Masterpieces of bittersweet breakup songs. Recommended popular tracks.

I can’t put it into wordsofukōsu

Kotoba Ni Dekinai

A gemlike ballad that gives voice to the ineffable emotions faced at love’s end.

Included on Off Course’s album “over,” released in December 1981, and later issued as their 23rd single in February 1982, this song gently portrays the subtle shifts of feeling that emerge through parting from someone dear.

The “la la la” that threads through the chorus is a striking phrase that reminds us how, at times, it can express the heart more eloquently than words.

Used in a Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance commercial, it has surely lingered in many listeners’ memories.

It’s a song that stands beside you through life’s many moments, embracing the complex emotions we feel—cherishing someone important, tenderness, and a sense of loss.

Do whatever the hell you want.sawada kenji

Do whatever the hell you want.

A love song that strikingly portrays a man trying to keep his pride even as he’s tormented by the premonition of a breakup.

The scene of a lover packing up and leaving in the middle of the night is exquisitely rendered through Yu Aku’s delicate words and Katsuo Ono’s wistful melody.

The conflicting emotions—lingering attachment to the other and a man’s stubborn pride—intertwine, and Kenji Sawada’s sultry vocals shake the soul.

Released in May 1977, the song claimed the No.

1 spot on the Oricon weekly chart for a total of five weeks.

It went on to achieve the remarkable feat of sweeping numerous music awards that year, including the Japan Record Award.

A gem of a masterpiece that resonates deeply with those who have experienced parting with someone precious or who stand at a crossroads in life.

To fall like a roseAKASAKI

[AKASAKI] Fall With the Rose / Fall With The Rose (Lyric Video)

A song by AKASAKI that delicately portrays the sweetness and ache of love and the pain of parting.

While resplendently singing of a love that cannot be stopped, it also beautifully captures the fragility of its end.

The genuine emotional expression and refined musicianship are perfectly balanced, making this piece, which seeps into the heart like a romance film, especially moving.

Released in February 2025, it was chosen as the theme song for the TV drama “Labyrinth of Love.” While rooted in rock, its innovative arrangement effectively incorporates elements of jazz and classical music, adding to its allure.

Highly recommended for those who have experienced a farewell with someone dear, or who are still struggling to sort out their feelings.

contact lens caseSaucy Dog

Saucy Dog “Contact Case” (from LIVE DVD & Blu-ray “YAON de WAOOON,” recorded at Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall on April 30, 2019)

Just as you cherish and tuck away mementos, you want to gently store the pain of heartbreak in your heart.

This Saucy Dog song resonates with that feeling.

The bittersweet ache of waiting, somewhere inside, for someone who will never return, softly echoes over a calm melody.

Included on the album Salad Days, this track has been soothing the hearts of those who’ve experienced heartbreak since its release in May 2018.

Each time you notice traces of memories etched into everyday things and feel the warmth of those days again, this is a song that quietly stays by your side.

non-lie heartTani Yuuki

Non-lie Heart – Tani Yuuki (Official Lyric Video)

A poignant song by Tani Yuuki that beautifully portrays the pain and turmoil of heartbreak, where even promises sworn for eternity can crumble in an instant.

The conflicting emotions—disgust toward the person once loved and a love that still hasn’t faded—are woven together through skillful metaphors that pierce the listener’s heart.

While delicately expressing the wounds left by betrayal, the piece also conveys a strength that strives to overcome the sadness.

Included on the album “Memories,” the lyric video released in December 2021 was directed by Kosuke Matsuoka.

When you’re seeking to heal the wounds of a broken heart, this song will gently stay by your side.

bleachingaimyon

Aimyon - Bleach [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO (Short ver.)]

A coming-of-age love song that depicts the pure feelings of teenage love, along with mistakes, regrets, and growth.

Written by Aimyon as the theme song for the film “Rennai Kitan-shu,” this piece, released alongside the movie in February 2017, gently delivers the universal joys and heartaches of love through a tender melody that aligns with the film’s worldview.

With a mellow sound that draws on folk-rock elements and a theme of emotional cleansing, this song will quietly stay by your side when you want to heal the wounds of love or reflect on precious memories.

You let me do as I please, and yet…arekunn

You’re the one who let me fall for you / Arekun [Official Music Video]

A song that resonates with the anger toward someone who only reaches out when it suits them, and the aching feeling of not being able to forget them.

In contrast to its melodic, gentle sound, the lyrics are striking for their candid, down-to-earth emotions.

Released in September 2020 and gaining buzz mainly on social media, the track is also included on Are-kun’s album “Breath.” It features the soft timbre of an acoustic guitar and an emotionally rich arrangement.

If you’re struggling with a romantic relationship, sensing your partner’s feelings drifting away but not wanting to admit it, or have been hurt by someone’s misleading behavior, you’ll likely find this deeply relatable.