Breakup songs sung by male Japanese (J-pop) artists

Sad feelingsKuwata Keisuke

Keisuke Kuwata – Sad Feelings (Just a Man in Love) (Full ver.)

This is the solo debut single by Keisuke Kuwata, the vocalist of Southern All Stars.

At first listen it has a bright, breezy sound, but beneath that lies the inescapable loneliness of a man heartbroken in love.

The contrast between the cheerful tone and the heartrending lyrics may, if anything, tighten many listeners’ chests.

Released in October 1987, it was later included on the album “Keisuke Kuwata.” Please take your time and give it a careful listen.

A lie in the mirror smiles.T-BOLAN

The lie in the mirror smiles — T-BOLAN

This is the track included as the B-side to the million-selling single “Bye For Now,” released in November 1992.

It portrays the frustration and self-loathing in romance that make you act contrary to your true feelings.

Many listeners will feel a tightening in their chest at the scene where the self in the mirror smiles as if mocking one’s own lies.

The word choices—unusual for the time—also leave a strong impression.

The irresistible charm lies in the gap between the breezy pop-rock sound and the heartrending lyrics.

Moritomo Arashi’s soaring high notes in the chorus feel like the protagonist’s inner scream, stirring the listener’s emotions.

It’s a song you’ll want to hear on nights when you’re hiding your true feelings.

I don’t want to let go.T-BOLAN

T-BOLAN - I Don’t Want to Let Go.flv

It was released in 1991 as T-BOLAN’s second single.

This song became the catalyst for T-BOLAN’s popularity and is a single cut from their first album, “T-BOLAN.” It conveys a man’s lingering feelings and deep love for his girlfriend.

Moritomo Arashi’s husky vocals make it a song that resonates with the heart.

The Last RainYasushi Nakanishi

Yasushi Nakanishi / Last Rain [Official Music Video]

Released in 1992 as Yasushi Nakanishi’s second single.

It was used as the theme song for Nippon TV’s “Hitachi Ashita P-KAN Kibun!” and became Nakanishi’s biggest hit.

The song is also well known for being covered by many artists.

It’s filled with lingering feelings for a girlfriend he ended up parting with, and the rain expresses all of the man’s loneliness, sadness, and pain.

I want to take only you away just like this.DEEN

DEEN 'I Want to Steal You Away Just Like This (DEEN The Best DX)' Music Video

It was released in 1993 as DEEN’s debut single.

Despite being their debut, it became their best-selling song and was also used in an NTT DoCoMo commercial.

Many artists have covered it.

The lyrics poignantly express the loneliness and pain of a man who realizes that his beloved is trying to leave him.

The straightforward feelings he has for her make the song deeply moving.

OrangeSMAP

Orange – SMAP (Full)

It was included as the coupling track to SMAP’s 32nd single, “Lion Heart,” and was released in 2000.

Even outside of SMAP’s fan base, it’s widely known and often sung at karaoke.

It’s a very poignant song about a situation where they don’t want to break up but have to; the man decides to initiate the breakup, believing it will spare his girlfriend from greater pain—a heartbreakingly considerate gesture.

Surely somewhereTUBE

TUBE “Surely, Somewhere” MUSIC VIDEO

Released in 1998 as TUBE’s 28th single, it was used as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Sekai de Ichiban Papa ga Suki,” and reached No.

2 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.

While TUBE is often associated with summer songs, this track evokes meetings and partings that aren’t bound to any particular season.

It’s a poignant song about not wanting to say goodbye if there’s even the slightest hope that someday you might understand each other again and love one another once more.