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.

Playlist

Sad Song Rankings [2026]
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	NonfictionHirai Ken		A ballad song by Ken Hirai that depicts sorrow
2	horizonback number		An anthem cheering on high school students who don’t give up on their dreams
3	Happy Endingback number		A poignant long-distance love song, a timeless tune that resonates with the heart
4	Because you are hereUru		A masterpiece that expresses a poignant feeling through music
5	tobacco / cigarette(s)Koresawa		Delicately portraying post-breakup emotions with an acoustic guitar
6	He was alive, wasn’t he?aimyon		Aimyon, a song that questions life and the meaning of living
7	First LoveUtada Hikaru		A love ballad by Hikaru Utada
8	I became someone else’s girlfriend.wacci		This song went viral mainly on social media and quickly became a hot topic...
9	It’s nothing.RADWIMPS		RADWIM steeped in wistfulness and deep emotion…
10	NAOHY		Unrequited love’s pain: a tear-jerking heartbreak song
11	#302Hirai Ken		The theme song of the drama “4-Minute Marigold”…
12	Maplesupittsu		Spitz's poignant, heart-touching ballad
13	Only a single voicerokudenashi		A poignant song that comforts heartbreak and loneliness
14	dogwood (flowering dogwood)Hitoto Yo		Popular choral song, an earnest piece for spring and summer
15	Letter to TomorrowTeshima Aoi		A heartwarming ballad that faces forward with hope and anxiety
16	Song of the Eternal NightKami wa saikoro o furanai		A sad ballad of unforgettable love
17	balladKetsumeishi		A love ballad by Ketsumeishi, a masterpiece that brings tears
18	You let me do as I please, and yet…arekunn		Complicated feelings toward someone who only contacts me when it’s convenient for them
19	HeavenMrs. GREEN APPLE		A heart-stirring movie theme song, the depths of emotion
20	One more time, One more chanceYamazaki Masayoshi		Masayoshi Yamazaki 'One more time'
21	spin; weave; compose (e.g., a story)tota		A song of grief and hope for a dearly loved one lost
22	Goodbye, my beloved.Hana＊Hana		A heartwarming song filled with feelings for my grandfather.
23	SoranjiMrs. GREEN APPLE		Hold onto hope, believe in yourself, and never give up.
24	single bedSha ran Q		A bittersweet love song by Sharan Q, a track that resonates with the heart
25	Happinessback number		A bittersweet unrequited love, a pure heart that wishes for others’ happiness
26	LemonYonezu Kenshi		Kenshi Yonezu’s masterpiece that sings of lost love and memories
27	Dinner Songtuki.		tuki.’s love song, with a wistful melody and lyrics that resonate with the heart
28	MetronomeYonezu Kenshi		The allure of Kenshi Yonezu’s poetic and fantastical songs
29	AitaiKato Miria		Miliyah Kato’s love songs resonate with the heart.
30	A Naked Heartaimyon		A song by Aimyon about failed love
31	Ghost in the FlowersYorushika		The third digital distribution-only single “Hana ni….”
32	366 daysHY		A poignant love ballad that sings of unforgettable feelings for an ex-lover
33	rendezvousshaitoopu		A song depicting a heartrending love, in the midst of transparent rain…
34	RAINSEKAI NO OWARI		RAIN, a heart-healing main theme that warms the soul
35	Just being alive is admirable.ReoNa		To those shedding tears over days that just won’t go right, this song…
36	Memories from todayAimer		Aimer’s sad farewell song resonates with the heart
37	even ifHirai Ken		Ken Hirai's 2000 song that portrays the heartache of unrequited love
38	The Last RainYasushi Nakanishi		It became Yasushi Nakanishi’s biggest hit, “Sa…”
39	PretenderOfisharu Higedan Dism		Depicting the poignant feelings of a man who gives up on love
40	Marigoldaimyon		A love song that expresses love with a nostalgic sound
41	maybeYOASOBI		Active in a style of activity that turns novels into music…
42	cherrysupittsu		A youthful song about heartbreak that keeps looking forward
43	Spring Dayaimyon		The movie “Crayon Shin-chan: Honeymoon Hurricane …”
44	Love’s Melody and Rainy SkiesAAA		The bittersweet struggle of unspoken love
45	hundreds of millions of light-yearsOmoinotake		A bittersweet love song for someone far away, resonating in the heart
46	budKobukuro		Kobukuro’s classic that sings of gratitude to parents resonates in the heart.
47	threadNakajima Miyuki		Miyuki Nakajima’s “Ito” is a wedding staple.
