Popular Tearjerker Song Rankings [2026]

Unrequited loveAimer96rank/position

Aimer “Catouomoi” MUSIC VIDEO

Aimer has a distinctive singing voice that captivates listeners.

No matter the song, her voice draws you in—and makes your heart ache.

That bittersweetness is a perfect match for Kataomoi.

The poignancy of her voice resonates with the poignancy of the lyrics.

If you have feelings you want to convey to someone, this song will surely touch your heart; at karaoke, some people might even be moved to tears.

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One moreFUNKY MONKEY BABYS97rank/position

FUNKY MONKEY BABYS “One More”

Released in August 2010 as the 14th single, this song was chosen as the cheer anthem for the 92nd National High School Baseball Championship.

Many of you will fondly remember Masahiro Tanaka appearing on the cover and in the music video.

The hopeful message—“If you can just hang on one more step, your dream will come true”—overlaps with the image of high school players striving toward their goals and resonates deeply when you hit a wall in work or life.

With a structure typical of Funky Monkeys, alternating rap and catchy melodies, it peaked at No.

8 on the Oricon Weekly Chart and remained on the charts for 47 weeks, becoming a long-running hit.

It’s a tear-jerking support song that we especially want those who are giving their all—or on the verge of giving up—to hear.

spring melancholyMrs. GREEN APPLE98rank/position

Mrs. GREEN APPLE – Spring Melancholy

Mrs.

GREEN APPLE delivers a deeply personal song written the day after a graduation ceremony.

It’s a heartwarming track that carefully weaves together the transience of youth and the preciousness of everyday life.

Set to a subtly wistful melody, it portrays time spent with friends in high school, the sadness of parting, and the difficulty of being honest with one’s feelings—beautifully capturing the complex emotions of adolescence that everyone experiences.

Released to the world in February 2018 as the B-side to the single “Love me, Love you,” it was also featured in a commercial for Suntory’s Craft Boss.

Embracing all who cherish everyday life, this work gently rekindles memories you want to keep tucked away in your heart.

It’s sure to resonate not only with high school students in the midst of their youth, but also with anyone who nostalgically looks back on their school days.

I wonder if I’d still say it’s too late.Saucy Dog99rank/position

Saucy Dog “Would I Say It’s Too Late Now?” Music Video <4th Mini Album “Take Me” Released on 2020.9.2>

This is a Saucy Dog song that delicately portrays the bittersweet feelings after a heartbreak.

It conveys lingering attachment and regret toward a former lover, along with complex emotions about a new romance, resonating deeply with listeners.

Included on their 4th mini-album “Take Me,” it was released in September 2020.

The music video was directed by Ryoka Kumagai, and the members’ performances are striking.

With lyrics that anyone who has experienced heartbreak can relate to and a heartwarming melody, it’s especially appealing.

It might be nice to listen quietly alone and reflect on a past love.

It’s a song that lets you linger in your memories while giving you the courage to step into your next romance.

catDISH//100rank/position

DISH// (Takumi Kitamura) – Neko / THE FIRST TAKE

This is a signature ballad by DISH//, also known for having lyrics and music written by singer-songwriter Aimyon.

It portrays the lingering feelings for a free-spirited ex, like a cat, and the poignant desire to reunite despite a sense of loss.

The unique perspective of “what if ‘you’ appeared as a cat…” really tightens listeners’ chests.

Originally released in 2017 as the B-side to the single “Bokutachi ga Yarimashita,” it drew major attention in 2020 after a performance on the YouTube channel THE FIRST TAKE and was also featured as an insert song in a drama of the same name.

Kitamura Takumi’s expressively rich vocals are sure to bring tears, so give it a careful listen on nights when you’re nursing the pain of heartbreak.