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Lovely ballad

[Touching the Heart] A Collection of Recommended Ballads for Men

When work is tough and mentally exhausting, or when you’re hurting from a breakup, many men probably turn to music for comfort.

At times like these, ballads that stay close to your heart are a perfect fit.

In this article, we’ll introduce ballad songs recommended for men.

We’ve picked out everything from timeless classics known across generations to the latest tracks by rising artists.

If you’re going through something difficult and want to be healed by the power of music, be sure to check them out.

Playlist

[Touching the Heart] A Collection of Recommended Ballads for Men
show_chartTitlePlaylistReview
1eastBallad of a SingerSaitō Kazuyoshi
Ballad of a SingerSaitō Kazuyoshiplay_arrow
Kazuyoshi Saito's masterpiece, a soul-stirring song that resonates in the heart
2eastrootKing Gnu
rootKing Gnuplay_arrow
A song of deep love that gently stays by the heart
3eastBe the soil that makes flowers bloom, rather than the flowers themselves.BERRY GOODMAN
Be the soil that makes flowers bloom, rather than the flowers themselves.BERRY GOODMANplay_arrow
The warmth of a song of encouragement that supports the heart
4eastSubtitleOfisharu Higedan Dism
SubtitleOfisharu Higedan Dismplay_arrow
A moving piece that expresses the power of words and emotions
5eastday by dayKANA-BOON
day by dayKANA-BOONplay_arrow
KANA-BOON’s new song that resonates with the heart
6eastLast FragranceAmatsuki
Last FragranceAmatsukiplay_arrow
A voice that resonates in Amatsuki’s heart, feelings as they are
7eastSomething I’ve always wantedHirai Dai
Something I’ve always wantedHirai Daiplay_arrow
An inspiring song that celebrates everyday miracles
8eastKanadeSukima Suichi
KanadeSukima Suichiplay_arrow
The popular love song “Kanade” by Sukima Switch
9eastbouquetback number
bouquetback numberplay_arrow
A heartrending love story, an emotional ballad by back number
10eastIs there still anything that love can do?RADWIMPS
Is there still anything that love can do?RADWIMPSplay_arrow
A moving song from the soundtrack of Weathering with You that resonates with the heart
11eastI LOVE YOUOzaki Yutaka
I LOVE YOUOzaki Yutakaplay_arrow
Yutaka Ozaki’s masterpiece, passed down in song forever
12eastFantasy in the CornerHirai Dai
Fantasy in the CornerHirai Daiplay_arrow
Hirai Dai’s winter song, a heartwarming melody of love
13eastIvyNovelbright
IvyNovelbrightplay_arrow
A wedding love song that portrays bonds and happiness
14eastCat ~THE FIRST TAKE ver.~DISH//
Cat ~THE FIRST TAKE ver.~DISH//play_arrow
A heart-stirring breakup song by DISH//
15north_eastSong of Eternal NightKami wa saikoro o furanai
Song of Eternal NightKami wa saikoro o furanaiplay_arrow
A poignant song about the story of losing a loved one
16south_eastfor a very, very long timeFANTASTICS from EXILE TRIBE
for a very, very long timeFANTASTICS from EXILE TRIBEplay_arrow
A pure love ballad with a movie theme
17eastgreen leavesHata Motohiro × TOMOO
green leavesHata Motohiro × TOMOOplay_arrow
A moving collaborative piece that portrays the transience of youth
18eastSong of a FriendBUMP OF CHICKEN
Song of a FriendBUMP OF CHICKENplay_arrow
Song of friendship, even when apart our hearts remain connected
19eastDried flowersYuuri
Dried flowersYuuriplay_arrow
Yuuri’s song gently conveys the feelings of heartbreak.
20eastballadKetsumeishi
balladKetsumeishiplay_arrow
A bittersweet love song, the tale of two people parting ways.
21eastorionYonezu Kenshi
orionYonezu Kenshiplay_arrow
Kenshi Yonezu’s masterpiece “orion” resonates on a winter night.
