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 (51–60)
I love you, but I can’t love you.AAA
AAA, named after the initials of “Attack All Around,” are becoming ever more unmissable, with each member’s solo activities in full swing.
Their upbeat ballad “Aishiteiru no ni Aisenai” (“I Love You, But I Can’t Love”) captures the bittersweetness of love, with lyrics that portray how feelings for someone aren’t eternal and slowly change like the wind.
The dramatic C-melody sung by the female vocalist is a must-hear.
It’s a highly recommended ballad that even brings to mind the saying, “Love makes us forget time, but time makes us forget love.”
hana cherieNissy(Nishijima Takahiro)
A solo track by Takahiro Nishijima, who also shines as the main vocalist of AAA.
It was released in 2017 as his 7th single, available exclusively through an e-commerce site.
Nishijima himself contributed to the lyrics, and the song is a ballad that fully conveys his signature sensual side.
“Sherry” means “beloved woman” in French, and the story likening her to a beautiful flower is particularly captivating.
It’s also said that the women who appear in his music videos go on to become famous—the self-produced MV is a must-see.
Lovers AgainEXILE
Among EXILE’s songs, one of the most popular ballads is “Lovers Again.” Beginning with a beautiful intro, this track—singing of the melancholy that comes with the start of winter and the aching feelings for a lover you can no longer meet—became a major hit in 2007.
It’s also a karaoke staple and a fan favorite, so if you have it in your repertoire and can sing it, you’ll definitely look cool.
Close your eyesHirai Ken
This song by Ken Hirai features a gentle atmosphere centered on piano tones and a memorable vocal performance.
Written specifically as the theme song for the film “Crying Out Love, in the Center of the World,” its lyrics evocatively look back on memories with a deceased lover, echoing the film’s themes.
While expressing the sorrow and pain of those left behind, it also conveys a sense of gratitude for the strength gained through that experience.
As the track progresses, the increasingly grand sound underscores the deepening of these emotions.
Recommended ballads for men: classic songs about love, encouragement, and youth (61–70)
I was born to meet you.EXILE SHOKICHI
SHOKICHI from EXILE’s second single, “I Was Born to Meet You,” is a love ballad that sings honestly and straightforwardly—without embellishment—about the joy of meeting someone precious.
Since SHOKICHI himself wrote the lyrics and composed the music, his sincere personality really comes through.
Just listening to his sweet voice is enough to make you feel happy!
365 daysMr.Children
Mr.
Children’s “365 Days” is a song that portrays thinking about someone precious every single day.
Though it’s an album track included on their 2010 release SENSE, it’s a love song beloved not only by fans but by many listeners.
It sings of the feelings that overflow in your heart every day for someone special, the powerful sense that if you can be together, you don’t need anything else—in short, love so abundant it can’t be contained.
It’s the perfect song for conveying your love to the important woman in your life.
MissingKubota Toshinobu
With a singing ability that feels beyond the ordinary, “Missing” poignantly portrays an adult’s bittersweet love.
It’s one of Toshinobu Kubota’s signature songs.
Although it was released in 1986, it’s still passed down as a timeless love song today.
The lyrics capture the subtle, indescribable nuances of a complicated romance—feelings anyone who’s experienced an unrequited love can relate to.
If you’re trying to move past a love that just won’t work out, sing your heart out and push through.
