Crying-Your-Eyes-Out Song Rankings [2026]

Here is the ranking of the “tearjerker songs” that were popular this year.

There were quite a few songs that made us cry this year, too.

These are the tearjerker songs that resonated with many people precisely because they understand pain.

We’ll introduce the most-listened-to tracks of the year in ranking order.

Playlist

Crying-Your-Eyes-Out Song Rankings [2026]
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	I want to see you.sawada chikako		Chikaco Sawada’s classic song portrays the sorrow of a broken heart.
2	First LoveUtada Hikaru		A love ballad by Hikaru Utada
3	I long to see you now.MISIA		MISIA’s moving song that transcends love and time
4	The Last RainYasushi Nakanishi		A gem-like ballad portraying rain and parting
5	Midnight ExpresswayFurawā Kanpanīzu		A moving masterpiece that affirms the feelings of youth
6	balladKetsumeishi		A bittersweet love ballad by Ketsumeishi
7	NonfictionHirai Ken		Ken Hirai’s heartfelt cry that sings of life’s absurdity
8	DEPARTURESglobe		A poignant love song emblematic of the ’90s
9	secret base ~What You Gave Me~ZONE		A moving classic that portrays the parting of youth
10	planetariumOtsuka Ai		A ballad imbued with the bittersweetness of love under the starry sky
11	KanadeSukima Suichi		Sukima Switch’s moving classic about parting
12	Happy Endingback number		A poignant movie theme song by back number that portrays the emotions of heartbreak.
13	GoodbyeGAO		GAO's husky-voiced heartbreak song
14	Until the day I can no longer rememberback number		A melancholic song that depicts the emotions of parting
15	Song of PointillismMrs. GREEN APPLE		A bittersweet love song, gently expressing a faint yearning
16	366 daysHY		A moving song that portrays HY’s heartrending love
17	budKobukuro		A heartwarming song that depicts love and the bond with one’s mother
18	horizonback number		back number high school student support song
19	To the futureKiroro		A hopeful, heartwarming graduation song
20	Close your eyesHirai Ken		A classic song that sings of a poignant longing for a lost love
21	together; along with; bothWANIMA		WANIMA’s cheer song gives me energy!
22	Unchanging ThingsOku Hanako		An unforgettable love, a song of bittersweet memories
23	I want to take only you away just like this.DEEN		Above all, DEEN is renowned for their vocal prowess…
24	LemonYonezu Kenshi		A moving masterpiece by Kenshi Yonezu that touches the heart
25	A Bouquet for YouUtada Hikaru		Hikaru Utada’s translucent-feeling single
26	Things that have formShibasaki Kou		Memories shine forever in the heart.
27	Because you are hereUru		A heartfelt song that expresses feelings for a cherished person
28	cosmos (flower)Yamaguchi Momoe		Momoe Yamaguchi’s “Cosmos.” A classic song expressing a daughter’s gratitude to her mother as she approaches marriage.
29	Azure RabbitNoriko Sakai		Noriko Sakai’s “Aoi Usagi” is a TV drama theme song.
30	One moreFUNKY MONKEY BABYS		An inspiring song that cheers on people striving toward their dreams
31	I don’t want to let go.T-BOLAN		Despite disbanding at the height of their popularity, in 2017...
32	Rainy BlueTokunaga Hideaki		Hideaki Tokunaga’s “Rainy Blue” is a heartrending song.
33	I love you. ~100 Regrets~Sonar Pocket		A popular song that portrays the sorrow of a broken heart
34	MPRINCESS PRINCESS		A poignant classic by Princess Princess
35	I can’t put it into wordsofukōsu		Moving songs and music that resonate with the heart
36	PretenderOfisharu Higedan Dism		A highly relatable love song that portrays the bittersweet emotions of love.
37	Robinsonsupittsu		With a gentle band ensemble and a sense of translucence…
38	About meMrs. GREEN APPLE		Everyone is a unique and irreplaceable being.
39	MetronomeYonezu Kenshi		A moving song that captures the emotions after a breakup
40	tobacco / cigarette(s)Koresawa		Koresawa’s heartbreak song, a timeless piece that resonates with the heart
41	Letter to TomorrowTeshima Aoi		A gentle ballad that evokes Aoi Teshima’s hometown
42	The meaning of goodbyeNogizaka 46		Nogizaka46’s masterpiece that depicts farewell and hope
43	ORIONNakajima Mika		Theme song of 'Ryusei no Kizuna': a love ballad about winter constellations
44	Promise of SunflowersHata Motohiro		Hata Motohiro’s moving song inspired by Doraemon
45	YELLikimonogakari		Ikimono-gakari’s classic hit, popular across generations
46	GarnetOku Hanako		A timeless song that portrays the bittersweetness of first love and the fleeting nature of youth.
47	tear-coloredNishino Kana		I relate to the heartbreaking love lyrics of Kana Nishino.
48	tear(s)Ketsumeishi		Ketsumeishi’s classic song “Namida” encourages people
49	Song of DepartureMr.Children		An inspiring graduation song, a classic by Mr.Children
50	Tearful KissSazan Ōrusutāzu		A signature ballad by Southern that depicts the pain of heartbreak
