[2026] A collection of heart-wrenching BGM that makes your chest tighten
When you hear “melancholic BGM,” what comes to mind?
For generations older than Millennials, it probably evokes background music that simply tightens the chest with emotion.
But for Gen Z, in addition to that image, they might also picture melancholic BGM with a cute, endearing quality.
In fact, on TikTok and YouTube Shorts, you often see videos that pair deadpan, absurd mishaps with melancholic background music.
This time, we’ve selected melancholic BGM for a wide range of situations—from the kind you’d hear on social media to the kind that simply tugs at your heartstrings.
Be sure to check them out.
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[2026] A Heart-Tightening, Bittersweet BGM | Compilation (1–10)
A soothing Japanese-style music medleyxxxJunaJunaxxx
When it comes to BGM videos that make you cherish the spirit of “Wa” (Japanese harmony), “A Soothing Japanese-Style Music Medley” stands out.
Created by xxxJunaJunaxxx, who has produced numerous BGM videos, it features traditional melodies using Japanese instruments that soothe the soul and evoke the changing seasons of Japan—spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
It’s also lovely to listen while picturing Japan’s natural scenery, shrines, and temples.
While many tracks have a relaxed tempo, they also carry a certain beauty and strength.
The gentle music seems to envelop stress and anxiety.
Why not spend some leisurely time and experience the wabi-sabi of Japanese aesthetics?
A world without you is heartbreaking.CHIHIRO
Even as time passes, this song portrays the surge of sorrow that wells up when you recall memories of someone dear.
Because it’s based on CHIHIRO’s real experience of losing someone important, the expression of grief feels strikingly authentic.
With a piano-centered, heartrending sound, it vividly conveys the ache of feelings that can no longer reach their destination and the way sadness grows within the heart.
Another key point is that the remembered scenes are from ordinary, everyday life, which strongly underscores the pain of being unable to do even the simplest things anymore.
Scenerinri
The heartrending ballad “Scene” featuring Meika Hime is also a must-listen.
This is rinri’s entry for “VocaColle 2024 Winter Rookie.” The lyrics portray a man who has lost someone precious, reflecting on his memories.
Watching the animated music video may convey the situation even more clearly—be sure to watch through to the outro.
Also, although it’s a ballad, the arrangement builds momentum toward the latter half, which is another highlight.
[2026] Heart-twisting, bittersweet BGM | Compilation (11–20)
spin; weave; compose (e.g., a story)tota
Tota is an artist whose charm lies in her unadorned, sincere voice.
Since 2022, she has been sharing her music from home in the style known as a bedroom sound creator.
This song, released in 2023, features lyrics that express a wish—and offer encouragement—to live life to the fullest even in times of sadness or hardship, right up to the very end.
It’s curious how being alive can make us conscious of death, but the lyrics, which juxtapose life and death, are thought-provoking.
It’s a track you’ll want to listen to while savoring the words carefully.
Ghost in the FlowersYorushika
This is a song that portrays bittersweet summer memories, woven from a delicate singing voice and melody.
Yorushika’s gentle music spins a narrative with the touch of a short story.
Scenes like summer shade, frozen treats, and the sound of the wind resonate in the heart, stirring a faint sense of melancholy.
Released in April 2020, this song was also chosen as the theme for the animated film “A Whisker Away,” and is included on the album “Plagiarism.” The piece carefully depicts shifting memories and emotions against a backdrop of summer landscapes, making it a track you’ll want to hear at the turn of the seasons from spring to summer.
With its warm vocals that quietly stay close to your heart, why not take a moment to look back on your cherished memories?
phantom / illusion / vision / fantasyMy Hair is Bad
This song overflows with poignancy and sorrow.
It vividly depicts the pain of heartbreak and resonates deeply with listeners.
Released as a single by Universal Music in September 2017, it’s a track that strongly showcases the emotional side of My Hair is Bad.
The lyrics convey the feelings of a protagonist still hung up on a past relationship, shaping a song that could easily bring you to tears.
It’s a piece you’ll want to hear if you’ve experienced a breakup or a farewell with someone important.
With lyrics and a melody that seep into the heart, you’re sure to find something you can relate to.
Sad storySEASIDE STUDIO
“A Sad Story” is a work that captivates with a dreamlike world woven by an ephemeral piano melody and ethereal synth sounds.
Its wistful yet beautiful tune resonates deeply with the listener’s heart, making it a great choice as background music when you need to focus on studying or work.
Listen to it in the solitary hours of the night or in moments of emotional flux, and you’ll feel the pangs of loneliness and melancholy stir within.
Let the soft, enveloping sound fill the space as you spend a calm and moving moment.