Saddest Songs Ranking [2026]

GarnetOku Hanako57rank/position

Garnet

A signature song by Hanako Oku, chosen as the theme for the smash-hit animated film The Girl Who Leapt Through Time.

Its poignant lyrics and piano tones are captivating, evoking memories of days gone by as if they were right before your eyes.

Oku’s clear, transparent vocals gently permeate the heart.

Though we can no longer meet, the song expresses gratitude for a encounter that made the self stronger, offering not only solace from heartbreak but also the strength to move forward.

Released in July 2006, the song won the Best Theme Song (Film) at the Heisei Anime Song Awards.

For those who want to overcome a painful farewell and step into the future with beautiful memories, this song will gently nudge you forward.

I became someone else’s girlfriend.wacci58rank/position

wacci “I Became Someone Else’s Girlfriend” Music Video

It’s wacci’s signature song, which spread through word of mouth on social media and resonated with many.

While acknowledging the maturity and kindness of her new partner, it delicately portrays a woman’s wavering heart as she can’t help recalling the unpretentious days spent with her ex.

Beneath the words she tells herself to affirm her current happiness, you can feel a lingering attachment that won’t fade, and it’s heart-wrenching.

Released as a digital-only track in August 2018, its realistic depiction became a hot topic, and it has continued to be loved—surpassing 100 million total streams by June 2021.

On nights when you can’t sort out your feelings because you find yourself comparing your current partner with your ex, try singing it with all your emotions.

The bittersweet melody will wash away the ache in your heart along with your tears.

Blue BenchSasuke59rank/position

Blue Bench / Sasuke

It’s a pure love song wrapped in a sense of longing.

Set on a nostalgic bench after the lover is gone, it delicately portrays the emotions of looking back on an unrequited love.

Regret over not being able to convey one’s feelings and lingering attachment to a love that will never return resonate through the delicate vocals and melody.

Released independently in 2003, the song sold out all 500 copies immediately, despite being available only at a single store in the artist’s hometown of Ōmiya.

When you think back to “that moment” when you couldn’t be honest with a beloved partner, this song will be there to embrace your heart.

Hated by life.Kanzaki Iori60rank/position

Hated by Life Itself / Hatsune Miku

When confronted with the abyss of suffering, any words can be a source of encouragement.

Kanzaki Iori’s “Hated by Life Itself” is a song that stands by you at precisely such moments.

Its weighty piano melodies and poignant strings are gentle on the ears yet resound powerfully in the heart.

The lyrics are also striking—like a single beam of light piercing the dark night, they stir the listener’s emotions and give the courage to rise again.

With a wide range of cover versions available on YouTube, this is a track I’d recommend to anyone seeking hope to keep on living.

Don’t say goodbye.MIMI61rank/position

Don't Say Goodbye / feat. KAFU

“Don’t Say Goodbye” is a song by MIMI, released in June 2023.

The gentle tones of piano and acoustic guitar seem to sink into your heart, and KAF’s earnest vocals tenderly embrace the parts of yourself that feel fragile.

Many listeners are sure to find comfort in its message: “It’s okay not to push yourself—wait until you’re ready to face forward.” When you’re worn out, this piece feels like it’s right there beside you.

It’s especially recommended for solitary listening on a quiet night.

One more time,One more chanceYamazaki Masayoshi62rank/position

Masayoshi Yamazaki – “One more time, One more chance” MUSIC VIDEO [4K Quality]

This is the song used to accentuate the calm atmosphere in the Suntory Maker’s Mark commercial, which portrays the unchanging deliciousness of the whiskey through a character played by Shun Oguri who is immortal.

The track is also famous as the theme song for the feature-length anime 5 Centimeters per Second, and it conveys a bittersweet sentiment over the sound of an acoustic guitar.

The lyrics honestly express memories of the past and the regrets tied to them, as well as the pain of wishing for “just one more time,” even while knowing it can never come true.

The part about instinctively looking for someone’s figure somewhere—a feeling many can relate to—also heightens the sense of poignancy.

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The strong and fleeting onesCocco63rank/position

Cocco “The Strong and Ephemeral Ones” Music Video

A lyrical melody that portrays the feelings of a traveler setting out to protect a loved one resonates deeply.

It explores the reality faced in a haven of peace and the conflict over what is lost in the pursuit of ideals.

Cocco’s delicate depiction of human strength and fragility shakes the listener’s heart.

Released in November 1997 as her second single, the song was also included on the album “Kumuiuta” and chosen as the CM song for JAL’s Hawaii campaign.

Its delicate yet powerful vocals and poetic expression struck a chord with many, earning it Gold Disc certification.

It’s a song you’ll want to listen to when thinking of someone dear or standing at a crossroads in life.

A youth anthem that particularly resonates with those who grew up in the ’90s.