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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- For men in their 30s: Heart-touching breakup songs—masterpieces that can move grown men to tears
Recommended Ballads for Men: Masterpieces about Love, Encouragement, and Youth (141–150)
sign; mark; symbol; omenrakkuraifu
Luck Life is a band from Osaka that made its major debut in 2016.
Their ninth single, “Shirushi,” released in 2023, was chosen as the ending theme for Season 4 of the anime Bungo Stray Dogs.
It’s a memorable ballad with lyrics expressing feelings for the person who taught the singer the meaning of life.
Fitting for an anime that features famous literary figures as characters, the music video shows the band performing in literary-author-inspired fashion—be sure to check it out!
HANABIMr.Children
One of Mr.Children’s signature songs, in which poignant yet beautiful scenes unfold in your heart.
It’s a masterful ballad that sets the inner conflicts of everyday life, self-questioning, an undying sense of hope, and deep feelings for someone precious to a delicate yet powerful melody.
Released in September 2008 as their 33rd single, it was widely loved as the theme song for Fuji TV’s drama “Code Blue: Doctor Heli Kinkyū Kyūmei” and topped the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart for two consecutive weeks.
With its mid-tempo ballad style that makes it easy to sing with emotion, if you practice and perform it naturally, it’s sure to resonate deeply with listeners and showcase a new side of you!
Dried flowersYuuri
Yuuri, the singer-songwriter who made a huge breakthrough with “Kakurenbo,” wrote this song from the perspective of the woman who appears in the lyrics of “Kakurenbo.” If you know the story told in those lyrics, it’s sure to move you even more deeply.
It’s a heartbreaking tale—not that they fell out of love, but that they just couldn’t make it work together—and it’s guaranteed to bring tears.
The melody and Yuuri’s voice are both stunning, further coloring that bittersweet story.
It’s the kind of love ballad you can belt out with all your heart.
Ikuriipuhaipe
This track is a newly produced song based on “Douse, Ai da,” which we created in collaboration with rapper Sorane.
Whereas the previous work leaned heavily into hip-hop elements, this one shifts into a gentle, heartfelt ballad.
We also trimmed detailed story descriptions to focus more on the feeling of love, making it easier to relate to.
And since there’s no rap section, it’s easier to sing at karaoke.
Alternatively, you could practice both and perform them back-to-back.
Pale BlueYonezu Kenshi
A song by Kenshi Yonezu that many of you have probably heard, as it was the theme song for the drama “Rikokatsu” starring Keiko Kitagawa and Eita Nagayama.
The track opens with the memorable chorus phrase, and in the drama it would always start playing from that striking part toward the end of each episode.
Yonezu’s slightly husky high tones—one of his charms—are both heartrending and beautiful.
It’s a mellow, atmospheric ballad, but in the chorus, try singing your heart out to express the surge of emotion!
Blue amberback number
When it comes to back number, there probably aren’t many people who associate them with high notes.
It’s true the vocalist doesn’t have an especially high voice, but in fact their songs use falsetto very frequently.
Their new track “Blue Amber” is a piece where that signature back number falsetto really shines.
The overall range sits in the mid register, so combined with the emotive lyrics, the contrast with the falsetto makes for a beautifully balanced song.
the Big DipperBikkeburanka
Vickeblanka is a singer-songwriter drawing attention for songs that feature high-tone vocals over delicate piano sounds.
His 11th digital single, Hokuto Shichisei (The Big Dipper), chosen as the theme song for the NHK serial drama Gunjo Ryoiki, is a ballad distinguished by a sentimental ensemble of piano and strings.
The feeling of realizing your true thoughts for someone important will likely resonate with many people’s own experiences.
It’s a lyrical number that we hope you’ll sing with heartfelt emotion at karaoke.