48	moonlightOnitsuka Chihiro		Chihiro Onitsuka’s Trick theme song is a hit
49	Letter ~Dear You at Fifteen~Anjura Aki		A letter to my 15-year-old self, a moving graduation song
50	forget-me-notAwesome City Club		A song that carries bittersweet feelings on a gentle melody
51	Love SongGReeeeN		As GReeeeN’s third single overall...
52	Dried flowersYuuri		The heartbreak song “Dry Flower” resonates with the heart.
53	User ManualNishino Kana		One of Kana Nishino’s classic songs for weddings...
54	Song of PointillismMrs. GREEN APPLE feat. Inoue Sonoko		Blue and summer, a beautiful story woven by a duet
55	LeoYuuri		A poignant classic depicting the farewell and bond with a beloved dog, “Leo”
56	crescent moonayaka		Ayaka’s song that eases the loneliness of a long-distance relationship
57	StoryAI		AI’s signature song “Story” is a moving masterpiece.
58	I forget you, who are so quiet, in October.atarayo		A heartwarming song by Atarayo, whose poignant lyrics resonate with the heart.
59	Love is litrokudenashi		A heartwarming ballad that sings of loneliness and anxiety
60	It’s nothing.makaroni enpitsu		In 2021, at the 63rd Japan Record Awards, the most outsta…
61	motion sickness from proximitywanuka		A song that delicately portrays a sweet and heartrending love
62	Tears Flowing EndlesslyNatsukawa Rimi		Tears Flow, a signature song by Rimi Natsukawa
63	PrologueUru		A gentle-voiced song that sings of a heart-wrenching unrequited love.
64	If only I could remain at zeroOfisharu Higedan Dism		A masterpiece that sings of the poignant feelings of a long-distance romance
65	March 9Remioromen		Gratitude and hopeful feelings toward someone special
66	OrangeSMAP		Said to be a hidden gem among SMAP’s songs…
67	passing by each otherSoala		Intense affection binds and torments the other person
68	The summer you gave meieiri reo		Theme song of Koinaka, a song about bittersweet summer memories
69	Give me a gentle kiss.DREAMS COME TRUE		Theme song of 'Suna no Utsuwa': the bittersweetness of adult love
70	Promise of SunflowersHata Motohiro		Motohiro Hata’s movie theme song, a masterpiece that resonates with the heart
71	I wanted to dance to your heartbeat.Pikon		A song whose piano melody resonates with the heart
72	night after nightKurahashi Yoeko		A highly empathetic song that sings about dark emotions
73	Best FriendKiroro		When I'm tired, Kirro's songs support me.
74	I want to see you.yuzu		Yuzu releases a ballad dedicated to expressing gratitude to his father
75	Eine KleineYonezu Kenshi		Kenshi Yonezu’s “Eine Kleine” is a moving love song.
76	flameLiSA		“Homura” is a moving song that resonates with the heart, stirring memories and tears.
77	loveHoshino Gen		It's the well-known Gen Hoshino song “Koi.” At the wedding...
78	KanadeSukima Suichi		A timeless song that sings of parting with a loved one and of hope
79	Goodbye ElegySuda Masaki		A masterpiece that portrays the space between loneliness and love
80	A bouquet of flowers with loveSuperfly		Introduction to Superfly's Songs for Weddings
81	Voice of the SeaKiritani Kenta		Kenta Kiritani’s moving song, a melody like the sea
82	dancerVaundy		A song that sings of hope for a bittersweet future
83	somedaySaucy Dog		A heartwarming song that portrays bittersweet memories of love
84	I should be able to fly (in the sky).supittsu		The blockbuster drama series that was even turned into a franchise, “Hakusen Nagashi”…
85	HANABIMr.Children		Mr.Children’s classic song “HANABI” resonates in the heart.
86	sparrowRADWIMPS feat. Tomae		An emotional theme song from a Makoto Shinkai film born on TikTok
87	evening primroseNovelbright		A moving song that portrays the pain of heartbreak and self-renewal
88	Motherkariyushi 58		It’s a song dedicated to my mother. This song…
89	YOKAZEHentai Shinshi Kurabu		Music gives us the courage to overcome hardships.
90	Snow BlossomNakajima Mika		Mika Nakashima’s bittersweet winter love song
91	I long to see you now.MISIA		MISIA “Aitakute Ima” — a masterpiece depicting life
92	EverythingMISIA		A moving love song performed by the bride
93	waxing; filling up; becoming full; growing (e.g., the moon growing fuller)Fuji Kaze		Fujii Kaze’s movie theme song. A ballad depicting love and farewell.
94	EncoreYOASOBI		The story of two people who met on the last day of the world
95	365 daysMr.Children		Popular Mr.Children wedding songs
96	Mikan HeartC&K		C&K’s bittersweet unrequited-love cheer song
97	naporiVaundy		A classic song that sings of love’s warmth and the anxiety of parting
98	The Howling of the Lost OneNeru		This is the 12th work by Neru. N…
99	Agate Caressed by NightAyase		Ayase’s poignant song stirs the heart.
100	May it be filled with kindnessFlower		JUJU’s high-quality cover songs