22eastFlowerNaka Kousuke
FlowerNaka Kousukeplay_arrow
Atsushi Nakajima’s Shiranami commercial song: the singing voice of “Shima Uta.”
23eastthreadBank Band
threadBank Bandplay_arrow
Songs that connect people—heartwarming masterpieces
24eastHAPPY BIRTHDAYback number
HAPPY BIRTHDAYback numberplay_arrow
A bittersweet unrequited-love birthday song, a love that cannot come true
25north_eastWhite WingsSandaime Jē Sōru Burazāzu fromu Eguzairu Toraibu
White WingsSandaime Jē Sōru Burazāzu fromu Eguzairu Toraibuplay_arrow
Winter romance, a song with a beautiful melody
26south_eastcrepuscular raysChevon
crepuscular raysChevonplay_arrow
Chevon, a hopeful ballad that shines light into the darkness of the heart
27eastYou’re BeautifulJames Blunt
You’re BeautifulJames Bluntplay_arrow
A poignant masterpiece depicting the fleeting nature of love: “You’re Beautiful”
28eastMissingKubota Toshinobu
MissingKubota Toshinobuplay_arrow
An unforgettable, heartrending ballad by Kubota
29eastHOWEVERGLAY
HOWEVERGLAYplay_arrow
GLAY’s first million-selling hit, winner of the Wired (Yusen) Grand Prize
30eastMaplesupittsu
Maplesupittsuplay_arrow
The appeal of Spitz’s classic song “Cherry”
31eastcatDISH//
catDISH//play_arrow
Aimyon “Hadaka no Kokoro” — moving and heartrending
32eastHOMEShimizu Shota
HOMEShimizu Shotaplay_arrow
An inspiring song that sings of Shota Shimizu’s dreams and challenges
33eastfar; distant; by farGReeeeN
far; distant; by farGReeeeNplay_arrow
A touching ballad about gratitude to one’s parents
34eastLet’s become a familyFukuyama Masaharu
Let's become a familyFukuyama Masaharuplay_arrow
Masaharu Fukuyama’s moving ballad, a song of love and bonds
35eastUnfair WorldSandaime Jē Sōru Burazāzu fromu Eguzairu Toraibu
Unfair WorldSandaime Jē Sōru Burazāzu fromu Eguzairu Toraibuplay_arrow
Songs that won grand prizes as movie theme songs or commercial jingles
36eastSpot the differenceSuda Masaki
Spot the differenceSuda Masakiplay_arrow
A song by Masaki Suda produced by Kenshi Yonezu
37eastI was only looking at you.To Be Continued
I was only looking at you.To Be Continuedplay_arrow
An insert song from 'If Wishes Come True,' a classic love song
38eastI for YouLUNA SEA
I for YouLUNA SEAplay_arrow
LUNA SEA's love rock ballad song
39east#302Hirai Ken
#302Hirai Kenplay_arrow
A classic song that sings about memories from karaoke
40eastLion HeartSMAP
Lion HeartSMAPplay_arrow
A classic SMAP song, a love-singing ballad
41eastSakura (2019)Moriyama Naotaro
Sakura (2019)Moriyama Naotaroplay_arrow
Sakura by Naotaro Moriyama, a soothing masterpiece
42eastHeroineback number
Heroineback numberplay_arrow
A moving masterpiece that sings of the bittersweet feelings of winter
43eastI want to hug you.Mr.Children
I want to hug you.Mr.Childrenplay_arrow
A popular early signature song for weddings, a song about pure love
44eastAnniversaryKinKi Kids
AnniversaryKinKi Kidsplay_arrow
A popular Kinki Kids love song celebrating an anniversary
45eastBecause I fell in loveaimyon
Because I fell in loveaimyonplay_arrow
The romantic emotions embedded in Aimyon’s songs
46eastALONEB’z
ALONEB'zplay_arrow
Introduction to B’z’s hit song “ONLY YOU”
47eastPIECES OF A DREAMCHEMISTRY
PIECES OF A DREAMCHEMISTRYplay_arrow
Signature songs of CHEMISTRY; winners from an audition show
48eastbudKobukuro
budKobukuroplay_arrow
Kobukuro’s “Tsubomi” is a song of gratitude to a mother.
