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] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1 | Happy Endingback number |  play_arrow | A ballad that portrays the poignancy of heartbreak and the resolve to say goodbye |
| 2 | PrologueUru |  play_arrow | My heart trembles at the fleeting worldview. “You... |
| 3 | First LoveUtada Hikaru |  play_arrow | The bittersweet memory of an unforgettable first love |
| 4 | Letter to TomorrowTeshima Aoi |  play_arrow | Aoi Teshima’s “Letter to Tomorrow”: moving forward with a heartrending voice |
| 5 | KanadeSukima Suichi |  play_arrow | Sukima Switch’s poignant classic ballad |
| 6 | I Want It That WayBackstreet Boys |  play_arrow | Backstreet Boys’ classic hit moves people around the world |
| 7 | One more time,One more chanceYamazaki Masayoshi |  play_arrow | A poignant song featured in a Suntory commercial and as a movie theme |
| 8 | Ballad of a SingerSaitō Kazuyoshi |  play_arrow | Kazuyoshi Saito’s love song, a heart-touching masterpiece |
| 9 | Wherever you areONE OK ROCK |  play_arrow | Let's sing 'Wherever You Are' in falsetto. |
| 10 | moonlightOnitsuka Chihiro |  play_arrow | A fleeting masterpiece like moonlight, resonating in the heart. |
| 11 | HOWEVERGLAY |  play_arrow | GLAY’s signature song, with heartrending lyrics and a beautiful melody |
| 12 | STAYBLACKPINK |  play_arrow | BLACKPINK’s bittersweet yet pop ballad |
| 13 | planetariumOtsuka Ai |  play_arrow | A ballad imbued with the bittersweetness of love under the starry sky |
| 14 | bow knotAimer |  play_arrow | Aimer’s “Butterfly Knot,” a moving masterpiece |
| 15 | budKobukuro |  play_arrow | A moving song that celebrates a mother's love and bond |
| 16 | 366 daysHY |  play_arrow | HY’s heartrending heartbreak ballad, a movie theme song |
| 17 | I want to hug you.Mr.Children |  play_arrow | A gem-like love ballad by Mr.Children |
| 18 | EverythingMISIA |  play_arrow | Theme song of 'Yamato Nadeshiko,' a moving masterpiece |
| 19 | Goodbye, my beloved.Hana＊Hana |  play_arrow | Hanahana’s signature song that expresses the sorrow of parting |
| 20 | See You Again ft. Charlie PuthWiz Khalifa |  play_arrow | A moving song by Charlie Puth and Wiz Khalifa |
| 21 | LemonYonezu Kenshi |  play_arrow | Vocal Technique Guide to Kenshi Yonezu’s Long-Running Hit Songs |
| 22 | Because you are hereUru |  play_arrow | A timeless song that gently embraces feelings for someone special |
| 23 | balladKetsumeishi |  play_arrow | Ketsumeishi’s ballads are captivating! |
| 24 | Crystal SnowBTS |  play_arrow | BTS's wistful winter love song, like snow |
| 25 | crescent moonayaka |  play_arrow | A masterpiece that sings of the poignant feelings of a long-distance romance |
| 26 | A Bouquet for YouUtada Hikaru |  play_arrow | A song by Hikaru Utada that resonates with the heart |
| 27 | secret base 〜What You Gave Me〜ZONE |  play_arrow | ZONE's hit song “secret base” |
| 28 | Spot the differenceSuda Masaki |  play_arrow | An inspiring song that finds the meaning of life |
| 29 | Unchanging ThingsOku Hanako |  play_arrow | A wistful piano ballad that mourns the end of summer |
| 30 | A Naked Heartaimyon |  play_arrow | A heartfelt song that sings of anxiety and hope in love |
| 31 | beetle (specifically, a rhinoceros beetle)aiko |  play_arrow | One of aiko’s signature songs, J-pop… |
| 32 | HAPPY BIRTHDAYback number |  play_arrow | A bittersweet unrequited-love birthday song, a love that cannot come true |
| 33 | Maplesupittsu |  play_arrow | Masamune Kusano’s famous songs, many tie-ins |
