A collection of timeless ballads sung by idols—songs that deeply touch the heart

When people think of idol songs, many might imagine bright, energetic tracks.

However, there are also many idol groups that sing beautiful ballads that truly touch the heart.

In this article, we’ll introduce a selection of wonderful ballad songs performed by idols.

We’ve chosen tracks that portray a variety of emotions and stories.

Be sure to read the lyrics as you listen, find your favorites, and take your time savoring their unique worlds.

Playlist

A collection of timeless ballads sung by idols—songs that deeply touch the heart
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	B-b-but.≒JOY		The group’s first unit song is a love-support anthem.
2	Blue Hawaii Lemon≒JOY		A refreshing, summer-themed pop song brimming with exhilaration
3	I’m in love right now.≒JOY		A bittersweet love song about unrequited love
4	First Love Cinderella≒JOY		An idol song of first love and heart-throbbing excitement
5	Love hurt.≒JOY		Anxiety and heartache transformed by love
6	Tell me your phone number!≒JOY		An idol J-pop song about the courage of unrequited love
7	≠ME≠ME		Expressing the youthful sense of speed in ≠ME’s debut song
8	Bashful Short≠ME		A cute winter song by ≠ME themed around winter romance
9	Summer Chocolate≠ME		A sweet love song packed with the thrills of summer
10	Mobnoderella≠ME		≠ME’s new song with lyrics by Sashihara tops the Oricon chart upon release
11	Last chance, last dance≠ME		≠ME’s new song: a classic pop about unrequited love
12	As the gods say!≠ME		≠ME's love pop song
13	Only the graduation photo knowsHinatazaka46		An idol song depicting a springtime farewell
14	I want to become invisible.Number_i		Hirano Sho’s solo song produced by Vaundy becomes a big hit
15	Because I like you.AKB48		A moving song that sings of pure affection
16	I/meSixTONES		Introduction to SixTONES' ballad songs
17	Color contacts winkAKB48		Yuki Kashiwagi’s final culmination single
18	You are the melody.AKB48		AKB48 10th anniversary song: the arrival of spring and a sense of nostalgia
19	I don’t need wings.AKB48		A heartwarming folk-style song
20	Mermaid in FebruaryAKB48		Winter sea, a bittersweet love song like a mermaid
21	Search for Diamond Lily＝LOVE		A moving song that portrays spring scenery, graduation, and friendship.
22	It smelled like shampoo.22/7		A song depicting a bittersweet first love for a senior at an all-girls school
23	Lost and Found at the Graduation CeremonySKE48		A song that poignantly sings about the moment of graduation
24	Smiling Backkyandīzu		Candies' moving graduation song
25	Graduation of Unrequited LoveAKB48		A coming-of-age song about an unrequited love before graduation
26	Dear,Snow Man		A warm ballad filled with gratitude and bonds
27	GraduationHikaru GENJI		Hikaru Genji’s graduation song, a moving youth ballad
28	Graduationsaitou yuki		Yuki Saito’s classic song “Sotsugyo” (Graduation), memories of youth
29	uniformMatsuda Seiko		On graduation day, feelings swaying in a sea of umbrellas
30	Even though it’s springKashiwabara Yoshie		A classic song portraying farewell and hope at graduation
31	A Lonely Graduation CeremonyAsaka Yui		Graduation, the poignancy of feelings I couldn't say
32	Graduation -GRADUATION-Kikuchi Momoko		A classic that colors the graduation season: Momoko’s youth
33	I’m totally in love.CANDY TUNE		A sweet and thrilling classic brimming with romantic feelings
34	You will fall in love this summer.≠ME		A coming-of-age song that refreshingly portrays same-sex love
35	Too late caution＝LOVE		A song that depicts a forbidden love at a girls' school
36	Love letterHey! Say! JUMP		A poignant tale of unrequited love that resonates in the heart
37	Confession Heart RateSKE48		SKE48, 33rd single, The Beat of Youth
38	iNumber_i		A warm ballad that savors happiness
39	Only bots / Nothing but botsfantomu shiitaa		Expressing the anxieties of love in a retro-style disco
40	That is a fairy.Boku ga mitakatta aozora		Record Award in the first year of debut, The Story of the Blue Sky
41	Assaulted by a love song＝LOVE		The idol group =LOVE produced by Rino Sashihara is a classic, orthodox idol group.
42	When I think of youTOKIO		TOKIO’s exquisite classic love ballad
43	Cross the sea of tearsSnow Man		A hopeful song about overcoming together with friends, giving us courage.
44	The limits of languageHinatazaka46		Hina Kawata sings of bonds of the heart ahead of graduation.
45	Now, the moon is waxing≒JOY		A pure love song by the idol group ≒JOY
46	I heard the sound of cherry blossoms blooming.＝LOVE		A song by =LOVE that depicts the feelings of spring romance
47	Blue PhotographMatsuda Seiko		A famous ballad used as a TV drama theme song
48	Wish of the Crescent Moon&TEAM		A song of gratitude to fans and a promise for the future
