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 (91–100)
I can’t say it.Gō Hiromi
The feeling of “love” that’s so hard to put into words… Many people can relate.
This is a song by Hiromi Go, the singer known for tracks like “240 Million Eyes – Exotic Japan.” Released in 1994 as his 66th single, it became a major hit.
His sweet vocals and the heartrending lyrics captivated many fans.
It was the theme song for the TV drama “Omiai no Tatsujin” (The Master of Matchmaking).
I was looking at the moon.Yonezu Kenshi
Kenshi Yonezu, the singer-songwriter whose 2018 release “Lemon” was a huge hit.
His 2023 release “Tsuki wo Miteita” (“I Saw the Moon”) opens with a very striking, emotional intro featuring only soft vocals and piano.
The highlight is when the chorus arrives: the strings come in all at once, and his singing shifts to a more powerful tone.
Another must-hear moment is the development right after the chorus, where it pares back to just strings and piano.
Overall, there are many sections where you can enjoy the harmony between the piano and the other parts, so be sure to listen with that in mind!
Recommended ballads for men: Classic songs about love, encouragement, and youth (101–110)
Hide-and-seekYuuri
This song, which tells a heartbreak story about a girlfriend who used to live with him but is now gone, is a signature track by the singer-songwriter Yuuri.
He gained significant attention after his street performance led to an appearance at a MY FIRST STORY concert.
In the song, he compares her absence to a game of hide-and-seek, but the protagonist knows she isn’t hiding—she’s left.
Still, he can’t accept that reality, and the lyrics portray his struggle.
It’s an experience many people can relate to, so you might find yourself in tears as you listen.
Song of the Eternal NightKami wa saikoro o furanai
Yonaga-uta, a song that is becoming one of the signature tracks of Kami wa Saikoro wo Furanai.
Although it was released in 2019, it gained attention on social media in 2020 and rapidly rose in popularity as a ballad.
Many listeners likely find themselves overlaying their own experiences and feelings onto this bittersweet song about an unforgettable lover.
“So this is how painful a love with no way out can be…”—that’s how it makes you feel when you listen.
It’s a tear-jerking masterpiece we hope those who’ve had their hearts broken, or who are in a love that cannot be, will hear.
Why did I end up falling in love with you?Tōhōshinki
How Could I Fall in Love with You? is a ballad whose poignant yet beautiful harmonies are its greatest allure.
In this song from Tohoshinki (TVXQ), the inner feelings of a man who holds a pure yet powerful love are portrayed with both delicacy and dynamism.
It stands beside every man who has experienced an unforgettable love and invites deep empathy.
With lyrics that bare the heart, it’s something anyone who has known heartbreak can relate to.
While wishing happiness for another, uncontrollable emotions overflow—expressed through Tohoshinki’s finely nuanced performance.
Recommended for moments when you want to lay your emotions bare or listen to a searingly passionate ballad.
The end of love comes surprisingly quietly.Ketsumeishi
“Koi no Owari wa Igai to Shizuka ni” (The End of Love Is Surprisingly Quiet) is a song included on Ketsumeishi’s fifth album, Ketsuno Police 5, released in 2007.
It’s a beloved ballad among Ketsumeishi fans, perfectly matching lead vocalist RYOJI’s sexy, heartrending voice.
SakurazakaFukuyama Masaharu
When it comes to songs you want to listen to at life’s milestones like graduation, “Sakurazaka” comes to mind.
Everyone knows that famous chorus, right? By the way, it was originally written as the theme song for the romance reality show “Future Diary V,” and the filming location was Sakurazaka.
It’s said that Masaharu Fukuyama composed the lyrics while picturing the scenery of Sakurazaka.
Those lyrics can soothe the heart not only at life’s turning points but also after a breakup.
Also, in the instrumental version included on the same single, you can discover a different kind of charm.
