[Songs of Bereavement] Songs about losing someone dear. Tracks to listen to while thinking of a loved one.
A collection of songs themed around the loss of loved ones—partners, family, friends, and others dear to you.
There are songs steeped in deep sorrow, songs that express gratitude for the time shared in life, songs that look back on memories, and even songs told from the perspective of those who have passed away.
Though presented from many angles, all of them overflow with love for the departed and for those left behind.
If you are suffering from a sense of loss, or wish to sort through your feelings for someone precious who has gone on ahead, please give these a listen.
We cannot forget the reality of parting, but as you listen, you will likely find yourself able to look back on the days you spent together with a calmer heart.
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[Songs of Bereavement] Songs for those who have lost someone dear. Tracks to listen to while thinking of a loved one (41–50)
NonfictionHirai Ken
This is a song by Ken Hirai, a singer-songwriter known for his alluring husky high-tone voice.
The song is about a friend who took their own life.
If you learned that a friend chose to end their life, you would of course feel the sorrow of their absence, but also a swirl of emotions like anger and the frustration of not having been able to support them.
Alongside those tangled, complicated feelings, the song also expresses a simple, straightforward longing—“I want to see you.” It carries a warmth that seems to stay close to the grief of those left behind.
cherry blossoms drifting awayUtada Hikaru
A gem of a ballad by Hikaru Utada that gently embraces the hearts of all who have experienced parting with someone precious.
Like cherry blossoms that bloom and fall, it gracefully portrays the transience of life, quietly singing of longing for those we’ve lost and the resolve to keep looking forward and living on.
The simple, piano-centered arrangement highlights the delicate vocals, making this a deeply moving masterpiece.
Released in November 2012 as the theme song for the film Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo, it was later included on the album Fantôme.
For those grieving the loss of someone dear, or striving to move forward from that sense of loss, this song offers profound empathy and gentle comfort.
DeparturesAI
AI, who has captivated many with her crystal-clear voice, added lyrics to and performed the theme song from the film Departures, resulting in the song of the same name, “Okuribito.” In addition to her beautiful vocals, please pay attention to the melody composed by Joe Hisaishi.
Another point worth mentioning is the content of the lyrics: they liken sorrow to a blade, depicting the agony of its pain.
Those who feel a similar sorrow or pain will likely find their eyes welling with tears.
AND I LOVE YOUDREAMS COME TRUE
The song, for which vocalist Miwa Yoshida wrote both the lyrics and the music, carries a message to her late husband, Ken Sueda.
The lyrics are striking in the way they convey memories of a beloved person who has passed away and express gratitude up to now, and because they are rendered in plain, unadorned words, the message comes through directly.
You can also sense the loneliness of no longer being able to meet, as well as the effort to overcome sorrow, giving the impression that it portrays an unsteady, wavering heart.
The Day I Became a JewelBUMP OF CHICKEN
This song from the 2016 album “Butterflies,” when you take a careful look at the lyrics, can feel like it’s about bereavement.
You can quickly tell it depicts a breakup with someone dear, and it shows how deeply I’m plunged into despair by that parting—there are even lines that make you think you might no longer be in this world.
If you’ve experienced the loss of someone important, you may find parts that resonate with your own feelings.
It’s a track that carries a sense of hope—overcoming sorrow and wanting to see as much of the world as possible, including the parts you couldn’t see.
If you wish for a miracle…JUJU
This song, “If You Wish for a Miracle…,” made even more moving by JUJU’s voice, loosens the tear ducts all the more.
It was released in 2006 as JUJU’s third single.
It’s a tear-jerking love ballad that gently and beautifully portrays the pain of losing someone you love and the inner turmoil that follows.
Not only for those who have lost a partner, but also for anyone who has lost family or someone dear, this is a song that will surely stay close to your heart.
We never forget, and the feeling of “I love you” never changes, does it?
contrailMatsutōya Yumi
This song, which was featured as the theme for Studio Ghibli’s The Wind Rises and enjoyed a revival hit, was originally written during the period when she performed under the name Yumi Arai and was provided to the singer Izumi Yukimura.
A self-cover version was later released.
The lyrics are drawn from her experience of losing a friend, conveying emotions that feel like a fragile wish.
Her clear, expansive vocals gently seep into the depths of the heart.
It’s a classic of Japanese music that deserves to be sung for generations to come.
