[Old Love Songs] Love songs that recall a love that has ended

Old-fashionedback number

back number – Old Fashion (full)

Released in November 2018, this gem of a love song gained attention as the theme for the TBS Friday drama “A Lover to Remember.” It delicately portrays the precious memories with a partner and the small joys of everyday life that begin with an unexpected encounter, and even conveys the sense of loss that follows—resulting in a track filled with profound affection.

Written and composed by Iyori Shimizu, its simple, gentle melody harmonizes beautifully with the narrative-rich lyrics, resonating deeply with listeners.

With both the timeless qualities of a love song and vocals that align with the drama’s worldview, it’s a perfect choice for those who want to sing with feeling at karaoke.

I love you. ~100 Regrets~Sonar Pocket

I love you. ~100 Regrets~

When it comes to songs about lingering feelings, you just can’t leave this one out! Released in 2010, it’s written from a male perspective about the unresolved attachment he can’t shake toward his ex.

The chorus lyrics might be a bit shocking, but for anyone harboring lingering feelings, I think the words are highly relatable.

Since it came out in the heyday of flip phones, the lovers’ exchanges are via email, and there’s even a depiction of protecting the special messages so they get a little lock icon—details that make it a nostalgic track for the flip-phone generation.

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Hane Keisuke

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Honey Memoryaiko

aiko - “Honey Memory” music video

Honey Memory, released in 2020 as aiko’s 40th single, is a song that plays like a monologue from a protagonist who can’t come to terms with a relationship that’s ended.

The protagonist had been cheating and coming home late at night, but after being abandoned by their lover, they now live alone in the place they once shared.

This time, they’re the one left waiting for someone to come home.

The detail that nothing tastes like anything they eat conveys their restless, anxious state.

It’s a bittersweet song of lingering regret about realizing the value of something only after it’s gone.

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sasashina

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Never again…BENI

BENI – Never Again…

“I just want to hear your voice one more time, but I can’t.” This is BENI’s renowned ballad that sings of a heartbreakingly painful wish.

The lyrics, torn between lingering feelings for an unforgettable lover and the resolve to tell oneself there’s no going back to the past, will squeeze the hearts of anyone bearing the same pain.

There’s even an anecdote that BENI herself unexpectedly shed tears during the music video shoot, which speaks to the depth of emotion poured into this piece.

Released in December 2008 and tied in with a MBS-affiliated TV program, its memorable melody—marked by piano and strings—surely lingers in many listeners’ minds.

Also included on the album “Bitter & Sweet,” this song might be the perfect one to let a few quiet tears fall to.

I became someone else’s girlfriend.wacci

wacci “I Became Someone Else’s Girlfriend” Music Video

This is a song by wacci that sings of a woman’s aching heart as she chooses love for her own sake.

Haven’t you ever tried desperately to tuck a past relationship away as a memory, telling yourself that your current partner is more wonderful than the one you broke up with? Created by vocalist Yohei Hashiguchi, the piece skillfully contrasts a present love that makes you overreach with a past love where you could be yourself, portraying a wavering state of mind with finesse.

After its digital release in August 2018, it spread by word of mouth and became a long-running hit, surpassing 100 million streams.

Even though she’s decided they’ll never meet again, the final lines let her true feelings slip out—so real they strike straight to the heart.

I acted tough.aimyon

Aimyon “I Acted Tough” × “Fake Love Alliance” Lyric Movie

This is a song by Aimyon that portrays regrets and lingering feelings about a past love.

The lyrics resonate with anyone who has experienced “I actually loved them, but I put on a brave face and broke up.” The loneliness after the breakup and the desire to get it back are expressed straightforwardly, making you feel like you might cry as you listen.

Included on Aimyon’s debut single, this track is recommended for those who can’t forget an ex or who want to change the part of themselves that tries to act tough.

unsatisfying; anticlimactic; abruptmei-chan

Fleeting / Mei-chan

Meichan’s songs, which sing of aching love, carry a sharpness that pierces the heart.

Woven over a nostalgic, disco-tinged sound, the lyrics seep deeply into the listener’s soul.

Released in February 2024, this work drew attention for its sound production by Enon Kawatani.

It vividly depicts the fragility and complexity of human relationships, revealing a resolve to look forward even while bearing the pain of heartbreak and the weight of regret.

It’s a perfect track for those struggling with love or wishing to linger in memories of the past.