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 (41–50)
The Last RainYasushi Nakanishi
A single released in 1992 by Yasushi Nakanishi, its popularity is evident from the many artists who have covered it.
The sound and vocals are striking, beginning with a calm atmosphere and building powerfully, conveying the sense of emotions that can no longer be contained.
The lyrics come across as a straightforward heartbreak song, with detailed depictions of the scenes of a breakup and a powerful expression of unforgettable, cherished feelings and regret.
It’s a poignant track that conveys the inability to accept the end of a relationship.
Recommended ballads for men: classic songs about love, encouragement, and youth (51–60)
100-year first loveshikuramen
They say the origins of ballads lie in classical music.
Despite their long history, today’s ballads aren’t just about sorrowful melodies—there are many bright, uplifting songs as well.
“100-Year First Love” is exactly that.
Its lyrics portray a new kind of unrequited love: even if your crush squeezes your heart, that very feeling is your happiness, and you can go on cherishing your first love forever.
The twist at the end—hinting that the love might have finally blossomed—leaves listeners feeling happy.
The music video, featuring the singer dressed as an astronaut, is also a must-see!
#302Hirai Ken
This is a song by Ken Hirai released in 2019, which also served as the theme song for the drama “4 Minutes to Marigold.” It’s a ballad themed around a love story so intense it sets you ablaze, and it’s a masterpiece sung with deeply emotional vocals.
The karaoke bit in the first chorus feels so real it makes your heart skip a beat.
Someday Merry ChristmasB’z
A song by B’z, the two-piece rock unit that has remained at the forefront for over 30 years since their debut and can be called a living legend of the Japanese rock scene.
Among the many beautiful ballads B’z has released, this one is especially popular with fans, and even many people who aren’t fans know it.
Tracing the beautiful memories with a lover and seeing oneself in a stranger—lyrics like these can make your chest tighten when you sing them after a heartbreak.
With poignant lyrics carried straight to the heart by emotional vocals and gentle acoustic guitar arpeggios, it’s a song you’ll want to belt out at karaoke when you’ve had your heart broken.
Spot the differenceSuda Masaki
A popular ballad by Masaki Suda, who is active as an actor and also popular as a singer.
The song drew attention for being written and composed by the renowned singer-songwriter Kenshi Yonezu.
Although it wasn’t the path he originally wanted to take, the song warmly celebrates the joy of meeting someone precious precisely because he chose a different road.
Masaki Suda’s voice—featured in collaborations with leading artists of our time like Kenshi Yonezu and Aimyon—undeniably has the power to captivate listeners.
AiHata Motohiro
Hata Motohiro’s “Ai” is the song that makes me want to sing when I meet someone I want to love.
Arranged mainly with acoustic guitar and Hata’s vocals, it’s a warm, heartfelt love song.
The protagonist, who had always been suspicious and doubtful about love, finally meets someone who clears away that haze.
The lyrics express a blend of feelings—warm, straightforward emotions after experiencing love’s warmth and wonder, yet also a subtle fear that this love might someday end.
It’s a masterpiece you’ll want to sing with deep emotional immersion.
KindnessFuji Kaze
This song, with its distinctive melody line that you just can’t get out of your head, is by the much-talked-about singer-songwriter Fujii Kaze.
His earlier releases featured lyrics in his hometown Okayama dialect and polished, danceable tracks, but this time he’s delivered a deeply moving ballad.
That said, it’s never just an ordinary ballad with him—that’s his charm.
The standout melody in the chorus and the danceable beats that pop up in just the right places make it a track where his individuality truly shines.
