[Old Love Songs] Love songs that recall a love that has ended
There are loves that are still ongoing, and loves that have ended but can’t be forgotten.
In this article, we’re introducing “songs of past love.”
They’re songs that make you remember and feel nostalgic about old romances—sometimes even bring you to tears with a passion that hasn’t cooled.
We’ve gathered a variety, from bright, breezy tracks that feel completely refreshed to bittersweet love songs where the wounds still don’t seem to heal.
If you’re looking for love songs that bring back memories of past relationships, be sure to give these a listen.
Take your time and lose yourself, alone, in the memories of a nostalgic love.
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[Old Love Songs] Love Songs That Recall Past Relationships (41–50)
I forget you, who are so quiet, in October.atarayo
A song by Atarayo that portrays the ache of unrequited love and the pain of heartbreak.
It begins with a scene on the morning of a breakup, and regret and hurt over a lost love permeate the lyrics.
The skillful depiction of an inability to accept the separation and the complex feelings toward the other person will resonate deeply with anyone who has experienced heartbreak.
Released digitally in March 2021, it became a major hit, amassing over 45 million views on YouTube.
It’s the perfect track for those carrying the pain of a breakup or struggling with unforgettable memories of love.
[Old Love Songs] Love songs that remind you of a finished romance (51–60)
ex-darlingkuriipuhaipe
CreepHyp’s latest work warmly depicts lingering attachment to a lost love and days gone by.
With its soft tones and gentle melody, it’s a song that tenderly colors the memories of an unforgettable lover.
The straightforward expression of feelings for an ex-partner will quietly resonate with listeners.
Released in April 2022, this track is a re-recording to commemorate the band’s 10th major-label anniversary.
Listening while holding dear your precious memories may give you the courage to take a new step forward.
Song of the Eternal NightKami wa saikoro o furanai
Yoru Naga Uta portrays the aching emotions of someone who keeps recalling an unforgettable love and can’t help but cry.
The melody alone can bring you to tears, but the lyrics—confessing the wish to touch a loved one once more—are truly painful and heartrending.
There are many ways to interpret how the lovers parted, so I think it will resonate with many people currently experiencing unrequited love.
Though it’s a heartbreak song that laments no longer being able to see the one you love, it’s also a track I’d recommend to anyone who can’t give up on their feelings.
contact lens caseSaucy Dog
This song portrays a bittersweet emotion that anyone who has experienced a breakup can relate to.
Featured on Saucy Dog’s second mini-album, Salad Days, it stands out for its delicate lyrics and melodies that resonate deeply.
The protagonist, unable to throw away their ex’s belongings even after the breakup, will feel all too familiar—almost like your own story.
Released in May 2018, the track captured the hearts of many listeners along with its music video.
It’s a recommended song for those nursing the pain of heartbreak or looking back on a past relationship.
DaydreamreGretGirl
This is a song that pierces the heart with the pain of heartbreak and lingering feelings.
The lyrics are filled with thoughts of a former lover, overflowing with a bittersweet mood.
The realistic imagery—like the scent of hair left on a pillow and a severed red thread—might bring you to tears.
Included on reGretGirl’s first mini-album, “my,” this track was released in December 2017.
Anyone who has experienced a breakup will relate to it, and it’s sure to resonate deeply.
It’s a wistful love song you’ll want to listen to on a solitary night.
If there’s a “see you”Mirei Touyama
A song that delivers bittersweet lingering feelings straight to you with a clear, translucent voice.
While accepting the pain of heartbreak, the lyrics expressing gratitude toward a former lover resonate deeply.
Mirei Toyama sings it with her own interpretation while honoring the original song’s worldview.
Released digitally in August 2021, the track was also performed on her live tour and became a hot topic among fans.
It’s recommended for those who can’t forget someone even after a romance has ended.
It will stay close to the complex emotions that arise after a breakup.
Me too,YUTORI-SEDAI
A ballad that poignantly portrays an unrequited love, set to the aching timbre of a piano.
Upon learning that their crush is dating a close friend, the protagonist carefully weaves their feelings as they have no choice but to give up while keeping their emotions hidden.
The more they think about the person they love, the more the pain intensifies—an experience many share as a bittersweet memory that lingers in the heart.
Included on YUTORI-SEDAI’s major first EP “blanket,” released in April 2025, this song was also chosen as the ending theme for MBS’s Drama Tokku series “I’m Being Toyed With by a Younger Virgin.” It’s a track that gently accompanies the hearts of those in one-sided love, where simply thinking of someone makes your chest tighten.