Popular Ballad Song Ranking [2026]

We’re bringing you the latest rankings from the overall chart of popular ballads, showcased all at once in order of most views!

When you’re feeling down or just want to relax alone, listening to ballads somehow brings a sense of relief, doesn’t it?

Whether Japanese or Western music, this is a must-listen ranking for anyone who simply wants to enjoy all kinds of ballads.

The playlist is updated weekly.

Playlist

Popular Ballad Song Ranking [2026]
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Happy Endingback number		A ballad that portrays the poignancy of heartbreak and the resolve to say goodbye
2	PrologueUru		Uru’s clear, translucent singing voice touches the heart
3	First LoveUtada Hikaru		The bittersweet memory of an unforgettable first love
4	KanadeSukima Suichi		Sukima Switch’s poignant classic ballad
5	Letter to TomorrowTeshima Aoi		Aoi Teshima’s “Letter to Tomorrow”: moving forward with a heartrending voice
6	I Want It That WayBackstreet Boys		Backstreet Boys’ classic hit moves people around the world
7	One more time,One more chanceYamazaki Masayoshi		A poignant song featured in a Suntory commercial and as a movie theme
8	Ballad of a SingerSaitō Kazuyoshi		Kazuyoshi Saito’s love song, a heart-touching masterpiece
9	Wherever you areONE OK ROCK		Let's sing 'Wherever You Are' in falsetto.
10	moonlightOnitsuka Chihiro		A fleeting masterpiece like moonlight, resonating in the heart.
11	HOWEVERGLAY		GLAY’s signature song, with heartrending lyrics and a beautiful melody
12	STAYBLACKPINK		BLACKPINK’s bittersweet yet pop ballad
13	planetariumOtsuka Ai		A ballad imbued with the bittersweetness of love under the starry sky
14	bow knotAimer		Aimer’s “Butterfly Knot,” a moving masterpiece
15	LemonYonezu Kenshi		Vocal Technique Guide to Kenshi Yonezu’s Long-Running Hit Songs
16	budKobukuro		A moving song that celebrates a mother's love and bond
17	366 daysHY		HY’s heartrending heartbreak ballad, a movie theme song
18	I want to hug you.Mr.Children		A gem-like love ballad by Mr.Children
19	EverythingMISIA		Theme song of 'Yamato Nadeshiko,' a moving masterpiece
20	Goodbye, my beloved.Hana＊Hana		Hanahana’s signature song that expresses the sorrow of parting
21	Eine KleineYonezu Kenshi		Kenshi Yonezu’s “Eine Kleine” is a masterpiece that sings of the anxieties of love.
22	Because you are hereUru		A moving ballad filled with Uru’s love and message
23	See You Again ft. Charlie PuthWiz Khalifa		A moving song by Charlie Puth and Wiz Khalifa
24	balladKetsumeishi		Ketsumeishi’s ballads are captivating!
25	Crystal SnowBTS		BTS's wistful winter love song, like snow
26	crescent moonayaka		A masterpiece that sings of the poignant feelings of a long-distance romance
27	A Bouquet for YouUtada Hikaru		A song by Hikaru Utada that resonates with the heart
28	secret base 〜What You Gave Me〜ZONE		ZONE's hit song “secret base”
29	Spot the differenceSuda Masaki		An inspiring song that finds the meaning of life
30	Unchanging ThingsOku Hanako		A wistful piano ballad that mourns the end of summer
31	A Naked Heartaimyon		A heartfelt song that sings of anxiety and hope in love
32	Maplesupittsu		Masamune Kusano’s famous songs, many tie-ins
33	beetle (specifically, a rhinoceros beetle)aiko		One of aiko’s signature songs, J-pop…
34	HAPPY BIRTHDAYback number		A bittersweet unrequited-love birthday song, a love that cannot come true
35	About meMrs. GREEN APPLE		Mrs. GREEN APPLE’s moving masterpiece that resonates with the heart
36	MPRINCESS PRINCESS		A classic ballad by PRINCESS PRINCESS
37	I want to take only you away just like this.DEEN		DEEN’s debut single was a million-selling hit
38	single bedSha ran Q		A ballad that portrays the feelings of recovering from heartbreak and moving forward
39	Time After TimeCyndi Lauper		The iconic 80s classic “Time After Time.”
40	PretenderOfisharu Higedan Dism		A heartrending ballad that sings of the pain of heartbreak
41	catDISH//		Aimyon “Hadaka no Kokoro” — moving and heartrending
42	A melody instead of a bouquetShimizu Shota		A heartwarming love song by Shota Shimizu
43	The Last RainYasushi Nakanishi		A gem-like ballad portraying rain and parting
44	White LoversKuwata Keisuke		A heartwarming ballad that turns the bittersweet love of winter into a blessing
45	OH MY LITTLE GIRLOzaki Yutaka		Iconic 90s classics: kayōkyoku beloved across generations
46	The summer you gave meieiri reo		Leo Ieiri’s bittersweet summer classic “The Summer You Gave Me”