49eastJust a Kiss feat. AimyonSuda Masaki
Just a Kiss feat. AimyonSuda Masakiplay_arrow
The iconic ballad by Suda and Aimyon: the emotional distance between a man and a woman
50eastI can’t say it.Gō Hiromi
I can’t say it.Gō Hiromiplay_arrow
Hiromi Go's hit songs and drama theme songs
51eastI want to take only you away just like this.DEEN
I want to take only you away just like this.DEENplay_arrow
DEEN's first big-hit single, a heartrending ballad.
52eastLovers AgainEXILE
Lovers AgainEXILEplay_arrow
A wistful winter love song by EXILE, featured in a commercial
53north_eastHANABIMr.Children
HANABIMr.Childrenplay_arrow
Mr.Children's heart-touching masterpiece
54north_eastI want to see you.yuzu
I want to see you.yuzuplay_arrow
A farewell song filled with feelings for my father
55north_eastDream FireworksNovelbright
Dream FireworksNovelbrightplay_arrow
Novelbright, portraying a heartrending love and unchanging feelings
56south_easthomeKiyama Yusaku
homeKiyama Yusakuplay_arrow
A moving song about love for family
57eastmeteorKobukuro
meteorKobukuroplay_arrow
Kobukuro’s moving classic “Nagareboshi” (“Shooting Star”)
58north_eastI’ll be by your side.Maeda Nobuteru
I'll be by your side.Maeda Nobuteruplay_arrow
Wataru Maeda's straight-shooting love ballad
59south_eastMetronomeYonezu Kenshi
MetronomeYonezu Kenshiplay_arrow
Kenshi Yonezu’s love ballad, feelings passing each other by
60eastI don’t want to let go.T-BOLAN
I don't want to let go.T-BOLANplay_arrow
Hit songs and breakthrough songs by T-BOLAN
61easttear(s)GENERATIONS from EXILE TRIBE
tear(s)GENERATIONS from EXILE TRIBEplay_arrow
A classic ballad that sings of the bittersweet pain of heartbreak.
62eastPerfumeEito
PerfumeEitoplay_arrow
A TikTok hit song: memories and lingering feelings captured in a scent
63eastLove Story Comes SuddenlyOda Kazumasa
Love Story Comes SuddenlyOda Kazumasaplay_arrow
The classic theme song of Tokyo Love Story
64eastBeyond the goodbyeMatsushita Kohei
Beyond the goodbyeMatsushita Koheiplay_arrow
A song of courage to overcome heartbreak
65eastGhost of the SeaYonezu Kenshi
Ghost of the SeaYonezu Kenshiplay_arrow
Kenshi Yonezu’s masterpiece depicting the mysteries of the sea
66eastaloneGosuperāzu
aloneGosuperāzuplay_arrow
The Gospellers’ smash hit, appearance on the Kouhaku (Red and White) Song Battle.
67eastheartbeatFukuyama Masaharu
heartbeatFukuyama Masaharuplay_arrow
A heart swayed by an unexpected love and the singing voice of Masaharu Fukuyama
68eastTRUE LOVEFujii Fumiya
TRUE LOVEFujii Fumiyaplay_arrow
Fumiya Fujii’s solo debut single is a big hit.
