Ranking of Heart-Wrenching Songs by Male J-Pop Singers [2026]
What kind of music do you all like?
There are many types—fun songs, refreshing songs, and more—but I think many people also like “heart-wrenching” songs.
Among those bittersweet songs, here are recommended tracks sung by male vocalists, presented in a ranking format.
This list is updated regularly, so check back from time to time.
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Ranking of Melancholic Songs and Popular Tracks by Japanese Male Singers [2026] (91–100)
First LoveFukuyama Masaharu91rank/position
A song by Masaharu Fukuyama that portrays the ache of unfulfilled love.
Chosen for Toshiba’s LCD TV commercial, it was released as a single in December 2009.
It was his first single to use minor chords, incorporating new experiments such as reversed piano and guitar parts.
The track expresses deep feelings toward a love that cannot be, and the bittersweet nostalgia for a lost romance, making it a piece that resonates with many listeners.
The lyrics, imbued with a wish to cherish the memory of a first love, will speak to those who cannot forget their first love even though both they and their former sweetheart now have families to protect.
dearestFukuyama Masaharu92rank/position
This is a ballad about parting with someone precious.
Released under KOH+, the duo of Masaharu Fukuyama and Kou Shibasaki, it was later self-covered by Fukuyama.
The song portrays a pure and heartrending love in which one sacrifices oneself to protect a beloved.
Released in October 2008, it gained attention as the theme song for the film “The Devotion of Suspect X.” It was also used in a commercial for Toshiba’s REGZA LCD TVs.
This is a recommended track for those grieving the loss of someone dear or those who wish to give everything for the one they love.
SakurazakaFukuyama Masaharu93rank/position
This is the 15th single by Masaharu Fukuyama, a singer-songwriter who continues to showcase his talents not only as a top-tier actor but also as a radio DJ and photographer.
The single achieved the last double million in the 20th century according to Oricon’s tally and is widely known as one of Fukuyama’s signature songs.
The poignant lyrics, themed around his own heartbreak, are something anyone who has experienced parting with an irreplaceable person will likely see themselves in.
With its sexy low-register vocals and lyrical melody that tugs at the heartstrings, it’s a classic “sakura song” from the 2000s onward.
fireflyFukuyama Masaharu94rank/position
A gentle yet powerful ballad, this piece resonates with the heart through Masaharu Fukuyama’s soft and passionate vocals.
Like fireflies faintly glowing on a summer evening, it depicts the fleeting passage of time and bittersweet feelings for someone dear, reminding us of the importance of living fully within our limited time and loving someone deeply.
Released in August 2010 as Masaharu Fukuyama’s 26th single, it was also selected as the theme song for the NTV drama “Mioka: The Days You Were Here.” When you’re longing for something to accompany the loneliness and sentimentality felt at the end of summer, listening to this song will wrap you in warmth.
Wish feat. YU-A (Foxxi misQ)Dōji-T95rank/position
Dohzi-T, who was active as a member of the hip-hop group ZINGI and later established a rap-plus-singer style in his solo career.
“Negai” is a hit track that, featuring YU-A before her solo debut, surpassed 1.1 million ringtone downloads.
It brings back memories, doesn’t it? Its appeal lies in a sentimental, heart-wrenching melody that vividly rises to the surface the moment you hear it.
The lyrics follow a concrete story, and I think they resonate not only with people in love but even more deeply with those who share similar circumstances.
Regrets about not being able to be honest and memories of happier times come flooding back, making you think, “I want to go back…”—and maybe even cry.
Among ‘setsuna-kei’ songs, this is a standout masterpiece overflowing with poignant sadness.
with youAyaka × Kobukuro96rank/position
Anata to (You and I) is a collaboration between singer-songwriter Ayaka and the duo Kobukuro.
Released in 2008, it’s the second single by Ayaka×Kobukuro.
The lyrics beautifully capture the interplay of feelings between two people who care for each other, showcasing the remarkable talent and expressive power of both artists in this love song.
It’s a number I especially recommend to couples who may be going through small arguments or a bit of friction in their daily lives; by listening to this song, you may rediscover your genuine feelings for each other and honestly reaffirm, “I love you.”
Gazing at the starsSuda Masaki97rank/position
Masaki Suda, who shines in multiple fields as an actor and singer, released “Hoshi o Aogu” in 2021.
Over a beautiful melody where strings and piano intertwine, his emotional vocals resonate.
The song portrays a love story of two people who have overcome various hardships, evoking an image of them talking under the night sky.
Many will relate to the feeling of being in love yet unable to confess it.
It’s a winter ballad with a grand sound that perfectly matches a star-filled landscape.
My Baby ~The More I Fall in Love, The More~Zushi Sankyōdai98rank/position
“My Baby ~The More I Love You~” is a song by Zushi Sankyoudai, a vocal group from Zushi City, Kanagawa.
It’s like a love letter, filled with favorite moments shared with his girlfriend and the man’s single-minded devotion.
The music video is composed of photos of couples selected from public submissions, and just watching it warms your heart.
If you’re looking for a song to give your girlfriend on White Day, why not choose this one? I think many women will be delighted by how the love deepens as the song goes on!
I can’t say it.Gō Hiromi99rank/position
Hiromi Go’s ‘Ienai yo’ is the second work in his Ballad Trilogy.
As is true for the whole trilogy, it portrays a man’s feelings in love, and this song expresses the pure-heartedness of a man who can’t bring himself to say ‘I love you.’ It also won the 27th Japan Cable Music Award and became a long-running hit.
Too Dear (duet with Tiara)KG100rank/position
The feelings poured into an unattainable love make my chest ache, but the sweet, mature vocals bring me peace.
It’s a song by KG, the solo project of singer-songwriter Koh.
It was released in 2010 as the second single.
