Popular Ballad Song Ranking [2026]

PreciousItō Yuna85rank/position

LIVE : 💞 Yuna Ito – Precious /ap Bank fes ´09 💞 OST ” Limit of Love “

This is a song by Yuna Ito released in 2006.

It graced the film “LIMIT OF LOVE: Umizaru,” which became a major hit, as its theme song.

Yuna Ito’s powerful yet gentle vocals make this piece work beautifully as a ballad.

A single phrase in the chorus pierces the heart and can move you to tears.

Debuting in 2005, Yuna Ito had an impeccable combination of looks and voice from the start, earning high popularity.

She is one of the artists who shone in the 2000s and could be called a symbol of that decade.

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gummy

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I LOVE YOUOzaki Yutaka86rank/position

I LOVE YOU

A masterpiece among love ballads and one of Yutaka Ozaki’s signature songs.

Although it was released in 1983, it’s been used in commercials and covered by various artists, so many younger people know it as well.

Needless to say, this song is a tear-jerking, classic ballad, but it’s also highly recommended for men to sing at karaoke.

In addition to being in a comfortable key for the average male singer, the range from the lowest to the highest note isn’t very wide, making it a song you can sing pleasantly.

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Hane Keisuke

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Open ArmsJourney87rank/position

Journey – Open Arms (Official Video – 1982)

Journey, the legendary band that defined an era in the ’80s.

They’ve produced many timeless songs, but among them, “Open Arms” stands out as a bittersweet yet heartwarming ballad that has earned widespread acclaim.

Steve Perry’s crystalline vocals and the song’s warm melody have touched countless listeners, winning enduring love not only in the United States but also in Japan.

Since its 1982 release, it has garnered glowing praise, even taking the top spot on VH1’s “25 Greatest Power Ballads,” a testament to its undeniable quality.

If you’re looking to dive into rock ballads, be sure to give it a listen.

TRUE LOVEFujii Fumiya88rank/position

TRUE LOVE / Fumiya Fujii

A signature song by Fumiya Fujii released in 1993, this love ballad still shines in the J-pop scene.

It was released after The Checkers disbanded, as a solo work for which he wrote both the lyrics and the music himself.

Though the lyrics are simple and compact, they overflow with a straightforward devotion to the woman he loves.

With its slow-tempo ballad style and beautiful melody line, it should feel wonderfully comfortable to sing at karaoke.

It’s a piece that moves the heart even more when you sing it while thinking of someone special.

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Hane Keisuke

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Plant(화분)SEJEONG(세정)89rank/position

SEJEONG(세정) – Plant(화분) (Sketchbook) | KBS WORLD TV 210402

Sejeong’s “Plant (화분)” is a simple ballad that makes the most of her beautiful vocals.

Formerly the main vocalist of the eight-member girl group gugudan, she has been actively pursuing a solo career since the group disbanded.

Featured on her milestone first mini album, 화분, the title track “Plant (화분)” delivers particularly moving lyrics that use clever rhetoric to portray herself spending time beside the one she loves, like a houseplant.

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Yuuki

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Every Breath You TakeThe Police90rank/position

The Police – Every Breath You Take (Official Music Video)

The Police are a British band that rose to prominence in the late 1970s with their innovative musical style that blended rock with reggae elements.

This work is their signature song, released in May 1983.

In Japan, it’s frequently heard in commercials, so many people may recognize the melody.

At first glance, it seems like a romantic love song, but the lyrics depict a slightly unsettling side—intense obsession with and surveillance of a lover.

This imbalance between the sweet melody and stalker-like lyrics becomes a compelling charm that captivates listeners.

Featured on the classic album Synchronicity, the song spent eight consecutive weeks at No.

1 on the U.S.

charts.

It is a masterpiece ballad that is not merely beautiful, but one that delves into the depths of human psychology.

rainbowSuda Masaki91rank/position

Masaki Suda 'Niji' (Rainbow)

A celebrated song by Masaki Suda, distinguished by its warm, tender vocals wrapped in kindness and affection, and a melody that gently stays close to the heart.

Portraying the bond with a loved one and the small joys hidden in everyday life, this piece softly sings of gratitude toward a partner who accepts one’s weaknesses and the hope to continue walking side by side.

Released in November 2020, it garnered attention as the theme song for the film “STAND BY ME Doraemon 2,” bringing comfort to many listeners.

It’s a song you’ll want to hear in moments that celebrate the birth of new life and the bonds of family.