Popular Tearjerker Song Rankings [2026]

Endless JourneyMr.Children91rank/position

Endless Journey / Mr.Children (Cover)

This is one of Mr.

Children’s signature works, featuring impressive lyrics that depict the journey of life and a grand, sweeping sound.

Its universal messages—about the importance of moving forward, the courage to face hardship, and the quest to find your ideal self—resonate deeply.

Released in October 1998 and used as the theme song for the TV drama “Naguru Onna,” it became one of their defining tracks.

It’s a song that will surely support those who keep striving toward their dreams and goals, as well as those standing at a crossroads or searching for themselves.

SparkleRADWIMPS92rank/position

Sparkle [original ver.] -Your Name. Music Video edition- Trailer from the new album “Ningen Kaika” First Press Limited Edition DVD

RADWIMPS is a rock band that captivates many listeners with their grand soundscapes.

Among their works, the one I’d recommend for emotional reels and stories is a piece created for a certain feature-length animated film.

It sings, with heart-wrenching melodies, of the fleeting brilliance of moments spent with a loved one within limited time, and of the poignant longing to reunite even when apart.

This song was included on the album “Your Name.” released in August 2016, and drew major attention as the track that colors the film’s climactic scenes.

Its dramatic progression—from a quiet piano motif to a sweeping full-band sound—makes it perfect for videos compiling memories with someone special, so be sure to check it out.

Please forget it.Yorushika93rank/position

Yorushika – Please Forget (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

A song by Yorushika whose gentle melody and soul-soothing vocals evoke a sense of nostalgia.

The theme centers on self-sacrificial love, as the narrator wishes for their beloved to “forget” them for the sake of the beloved’s future.

Yet behind those words seems to lie a desperate, contradictory feeling of “I actually don’t want you to forget,” and that tension tightens the listener’s chest.

Released in July 2024 as the theme song for the drama “GO HOME: Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department—Unidentified Persons Consultation Office,” this sentimental number quietly stays by your side on nights when you’re nursing heartbreak or immersing yourself in memories of someone dear.

You Break Me FirstTate McRae94rank/position

Tate McRae – you broke me first (Official Video)

This is a heartbreak song by Canadian singer-songwriter Tate McRae that holds both strength and fragility.

It portrays the cold yet sorrowful feelings when an ex who once hurt you reaches out only when it’s convenient for them.

The line “You’re the one who broke me first” pushes them away, squeezing your chest as you hear it.

Behind those searing words, it feels as if there’s a deep sadness so intense that without saying them, her heart might fall apart.

For anyone who’s been through a painful love, it may resonate with that moment when you put on a brave face to protect yourself.

Her delicate vocals riding over a quiet beat gently wrap around that pain and bring you to tears.

futureKobukuro95rank/position

Kobukuro “Mirai” film “orange” version

A heartwarming ballad dedicated to those who live life with all their might.

This gem of a song layers gentle compassion for others with wishes for the future.

Released in December 2015, it was written as the theme song for the film “orange” and was later used as a tie-in track for the anime series as well.

With Kobukuro’s signature powerful harmonies and a melody line that resonates deeply, this piece leaves a lasting impression.

Performed on a school festival stage, it will tenderly color the bonds with dear friends and the memories of student days.