Saddest Songs Ranking [2026]

Love’s Melody and Rainy SkiesAAA22rank/position

AAA / “Love Sound and Rainy Sky” Music Video

It’s a song that entrusts a frustrating, delicate love—too afraid of breaking to say even a single “I like you”—to the early autumn rainy sky.

Released as a single by AAA in September 2013 and also included on the album Eighth Wonder, it’s known for winning an Excellence Award at the 55th Japan Record Awards.

The members’ richly expressive vocals overlap, stirring a poignant ache in the chest.

When you’re troubled by that more-than-friends, not-quite-lovers distance, or on nights when caring so much makes you grow timid, listening might let the tears you’ve been holding back finally spill—and leave your heart feeling a little lighter.

raspberryMarushii23rank/position

marcy – Raspberry (Official Music Video)

When you fall in love, emotions spill over that reason can’t hold back.

Marcy’s unrequited-love song vividly portrays feelings that only grow stronger for someone special.

Released in June 2023, the piece sets bittersweet, tender emotions for a loved one to a guitar rock-driven sound.

It delicately captures the heart of unrequited love—swaying between joy and despair at the other person’s ambiguity, yet still holding onto hope.

It will surely resonate with hearts that can’t confess their feelings, unable to keep them in.

I like you, but it seems you don’t really like me.back number24rank/position

Bokuwa Kiminokotoga Sukidakedo Kimiwa Bokuo Betsuni Sukijyanaimitai

A quintessential back number love song that distills the pain of unrequited love right into its title.

It’s a track from the album “Chandelier,” released in December 2015.

With plain, direct lyrics, it draws the gap between a wholehearted devotion to someone and the reality that those feelings don’t reach them.

Even while realizing that your world revolves around that person, you’re not someone special to them—that frustrating ache hits hard.

It’s a song you’ll want to hear if you’re in a one-sided love or struggling because the person you like won’t look your way.

somedaySaucy Dog25rank/position

Saucy Dog "Someday" MUSIC VIDEO

The starry sky we saw at the top of that hill, the carefree way we lay down on the ground—those vivid memories shared by just the two of us squeeze my chest with the ache of knowing that time will never return.

It’s a heartbreak song that powerfully conveys the struggle to accept a farewell while recalling the profile of someone precious.

This track is included on Saucy Dog’s first mini-album, “Country Road,” released in May 2017.

It’s the song that changed their fate, becoming the catalyst for winning the Grand Prix at an audition in December 2016.

While holding a past love as a beautiful yet painful memory, it gently gives you a push to keep moving forward.

Cowardly Mont BlancDECO*2726rank/position

DECO*27 – Coward Mont Blanc feat. GUMI

When it comes to GUMI songs, this is the one! I’m sure many Vocaloid fans would agree.

This track, created by the Vocaloid producer DECO*27—who has also written many songs for famous artists—was released in 2010.

The lyrics candidly portray the protagonist’s emotional weakness: even though they were supposed to love that person, at some point they lost sight of their true feelings.

You can feel that pain coming through the music, and it tightens your chest.

There’s also a novel adaptation, which I highly recommend checking out as well.

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First loveUtada Hikaru27rank/position

Hikaru Utada – First Love

A signature ballad by Hikaru Utada that conveys endless feelings for a parted lover through gentle piano and a crystal-clear vocal.

From the faint bitterness felt in a goodbye kiss flows the protagonist’s emotions—filled with the sadness and resignation of the one left behind.

Yet it’s not mere lingering attachment; there’s a realization that they learned “how to love” from the person they broke up with, and a quiet strength in accepting that this romance will forever hold a special place in their heart.

Released as a single from the March 1999 album First Love, it was used as the theme song for the TV drama Majo no Jōken (Forbidden Love).

It’s a song that gently embraces anyone who has someone they’ll never forget, or who keeps thinking of a former lover even after parting.

from Y to YJimii Samu P28rank/position

Hatsune Miku from Y to Y

An extremely famous Vocaloid song by JimmyThumbP.

It is the first work in the “Mr.

Y Trilogy,” which consists of songs featuring Hatsune Miku as the vocalist: “from Y to Y,” “Pierrot,” and “Calc.” Numerous related videos, including cover versions, have been posted, gaining widespread popularity.