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.
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Moving songs sung by idols: tearjerkers filled with a variety of emotions (81–90)
halfmoonKing&Prince
A love song from King & Prince that weaves together heartache and passion.
It’s a gem of a ballad that beautifully expresses the longing between two people who struggle with the distance between them yet are drawn powerfully to one another.
The clear, transparent vocals of Ren Nagase and Kaito Takahashi add a striking touch to the story.
Produced by Takeshi Kobayashi and released in May 2024, the track was chosen as the theme song for the TV Asahi drama “Tokyo Tower.” It’s a warm, comforting song that speaks to those who carry feelings of love but find it hard to be honest about them.
Sakura GirlNEWS
Sung by NEWS, this song portrays a fleeting love that begins with the arrival of spring and ends like falling cherry blossoms.
The lyrics weave a beautiful story filled with a range of emotions, using cherry blossoms—an emblem of spring—as a motif to exquisitely express the poignancy of meeting and parting.
Released in March 2010, the track debuted at No.
1 on the Oricon weekly chart.
It’s a song that stays close to the heart during springtime scenes of new encounters and farewells.
giftedNEWS
A song by NEWS featured as the theme for the drama “Gifted.” Its sound weaves a dramatic story, and the stirring lyrics resonate deeply with listeners.
Offering a chance to reconsider the unique “gift” everyone possesses, the track was released as NEWS’s 30th single in November 2023 and reached No.
1 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.
It’s a perfect song not only for romantic scenes, but also for those who haven’t yet noticed the feelings sleeping within them or who are about to take a new step forward.
Koisuru Hikarinaniwa danshi
A fresh rock number that vividly captures the sparkle of a moment in love.
It’s packed with youthful scenes everyone can relate to—your heart racing when your eyes meet, the ache of passing by each other, and the frustration of feelings you can’t put into words.
Released in August 2024, the song was chosen as the theme for the film “Koi wo Shiranai Bokutachi wa” (We Who Don’t Know Love), starring Ryusei Onishi of Naniwa Danshi.
It’s the perfect track for those moments when your feelings for someone are growing or when you need the courage to confess.
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.
Gentle RainKoizumi Kyoko
The lyrics penned by Kyoko Koizumi herself delicately depict loneliness in the city, chance encounters, and a heartfelt longing for the other person.
Released in February 1993, the song drew attention as the theme for the drama “To Love” and became a major hit, reaching No.
2 on the Oricon charts and selling over 950,000 copies.
Koizumi’s voice, carried by Shoko Suzuki’s beautifully composed melody, blends poignancy with warmth, gently resonating with listeners.
It’s a song you’ll want to listen to alone on a rainy day—one that softly soothes the heart when you’re feeling the loneliness of the urban bustle or holding onto thoughts of someone dear.
Heartfelt songs sung by idols: tear-jerking tracks filled with a range of emotions (91–100)
Bittersweetarashi
A classic Arashi song that expresses a sweet yet bittersweet love with a warm melody that gently embraces the heart.
This gem of a pop ballad showcases the blend of sweetness and bitterness in love through delicate harmonies and elegant dance performance.
Released in February 2014 and used as the theme song for Fuji TV’s Monday 9 PM drama “Heartbroken Chocolatier,” it features a sweet four-on-the-floor house sound infused with technopop elements, creating a soft, springlike atmosphere.
It’s a song that stays close to those who can only meet the one they love in their dreams or who carry an unrequited love.