69eastBroken RadioTokunaga Hideaki
Broken RadioTokunaga Hideakiplay_arrow
Hidetaka Tokunaga’s signature song, “City Forest,” theme song
70eastI won’t fall in love anymore.Makihara Noriyuki
I won't fall in love anymore.Makihara Noriyukiplay_arrow
A classic ballad that portrays the pain and heartache of a broken romance
71eastThe Final RiverCHEMISTRY
The Final RiverCHEMISTRY
A timeless song that conveys feelings for someone special
72east365 daysMr.Children
365 daysMr.Childrenplay_arrow
Mr.Children's heart-touching love masterpiece
73eastsingle bedSha ran Q
single bedSha ran Qplay_arrow
Sharam Q’s signature song, their first million-selling hit
74eastAzaleaYonezu Kenshi
AzaleaYonezu Kenshiplay_arrow
A ballad depicting lost love and hope for the life that follows
75eastCheersNagabuchi Tsuyoshi
CheersNagabuchi Tsuyoshiplay_arrow
A famous song by Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi that celebrates the start of a new chapter in life
76eastYC&K
YC&Kplay_arrow
A heartrending love song, C&K's 'Y' resonates with the heart.
77north_eastInstead of goodbyeTUBE × GACKT
Instead of goodbyeTUBE × GACKTplay_arrow
A moving collaborative ballad by TUBE and GACKT
78north_eastspin; weave; compose (e.g., a story)tota
spin; weave; compose (e.g., a story)totaplay_arrow
A moving song that gently accompanies the heart, depicting loss and hope
79south_eastOrangeSMAP
OrangeSMAPplay_arrow
A classic SMAP song: a beautiful ballad that colors parting with gratitude.
80south_eastGray and Blue (+Masaki Suda)Yonezu Kenshi
Gray and Blue (+Masaki Suda)Yonezu Kenshiplay_arrow
A youth song by Kenshi Yonezu and Masaki Suda
81easttrace (of someone/something), semblance, vestige; a lingering image or memory of how someone/something used to beNovelbright
trace (of someone/something), semblance, vestige; a lingering image or memory of how someone/something used to beNovelbrightplay_arrow
Novelbright’s heartbreak ballad song
82eastBridge of Gloryyuzu
Bridge of Gloryyuzuplay_arrow
An anthem that cheers you on to overcome hardships and seize hope
83eastIt always begins with rain.ASKA
It always begins with rain.ASKAplay_arrow
ASKA's popular singles, million-hit songs
84eastVoice of the Seaurashima tarou
Voice of the Seaurashima tarouplay_arrow
Otohime Love Song from the Santarō series
85eastglobeYonezu Kenshi
globeYonezu Kenshiplay_arrow
The hopeful theme song of “How Do You Live?”
86eastSharonOfisharu Higedan Dism
SharonOfisharu Higedan Dismplay_arrow
A moving song that captures feelings for someone special
87eastPrecious LoveEXILE ATSUSHI
Precious LoveEXILE ATSUSHIplay_arrow
A wedding song by EXILE ATSUSHI themed around love
88eastBedroom TalkOfisharu Higedan Dism
Bedroom TalkOfisharu Higedan Dismplay_arrow
A gentle night, music that heals the heart
89eastIf only I could remain at zeroOfisharu Higedan Dism
If only I could remain at zeroOfisharu Higedan Dismplay_arrow
A classic song that sings of the heartache of a long-distance romance.
90eastNonfictionHirai Ken
NonfictionHirai Kenplay_arrow
Ken Hirai’s moving songs reflect life
91eastindigoSukima Suichi
indigoSukima Suichiplay_arrow
Sukima Switch’s ballads resonate with the heart.
92eastHeart Rainindigo la End
Heart Rainindigo la Endplay_arrow
A ballad that quietly sings about a romantic breakup
93eastLife is BeautifulHirai Dai
Life is BeautifulHirai Daiplay_arrow
Conveying the beauty of life through a pleasant tone
94eastFlowerORANGE RANGE
FlowerORANGE RANGEplay_arrow
A poignant ballad as a movie theme song
95eastHappy Endingback number
Happy Endingback numberplay_arrow
A bittersweet breakup song by back number
96eastBreath of DawnChekkāzu
Breath of DawnChekkāzuplay_arrow
Fumiya Fujii’s movie tie-in love song
97eastPromise of SunflowersHata Motohiro
Promise of SunflowersHata Motohiroplay_arrow
Motohiro Hata’s “To the Future” is the theme song of Doraemon.
