Unrequited love songs to listen to in March. Spring love songs.

Even though it’s springKashiwabara Yoshie

Harunanoni

Written and composed by Miyuki Nakajima, this song captures the unique sense of helplessness that comes with the season of partings.

As graduation time approaches, it becomes one of those songs you can’t help but want to hear—a classic filled with scenes of aching unrequited love and farewell.

In contrast to the cheerful air of spring, the lyrics evoke a world where only the heart is left behind, vividly expressed through Yoshie Kashiwabara’s delicate vocals.

Released as a single in January 1983, it became one of her signature works and led to her first appearance on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen that same year.

The album of the same title, “Haru nanoni,” also drew attention as a collection of Miyuki Nakajima’s works and received major acclaim, including the Gold Prize at the 25th Japan Record Awards.

It’s a standard number that will resonate not only with those who feel a pang at words like “the second button of a school uniform,” but also with anyone currently carrying feelings they can’t quite express.

Graduation -GRADUATION-Kikuchi Momoko

Graduation -GRADUATION-

A classic ballad that tightens the chest with the soft light of spring and a bittersweet air tinged with the premonition of farewell.

Momoko Kikuchi’s clear, translucent voice gently paints the inner landscape of graduation as a life milestone.

Released as a single in February 1985, it became familiar as the song for Shiseido’s “Acne” commercial and as the theme for a TV drama in which she starred.

After being included on the album “TROPIC of CAPRICORN,” the sophisticated sound crafted by Tetsuji Hayashi shone even brighter.

Many listeners may find that this song vividly brings back the tender crushes and scenes of those days.

It’s a warm number that quietly stands by anyone who feels the sadness of parting with an unrequited love or who wants to cherish the memories of that time.

Maplesupittsu

Spitz / Kaede

Spitz’s classic “Kaede” is a song you can’t help but crave when the season of partings arrives.

Released in 1998 as a single from the album “Fake Fur,” it has recently drawn attention as an insert song in the drama “silent.” The lyrics, which portray the resolve to walk on alone while holding tight to feelings for a cherished person you’ve parted from, really sink into the heart.

Masamune Kusano’s gentle vocals will wrap you in the bittersweet emotions felt for lovers or friends who drift apart at graduation.

It’s not only about the sadness of goodbye; the figure of someone moving toward the future with the warm memories given by the other person will surely give you courage.

It’s a song that will softly nudge you forward onto a new path—one to listen to carefully around graduation.

uniformMatsuda Seiko

uniform

On graduation day, walking beside the person you like in the rain… Perhaps that bittersweet scene comes to mind for some of you.

This classic by Seiko Matsuda was created by a dream team: lyrics by Takashi Matsumoto and composition by Kureta Keiko, the alternate name of Yumi Matsutoya.

Although it was the B-side to the single “Akai Sweet Pea,” released in January 1982, it has remained a staple graduation song in many hearts.

The protagonist’s earnest choice to part ways without confessing, staying merely classmates, is heartrending.

The contrast between the feelings of seeing him off as he heads to the city and the springlike melody is exquisite, and each listen revives sweet-and-sour memories.

This piece gently accompanies you when you want to turn an unfulfilled love into a beautiful memory.

It will wipe your tears and give you the courage to move forward.

pink gapSouta

Kaa Yuki “Peach-Colored Gap”

A farewell day that comes at the end of spring.

This song captures both its bittersweet ache and warmth through Yuki Kaai’s youthful-sounding voice.

Composed by Sota, it was released on Niconico and YouTube in February 2025.

Set against a season tinged with shades of pink, it gently weaves the feelings of looking back on joyful days while trying to move forward.

Within a compact two and a half minutes, it tightly condenses the loneliness of parting and the resolve to take a new step.

It’s perfect not only for those about to graduate, but also for anyone who wants to fondly recall their school days.

What I want to tell you before graduationerica

erica – “What I Want to Tell You Before Graduation” PV (Full)

Included in the album “Koku-uta 2: Things I Want to Tell You Before Graduation” is Erica’s song “Things I Want to Tell You Before Graduation.” It expresses, in song, the feelings one wants to convey precisely because you’ll be parting from the important, beloved people in your life after the graduation ceremony.

far; distant; by farGReeeeN

GReeeeN – Haruka

Haruka, the 11th single by GReeeeN, was released in 2009.

Chosen as the theme song for the film ROOKIES: Graduation, it was reportedly written with the intention of being a song about a love broader and greater than romance.