Recommended ballads for men: classic songs about love, encouragement, and youth.
When you’ve had your heart broken, reached a turning point in life, or are struggling with something…
In times like these, many people want to listen to a touching ballad that stays close to the heart, or belt one out at karaoke, don’t they?
But even when we say “ballad,” there are all kinds: songs with lyrics about love, ones that feel like an anthem cheering on your life, and others that evoke youthful days.
The musical styles vary too—pieces featuring the beautiful tones of piano and strings, rock ballads with a full band sound, and acoustic numbers with just a guitar and voice.
In this article, we’ll introduce a selection of ballads—picked from among the many out there—that we especially recommend for men!
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Recommended ballads for men: Classic songs about love, encouragement, and youth (71–80)
Something CertainOda Kazumasa
It’s well known as the theme song for Meiji Yasuda Life’s commercials.
Singer-songwriter Kazumasa Oda released it in 2005 as his 23rd single.
Listening to it makes you want to cherish your family and loved ones.
It also served as the theme song for the drama “The Story of Senichi Hoshino: Words to My Late Wife.”
Just… I want to see youEXILE
A song I’d like to recommend that speaks for the delicate feelings of a heartbroken man is EXILE’s “Tada Aitakute” (“I Just Want to See You”).
When it was released, many people were surprised by the gap from the upbeat track they had put out just before, which had left a strong impression.
Also, this song is highly recommended for appreciating the vocal prowess of ATSUSHI, the group’s lead singer.
So I think it’s best to listen to it twice: first focusing on the bittersweet lyrics, and the second time on the vocal performance.
Plus, the music video, worked on by director Hiroshi Doi, is a must-see!
Loving too muchCHEMISTRY
This song is a ballad included on CHEMISTRY’s first album, The Way We Are.
Despite being an album track, it enjoys immense popularity among fans, featuring a poignant melody and passionate lyrics that leave a strong impression.
It’s outstanding, as you’d expect from a piece provided by RYOJI of Ketsumeishi.
Recommended ballads for men: classic songs about love, encouragement, and youth (81–90)
aloneGosuperāzu
When it comes to an a cappella song with a gentle, soul-soothing vocal, “Hitotsu” immediately comes to mind.
This track was created by The Gospellers, one of Japan’s leading vocal groups.
Its lyrics, which sing of sincere love, and its beautiful harmonies will stay with you after just one listen.
And speaking of “Hitotsu,” it was also recently performed on the popular YouTube channel THE FIRST TAKE.
It offers a different kind of appeal from the studio recording, so be sure to check that out as well.
Let’s become a familyFukuyama Masaharu
Here is a song by Masaharu Fukuyama that was released in the summer of 2011.
Used as the theme for the wedding magazine Zexy’s TV commercial, it debuted at No.
1 on the Oricon charts.
It’s a moving ballad with a wedding motif.
It’s also meaningful that the song was written after the Great East Japan Earthquake, and within its simple lyrics you can find themes of truly loving someone and living together.
Even among Fukuyama’s highly regarded songs, this is a particularly well-received ballad—I highly recommend it.
It always begins with rain.ASKA
Rainy days can make you feel a bit sensitive, can’t they? In times like that, I recommend Aska’s “Hajimari wa Itsumo Ame” (“It Always Begins with Rain”).
It’s a heartbreak song that portrays a date on a rainy day and the breakup that follows.
The sound of rain inserted during the instrumental interlude draws you even deeper into the story told by the lyrics.
It also takes a bit of technique to sing, so it’s great for those who want to show off their skills at karaoke.
By the way, this was the first song with which Aska achieved a million-seller as a solo artist.
Eine KleineYonezu Kenshi
Included on Kenshi Yonezu’s major-label debut album and still beloved by fans today is “Eine Kleine.” It’s also known as a karaoke staple.
This song is a bittersweet ballad that voices the fear of a relationship with a loved one falling apart.
It isn’t quite a breakup song; its subtly nuanced lyrics are likely why so many people relate to it.
Incidentally, the title “Eine Kleine” is German and carries the sense of “a girl who is not loved.” Knowing that gives the lyrics’ story a different hue, doesn’t it?