Popular ballads. Band ranking [2026]
When it comes to bands, many people think of upbeat, fast-tempo songs with a great groove.
While that image is common, bands also have unexpectedly grand ballads and mellow, moving tracks.
This time, we’re introducing songs like those.
We’ve listed them in a ranking based on play counts so far, so be sure to check them out.
Playlist
| Popular ballads. Band 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 | I want to hug you.Mr.Children |  play_arrow | A gem-like love ballad by Mr.Children |
| 3 | About meMrs. GREEN APPLE |  play_arrow | Mrs. GREEN APPLE’s moving masterpiece that resonates with the heart |
| 4 | 366 daysHY |  play_arrow | HY’s heartrending heartbreak ballad, a movie theme song |
| 5 | HOWEVERGLAY |  play_arrow | GLAY’s signature song, with heartrending lyrics and a beautiful melody |
| 6 | Wherever you areONE OK ROCK |  play_arrow | Let's sing 'Wherever You Are' in falsetto. |
| 7 | PretenderOfisharu Higedan Dism |  play_arrow | A heartrending ballad that sings of the pain of heartbreak |
| 8 | NautilusYorushika |  play_arrow | When I listen to it, I feel like I've just finished watching a movie... |
| 9 | balladKetsumeishi |  play_arrow | Ketsumeishi’s ballads are captivating! |
| 10 | Midsummer FruitSazan Ōrusutāzu |  play_arrow | A heartbreak love ballad at summer’s end |
| 11 | All of the YouthFujifaburikku |  play_arrow | A rock band that sings about young people's feelings in a true-to-life way |
| 12 | I want to take only you away just like this.DEEN |  play_arrow | DEEN’s debut single was a million-selling hit |
| 13 | MPRINCESS PRINCESS |  play_arrow | A classic ballad by PRINCESS PRINCESS |
| 14 | catDISH// |  play_arrow | Aimyon “Hadaka no Kokoro” — moving and heartrending |
| 15 | single bedSha ran Q |  play_arrow | A ballad that portrays the feelings of recovering from heartbreak and moving forward |
| 16 | Is there still anything that love can do?RADWIMPS |  play_arrow | RADWIMPS’s film music are healing masterpieces for the heart |
| 17 | March 9Remioromen |  play_arrow | A timeless song filled with the emotion of graduation, resonating in the heart |
| 18 | FlowerORANGE RANGE |  play_arrow | ORANGE RANGE’s classic song “Hana” is perfect for low-voiced men. |
| 19 | sasanqua (Camellia sasanqua)SEKAI NO OWARI |  play_arrow | Sazanka is a positive, encouraging ballad song |
| 20 | chameleonKing Gnu |  play_arrow | King Gnu's TV drama theme song |
| 21 | somedaySaucy Dog |  play_arrow | A love song that portrays heartbreak and memories |
| 22 | Love LetterMY FIRST STORY |  play_arrow | MY FIRST STORY moved by pure romantic feelings |
| 23 | Snow SmileBUMP OF CHICKEN |  play_arrow | BUMP OF CHICKEN’s winter love song |
| 24 | Forever LoveX JAPAN |  play_arrow | Masterpieces whose piano tones soothe the soul |
| 25 | DOLLSJanne Da Arc |  play_arrow | A man's heartrending feelings drawn from real-life experience |
| 26 | Endless JourneyMr.Children |  play_arrow | A signature work by Mr.Children. It depicts the courage to keep moving forward. |
| 27 | Promise in Madder Redikimonogakari |  play_arrow | Ikimono-gakari’s wedding love song |
| 28 | It’s nothing.makaroni enpitsu |  play_arrow | A gentle, heart-soothing rock ba... |
| 29 | I for YouLUNA SEA |  play_arrow | If you're from the LUNA SEA generation, “rock ba... |
| 30 | I don’t want to let go.T-BOLAN |  play_arrow | Released on December 18, 1991, T-BO… |
| 31 | Give me a gentle kiss.DREAMS COME TRUE |  play_arrow | The charm of the masterpiece “A Gentle Kiss” |
| 32 | Song of the Eternal NightKami wa saikoro o furanai |  play_arrow | A sad ballad of unforgettable love |
