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	It’s nothing.RADWIMPS		RADWIMPS' tear-jerking love songs
9	AitaiKato Miria		When you feel like crying about love, 'Aitai' is recommended.
10	NAOHY		Unrequited love’s pain: a tear-jerking heartbreak song
11	#302Hirai Ken		Theme song of a drama, expressing the feelings of unrequited love
12	Only a single voicerokudenashi		A poignant song that comforts heartbreak and loneliness
13	Maplesupittsu		Spitz's poignant, heart-touching ballad
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	HeavenMrs. GREEN APPLE		A heart-stirring movie theme song, the depths of emotion
18	balladKetsumeishi		A love ballad by Ketsumeishi, a masterpiece that brings tears
19	You let me do as I please, and yet…arekunn		Complicated feelings toward someone who only contacts me when it’s convenient for them
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	Ghost in the FlowersYorushika		A beautiful pop tune as a movie theme song
29	MetronomeYonezu Kenshi		The allure of Kenshi Yonezu’s poetic and fantastical songs
30	A Naked Heartaimyon		A song by Aimyon about failed love
31	I became someone else’s girlfriend.wacci		Popular songs by wacci: wistful lyrics and tones
32	rendezvousshaitoopu		A digital-only single that portrays a heartrending love
33	PrologueUru		A gentle-voiced song that sings of a heart-wrenching unrequited love.
34	RAINSEKAI NO OWARI		RAIN, a heart-healing main theme that warms the soul
35	Just being alive is admirable.ReoNa		ReoNa saves hearts with despair-themed anime songs
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	PretenderOfisharu Higedan Dism		Depicting the poignant feelings of a man who gives up on love
39	Marigoldaimyon		A love song that expresses love with a nostalgic sound
40	maybeYOASOBI		YOASOBI's new song is a gentle ballad.
41	cherrysupittsu		A youthful song about heartbreak that keeps looking forward
42	Spring Dayaimyon		A song that portrays the Nohara family's everyday life
43	Love’s Melody and Rainy SkiesAAA		The bittersweet struggle of unspoken love
44	hundreds of millions of light-yearsOmoinotake		A bittersweet love song for someone far away, resonating in the heart
45	budKobukuro		Kobukuro’s classic that sings of gratitude to parents resonates in the heart.
46	threadNakajima Miyuki		Miyuki Nakajima’s “Ito” is a wedding staple.
47	moonlightOnitsuka Chihiro		Chihiro Onitsuka’s Trick theme song is a hit
48	Letter ~Dear You at Fifteen~Anjura Aki		A letter to my 15-year-old self, a moving graduation song
49	forget-me-notAwesome City Club		A song that carries bittersweet feelings on a gentle melody
50	Love SongGReeeeN		As GReeeeN’s third single overall...
51	Dried flowersYuuri		The heartbreak song “Dry Flower” resonates with the heart.
52	Song of PointillismMrs. GREEN APPLE feat. Inoue Sonoko		Blue and summer, a beautiful story woven by a duet
53	LeoYuuri		A poignant classic depicting the farewell and bond with a beloved dog, “Leo”
54	crescent moonayaka		Ayaka’s song that eases the loneliness of a long-distance relationship
55	StoryAI		AI’s signature song “Story” is a moving masterpiece.
56	Love is litrokudenashi		A heartwarming ballad that sings of loneliness and anxiety
57	366 daysHY		A song that conveys the importance of releasing emotions and shedding tears
58	motion sickness from proximitywanuka		A song that delicately portrays a sweet and heartrending love
59	Tears Flowing EndlesslyNatsukawa Rimi		Tears Flow, a signature song by Rimi Natsukawa
60	If only I could remain at zeroOfisharu Higedan Dism		A masterpiece that sings of the poignant feelings of a long-distance romance
61	March 9Remioromen		Gratitude and hopeful feelings toward someone special
62	Letterback number		A song of gratitude to parents that moves them at a wedding
63	passing by each otherSoala		Intense affection binds and torments the other person
64	OrangeSMAP		Introducing SMAP’s hidden gem “Orange”
65	The summer you gave meieiri reo		Theme song of Koinaka, a song about bittersweet summer memories
66	Give me a gentle kiss.DREAMS COME TRUE		Theme song of 'Suna no Utsuwa': the bittersweetness of adult love
67	Promise of SunflowersHata Motohiro		Motohiro Hata’s movie theme song, a masterpiece that resonates with the heart
68	I wanted to dance to your heartbeat.Pikon		A song whose piano melody resonates with the heart
69	night after nightKurahashi Yoeko		A highly empathetic song that sings about dark emotions
70	The Last RainYasushi Nakanishi		The pain of a broken heart, a poignant sadness layered with the rain
71	Best FriendKiroro		When I'm tired, Kirro's songs support me.
72	I want to see you.yuzu		Yuzu releases a ballad dedicated to expressing gratitude to his father
73	Eine KleineYonezu Kenshi		Kenshi Yonezu’s “Eine Kleine” is a moving love song.
74	flameLiSA		“Homura” is a moving song that resonates with the heart, stirring memories and tears.
75	KanadeSukima Suichi		A timeless song that sings of parting with a loved one and of hope
76	Goodbye ElegySuda Masaki		A masterpiece that portrays the space between loneliness and love
77	A bouquet of flowers with loveSuperfly		Introduction to Superfly's Songs for Weddings
78	Voice of the SeaKiritani Kenta		Kenta Kiritani’s moving song, a melody like the sea
79	dancerVaundy		A song that sings of hope for a bittersweet future
80	sparrowRADWIMPS feat. Tomae		An emotional theme song from a Makoto Shinkai film born on TikTok
81	HANABIMr.Children		Mr.Children’s classic song “HANABI” resonates in the heart.
82	somedaySaucy Dog		A heartwarming song that portrays bittersweet memories of love
83	evening primroseNovelbright		A moving song that portrays the pain of heartbreak and self-renewal
84	Motherkariyushi 58		It’s a song dedicated to my mother. This song…
85	MiracleGReeeeN		A wedding song that portrays the encounter and bond with a loved one
86	YOKAZEHentai Shinshi Kurabu		Music gives us the courage to overcome hardships.
87	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.
88	Snow BlossomNakajima Mika		Mika Nakashima’s bittersweet winter love song
89	I long to see you now.MISIA		MISIA “Aitakute Ima” — a masterpiece depicting life
90	EverythingMISIA		A moving love song performed by the bride
91	EncoreYOASOBI		The story of two people who met on the last day of the world
92	365 daysMr.Children		Popular Mr.Children wedding songs
93	Shape of LoveMISIA feat.HIDE		MISA and HIDE’s tag-team love song
94	naporiVaundy		A classic song that sings of love’s warmth and the anxiety of parting
95	Mikan HeartC&K		C&K’s bittersweet unrequited-love cheer song
96	JANE DOEYonezu Kenshi, Utada Hikaru		The first collaboration theme song by Kenshi Yonezu and Hikaru Utada
97	The Howling of the Lost OneNeru		This is the 12th work by Neru. N…
98	Agate Caressed by NightAyase		Ayase’s poignant song stirs the heart.
99	DarlingMrs. GREEN APPLE		A song that gently embraces the uncertainties of youth
100	Plastic LoveTakeuchi Mariya		Sing about a bittersweet love at a night disco