49	Summer PatternKinKi Kids		An inspirational summer memory song in the Okinawan scale
50	ChankapanaNEWS		A passionate song that colors summer romance, a big hit.
51	Sister Summer of the SeasideNEWS		A refreshing classic that sings of summer memories
52	MermaidSMAP		A poignant SMAP classic that portrays a mermaid’s love
53	Here we go! Phantom Thief GirlMomoiro Kurōbā Zetto		A cute idol song with a phantom thief motif
54	Love♡Scream!AiScReam		A song by AiScReam that sings of the sweetness of love and heartfelt feelings
55	more than anyoneBE:FIRST		A ballad depicting the struggles of a man tormented at heart by BE:FIRST
56	BarrierSixTONES		SixTONES song, theme song for “Ojō to Banken-kun”
57	Map of the HeartBOYSTYLE		A heartwarming song that encourages a step toward your dreams
58	After all, I’m an idolKoizumi Kyoko		A masterpiece that portrays the ideal and reality of idols
59	a tease; someone who leads others on≠ME		A song that portrays the delicate emotions of a girl in love.
60	Cute for lifetakane no nadeshiko		An electropop song of a maiden in love
61	SBYSnow Man		Snow Man's moving ballad
62	Reconciliation Cream Puff＝LOVE		A heartrending song that portrays the feelings after a quarrel with a lover
63	Kitearashi		An inspiring message song by Arashi, written and composed by Kenshi Yonezu
64	I can hear tomorrowJ-Friends		A hopeful charity song to overcome hardship
65	darknessSTU48		STU48’s debut song depicts scenes of youth.
66	Slow motionNakamori Akina		A classic hit by Akina Nakamori depicting an encounter on the beach
67	Gifted.BE:FIRST		A powerful debut single that sings of infinite possibilities
68	Youth ClockNGT48		A pure schoolboy’s wistful first love painted along a springtime route to school
69	Dreaming 15-year-oldSumairēji		A song depicting the bittersweet summer love of a 15-year-old girl
70	I want to become a cherry blossom tree.AKB48		A song that sings of graduation memories and the beauty of spring
71	ParadiseNiziU		A spring song by NiziU that sings about being themselves
72	When the fleabanes bloomNogizaka 46		A heartwarming Nogizaka46 song depicting farewells and encounters in spring
73	Virus of Aitakane no nadeshiko		Rock ballad movie theme song by 'Takane no Nadeshiko'
74	Love, I’m checkmated.AKB48		AKB48: Innovations from an Akihabara-born idol group
75	orchestraBiSH		Looking up at the night sky, BiSH’s masterpiece that resonates in the heart
76	HEARTKing&Prince		A refreshing love song that gently melts feelings of romance
77	halfmoonKing&Prince		A heartfelt love song by King & Prince
78	Sakura GirlNEWS		Expressing the bittersweetness of spring love through cherry blossoms
79	giftedNEWS		A song of gifts that touch the heart, a classic by NEWS
80	graduation tripNMB48		A song that cherishes the bonds and memories with friends
81	Koisuru Hikarinaniwa danshi		A rock song that portrays the bittersweet feelings of youthful love.
82	Girls and Ivorykaren na aibori		A Girl’s Sea Voyage: A Tale of Dreams and Bonds
83	Gentle RainKoizumi Kyoko		A smash hit song that portrays Kyoko Koizumi’s earnest feelings
84	Adolescence (with an autumnal/reflective nuance)Iwasaki Hiromi		Hiromi Iwasaki’s classic youth song expresses the poignancy of autumn
85	Bittersweetarashi		A famous Arashi song that portrays a heartrending love
86	Love so sweetarashi		An inspiring coming-of-age song, the theme of Boys Over Flowers
87	Oh, early summer rainSakurazaka46		A bittersweet love song with an early-summer rain motif takes first place
88	I’M YOUR IDOLtakane no nadeshiko		A song that portrays the bond between an idol and their fans
89	Specially, do it.＝LOVE		=LOVE's new love song
90	I only know the last note.＝LOVE		The voice acting unit =LOVE produced by Rino Sashihara
91	Red Sweet PeaMatsuda Seiko		Representative singles by Seiko Matsuda from 1982
92	Please never quit being an idol.＝LOVE		A moving song that portrays the bond between an idol and their fans
93	Bloom like a rose, fall like a cherry blossom.Matsuda Seiko		A mature-sounding ballad by Seiko Matsuda
94	Blue MoonNiziU		For those of you who live apart from your family or partner…
95	Clumsy SunSKE48		An SK that likens the feelings of a timid boy to the sun...
96	Because I Want to See You ~Missing You~Matsuda Seiko		It recorded the highest sales among Seiko Matsuda’s singles and...
97	Once more, from the beginning.Matsuda Seiko		Seiko Matsuda’s ... released on May 11, 1994
98	Hello, Sadnesssaitou yuki		AAA's 'Koioto to Amazora' is a ballad popular with people of all ages and genders.
99	Thinking about the blue skyBoku ga mitakatta aozora		A moving song that portrays the dreams and hopes of student days
100	The meaning of goodbyeNogizaka 46		A heartfelt song that portrays farewell and hope