| 34 | MPRINCESS PRINCESS |  play_arrow | A classic ballad by PRINCESS PRINCESS |
| 35 | About meMrs. GREEN APPLE |  play_arrow | Mrs. GREEN APPLE’s moving masterpiece that resonates with the heart |
| 36 | I want to take only you away just like this.DEEN |  play_arrow | DEEN’s debut single was a million-selling hit |
| 37 | single bedSha ran Q |  play_arrow | A ballad that portrays the feelings of recovering from heartbreak and moving forward |
| 38 | catDISH// |  play_arrow | Aimyon “Hadaka no Kokoro” — moving and heartrending |
| 39 | PretenderOfisharu Higedan Dism |  play_arrow | A heartrending ballad that sings of the pain of heartbreak |
| 40 | Time After TimeCyndi Lauper |  play_arrow | The iconic 80s classic “Time After Time.” |
| 41 | A melody instead of a bouquetShimizu Shota |  play_arrow | A heartwarming love song by Shota Shimizu |
| 42 | The Last RainYasushi Nakanishi |  play_arrow | A gem-like ballad portraying rain and parting |
| 43 | White LoversKuwata Keisuke |  play_arrow | A heartwarming ballad that turns the bittersweet love of winter into a blessing |
| 44 | OH MY LITTLE GIRLOzaki Yutaka |  play_arrow | Iconic 90s classics: kayōkyoku beloved across generations |
| 45 | Eine KleineYonezu Kenshi |  play_arrow | Kenshi Yonezu’s “Eine Kleine” is a masterpiece that sings of the anxieties of love. |
| 46 | The summer you gave meieiri reo |  play_arrow | Leo Ieiri’s bittersweet summer classic “The Summer You Gave Me” |
| 47 | Broken RadioTokunaga Hideaki |  play_arrow | Hidetoshi Tokunaga’s smash-hit ballad, belted out at karaoke |
| 48 | Snow BlossomNakajima Mika |  play_arrow | Mika Nakashima’s classic: a gem of a ballad to listen to in winter |
| 49 | Someday Merry ChristmasB’z |  play_arrow | B’z’s classic breakup ballad |
| 50 | Love StoryAmuro Namie |  play_arrow | Namie Amuro’s poignant love song, a heart-stirring track |
| 51 | StoryAI |  play_arrow | A moving AI ballad that sings of deep love and bonds |
| 52 | NautilusYorushika |  play_arrow | When I listen to it, I feel like I've just finished watching a movie... |
| 53 | MissingKubota Toshinobu |  play_arrow | Toshinobu Kubota’s classic song that sings of the pain of unrequited love |
| 54 | Midsummer FruitSazan Ōrusutāzu |  play_arrow | A heartbreak love ballad at summer’s end |
| 55 | Stay With MeSam Smith |  play_arrow | Sam Smith's classic 'Stay With Me' |
| 56 | Promise of SunflowersHata Motohiro |  play_arrow | A moving theme song that portrays bonds and love |
| 57 | ORIONNakajima Mika |  play_arrow | Mika Nakashima’s single “ORION” |
| 58 | flameLiSA |  play_arrow | LiSA’s smash-hit theme song for Demon Slayer |
| 59 | dogwood (flowering dogwood)Hitoto Yo |  play_arrow | Hitoto Yo's classic ballad, a prayerful lyric that touches the heart |
| 60 | homeKiyama Yusaku |  play_arrow | A song by Yusaku Kiyama that celebrates parental love and the joys of raising children |
| 61 | FluxEllie Goulding |  play_arrow | Ellie Goulding’s heartbreak ballad |
| 62 | Ghost in the FlowersYorushika |  play_arrow | A wistful song that paints memories of summer |
| 63 | DIVINEshōjo jidai |  play_arrow | A grand and powerful ballad by Girls' Generation |
| 64 | the red threadKobukuro |  play_arrow | A love ballad that overcomes the rut and looks forward |
| 65 | Without MeHalsey |  play_arrow | Halsey’s heartbreak song “Without Me” |
| 66 | Summer Days of 1993class |  play_arrow | A ballad portraying the shift of feelings from friendship to romance |
| 67 | GarnetOku Hanako |  play_arrow | Okubana's heartbreak songs heal the heart |
