Masterpieces of bittersweet breakup songs. Recommended popular tracks.

tear(s)Marushii

Marcy – Tears (Official Music Video)

A heartbreaking breakup ballad by Marcy, beloved for their relatable, down-to-earth music.

The structure tells all the radiant memories of a seaside park in the past tense, conveying the bittersweet ache of heartbreak—the way you can’t help but remember, even knowing you can’t go back.

You might recognize that feeling, as if your body still carries the warmth of the other person.

It’s a song that gently stays by the side of anyone who can’t forget a summer romance that has come to an end.

I want to be dumped with a happy endingAnri

I want to be dumped with a happy ending

If it’s going to end anyway, I’d rather keep it as a beautiful memory—this is a heartbreak song where bravado and true feelings intermingle.

Released in March 1987 as Anri’s 20th single, the track was featured in a JT “SomeTime LIGHTS” commercial.

It’s also included on the classic album SUMMER FAREWELLS.

Anri’s vocals resonate with the bittersweetness of a fading summer, striking straight to the heart.

The lyrics, portraying a brave yet sorrowful protagonist trying to smile in the face of parting, really hit home.

On nights when you want to look just a little ahead and sort through your memories even amid painful heartbreak, give it a listen.

Sad feelingsKuwata Keisuke

Keisuke Kuwata – Sad Feelings (Just a Man in Love) (Full ver.)

This is the solo debut single by Keisuke Kuwata, the vocalist of Southern All Stars.

At first listen it has a bright, breezy sound, but beneath that lies the inescapable loneliness of a man heartbroken in love.

The contrast between the cheerful tone and the heartrending lyrics may, if anything, tighten many listeners’ chests.

Released in October 1987, it was later included on the album “Keisuke Kuwata.” Please take your time and give it a careful listen.

GoodbyeNishino Kana

Goodbye

Even though they didn’t grow to hate each other, they end up choosing to part ways due to drifting apart.

This is a poignant medium-tempo ballad by Kana Nishino that tightens the heart with the complexity of such an ending to love.

The way the protagonist tries to seal away the memories without truly accepting what happened feels strikingly real, likely because of the lyrics’ masterful grasp of the subtleties of romance.

Released in October 2013, the song is also known as the theme for the NHK serial drama “Glass no Ie” and is included on the album “with LOVE.” For those who have lost a love that couldn’t be saved by feelings alone and can’t yet move on, this song will gently whisper, “It’s okay—you don’t have to force yourself to forget.”

beetle (specifically, a rhinoceros beetle)aiko

aiko - 'Kabutomushi' music video

It’s a song by aiko that portrays a delicate heart: identifying with an insect that protects itself with a hard shell yet is fragile inside, and acting tough precisely because it’s in love.

Like that insect that cannot survive the winter, the song foresees the end of love, yet its deep affection moves you as it tries to accept even the sadness as a cherished memory.

Released in November 1999, it was also used as the ending theme for TBS’s CDTV.

If you’ve ever found yourself putting on a brave front in front of someone you like, you’ll understand this all too well! As you listen, may you embrace that awkwardness as a part of yourself and find the courage to step forward into tomorrow.

Then, why?Abe Mao

Then, why?

This is a poignant ballad by Mao Abe that sings of the helpless feeling when you realize you were the only one who was serious, after being led on by someone’s suggestive behavior.

The regret of having believed the words of a capricious, cat-like partner, and the pain that makes you want to demand, “Then why did you say that?” ride on her emotional vocals and pierce straight into your heart.

The song is included on the album “Su.” released in June 2011.

Remarkably, Abe wrote it during her high school years, and the pure, youthful cry of the heart resonates with raw intensity.

When you’re suffering from a lover’s ambiguous attitude and have nowhere to put your feelings, listening to this can feel as though it’s speaking for you.

Its gut-wrenching lyrics, paradoxically, will gently wrap your loneliness in warmth.

Lovers AgainEXILE

EXILE / Lovers Again (Short Ver.)

Released in 2007 as EXILE’s 22nd single.

The song was used in the KDDI “au × EXILE Chapter 2 Campaign” commercial, reached No.

2 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart, and recorded a total of 7 million downloads through digital distribution.