Songs that hit home when you're feeling blue: masterpieces of Japanese music
“I feel a vague sense of anxiety and can’t find any energy.” “I’m struggling with my relationships.” Don’t you have times when you feel so down that you don’t know what to do?
All you want is to live immersed in simple happiness… but it’s so hard.
At times like that, rather than forcing yourself to grit your teeth and endure, it might actually be easier to stop pushing and let yourself cry it all out.
Here, I’ve put together a selection of classic Japanese songs that will stay close to your heart when you’re feeling unbearably blue.
I hope this article can be of help to you.
- [Melancholy] For when you want to sink all the way. Masterpieces that depict various kinds of gloom.
- [Dark Songs] A carefully curated selection of deeply dark tracks and heartbreaking songs that accompany you in tough times
- [Yami Song] Fight darkness with darkness!? Deep tracks that stay close to your pain
- [Yami Song] A mental breakdown track that sings the true feelings of a melancholic heart
- [Tearjerker] Songs that make your heart tremble with tears & moving tracks with lyrics that touch the soul
- [For High School Students] Melancholy Songs That Stay Close to Your Feelings [Tough Times]
- Masterpieces that sing of despair. Recommended popular songs.
- [For when you want to cry or feel sad] Tear-jerking masterpieces that make you cry when you listen
- [When You're Lonely] A Collection of Songs That Resonate With Those All Alone
- [Songs of Worries] Listening will gently lighten your heart. Masterpieces that speak for your feelings
- A masterpiece that sings of loneliness. Recommended popular songs.
- Masterpieces that sing about loneliness: J-pop to listen to when you're alone
- [Cheering Songs] Japanese tracks to listen to when you’re troubled, lost, or feeling anxious
Songs that hit home when you're feeling blue: Classic J-pop gems (11–20)
I want to be loved.Mioyamazaki
This song vividly portrays a heartrending love.
It’s included on the album “choice,” released in October 2017.
A single track that encapsulates Mio Yamazaki’s unique world, it uses skillful lyrics to express the tender sadness of being timid in love and the unspoken truths one can’t confess.
Delicate emotions ride on a dense melody that resonates deeply with listeners.
When you’re struggling with relationships or weighed down by inescapable gloom, listening to it can bring empathy and comfort.
Through this work, you can truly feel the depth of Mio Yamazaki’s musicality.
Delayed BrainNUMBER GIRL
NUMBER GIRL’s “Delayed Brain” feels like putting the jumbled scenery inside your head straight into words.
It’s included on their 2002 album NUM-HEAVYMETALLIC.
The band’s performance, which gives off an ennui-laden mood, together with vocalist Shutoku Mukai’s voice, evokes a mind so overwhelmed that fatigue has begun to show.
That flowing sound seems to sit close to the listener’s heart and gently soothe its wounds.
It’s a song I recommend for those times when you’re completely worn out, body and soul.
Playing dumbyurayura teikoku
Yura Yura Teikoku’s “Baka no Furi” wraps your gloomy mood in a languid, matter-of-fact melody.
It’s included on the 1994 album Yura Yura Teikoku II.
When you’re feeling down and don’t want to do anything, listening to this distinctive melody and vocals might let you truly laze the day away.
When you’re depressed, rest is important! If you’re having trouble relaxing, try taking a proper break with this track.
Just note that the band sound gets intense in the latter half, so after unwinding during the first half, use the second half to blow off some steam!
I bear a grudge.Nakajima Miyuki
A searing song that lays bare the pain of heartbreak.
Its lyrics delve deeply into a woman’s emotions, and together with Miyuki Nakajima’s powerful vocals, they stir the listener’s feelings.
A remastered version was released in March 2018 and included on the album “Ikite Itemo Ii Desu ka (Remaster).” It’s recommended for times when you want to heal the wounds of a broken heart or face your own feelings.
Why not let your tears flow and cleanse your heart as you listen to this track?
Black Sheepthe pillows
When you want to clear the haze in your heart, I recommend “Black Sheep” by the pillows.
Included on the 1998 album LITTLE BUSTERS, this track is woven solely from guitar and the vocals of Sawao Yamanaka throughout.
The lyrics depict a protagonist who wipes out everything that gnaws at a mind tangled by too many unpleasant events.
When something bad happens, it might be good to reset everything to zero, just like in this song.
Before your heart grows weary from overthinking, why not let this track give you the cue to hit reset?
Family feat. KOHHhannya
This song candidly lays bare complex feelings toward family.
Hannya and KOHH’s personal experiences are deeply reflected, piercing the listener’s heart.
It’s included on the album “#Birthday,” released in July 2014.
The relationship with family is depicted frankly, including struggles with a father and love for a mother.
The two artists’ strong personalities blend together, making it a track that resonates not only with hip-hop fans but also with anyone grappling with family relationships.
Especially when you’re feeling blue, why not listen to this piece and face your own feelings?
Piercing songs to listen to when you're feeling blue: Classic Japanese tracks (21–30)
Blue amberback number
A ballad that epitomizes back number, fully portraying deep sorrow and complex emotions.
Released in April 2025, this song served as the theme for the drama “From the Day You Were Taken,” aligning closely with its weighty narrative.
Like rare amber that changes color depending on the angle, the piece explores the multifaceted nature of the human heart.
Even when acting with firm resolve, another self is screaming inside—its wavering comes through with piercing clarity.
The grief of being torn apart by inescapable fate and the indelible memories of love are carried by a beautiful melody, drawing you in until you can’t help but empathize.
It’s a track you’ll want to hear on sleepless nights when you’re burdened with feelings you can’t tell anyone.