An emotional song sung by an idol—tear-jerking tracks filled with a range of feelings.
If you’re an idol fan, you probably have a few favorite songs that move you to tears whenever you hear them.
Beyond the lyrics themselves, there are many songs that move us because of the stories behind them—like the members’ feelings infused into the music and their live performances.
In this article, we’ll introduce a selection of touching songs by idols all at once.
Each track has its own story, so be sure to listen while reading the lyrics.
- A collection of timeless ballads sung by idols—songs that deeply touch the heart
- An idol-sung cheer song: A roundup of recommended tracks that lift your spirits when you listen
- [Graduation Song] A tear-jerking track sung by an idol! A moving piece depicting friendship and gratitude [2026]
- An idol-sung youth anthem: a roundup of songs celebrating sparkling, radiant days
- A breakup song sung by an idol. A collection of bittersweet love songs.
- Friendship songs sung by idols: A collection of classic tracks celebrating bonds and gratitude with friends
- [2026] Spring songs sung by idols: A roundup of cherry blossom and graduation songs
- Cool hit songs by Johnny’s (Johnny & Associates)
- Guaranteed heart-flutters! Carefully selected recommendations and hidden gems from Hey! Say! JUMP
- [2026] Autumn songs sung by idols: A collection of classic autumn tunes filled with nostalgia
- Love songs sung by idols: from heart-wrenching tracks to ones that make your heart skip a beat!
- Members wrote lyrics too! BiSH’s masterpiece with striking, personality-packed words that really hit home.
- An upbeat song sung by an idol. A recommended track that will lift your spirits when you listen to it.
A moving song sung by an idol: tear-jerking tracks filled with a range of emotions (61–70)
darknessSTU48
STU48’s debut makes an impression as striking as a sunset sinking into the Seto Inland Sea.
Portraying youthful scenes where wistfulness and strength intersect, this ambitious work reached No.
2 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Ranking.
Yasushi Akimoto’s lyrics deftly express young people’s struggles and growth, and the image of the protagonist shouting toward the sound of the waves is deeply moving.
The memorable music video, set against a backdrop of a breakwater, is a superb piece that resonates with the grandeur of the Setouchi landscape.
Released in January 2018, the work won the New Artist Award at the 60th Japan Record Awards.
Like a glimmer of hope drifting in the stillness before dawn, this piece is dedicated to everyone pursuing their dreams.
Here we go! Phantom Thief GirlMomoiro Kurōbā Zetto
A conceptual work themed around phantom thieves, it unfolds a cute story about stealing fans’ hearts.
It’s a major-label debut packed with all the charms of Momoiro Clover Z.
Produced by Kenichi Maeyamada, the piece perfectly marries a world inspired by the animated film Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro with a bold musical structure that modulates from A minor to E-flat minor.
After its release in May 2010, it was featured as the opening theme for TBS’s Rank Kingdom, drawing significant attention.
The choreography includes the “Ebizori Jump” devised by Kanako Momota, which has become a highlight of their live performances.
It’s the perfect track for music fans seeking a high-energy idol song.
Slow motionNakamori Akina
A debut work distinguished by its mellow melody and crystalline vocals that gently embrace a budding crush on someone met by the seaside.
With an expressiveness hard to believe for a 16-year-old, Akina Nakamori beautifully captures the fateful moment of encounter.
Released in May 1982 and included on the album “Prologue [Jomaku],” it debuted at No.
58 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart, quietly winning listeners’ hearts.
The pure feelings of a girl captivated by the sight of a man walking along the sandy beach are sung with the freshness of a sea breeze.
Evoking the premonition of love that everyone experiences as if it were a scene from a film, this piece is one to enjoy on a tranquil spring afternoon.
LOVE YOU ONLYTOKIO
Their debut track, which passionately sings of a dazzling, fiery love, marked the starting point for TOKIO, a band that stood out within Johnny & Associates.
The lyrics, brimming with youth and purity, convey deep affection and fervor for the beloved.
Achieving the remarkable feat of appearing on the 45th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen just 3 months and 10 days after their debut, and serving as the opening theme for the third season of the Fuji TV anime “Tsuyoshi Shikkari Shinasai,” the song captured the hearts of a wide audience beyond idol fans.
Nearly 30 years after their September 1994 debut, it still retains the fresh sparkle of first love and gently encourages anyone struggling with matters of the heart.
Dreaming 15-year-oldSumairēji
S/mileage’s major-label debut captures the summer romances of 15-year-old girls, filled with gentle vocals and bittersweet feelings.
Eurobeat-style synths blend with a kayōkyoku-inspired melody, tenderly expressing the fluttery first loves unique to adolescence.
Depicting a girl’s heart swaying between idealized scenes—summer festivals, fireworks, seaside dates—and reality, the song was produced by Hello! Project’s renowned producer Tsunku♂.
Upon its May 2010 release, it reached No.
5 on the Oricon charts and went on to win the Best New Artist Award at the 52nd Japan Record Awards.
It’s a perfect track for those who want to relive the sweet-and-sour memories of youth or empathize with a down-to-earth teenage girl’s feelings of love.
LoveTreCUTIE STREET
A cute, heart-fluttering pop tune that charmingly captures the feelings of a girl in love.
It’s a track by CUTIE STREET, set to be released as their eighth single in February 2025.
The lyrics cleverly compare the progression of love to a train journey, perfectly matching the refreshing sound.
The members’ energetic vocals convey the pounding excitement and honest feelings toward someone they like.
Listen to it on your commute or school train ride, and it might feel like a love story is about to begin—sure to lift your spirits.
orchestraBiSH
This is a ballad with a heartwarming melody that stands out as it looks back on days gone by while gazing up at the night sky.
It’s a classic track included on BiSH’s album “KiLLER BiSH,” released in October 2016, and has been loved as one of their signature songs.
The lyrics gently portray parting with someone dear, a sense of loss, and memories that live on forever in the heart, resonating as if softly nestling close to your chest.
The grand, orchestral-like sound and the members’ vocals blend exquisitely, tenderly enveloping the listener’s heart.