47	Broken RadioTokunaga Hideaki		Hidetoshi Tokunaga’s smash-hit ballad, belted out at karaoke
48	Snow BlossomNakajima Mika		Mika Nakashima’s classic: a gem of a ballad to listen to in winter
49	Someday Merry ChristmasB’z		B’z’s classic breakup ballad
50	StoryAI		A moving AI ballad that sings of deep love and bonds
51	Love StoryAmuro Namie		Namie Amuro’s poignant love song, a heart-stirring track
52	NautilusYorushika		It sinks into my heart in Yorushika’s songs
53	MissingKubota Toshinobu		Toshinobu Kubota’s classic song that sings of the pain of unrequited love
54	Promise of SunflowersHata Motohiro		A moving theme song that portrays bonds and love
55	Midsummer FruitSazan Ōrusutāzu		A heartbreak love ballad at summer’s end
56	Stay With MeSam Smith		Sam Smith's classic 'Stay With Me'
57	flameLiSA		LiSA’s smash-hit theme song for Demon Slayer
58	ORIONNakajima Mika		Mika Nakashima’s single “ORION”
59	Ghost in the FlowersYorushika		A wistful song that paints memories of summer
60	dogwood (flowering dogwood)Hitoto Yo		Hitoto Yo's classic ballad, a prayerful lyric that touches the heart
61	homeKiyama Yusaku		A song by Yusaku Kiyama that celebrates parental love and the joys of raising children
62	FluxEllie Goulding		Ellie Goulding’s heartbreak ballad
63	DIVINEshōjo jidai		A grand and powerful ballad by Girls' Generation
64	the red threadKobukuro		A love ballad that overcomes the rut and looks forward
65	Without MeHalsey		Halsey’s heartbreak song “Without Me”
66	DarlingMrs. GREEN APPLE		Motoki Omori’s 18 Festival theme song, a song of self-exploration
67	Summer Days of 1993class		A ballad portraying the shift of feelings from friendship to romance
68	GarnetOku Hanako		Okubana's heartbreak songs heal the heart
69	Hello/How are you?nanou		Nano・'s first million-hit song, characterized by a complex melody
70	All of the YouthFujifaburikku		A rock band that sings about young people's feelings in a true-to-life way
71	Dried flowersYuuri		A classic song that gently sings of lingering feelings after a breakup
72	Lovers AgainEXILE		The ballad techniques in EXILE’s “Lovers Again”
73	PreciousItō Yuna		A ballad of resolute faith in the one you love
74	Christmas songback number		Back Number's representative winter song, 'Christmas Song'
75	My Heart Will Go OnCéline Dion		Céline Dion’s famous song, the theme from Titanic
76	May it be filled with kindnessJUJU		A classic song that sings of gratitude and love for a cherished person
77	Secret of my heartKuraki Mai		A smash-hit song by a supremely talented songstress
78	TSUNAMISazan Ōrusutāzu		A classic Southern (Southern All Stars) hit: a song about an encounter that changes your life
79	I Don’t Want To Miss A ThingAerosmith		Aerosmith’s classic, a song of deep love
80	Is there still anything that love can do?RADWIMPS		RADWIMPS’s film music are healing masterpieces for the heart
81	1.15 Million Kilometers of FilmOfisharu Higedan Dism		Keep filming love, as if life were a movie.
82	FlowerORANGE RANGE		ORANGE RANGE’s classic song “Hana” is perfect for low-voiced men.
83	November RainGuns N’ Roses		Guns N' Roses' classic song 'November Rain'
84	threadNakajima Miyuki		Miyuki Nakajima’s gem of a masterpiece that weaves fate with warp and weft
85	Unrequited loveAimer		Aimer’s moving lyrics and melodies
86	I LOVE YOUOzaki Yutaka		Yutaka Ozaki’s classic hit, a ballad popular among men
87	Every Breath You TakeThe Police		A masterpiece by The Police: a sweet melody with morbid lyrics
88	Open ArmsJourney		Journey’s classic song “Open Arms” is moving.
89	TRUE LOVEFujii Fumiya		Fumiya Fujii’s famous song, a love ballad filled with affection
90	Plant(화분)SEJEONG(세정)		Sejeong’s beautiful ballad “Plant”
91	rainbowSuda Masaki		Masaki Suda’s song that heals the heart, a masterpiece of familial love
92	SoranjiMrs. GREEN APPLE		A moving ballad that sings of the sanctity of life and of hope
93	AiHata Motohiro		Motohiro Hata’s masterpiece “Koi,” a poignant love song
94	ALONEB’z		A bittersweet love song at dusk that heals loneliness.
95	#302Hirai Ken		A classic song that sings about memories from karaoke
96	A Thousand YearsChristina Perri		Love songs resonate in the hearts of many people.
97	PhotographEd Sheeran		Ed Sheeran’s long-distance love anthem resonates with the heart.
98	I became someone else’s girlfriend.wacci		A husky ... set to a slow-tempo ballad
99	The End of SummerMoriyama Naotaro		End of summer, Moriyama Naotaro’s classic song
100	Sakura (2019)Moriyama Naotaro		The Appeal of Naotaro Moriyama’s Graduation Song “Sakura”