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 (111–120)
PerfumeEito
Thanks to a buzz on TikTok, this song had a resurgence in 2020, a year after its release—you’ve probably heard it somewhere yourself.
A simple acoustic guitar backs a plainspoken vocal.
The lyrics depict someone who, upon smelling the perfume worn by a former lover they haven’t seen in years, is pulled back into those memories and can no longer hide their lingering feelings.
Haven’t you ever had memories come rushing back from a scent like that? Along with that highly relatable story, thinking about the man who’s putting on a brave face in the lyrics makes this a heart-wrenching ballad.
This Time ~Wish~w-inds.
This song, included on w-inds.’ second album, THE SYSTEM OF ALIVE, is a gem of a ballad that perfectly matches vocalist Keita’s clear, translucent voice.
Although it’s an album track, it reportedly ranks a proud No.
1 in w-inds.’ ballad popularity rankings.
roomshaitoopu
This is a rock ballad that portrays someone spending the night alone in their room, thinking about an ex.
Released in June 2022 by Shytope, a three-piece band from Kyoto, the song was later included on the album Hors d’oeuvre.
Because Sō Sasaki, who wrote both the lyrics and music, drew from his own heartbreak, the raw, regret-laden words are deeply affecting.
On nights when unattainable wishes circle in your mind, listening to this track might move you to tears.
My Gift To YouCHEMISTRY
It’s one of CHEMISTRY’s classic songs.
A beautiful ballad with uniquely pure vocals and harmonies.
The lyrics sing not about visible gifts, but about the invisible ones—human kindness and warmth.
It’s a song that lets you truly feel the power of music.
my nameback number
For those recovering from heartbreak, I recommend listening to “Boku no Namae wo.” It’s performed by back number, the band behind many iconic ballads.
The song was written for the film Wolf Girl and Black Prince, and its lyrics portray a character’s anxiety and fear about falling in love.
Even if you haven’t seen the movie, it’s easy to empathize with, so give it a listen first.
Its slow tempo also makes it a great choice for karaoke beginners.
snow jamRin Oto
Over a laid-back track, overflowing feelings ride the lyrics, and a happy ending awaits at the end.
The rapper who sings this song, Rin-ne, apparently first made a name for himself as a battle MC! But his vibe in battles is a complete 180 from this track—here, he’s singing about a super sweet, blissful romance.
While expressing his feelings for his girlfriend, the song also paints everyday, ordinary scenes, which makes it feel really relatable.
It carries an atmosphere that seems to reflect modern youth culture, making it a song you’ll especially want to hear right now.
PuzzleKEYTALK
KEYTALK is a four-piece rock band named after their desire to create music as if conversing through musical scales.
“Puzzle,” included on their eighth album DANCEJILLION, is a self-cover of a song they originally wrote for the audition program THE IDOL BAND BOY’S BATTLE.
Its lyrics evoke a sentimental love story that many listeners may find overlaps with their own experiences.
Featuring a delicate piano sound, the ensemble forms a poignant, lyrical ballad.
