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: Masterpieces about love, encouragement, and youth (121–130)
Precious LoveEXILE ATSUSHI
The ballad “Precious Love,” woven by ATSUSHI’s overwhelming vocal power.
It was also featured in the commercial for the wedding magazine Zexy, and is a moving, dramatic love song that sings about “the greatest day awaited by two people in love.” It seems poised to become a go-to song for grooms to send to brides at weddings from now on.
I hope he’ll sing the gentle spoken lines without feeling shy!
horizonback number
A gem of a ballad delivered by back number, a band that captures listeners’ hearts with poignant lyrics.
Beginning with a gentle piano melody, this song weaves a story about the pain of dreams and hopes suddenly collapsing, and the will to look forward and begin anew.
Many will find their own experiences reflected in the raw, urgent feelings—like a cry for one’s existence—born from unnoticed loneliness.
Created for high school students whose Inter-High was canceled, the song was released on YouTube in August 2020.
It’s a classic that quietly stays by your side when summer fun has passed and a faint loneliness sets in.
Gray and Blue (+Masaki Suda)Yonezu Kenshi
This is a song by Kenshi Yonezu that drew huge attention through a collaboration with Masaki Suda, who also radiates overwhelming presence as an actor.
The track is included on Yonezu’s fourth album, “BOOTLEG,” released in November 2017.
Looking back on the bygone days of youth, this slightly sentimental piece is perfect for long autumn nights when the clamor of summer has subsided.
It depicts a yearning for those radiant “blue” days and the struggle of living in a “gray” reality, with the poignant feeling of missing an old friend you can no longer see conveyed through their two voices.
It’s a heart-tugging song that, when you listen to it as you recall happier times and feel a bit lonely, seems to awaken emotions tucked away deep in your heart.
CITRUSDa-iCE
A gem of a ballad that can be called one of Da-iCE’s signature songs.
The lyrics, which convey that small, often overlooked moments of happiness, kindness, and love are close at hand, leave a strong impression.
Released on November 25, 2020 as the theme song for the drama “The Way of the Househusband,” it created a huge buzz, even winning the 63rd Japan Record Award.
Its total streaming plays have surpassed 100 million.
It’s a song that will truly resonate when you want to take a step toward mastering the path you believe in or when you need a positive boost.
This work is packed with a new side of Da-iCE—be sure to give it a listen.
Recommended ballads for men: Classic songs about love, encouragement, and youth (131–140)
Beyond the goodbyeMatsushita Kohei
Kohei Matsushita, who is active as both an actor and a singer, is a true multi-talent.
His song “Sayonara no Mukou ni” is perfect for when your heart is weary.
It’s a love ballad featuring a man who has gone through a breakup, vividly portraying how he’s crushed and loses the will to carry on.
But it’s not only about that— it also sings of how he rises again and starts walking toward the future.
If you listen to it when you’re feeling down, it will surely encourage you.
The gentle, enveloping, jazz-tinged melody is another highlight.
Grandfather’s ClockHirai Ken
Originally an American popular song that is cherished in Japan as a children’s song, “Ookina Furudokei” (Grandfather’s Clock) was arranged and released by singer-songwriter Ken Hirai.
It was released in 2002.
A song familiar to everyone is expressed with Hirai’s signature warm vocals.
WhyNovelbright
Novelbright is a rock band behind numerous hit songs.
In 2022, they made headlines by holding their first-ever concert at the Nippon Budokan.
The song “Doushite” (“Why”) was performed at that Budokan show and later released in response to fervent requests from fans.
It’s a classic love ballad about heartbreak and regret.
Incidentally, the music video features a star-studded cast of actors, so be sure to check it out as well.