| 68 | All of the YouthFujifaburikku |  play_arrow | A rock band that sings about young people's feelings in a true-to-life way |
| 69 | DarlingMrs. GREEN APPLE |  play_arrow | Motoki Omori’s 18 Festival theme song, a song of self-exploration |
| 70 | Lovers AgainEXILE |  play_arrow | The ballad techniques in EXILE’s “Lovers Again” |
| 71 | Hello/How are you?nanou |  play_arrow | Nano・'s first million-hit song, characterized by a complex melody |
| 72 | Dried flowersYuuri |  play_arrow | A classic song that gently sings of lingering feelings after a breakup |
| 73 | Christmas songback number |  play_arrow | Back Number's representative winter song, 'Christmas Song' |
| 74 | My Heart Will Go OnCéline Dion |  play_arrow | Céline Dion’s famous song, the theme from Titanic |
| 75 | May it be filled with kindnessJUJU |  play_arrow | A classic song that sings of gratitude and love for a cherished person |
| 76 | Secret of my heartKuraki Mai |  play_arrow | A smash-hit song by a supremely talented songstress |
| 77 | TSUNAMISazan Ōrusutāzu |  play_arrow | A classic Southern (Southern All Stars) hit: a song about an encounter that changes your life |
| 78 | I Don’t Want To Miss A ThingAerosmith |  play_arrow | Aerosmith’s classic, a song of deep love |
| 79 | 1.15 Million Kilometers of FilmOfisharu Higedan Dism |  play_arrow | Keep filming love, as if life were a movie. |
| 80 | FlowerORANGE RANGE |  play_arrow | ORANGE RANGE’s classic song “Hana” is perfect for low-voiced men. |
| 81 | threadNakajima Miyuki |  play_arrow | Miyuki Nakajima’s gem of a masterpiece that weaves fate with warp and weft |
| 82 | November RainGuns N’ Roses |  play_arrow | Guns N' Roses' classic song 'November Rain' |
| 83 | Is there still anything that love can do?RADWIMPS |  play_arrow | RADWIMPS’s film music are healing masterpieces for the heart |
| 84 | Unrequited loveAimer |  play_arrow | Aimer’s moving lyrics and melodies |
| 85 | PreciousItō Yuna |  play_arrow | Theme song of the film “Umizaru,” a heart-touching song by Yuna Ito |
| 86 | I LOVE YOUOzaki Yutaka |  play_arrow | Yutaka Ozaki’s classic hit, a ballad popular among men |
| 87 | Open ArmsJourney |  play_arrow | Journey’s classic song “Open Arms” is moving. |
| 88 | TRUE LOVEFujii Fumiya |  play_arrow | Fumiya Fujii’s famous song, a love ballad filled with affection |
| 89 | Plant(화분)SEJEONG(세정) |  play_arrow | Sejeong’s beautiful ballad “Plant” |
| 90 | Every Breath You TakeThe Police |  play_arrow | A masterpiece by The Police: a sweet melody with morbid lyrics |
| 91 | rainbowSuda Masaki |  play_arrow | Masaki Suda’s song that heals the heart, a masterpiece of familial love |
| 92 | SoranjiMrs. GREEN APPLE |  play_arrow | A moving ballad that sings of the sanctity of life and of hope |
| 93 | AiHata Motohiro |  play_arrow | Motohiro Hata’s masterpiece “Koi,” a poignant love song |
| 94 | ALONEB’z |  play_arrow | A bittersweet love song at dusk that heals loneliness. |
| 95 | #302Hirai Ken |  play_arrow | A classic song that sings about memories from karaoke |
| 96 | A Thousand YearsChristina Perri |  play_arrow | Love songs resonate in the hearts of many people. |
| 97 | I became someone else’s girlfriend.wacci |  play_arrow | A husky ... set to a slow-tempo ballad |
| 98 | The End of SummerMoriyama Naotaro |  play_arrow | End of summer, Moriyama Naotaro’s classic song |
| 99 | Sakura (2019)Moriyama Naotaro |  play_arrow | The Appeal of Naotaro Moriyama’s Graduation Song “Sakura” |
| 100 | To My YouthBolbbalgan4 |  play_arrow | A bittersweet ballad of Bolbbalgan4 |