Sad Song Rankings [2026]
Here is this year’s ranking of “sad songs.”
We present the most-listened-to tracks of the year in order of their ranking.
Songs created by overcoming experiences of “sadness,” along with their lyrics, seem to resonate with many listeners.
They will surely be music that people keep listening to for years to come.
- Popular Tearjerker Song Rankings [2026]
- Saddest Songs Ranking [2026]
- Crying-Your-Eyes-Out Song Rankings [2026]
- Lonely Song Rankings [2026]
- Popular Depressive Songs Ranking [2026]
- Popular Heartbreak Song Rankings [2026]
- Ranking of Tear-Jerking Japanese Songs [2026]
- [Songs of Bereavement] Songs about losing someone dear. Tracks to listen to while thinking of a loved one.
- Popular Moving Songs Ranking [2026]
- [So touching it makes you cry] A heartbreakingly wistful and sad song that tightens your chest
- Ken Hirai’s Tearjerker/Weepy Songs and Popular Tracks Ranking [2026]
- HY’s Tearjerker Songs: Top Cry-Inducing and Popular Tracks Ranking [2026]
- A song I want people who have lost a beloved partner to listen to
Sad Song Rankings [2026] (21–30)
AitaiKato Miria29rank/position
Miliyah Kato, the queen of love songs.
She’s a popular singer known for her soaring voice and songs that depict a realistic worldview.
In the chorus, where the title phrase is repeated, she expresses straightforward feelings of love, making it a song that stands by anyone currently in love.
It vividly portrays the difficulty of love—how the stronger your feelings grow, the farther away it can seem—so it’s a track you’ll want to listen to when you’re going through a painful romance.
A Naked Heartaimyon30rank/position
Even though I thought I’d been better off without falling in love, I’m repeating the same thing all over again… This is a down-to-earth love ballad that sings just that.
It’s a song by Aimyon, a singer-songwriter from Hyogo Prefecture, released in 2020 as her 10th single.
The gentle melody pairs perfectly with Aimyon’s straightforward vocals.
When you’ve stumbled in love, listening to it will quietly stay by your side.
It might be a good one to sing at karaoke, too.
Sad Song Rankings [2026] (31–40)
Ghost in the FlowersYorushika31rank/position
The third digital-download-only single, “Hana ni Bourei,” was selected as the theme song for the animated film “A Whisker Away.” There’s an anecdote that it was created with a focus on purely beautiful melodies and imagery, and the somewhat nostalgic ensemble truly soothes the heart.
Since the melody is relaxed and the vocal range isn’t that wide, it’s easy to sing calmly at karaoke.
It’s a beautiful pop tune that’s sure to captivate listeners.
366 daysHY32rank/position
A bittersweet love song that sings of unforgettable feelings for a former lover.
“If only I’d told you how I felt from the start, maybe I wouldn’t be hurting so much…” Even if you regret it, it’s already too late.
The more you try to forget, the more you can’t stop thinking about that person.
Perhaps such secret feelings you can’t tell anyone are best left to time.
But this song isn’t just about single-minded unrequited love.
In fact, it’s also said to be a song about a forbidden love for someone who already has a family.
What kind of love story does it bring to your mind? Featured on HY’s April 2008 album HeartY and used as the theme song for the film Threads of Destiny, this piece is a must-hear ballad for anyone struggling with love.
rendezvousshaitoopu33rank/position
This song portrays a bittersweet love, painting delicate scenes like meeting in a veil of clear rain and looking back on the proof of a love once shared.
Released as a digital-only single in April 2023, it was later included on the album “Hors d’oeuvre.” It debuted at No.
1 on the Billboard Japan Heatseekers Songs chart and has surpassed 100 million streams, capturing the hearts of many listeners.
It’s a recommended track for those who have experienced heartbreak or parting, or who want to reflect on past love.
Surrender your heart to Shitoupe’s delicate vocals and try belting it out at karaoke.
RAINSEKAI NO OWARI34rank/position
Starting with a piano melody, this airy song “RAIN” may be familiar to many, as it was the theme song for the animated film Mary and The Witch’s Flower.
While many tear-jerkers are about sad romances or life’s hardships, this one is a song that soothes the heart.
By the time it ends, it leaves your heart feeling a little warmer.
Just being alive is admirable.ReoNa35rank/position
For those shedding tears over days that just won’t go right, this song might be there to comfort you.
It’s a track by ReoNa, a singer known as a “despair-style anisong singer,” included on her fifth single “Nai Nai,” released in 2021.
The lyrics and composition were created by the popular Vocaloid producer Toa Kasamura.
The lyrics, which spill out feelings straight from the heart, are so raw they make your chest tighten just by reading them.
The sorrowful piano and ReoNa’s on-the-verge-of-tears vocals really hit you right in the tear ducts.