98eastI got a boyfriend/girlfriend.My Hair is Bad
I got a boyfriend/girlfriend.My Hair is Badplay_arrow
A heartfelt song that sings of the pain of heartbreak and lingering attachment
99eastBe happy, okay?matsumura kanau
Be happy, okay?matsumura kanauplay_arrow
A heartfelt song that sings of the pain of heartbreak
100eastEarned ItThe Weeknd
Earned ItThe Weekndplay_arrow
Award-winning weekend R&B love song
101eastmore than anyoneBE:FIRST
more than anyoneBE:FIRSTplay_arrow
A ballad depicting the struggles of a man tormented at heart by BE:FIRST
102eastsomedaySaucy Dog
somedaySaucy Dogplay_arrow
A love song that portrays heartbreak and memories
103eastHide-and-seekYuuri
Hide-and-seekYuuriplay_arrow
A ballad that likens a breakup with a live-in partner to a game of hide-and-seek
104eastFirst loveHata Motohiro
First loveHata Motohiroplay_arrow
A ballad by Motohiro Hata. It sings of bittersweet memories of love.
105eaststrawberryBUMP OF CHICKEN
strawberryBUMP OF CHICKENplay_arrow
A gentle ballad song by BUMP OF CHICKEN
106eastMy WayDef Tech
My WayDef Techplay_arrow
A song that sings about the importance of moving forward as yourself
107eastThe Last RainYasushi Nakanishi
The Last Rain Yasushi Nakanishiplay_arrow
A heartbreak ballad depicting a farewell in the rain
108eastBlue amberback number
Blue amberback numberplay_arrow
back number is known for their emotional vocals.
109eastDestinyAee! group
Destiny Aぇ! groupplay_arrow
Aぇ! group’s bittersweet love song
110eastYou’re no longer here.FUNKY MONKEY BABYS
You're no longer here.FUNKY MONKEY BABYSplay_arrow
A ballad about the pain of heartbreak
111eastUnrequited loveSUPER BEAVER
Unrequited loveSUPER BEAVERplay_arrow
A bittersweet love ballad by SUPER BEAVER
112eastGoodbyeofukōsu
Goodbyeofukōsuplay_arrow
Off Course’s pure love ballad, poignantly expressing the end of a romance
113eastRainy Amusement ParkSasuke
Rainy Amusement ParkSasukeplay_arrow
A ballad depicting memories of an amusement park date and a breakup
114east180°yamazaru
180°yamazaruplay_arrow
A love ballad of a mountain monkey. Depicting the struggles of romance.
115eastHeartbreaker (I fell in love with a cowgirl)Hirai Dai
Heartbreaker (I fell in love with a cowgirl)Hirai Daiplay_arrow
Hirai Dai's country love song
116eastWhen I was your manBruno Mars
When I was your manBruno Marsplay_arrow
Bruno Mars’s bittersweet heartbreak song
117eastTears are about to fall.[Alexandros]
Tears are about to fall.[Alexandros]play_arrow
An inspiring song by the band [Alexandros] that makes you feel the blue sky
118eastEternal, unchanging loveOda Tetsurō
Eternal, unchanging loveOda Tetsurōplay_arrow
Tetsuro Oda’s refreshing masterpiece resonates with the heart.
119eastforever; for good; indefinitelyGReeeeN
forever; for good; indefinitelyGReeeeNplay_arrow
A ballad depicting memories and love with a lover
120eastThe thing I wanted mostJAY’ED
The thing I wanted mostJAY'EDplay_arrow
JAY’ED’s translucent, captivating vocals are charming.
121eastchameleonKing Gnu
chameleonKing Gnuplay_arrow
King Gnu’s stirring theme song
122eastEndless JourneyMr.Children
Endless JourneyMr.Childrenplay_arrow
A signature work by Mr.Children. It depicts the courage to keep moving forward.
