[So touching it makes you cry] A heartbreakingly wistful and sad song that tightens your chest
A feeling like your chest is being tightly squeezed…
Heartbreak, parting from someone precious, the daily pains…
Here are some heartbreaking songs that will bring tears to your eyes when you listen.
We’ve gathered tracks for those who want to have a good cry or be comforted by songs that share the same feelings.
From timeless classics to the latest releases, we’re covering a wide range—so be sure to read to the end.
Even with sad songs, finding ones you can relate to helps you realize you’re not alone.
By the time you finish listening, your sadness and heartache might just turn a little more positive.
Let these wistful songs guide you, and allow yourself to honestly let out your weakness and pain as your emotions lead you.
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[Tearjerker] Songs so heartrending and sorrowful they make your chest tighten (161–170)
beetle (specifically, a rhinoceros beetle)aiko
Speaking of aiko, she’s famous for songs that express the real feelings of women.
In this track, she sings about someone she loves setting off to a place where they can never meet again.
It’s sad, but it conveys a bittersweet resolve to cherish their memories and keep moving forward.
It was released in 1999 as aiko’s fourth single.
Sad love songatarayo
As the title suggests, this song is a sad love story sung from the perspective of the woman in a couple.
The man she’s dating seems a bit insensitive and kind to everyone.
Feeling that he doesn’t look only at her, the protagonist gradually starts to drift away from him.
In the latter half of the song, she grows fed up and tries to break up with him…
but at that moment, she realizes all over again that she still loves him.
It’s a heartbreaking portrayal of a love she knows isn’t good for her, yet she can’t bring herself to leave.
[Tearjerker] Songs so heartrending and sad they make your chest tighten (171–180)
SAKURAikimonogakari
Ikimono-gakari’s major-label debut single “SAKURA” is a song that enjoys great popularity as a graduation anthem.
It tells the story of two people who decide to pursue their dreams and end up apart.
While thinking of the loved one who left their hometown, the song portrays a tender inner feeling of loneliness—wondering if, with time, they’ll eventually be forgotten.
Perhaps when the sadness fades and the memories can be recalled as purely beautiful, that will be the moment one can truly move on to the next step.
Unfit to be a loverMiyuhan
Miyuhan is a singer-songwriter from Kagawa Prefecture who has gained popularity, especially among women of her generation.
Her 2019 release “Koibito Shikkaku” (Disqualified as a Lover) is an answer song to fellow singer-songwriter Koresawa’s signature track “Tabako” (Cigarette).
While “Tabako” depicts the woman’s feelings, “Koibito Shikkaku” is written from the man’s perspective, so try comparing the lyrics.
Your TraceMomoiro Kurōbā Zetto
A heartfelt ballad that portrays sorrow and growth.
Through a parting with a loved one, it expresses the act of looking inward, carried by a beautiful melody and profound lyrics.
Featured on their 1st album “Battle and Romance,” this track has remained beloved among fans as a work that showcases the breadth of their musicality and the emotional depth of their message.
It’s a healing number that offers comfort to those who’ve experienced heartbreak or farewells, and to anyone struggling with important relationships.
Listening to this piece may help you reframe painful experiences in a more positive light.
emptyyuzu
Yuzu’s music is known for its delicate, soul-stirring lyrics and beautiful harmonies.
Their third single, “Karappo,” released in November 1998, is notable for its lyrics that depict heartbreak and a sense of emptiness.
Written and composed by Koji Iwasawa, the song was also used as the ending theme for NHK-FM’s “Music Square.” The lyrics, which portray small moments of everyday life and shifting emotions, convey the fragility of human relationships and profound emotional changes.
It’s a sentimental number that resonates with those who have felt the pain of heartbreak or experienced parting from someone dear.
Lingering Snowiruka
This is a song you hear very often as a graduation staple, and it can be considered one of folk singer Iruka’s signature tracks.
Although it feels like it’s her own song, it’s actually a cover of a piece by the folk group Kaguyahime.
It’s a deeply poignant song about the sorrowful moment of seeing someone off as they go their separate way.