| 33 | wishsumika |  play_arrow | A popular song by sumika that delicately portrays the emotions of love. |
| 34 | Love SongGO!GO!7188 |  play_arrow | This song delicately depicts the emotions of a bittersweet unrequited love… |
| 35 | KissORIGINAL LOVE |  play_arrow | A sensual love song that melts into an adult night |
| 36 | Swallowtail Butterfly ~A Love Song~YEN TOWN BAND |  play_arrow | Debuted with a movie theme song, a popular track covered by many artists |
| 37 | Sayonara ColorSUPER BUTTER DOG |  play_arrow | Accepting the goodbye and believing in the future |
| 38 | threadBank Band |  play_arrow | Songs that connect people—heartwarming masterpieces |
| 39 | proofflumpool |  play_arrow | A moving anthem of youth that sings of dreams and bonds |
| 40 | Islanders’ TreasureBEGIN |  play_arrow | Okinawan classic songs that transcend generations and tell the stories of life |
| 41 | Angel Who Calls Themself TimeCymbals |  play_arrow | A poetic depiction of the urban landscape and the passage of time, C… |
| 42 | day by dayKANA-BOON |  play_arrow | KANA-BOON’s powerful song of gratitude and courage |
| 43 | LetterSHE’S |  play_arrow | A soul-stirring song that depicts growth through dialogue with oneself |
| 44 | Not fleetingSUPER BEAVER |  play_arrow | I was led to deeply reflect on the value of life and living... |
| 45 | loadTHE toraburyū |  play_arrow | Classic karaoke songs about heartbreak—timeless hits that resonate with the heart |
| 46 | It’ll get stained.Chatto Monchī |  play_arrow | A poignant Chatmon song echoing on an autumn night |
| 47 | forget-me-notAwesome City Club |  play_arrow | A smash hit song portraying urban romance and hope |
| 48 | LOVER SOULJUDY AND MARY |  play_arrow | As a byword for female-vocal rock bands… |
| 49 | PuzzleKEYTALK |  play_arrow | A classic song by the rock band KEYTALK that converses through musical scales |
| 50 | Ikuriipuhaipe |  play_arrow | CreepHyp’s Love Song |
| 51 | Maplesupittsu |  play_arrow | Masamune Kusano’s famous songs, many tie-ins |
| 52 | My SongGirls Dead Monster |  play_arrow | The moving melody of 'Crow Song' that supports the heart |
| 53 | Love letterTHE BLUE HEARTS |  play_arrow | A moving ballad by THE BLUE HEARTS |
| 54 | Your favorite songUVERworld |  play_arrow | A heartrending ballad by UVERworld, an emotionally rich masterpiece |
| 55 | SNOW SOUND[Alexandros] | ![SNOW SOUND[Alexandros]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/e7GvXNOxhng/default.jpg) play_arrow | Alexandros’s Winter Song |
| 56 | Cherry Blossom Rainabsorb |  play_arrow | Cherry Blossom Rain: A Song of Graduation Farewell and Departure |
| 57 | Heart Rainindigo la End |  play_arrow | A ballad that quietly sings about a romantic breakup |
| 58 | miraclekururi |  play_arrow | Quruli's 'Miracle' is an elegant ballad that soothes the heart. |
| 59 | Tears of MagnoliaSutādasuto☆Rebyū |  play_arrow | A love ballad that sings of the sense of loss from losing a loved one |
| 60 | Under the big onionbakufū suranpu |  play_arrow | Bakufu Slump’s, released in 1985… |
| 61 | belovedRyokushokushakai |  play_arrow | A fresh yellow-green that’s striking for its gentle piano intro… |
| 62 | Even though I love you more than anyone else.ACE COLLECTION |  play_arrow | to convey feelings of love |
| 63 | A life-sized love songAqua Timez |  play_arrow | A youthful, vibrant vocal and a danceable tra… |
| 64 | Close your eyes and come here.BARBEE BOYS |  play_arrow | It is composed of male and female twin vocals and... |
| 65 | Gift SongCHiCO with HoneyWorks |  play_arrow | A gentle melody singing gratitude for graduation |
| 66 | give it backCö shu Nie |  play_arrow | A ballad of loneliness and hope, Jujutsu Kaisen ED |
