A selection of classic love ballads, from the latest hits to timeless favorites.
Among people who enjoy listening to music, many especially love listening to love ballads that depict love in its many forms, don’t they?
In particular, when you’re nursing a crush or going through a heartbreak, it’s common to find comfort in lyrics that mirror your own feelings.
In this article, we’ll introduce a selection of classic love ballads that sing about a wide range of situations and emotions.
From bittersweet songs about unrequited love or breakups to joyful tracks portraying couples who are happily close and supportive, we’ve chosen broadly—so try finding the one song that perfectly matches your state of mind.
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Selection of classic love ballads: from the latest hits to timeless favorites (71–80)
Beyond the goodbyeMatsushita Kohei
Kohei Matsushita, who is active both as an actor and a singer, is truly multi-talented.
His song “Sayonara no Mukō ni” is perfect for times when you’re feeling emotionally drained.
It’s a love ballad featuring a heartbroken man as the protagonist, vividly portraying how he’s crushed and loses his willpower.
But it doesn’t end there—the song also depicts him standing up again and beginning to walk toward the future.
If you listen when you’re feeling down, it will surely encourage you.
The gentle, jazz-tinged melody that warmly envelops you is another highlight.
Thinking of youMatsushita Kohei
Kouhei Matsushita is a singer-songwriter who also works as an actor and showcases his talents across various fields, including illustration and poetry.
His song “Kimi wo Omou,” released in advance from his album R&ME on December 13, 2023, features a clear, soothing ensemble centered on piano and strings.
The lyrics, which portray emotions swaying between friendship and love, may cause memories to overlap for those who’ve had similar experiences.
With his gentle vocals immersing you in the song’s world, it’s a ballad that soothes the heart when you’re feeling worn out.
Sentimental KissShio Reira
A gentle ballad by Reira Shio that delivers bittersweet feelings on a warm acoustic sound.
The lyrics delicately portray the distance between lovers after a breakup and the emotions wavering between heart and body, resonating deeply.
Her voice weaves memories of a feverish love and a faint lingering warmth with novel-like beauty, tenderly embracing the kind of heartache everyone has felt at least once.
Released in March 2022, the song was also used as background music for ABEMA’s dating show “He and the Wolf-chan Won’t Deceive.” It’s a track that will stay by your side on nights when you want to bask in memories of someone special, or when you need someone to hear the feelings you can’t hold inside.
Selection of classic love ballads: from the latest hits to timeless favorites (81–90)
An unfinished love song I’ve been working on foreverHata Motohiro
A poignant song that gently portrays the love of a couple who have spent many years together.
Released digitally in February 2025, it drew attention for its storytelling and heart-stirring harmonies.
Written specifically for the film “A Love Letter in the 35th Year,” the piece conjures the image of a husband who, after retiring, learns to write so he can put his feelings for his wife into words—allowing the bond between the two to come through.
Motohiro Hata’s warm vocals and the delicate melody are truly wonderful.
It’s a supreme ballad, overflowing with love.
LADYYonezu Kenshi
Kenshi Yonezu wrote “LADY” as an original song for a Japan Coca-Cola Georgia commercial.
It portrays the tedium of everyday life that repeats as if it were a given, and conveys that, in fact, it’s something irreplaceable.
Matching the theme, the song weaves in various elements of repetition throughout, including tightly rhymed lyrics.
Another highlight is how those repetitions gradually change toward the end, aligning with the song’s theme.
Try listening for which parts are being repeated.
Versailles – Versailles –ayaka
The theme song of the theatrical anime The Rose of Versailles captivates with its sweeping, moving melody and heartfelt lyrics.
Ayaka’s powerful yet delicate vocals elegantly express the emotions of characters who confront fate in pursuit of love and freedom.
Written specifically as the theme for The Rose of Versailles, released in January 2025, the song masterfully captures the film’s world through music.
The dazzling orchestral arrangement and crystalline vocals weave a harmony that further elevates the movie’s majestic atmosphere.
It’s a perfect choice for singing with thoughts of someone dear, or when you want to perform with heartfelt emotion in a calm, intimate mood.
The Day Love Was BornFujitani Miwako, Ouchi Yoshiaki
A Day When Love Was Born was released as a duet by Miwako Fujitani and Yoshiaki Ouchi.
Featured as an insert song in the TV drama To You Who Will Marry Someday, it became a million-selling, smash-hit single.
Many people of that generation may have sung it as a karaoke duet.
With lyrics that evocatively portray a mature, bittersweet romance, it’s a ballad we’d love to see younger listeners sing as well.