Popular Tearjerker Song Rankings [2026]

Happinessback number8rank/position

Shiawase

Back number, known for lyrics and melodies that ache and tighten the chest, has won wide support.

This work is the B-side track included on their major-label debut single “Hanabira,” released in April 2011.

It was later included on the album “Superstar,” released in October of the same year, and has continued to be cherished by fans as a hidden gem.

Realizing that the person you love is thinking of someone other than you, yet being able to stay by their side only by wishing for their happiness—these painfully selfless feelings and inner conflicts are depicted in the lyrics, piercing listeners’ hearts.

The beautiful arrangement incorporating strings further stirs the emotions.

For those suffering from unrequited love or who have once prayed for a loved one’s happiness from afar, this is a song that will bring you to tears.

Someone You LovedLewis Capaldi9rank/position

Lewis Capaldi – Someone You Loved

This is a heartbreak song marked by a poignant piano melody and moving vocals.

The lyrics convey the sorrow and loneliness of losing a loved one, resonating deeply with listeners.

Released in May 2019, the track became one of Lewis Capaldi’s signature songs and a massive hit, charting in over 29 countries worldwide.

It’s a recommended listen when you want to soothe the pain of heartbreak or immerse yourself in the grief of losing someone dear.

Capaldi’s soulful voice will stay close to your heart and bring you comfort.

fishback number10rank/position

back number – fish (full)

This is a heartbreak song that portrays the poignant feelings for a love that will never return, hidden deep within the heart.

Amid an urban sound, the vocals brim with power, as if emotions are overflowing, and that contrast heightens the sentiment.

Released in February 2014, this track is the band’s ninth single and is also included on their fourth album, “Love Story.” Listening to this piece, which depicts the cruel reality faced by the female protagonist, will bring tears to women suffering from heartbreak as their emotions spill over.

It’s a recommended song for anyone who has someone they just can’t forget.

PretenderOfisharu Higedan Dism11rank/position

Official HIGE DANDism – Pretender [Official Video]

An unbridgeable distance and the reality that you can’t make the other person happy yourself.

This song, a signature track by Official HIGE DANDism, vividly portrays that heartrending struggle.

Written as the theme song for the 2019 film “The Confidence Man JP,” it pairs a pop melody with lyrics that cut deep into the heart.

Satoshi Fujwara’s emotional vocals painfully convey a sense of powerlessness against fate, along with a pure love that persists nonetheless.

Swallowing the words “I love you,” he simply engraves the other’s beauty in his heart and walks away…

That mature exit brings tears to your eyes.

If your chest aches from an unrequited love, immerse yourself in this world.

FifteenTaylor Swift12rank/position

Taylor Swift – Fifteen

This ballad from the album Fearless, which sings about memories of being fifteen with a best friend, gently observes the growth of a girl who begins high school with a fluttering heart yet faces the disappointment of first love and her friend’s heartbreak.

The backstory—that Taylor Swift wrote the lyrics based on real experiences with her best friend Abigail, with Abigail’s permission—makes it even more moving.

Set to country-pop centered on acoustic guitar, its words unfold like reading aloud from a diary over a near album-long runtime of 4 minutes and 54 seconds, and each line really resonates.

Released as a single in August 2009, it also tied in with a project supporting teen charitable activities.

It’s a song you’ll want to listen to when you feel nostalgic about your high school days or want to revisit the bittersweetness of youth.

White horseTaylor Swift13rank/position

Taylor Swift – White Horse

The queen of love songs, Taylor Swift, delivers a tear-jerking classic with “White Horse.” It’s a song about longing for a movie-like romance, only to find that real life doesn’t unfold like a dream—and even the prince you believed in ends up breaking your heart.

It’s a message that any woman who’s ever yearned for love can relate to at least once.

Time After TimeCyndi Lauper14rank/position

Cyndi Lauper – Time After Time (Official HD Video)

The ballad that sings of deep love and bonds—connections that transcend time—is known as a signature song representing Cyndi Lauper’s career.

Released in January 1984, it became a major hit as the second single from the album “She’s So Unusual.” With its universal theme and beautiful melody, it continues to resonate with many people.

The lyrics, which vow unwavering support for a loved one, are embraced as a message of hope and reassurance, and the song has been covered by various artists.

It’s a track you’ll want to listen to when facing a breakup or when you want to feel the bond with someone important.