| 67 | Coloration BluesEGO-WRAPPIN’ |  play_arrow | EGO-WRAPPIN’ is a male-female duo that... |
| 68 | dear my friendHi-STANDARD |  play_arrow | A masterpiece that powerfully expresses the joy of friendship and reunion |
| 69 | The Day I Learn About Love feat. Akari HayasakaHONEY WORKS |  play_arrow | Get the courage to confess with a Christmas love song! |
| 70 | flower burialL’Arc〜en〜Ciel |  play_arrow | The rock band L’A…, which is still active today, |
| 71 | HarukaLACCO TOWER |  play_arrow | “Haruka” — a friendship song by LACCO TOWER |
| 72 | A Little Love SongMONGOL800 |  play_arrow | The classic song “Chiisa…” is still loved by many people today. |
| 73 | Fly, My WingsMili |  play_arrow | Mili’s music heals the heart and reminds us of hope |
| 74 | I got a boyfriend/girlfriend.My Hair is Bad |  play_arrow | Between lingering feelings for a past lover and the start of a new romance |
| 75 | Hello again ~ a place that’s been around since long ago ~My Little Lover |  play_arrow | Songs of memories to listen to on long autumn nights |
| 76 | The way homeOAU |  play_arrow | An OAU song that evokes summer with its gentle tones |
| 77 | HarukaSCANDAL |  play_arrow | A positive song about parting with a friend |
| 78 | Summer loverSHISHAMO |  play_arrow | A summer ballad with heart-trembling, heartrending lyrics |
| 79 | OrangeSPYAIR |  play_arrow | A moving song about youthful friendship and parting |
| 80 | I will love you for the next 100 years.Sonar Pocket |  play_arrow | A moving, heart-stirring male ballad song |
| 81 | sly personTETORA |  play_arrow | A TETORA song that vividly portrays the pain of parting |
| 82 | Island SongTHE BOOM |  play_arrow | A gemlike ballad depicting the Battle of Okinawa and peace |
| 83 | JAMTHE YELLOW MONKEY |  play_arrow | Commonly known as "THE YELLOW MONKEY"… |
| 84 | TILL LOVE HER (Lost Landscape)TM NETWORK |  play_arrow | City Hunter movie ending theme song |
| 85 | A Love Story Ten Years AheadTUBE |  play_arrow | An unforgettable summer love, an eternal longing |
| 86 | I don’t want to let go.T‐BOLAN |  play_arrow | A classic song about not wanting to break up |
| 87 | Wonderful DaysUNICORN |  play_arrow | Among the many songs by the legendary rock band Unicorn... |
| 88 | Until the World Ends…WANDS |  play_arrow | The ending theme of SLAM DUNK, a must-sing classic for karaoke |
| 89 | together; along with; bothWANIMA |  play_arrow | A powerful rock number that sings of friendship and bonds |
| 90 | KoiAndrop |  play_arrow | Issey Takahashi and Haruna Kawaguchi star in the film “Kugatsu no Koi to…” (September’s Love and… ) |
| 91 | In the Corner of the Nightkobore |  play_arrow | Heart-wrenching, poignant lyrics and a catchy melo… |
| 92 | Goodbyekariyushi 58 |  play_arrow | Season of farewells, feelings for someone dear |
| 93 | Night of Osmanthuskinoko teikoku |  play_arrow | A wistful autumn song, Night of Osmanthus |
| 94 | The End of Summeraibii karaa |  play_arrow | A coming-of-age summer festival ballad that resonates with the heart |
| 95 | Banzai ~ So glad I loved you ~Urufuruzu |  play_arrow | A classic rock ballad love song |
| 96 | GoodbyeSakanakushon |  play_arrow | A fantastical song by Sakanaction |
| 97 | delicate lipsJenīhai |  play_arrow | A classic song that depicts women's emotions. Expressing heartache with lip movements. |
| 98 | Shadows of Youthchūrippu |  play_arrow | Known as a ballad number representative of the Showa era… |
| 99 | Your heart is marine blue.Sugiyama Kiyotaka & Omega Tribe |  play_arrow | Summer memories, a ballad by Omega Tribe |
| 100 | Winter IllusionAcid Black Cherry |  | Introduction to Acid Black Cherry’s Fuyu no Maboroshi (Winter Illusion) |