51	the scent of flowersMr.Children		A masterpiece by Mr. Children, a moving story of parting and reunion
52	Eine KleineYonezu Kenshi		The poignant magical world of Kenshi Yonezu
53	ultramarineYOASOBI		YOASOBI's moving song of youth
54	Spot the differenceSuda Masaki		A song about finding something precious through mistakes
55	A bouquet of flowers with loveSuperfly		The thing that led to Superfly becoming famous…
56	My friend — now and forever…Ketsumeishi		Friendship becomes a precious memory in life.
57	I should be able to fly (in the sky).supittsu		Spitz’s “Sora mo Toberu Hazu” became a big hit.
58	365 Days’ Paper AirplaneAKB48		A classic song that became a huge hit as the theme song for an NHK morning drama
59	One more time, One more chanceYamazaki Masayoshi		From his first starring film, "Tsuki to Kyabetsu" ("The Moon and the Cabbage"), ...
60	White LoversKuwata Keisuke		A ballad that depicts the feelings of winter love
61	May it be filled with kindnessJUJU		A heartwarming ballad that depicts gratitude and love for a beloved person
62	Ghost RuleDECO*27		A Vocaloid producer who powerfully sings of heartrending emotions…
63	me me sheRADWIMPS		RADWIMPS’s famous song “me me she”
64	spin; weave; compose (e.g., a story)tota		A love song that delicately expresses feelings through depictions of nature
65	If you laugh at the skywacci		A warm song that portrays youth and friendship, a classic that gives courage and hope.
66	Tears Flowing EndlesslyNatsukawa Rimi		A heartfelt prayer from Okinawa for someone dear
67	Sake, Tears, Men, and WomenKawashima Eigo		Eggo Kawashima’s signature work. A Showa-era classic that expresses the sorrow of men and women through sake and tears.
68	If tomorrow comesJUJU with JAY’ED		Introduction to JUJU with JAY’ED’s moving song
69	TRUE LOVEFujii Fumiya		He defined an era as the frontman of The Checkers…
70	road; way; path; street; route; Tao (in philosophy)EXILE		Graduation song “Michi (The Road)”: a song of farewells and memories
71	Broken RadioTokunaga Hideaki		Timeless anthems that color our youth, music that resonates with the heart
72	Beyond the Night SkySMAP		Expressing youth through a cappella chorus
73	sympathetic tearsHitoto Yo		Hitoto Yo’s debut song, a masterpiece that portrays emotion
74	At all times.Makihara Noriyuki		Noriyuki Makihara’s cheer song “Donna Toki mo”
75	Winter IllusionAcid Black Cherry		Masterpieces that sing the pain of heartbreak, voices that resonate with the heart
76	Best FriendKiroro		Kiroro’s famous song, a hymn to friendship and gratitude
77	seems like (just) my imaginationChōchō P		A masterpiece whose heartrending feelings resound in your ears. Re-released in 2014…
78	Philosophy[Alexandros]		A moving song that depicts [Alexandros]'s youth
79	LA LA LA Love SongKubota Toshinobu/Naomi Campbell		Toshinobu Kubota is truly active on a global scale…
80	OverMr.Children		Mr.Children Heartbreak Song “Over”
81	DOLLSJanne Da Arc		A bittersweet farewell masterpiece by Janne Da Arc
82	As many times as you likeDREAMS COME TRUE		A powerful song about overcoming hardship and the hope of recovery
83	countrysideTamaki Kōji		Koji Tamaki is an arti… who is still active today.
84	Let yourself go with the flow of timeTeresa Ten		Teresa Teng’s 1986 hit song
85	Someday Merry ChristmasB’z		The music box’s tone traces the melody of the chorus...
86	For example, to the flower placed here now164		A work that really makes you think deeply about the weight of life…
87	SunMy Hair is Bad		A youth anthem for the school festival. A moving, hopeful classic.
88	by your sideOgawa Daiki		An emotional story portraying a heartrending farewell with a loved one…
89	Memories shabadabaPinokio P		A tear-jerking message depicting memories from each of the four seasons…
90	Last SongYoshioka Hidetaka		A breakup song sung by a man to his ex-lover. An actor and…
91	Embracing sleepless nightsZARD		It’s a heartbreak song by ZARD that everyone knows...
92	CAN YOU CELEBRATE?Amuro Namie		Namie Amuro’s classic song “CAN YOU CELEBRATE?”
93	Goodbye, my beloved.Hana＊Hana		A moving song about parting with my grandfather
94	flameLiSA		LiSA's theme song for Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie
95	peace signYonezu Kenshi		Kenshi Yonezu’s youth-boosting rock, an anime theme song
96	Gray and Blue (+Masaki Suda)Yonezu Kenshi		A duet that layers memories with a friend onto the present
97	Horse and deerYonezu Kenshi		The moving masterpiece 'Lemon' by Vocaloid producer Kenshi Yonezu
98	lilacMrs. GREEN APPLE		A masterpiece that portrays the struggles and hopes of youth.
99	Only a single voicerokudenashi		A moving song that portrays the loneliness and difficulty of living faced by people today.
100	Blue and SummerMrs. GREEN APPLE		A classic song that captures the brilliance of youth, a summer tune that resonates with the heart