMoriyama Naotaro |  play_arrow | Speaking of Naotaro Moriyama, his gentle singing voice is particularly distinctive... |
| 13east | Young adultmakaroni enpitsu |  play_arrow | A despairing pop-rock song by Macaroni Empitsu |
| 14east | When that day comesHaruka to Miyuki |  play_arrow | From the very first note, I thought, “Here comes a great song!!” |
| 15east | Ti AmoEXILE |  play_arrow | The title of this song means “I love you” in Italian... |
| 16east | Boukyaku featuring KOHHUtada Hikaru |  play_arrow | Music of sorrow filled with despair, a life without light |
| 17east | Why Don’t You Play in Hell?Hoshino Gen |  play_arrow | A moving song that paints hope between life and death |
| 18east | I don’t mind being unhappy for the rest of my life.mafumafu |  play_arrow | A moving song that sings of deep despair and self-denial |
| 19east | NonfictionHirai Ken |  play_arrow | A ballad song by Ken Hirai that depicts sorrow |
| 20east | UninstallIshikawa Chiaki |  play_arrow | An anime opening theme from 'Bokurano' that has a strong sense of emptiness and is highly popular. |
| 21east | Only on nights when I want to dieAina ji Endo |  play_arrow | A warm song where a loved one’s smile supports the heart |
| 22east | When Someone’s Wish Comes TrueUtada Hikaru |  play_arrow | With Hikaru Utada’s translucent/clear voice and a touch of sorrow... |
| 23east | LonelinessMrs. GREEN APPLE |  play_arrow | Love, the only hope I found amidst despair |
| 24east | KemuriONE OK ROCK |  play_arrow | ONE usually has lots of cool, high-energy rock songs... |
| 25east | vortexPorno Graffitti |  play_arrow | A pull so strong it’s beyond anything I can imagine right now… |
| 26east | the saintsnatori |  play_arrow | Filled with deep darkness and despair, a future stolen… |
| 27east | Our FailureMorita Doji |  play_arrow | Released in 1976. Shocking right from the opening lyrics… |
| 28east | Crimson MoonShibata Jun |  play_arrow | At night, alone in a calm room, with Shibata Jun’s singing voice... |
| 29east | Stars on EarthNakajima Miyuki |  play_arrow | A representative work by Miyuki Nakajima, known across a wide range of generations… |
| 30east | painVaundy |  play_arrow | A song that raises questions as it confronts the absurdity of life |
| 31east | Stop this nightJUJU |  play_arrow | As JUJU’s 15th single, 201… |
| 32east | Tree of DreamsOkamura Takako |  play_arrow | Personally, I feel that this song is one of Takako Okamura’s... |
| 33east | No, noReoNa |  play_arrow | For those looking for songs that are heavy and overwhelmingly dark, by all means... |
| 34east | loadTHE toraburyū |  play_arrow | Released in 1993, it has sold over 2.2 million copies… |
| 35east | Write it as “regret,” read it as “future.”mafumafu |  play_arrow | Mafumafu’s rock ballad: a cry from the heart |
| 36east | I’d rather die.Fuji Kaze |  play_arrow | A deep feeling that everyone has sensed at least once in the depths of their heart... |
| 37east | The key won’t turn.suitei shoujo |  play_arrow | The ending theme of the horror film Ju-on, ... |
| 38east | See ya.Naoko Ken |  play_arrow | A masterpiece that portrays the sorrow of heartbreak and a brave facade |
| 39east | Surely this life had no meaning.Kitanitatsuya |  play_arrow | Music that sings of Tatsuya Kitani’s anguish and inner conflict |
| 40east | Withered Susuki Grass of the Shōwa Erasakura to ichirō |  play_arrow | Even among the classic songs of the Showa era, there are ones that are perfect for when you're feeling down... |
| 41east | seems like (just) my imaginationChōchō P |  play_arrow | A heart’s cry and a sense of despair conveyed through music |
| 42east | I bear a grudge.Nakajima Miyuki |  play_arrow | The shock of Miyuki Nakajima’s song “Urami-masu” |
| 43east | RevengeMy Hair is Bad |  play_arrow | A song that expresses the sorrow and anger of betrayal |
| 44east | It’s a completely rotten life.takayan |  play_arrow | Drawing close to the heart of a listener who feels despair in life |
| 45east | MayB’z |  play_arrow | It has a different vibe from up-tempo rock, though… |
| 46east | Snow of LamentKotani Misako |  play_arrow | It’s the debut single released in 1996... |
| 47east | Pain, go away!ZORN |  play_arrow | A song of deep despair and hope, weaving a cry of the soul |
| 48east | AitaiKato Miria |  play_arrow | No matter how much I wish to see you, I can’t. |
| 49east | On that night that couldn’t become the futureamazarashi |  play_arrow | Listening to bleak lyrics seeking salvation |
| 50east | There was no meaning to being born.mafumafu |  play_arrow | A heart’s song beyond loneliness, a melody of hope |
| 51east | Nothing I do goes well.meiyo |  play_arrow | An emotional song portraying self-loathing and inner conflict |
| 52east | A night that makes me want to dieRen |  play_arrow | Something sad happened, and I just felt like throwing everything away and... |
| 53east | Samezame-ooYOAKE |  play_arrow | A poignant song of deep despair and heartbreak |
| 54east | reincarnationboku no ririkku no bouyomi |  play_arrow | A masterpiece that resonates with the heart, condensing raw emotion: 'Reincarnation' |
| 55east | Premonitory RaidMakishimamu Za Horumon |  play_arrow | A raw band sound imbued with social criticism and conviction |
| 56east | Azure Daysplenty |  play_arrow | Even when you give it your all, your efforts don’t pay off… |
| 57east | DaydreamreGretGirl |  play_arrow | A song that portrays the bittersweetness of heartbreak and delusions |
| 58east | Grim ReaperOmori Seiko |  play_arrow | Since the title is 'Grim Reaper,' it truly gives a sense of despair... |
| 59east | He was alive, wasn’t he?aimyon |  play_arrow | Aimyon, a song that questions life and the meaning of living |
| 60east | Shut up.Ado |  play_arrow | Expressing a sense of discomfort with society through punk rock |