Lonely Song Rankings [2026]
Here is a ranking of this year’s popular “lonely songs.”
There are times when being alone makes you overthink and feel lonely, right?
This year also saw the release of many slightly wistful tracks that sing about that kind of loneliness.
We’ll introduce the most-listened-to songs of the year in ranking order.
- Saddest Songs Ranking [2026]
- Popular Tearjerker Song Rankings [2026]
- Sad Song Rankings [2026]
- [Tearjerker] Songs that make your heart tremble with tears & moving tracks with lyrics that touch the soul
- [For when you want to cry or feel sad] Tear-jerking masterpieces that make you cry when you listen
- Popular Unrequited Love Song Rankings [2026]
- Popular Love Songs & Romance Tracks Ranking [2026]
- Ranking of Tear-Jerking Japanese Songs [2026]
- [Unrequited Love] Heart-wrenching Love Songs | A Roundup of Tear-Inducing Crush and Breakup Tracks
- Ranking of Sad Songs by Japanese Pop Artists: Popular Tracks [2026]
- [So touching it makes you cry] A heartbreakingly wistful and sad song that tightens your chest
- Popular Love Song Rankings [2026]
- Popular Heartbreak Song Rankings [2026]
Lonely Songs Ranking [2026] (1–10)
MetronomeYonezu Kenshi8rank/position
A sound with a mysteriously enchanting atmosphere.
It’s a song by singer-songwriter Kenshi Yonezu, known for hits like “Lemon.” It’s included on his third album, Bremen, released in 2015.
Have you ever experienced liking someone, yet somehow your feelings keep missing each other? It’s a heartbreakingly sad love song.
By the way, the illustrations in the music video were drawn by Kenshi Yonezu himself.
Love is litrokudenashi9rank/position
Ninzin, a vocalist who’s gaining attention from social media, teams up with Rokudenashi, a next-generation music project featuring buzzworthy vocaloid producers and composers.
The song, crafted by vocaloid producer MIMI, features a piano-and-strings ensemble that truly stirs the heart.
The lyrics suggest that no matter how painful things are now, a time will come when it all pays off—offering courage to those who carry daily anxieties.
With sentimental vocals and a dramatic arrangement pushing you forward, it’s an emotional number that really resonates.
gardenFuji Kaze10rank/position
Fujii Kaze’s song gently embraces the impermanence of life and the bonds between people through the changing seasons.
His soft, gospel-tinged vocals and piano tones sink deeply into the heart.
The track is included on the album “LOVE ALL SERVE ALL,” released in March 2022, and was also featured in NatureLab’s “Laundrin” TV commercial.
Its beautiful music video, filmed at ACAO FOREST in Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture, also drew attention.
This gem of a song offers solace to those who, even while carrying sadness and loneliness, wish to keep looking forward.
Take some time alone to really listen—you may find yourself moved to tears.
Lonely Song Rankings [2026] (11–20)
March 9Remioromen11rank/position
A three-piece band formed in 2000.
They’re characterized by vocalist Mr.
Fujimaki’s gentle, embracing singing voice.
This song became a major hit after it was featured in the drama “1 Litre of Tears.” It’s a classic, beloved for its heartrending yet warm lyrics.
It’s fine for now.MIMI12rank/position
A ballad whose beautiful, heartrending melody and striking piano sound gently stay by your side.
Wrapped in a warm, tender tune, it sings as if offering a quiet hand to someone weary of putting on a brave face.
There are nights when we can’t sleep, unable to accept our failures, setbacks, or our own frailty.
This song encourages you to keep moving forward at your own pace, embracing even past tears as cherished memories.
Released as a single in December 2022, it is also included on the album “When I Embrace the Night.” out in March 2025.
It’s a song to listen to softly when you’re hurting or feel like you’re trying too hard on your own.
Letter to TomorrowTeshima Aoi13rank/position
This is a popular song by Aoi Teshima, featured as the ending theme for the drama “Love That Makes You Cry.” Its lyrics feel like a letter written while waiting for a loved one to return to one’s hometown, and the gentle melody is soothing.
Aoi Teshima’s permeating voice seems to wrap up feelings of loneliness and gently warm them.
While the song can sound like a heartbreak ballad, many listeners may also find themselves thinking of family members far away.
Please give it a listen.
The Last RainYasushi Nakanishi14rank/position
It’s a heart-wrenching ballad about parting ways with a lover.
This smash hit by Yasushi Nakanishi, a singer from Nara Prefecture, was released in 1992 as his second single.
It paints the picture of someone precious who slips away even though you don’t want to let them go… As you listen, scenes rise up like moments from a film, leaving you with a bittersweet ache.
If you’ve recently gone through a breakup and are feeling down, give it a listen.
It’s also a great choice to sing at karaoke for stress relief.