123eastSBYSnow Man
SBYSnow Manplay_arrow
Snow Man's moving ballad
124eastYour favorite songUVERworld
Your favorite songUVERworldplay_arrow
I relate to the bittersweet lyrics about a man with unrequited love.
125eastChristmas songback number
Christmas songback numberplay_arrow
A wistful winter love song, “Christmas Song”
126eastWinter and Springback number
Winter and Springback numberplay_arrow
Depicting a woman's growth as she rises from heartbreak
127eastIkuriipuhaipe
Ikuriipuhaipeplay_arrow
A ballad collaborated with Sorane, highly relatable
128eastLove songSambomasutā
Love songSambomasutāplay_arrow
A moving masterpiece that sings of the pain of heartbreak
129eastMidnight ExpresswayFurawā Kanpanī
Midnight ExpresswayFurawā Kanpanīplay_arrow
Flower Companies' youth rock fight song
130eastSakuraŌhashi Torio
SakuraŌhashi Torioplay_arrow
A heartbreak song themed around farewell and a new departure
131eastGoodbye to sorrowanzenchitai
Goodbye to sorrowanzenchitaiplay_arrow
A love ballad by Anzen Chitai. The themes are parting and rebirth.
132eastsnow moonYamada Ryosuke
snow moonYamada Ryosukeplay_arrow
A bittersweet love story on a winter night
133eastLIFE is…Hirai Ken
LIFE is…Hirai Kenplay_arrow
A ballad song that sings of Ken Hirai’s heartrending love
134eastClose your eyesHirai Ken
Close your eyesHirai Kenplay_arrow
Ken Hirai's moving heartbreak ballad
135eastSymphonyHirai Dai
SymphonyHirai Daiplay_arrow
Dai Hirai’s movie theme song love ballad
136eastPrayer FlowerHirai Dai
Prayer FlowerHirai Daiplay_arrow
Expressing gratitude and prayers through Dai Hirai’s soothing songs
137eastSake, Tears, Men, and WomenKawashima Eigo
Sake, Tears, Men, and WomenKawashima Eigoplay_arrow
A socially conscious masterpiece that depicts the feelings of men and women
138eastmonologueHata Motohiro × Matayoshi Naoki
monologueHata Motohiro × Matayoshi Naokiplay_arrow
A collaborative song by Naoki Matayoshi and Motohiro Hata. A profound worldview.
139eastAn unfinished love song I’ve been working on foreverHata Motohiro
An unfinished love song I've been working on foreverHata Motohiroplay_arrow
Hata Motohiro’s new song that gently expresses the love between a married couple
140eastPearlGosuperāzu
PearlGosuperāzuplay_arrow
Gospellers’ 30th Anniversary: Song of the Pearl of Bonds
141eastA late breakfast on a gentle afternoonHata Motohiro
A late breakfast on a gentle afternoonHata Motohiroplay_arrow
A Heart Song of Small Happiness and Self-Renewal
142eastKaraBank Band
KaraBank Bandplay_arrow
Socially-contributive musical works by Bank Band
143eastLetterSHE’S
LetterSHE’Splay_arrow
SHE’S’s “Letter” is a moving masterpiece.
144eastsasanqua (Camellia sasanqua)SEKAI NO OWARI
sasanqua (Camellia sasanqua)SEKAI NO OWARIplay_arrow
A moving, heart-touching song by SEKAI NO OWARI
145east1.15 Million Kilometers of FilmOfisharu Higedan Dism
1.15 Million Kilometers of FilmOfisharu Higedan Dismplay_arrow
“Film” is a song that compares life to a movie.
146eastA Naked Heartaimyon
A Naked Heartaimyonplay_arrow
Aimyong's love songs are moving.
147eastBefore our feelings overlapHirai Ken
Before our feelings overlapHirai Kenplay_arrow
Ken Hirai’s hit song reached No. 1 as a commercial (CM) song.