Tears for a heartrending story… Tear-jerking songs by women recommended for the Yutori generation
When you think of tear-jerking songs, what kind of tracks come to mind?
From heart-wrenching breakup songs to ones about losing someone forever, J-pop is full of songs with many different stories.
Even beyond those themes, there are also songs that overlap with your own experiences and bring you to tears.
This time, we’ve put together a list of emotional songs by female artists that we recommend for the yutori generation.
Of course, these are all masterpieces that will resonate with people of any generation, not just those from the yutori generation, so be sure to check them out!
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Tears for a heartrending story… Songs that make women cry, recommended for the Yutori generation (11–20)
Song of LoveKōda Kumi
A song that portrays a woman’s unwavering determination to hold on to love, even as she senses a farewell with the one she loves.
Its poignant melody and powerful vocals resonate deeply.
Released as a single in September 2007, it was also chosen as the support song for Fuji TV’s “World Judo 2007.” Known as one of Kumi Koda’s signature tracks, it’s a staple at her live shows.
Highly recommended for those who have experienced heartbreak or are trying to overcome a parting with someone important.
Singing it with feeling at karaoke will surely bring comfort to your heart.
not enoughwacci
This is a heartbreak song overflowing with poignancy, capturing the emotional turmoil of trying to sever lingering feelings for an ex.
Featured on wacci’s 2019 album Empathy, the track stands out for its lyrics written from a woman’s perspective.
Though she still has feelings, the protagonist’s struggle to choose a clean break in order to move forward is deeply affecting.
Positioned as a side story to “Betsu no Hito no Kanojo ni Natta yo,” a one-take recording was also released in 2020.
It’s a must-listen for anyone who’s gone from mutual love to one-sided, or who wants to move on but can’t quite bring themselves to do it.
Happy Endingback number
This work was released in 2016 as the 16th single by back number, a three-piece rock band from Gunma.
It was chosen as the theme song for the film “My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday.” While the title might seem contradictory because the lyrics portray the bittersweet feelings of a protagonist trying to accept a breakup, in English it can carry the nuance of “a happy time coming to an end,” which deepens the meaning of the words.
Even as the singer tells themselves it’s going to be okay, they can’t sever their feelings for the other person deep down, and that inner conflict comes through almost painfully.
The majestic strings layered over the band sound are also beautiful, and just following the melody can bring you to tears.
Anyone who has experienced a breakup may find their emotions from that time coming back as they listen.
I became someone else’s girlfriend.wacci
A song that captures the complex feelings of a woman telling her ex that she’s found a new partner.
Her current boyfriend is mature, kind, and makes her feel safe, yet she can’t help but remember how naturally she could be herself around her ex—the song carefully portrays that inner conflict.
Written by wacci’s vocalist Yohei Hashiguchi after hearing a story from a female friend, the track was released digitally in 2018.
Its popularity spread by word of mouth, and by 2021 it had surpassed 100 million total streams.
Recommended for anyone who wants to treasure their current relationship but can’t quite let go of lingering feelings for an ex.
MetronomeYonezu Kenshi
A song that overlays the gradual misalignment of two people’s relationship with an instrument keeping a steady rhythm, conveying a poignant sense of missed connections that tugs at the heart.
Included on the 2015 album “Bremen,” this track powerfully conveys the helplessness of starting in the same tempo only to drift apart over time, as well as the lingering attachment that makes you keep searching for the other person even after you’ve parted.
The animated music video—hand-drawn by Kenshi Yonezu himself with about 200 illustrations—visually deepens the song’s world and leaves a strong impression.
For anyone with an unforgettable love or who has experienced growing apart from someone dear, this is a sorrowful yet beautiful ballad that resonates deeply.
Please forget it.Yorushika
A song by Yorushika whose gentle melody and soul-soothing vocals evoke a sense of nostalgia.
The theme centers on self-sacrificial love, as the narrator wishes for their beloved to “forget” them for the sake of the beloved’s future.
Yet behind those words seems to lie a desperate, contradictory feeling of “I actually don’t want you to forget,” and that tension tightens the listener’s chest.
Released in July 2024 as the theme song for the drama “GO HOME: Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department—Unidentified Persons Consultation Office,” this sentimental number quietly stays by your side on nights when you’re nursing heartbreak or immersing yourself in memories of someone dear.
Tears from a heartrending story... Songs that make women cry, recommended for the Yutori generation (21–30)
The Door to TomorrowTeshima Aoi
Aoi Teshima, whose translucent singing voice gently envelops listeners’ hearts.
Released in February 2016 as the theme song for the drama “Someday, When I Recall This Love, I Will Surely Cry,” this piece is a special track: a rearrangement of a song from the album “Ren’dez-vous” tailored for the show.
Its lyrics, like a letter to a precious person far away, are deeply moving and will surely resonate with anyone who has experienced farewell or a new departure.
The simple arrangement centered on piano and strings, if anything, highlights the weight of each word.
It’s a song that quietly stays by your side when you want to reflect on memories with someone dear, or when you need courage to face forward.