Popular Heartbreak Song Rankings [2026]

I want to take only you away just like this.DEEN92rank/position

I want to take only you away just like this.

Released in March 1993 as DEEN’s debut single, this masterpiece has long been cherished as one of their signature songs.

Its poignant melody and lyrics that portray a deep longing for someone drifting away strike right at the heart.

Written by Sho Uesugi and composed by Tetsuro Oda, it was also used in an NTT DoCoMo “Pocket Bell” commercial and went on to become a million seller at the time.

The sweet, clear vocals gently cradle the pain of heartbreak, making it a song many find themselves wanting to listen to in quiet moments.

It’s also a karaoke staple, a classic ballad perfect for singing with poise while reminiscing about those days.

It’s included on the album “DEEN,” so be sure to enjoy it with a sense of nostalgia!

Time goes byEvery Little Thing93rank/position

「Time goes by」MUSIC VIDEO / Every Little Thing

This is a song by Every Little Thing that captures the bittersweet emotions after a heartbreak.

It reflects on a past relationship, expressing self-reflection while conveying that feelings for the other person still remain.

The relatable imagery resonates deeply.

Used as the theme song for the drama “Amai Kekkon” (“Sweet Marriage”), it touched many hearts.

Released in February 1998, it reached No.

2 on the Oricon chart.

It has since been included on best-of albums and anniversary live recordings, and continues to be loved over time.

It’s a recommended track for when you want to heal the pain of a breakup or look back on memories with someone special.

SparkleIkuta Rira94rank/position

Rira Ikuta “Sparkle” Official Music Video

Released digitally in January 2022, it was selected as the theme song for ABEMA’s romance reality show “Kyou, Suki ni Narimashita.

Mikan Arc.” For this piece, the melody was crafted first, then carefully layered with the tones of an acoustic guitar to complete the track, and it looks back on an unrequited love.

The protagonist’s feelings—overcoming the pain of a love that never came true and trying to move forward into the future—resonate quietly alongside her clear, transparent vocals.

It’s a song that will stay by your side on a night just after heartbreak, when you wish to face forward once again.

Rainy BlueTokunaga Hideaki95rank/position

HIDEAKI TOKUNAGA – Rainy Blue

The debut song by Hideaki Tokunaga, a poignant love story that begins in a late-night phone booth.

Its lyrics—quintessentially Showa—paint cinematic scenes of urban stillness and rain, perfectly intertwined with delicate, emotionally rich vocals to create a gem of a track.

Released in January 1986, it reached No.

90 on the Oricon charts.

A rearranged version released in November 1997 rose to No.

31, capturing the hearts of many.

By portraying heartbreak and loneliness as universal themes, it remains a beloved classic that resonates even today.

It’s the kind of bittersweet love song you’ll want to play on a rainy day—why not give it a listen?

Baby Don’t CryAmuro Namie96rank/position

Baby Don’t Cry – Namie Amuro (Full)

The ultimate love song that blends poignancy with strength was brought to life by Namie Amuro in January 2007.

Portraying the resilience to overcome life’s hardships and sorrows, this piece was also chosen as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Himitsu no Hanazono,” capturing the hearts of many women.

Set to a medium-tempo melody that fuses R&B and J-pop, Amuro’s vocals—at times gentle, at times powerful—strike a deep chord.

It’s a song for anyone on the verge of giving up on love or their dreams, one that stirs courage from the depths of the soul.

Someone Like YouAdele97rank/position

Adele – Someone Like You (Official Music Video)

Since releasing her debut album, 19, in 2008, Adele has been highly acclaimed as one of the most successful and accomplished singer-songwriters not only in her home country of the UK but around the world.

The song introduced here is a piano-only number included on her masterpiece 21, released in 2011, which became a massive hit with 12 million copies sold globally.

As the album’s overarching theme is “separation,” the lyrics and melody—born from her own experiences of heartbreak—are both beautiful and tinged with melancholy.

The title Someone Like You carries complex emotions; take your time to savor them by reading the lyrics alongside a careful translation.

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We Are Never Ever Getting Back TogetherTaylor Swift98rank/position

Taylor Swift – We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together

Released as a single in August 2012, this track served as the lead single from the album Red.

Inspired by the experience of an ex-boyfriend repeatedly asking to get back together, the song declares, “We are never ever getting back together,” and its catchy electropop and dance sound marked a bold shift from country to pop.

In Japan, it was used as the opening theme for the reality show Terrace House: Boys × Girls Next Door, becoming a tune that stuck with many viewers.

Despite its upbeat melody, the song carries a strong determination to firmly end a relationship, making it perfect for those who’ve gone through a breakup or want to take a fresh step forward.