When you’re watching Instagram Reels, all kinds of moments flow by in the videos, right?
There are all sorts—from ones that make you laugh to ones that move you.
So this time, I’ve put together a collection of bittersweet songs you can use for your Instagram Reels.
Even within “bittersweet,” each song has its own flavor—like parting or setting off on a new journey—so I’d be happy if you choose from the songs I’m about to introduce to match the kind of Reel you want to make.
They also work great as background music, so be sure to try using them in your Reel posts!
Alright, let’s get started.
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10 melancholy songs I recommend for Instagram Reels background music (1–10)
Bye by meVaundy
Packed with bittersweet emotions, this track is perfect as background music for Instagram Reels.
Its theme is letting go of past memories and attachments and stepping into a new chapter.
Released digitally in April 2020 as the 5th single, it was also used as the opening theme for the TV Tokyo drama “Throw It Away, Adachi-san.” Even as an active university student, Vaundy writes, composes, and arranges everything himself.
You’ll likely relate to the everyday scenes portrayed in the song.
It’s highly recommended for anyone who wants the courage to let go of the past or take a new step forward.
Be sure to use it in your Reels posts!
Only a single voicerokudenashi
This song captivates with its delicate vocals and deeply touching lyrics.
The words, which sing of the struggles of living, inner conflict, and hope, resonate with many listeners.
Since its release in December 2021, it has gone viral across various Asian countries, surpassing 55 million streams on Spotify.
It has also enjoyed cross-border popularity, hitting No.
1 on Hong Kong’s Spotify Viral 50 chart.
The piece underscores the importance of facing your emotions as you live, offering comfort to those dealing with daily worries and anxieties.
It’s perfect for expressing your feelings in Instagram Reels or adding a bittersweet touch to moving moments.
LemonYonezu Kenshi
Kenshi Yonezu’s song, which expresses a bittersweet feeling, is also popular on Instagram Reels.
Written as the theme for a TBS drama, the track centers on parting with a loved one.
Released in 2018, it became a major hit, surpassing three million downloads.
The lyrics, which honor beautiful memories even amid sorrow, resonate with many people.
Particularly striking are the lines that portray how certain scents can evoke past memories.
As a song that speaks for those who have experienced heartbreak or farewells, this huge hit—with its heartrending lyrics—still makes a perfect choice for background music.
rendezvousshaitoopu
This song, which portrays bittersweet memories of love, is trending on Instagram Reels.
It expresses the ache of romance through scenes like meeting in a transparent rain and walking while ignoring fate.
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.
It’s a perfect track for those who want to convey memories of love and the pain of parting.
Use it as BGM for your Reels to create a poignant yet moving atmosphere.
Please forget it.Yorushika
Yorushika’s songs—known for their translucent vocals and impressionistic lyrics—are also very popular on Instagram.
Released in July 2024, this track stands out for its profound lyrics that liken past memories and experiences to a vinyl record.
The sense of despair and introspection hidden beneath its pop melody is sure to resonate with listeners.
Yorushika has created many theme songs for anime and films, and they even won a Japan Gold Disc Award in 2020.
It’s a perfect song for those carrying heartache or wishing to face their past.
Using it in Instagram Reels could help convey deep emotions.
Because you are hereUru
Uru’s songs, which beautifully capture bittersweet moments, are perfect for Instagram Reels.
Her warm, gentle voice sings of the small joys hidden in everyday life and the bonds with loved ones, resonating deeply with listeners.
Written as the theme song for a TBS Sunday drama, this piece was released in February 2020 and became so popular that it earned Platinum certification in December of the same year.
Its moving lyrics and soul-stirring melody will make your Reels even more captivating.
Why not pair this track with Reels that capture precious memories and moments that linger in your heart?
A 3 o’clock kissrokudenashi
This song portrays the bittersweet end of a romance.
Released by Rokudenashi in June 2021, it expresses both regret and gratitude for a love that has been lost.
The lyrics strikingly depict symbolic moments—like the walk home after a date and the instant of parting—that reflect the changing dynamics between the two.
Released through Victor Entertainment, Rokudenashi has continued to put out many singles, and in December 2023 they released their first album, “Ai ni Saku Hana,” which peaked at No.
23 on the Oricon charts.
It’s a recommended track for anyone who has experienced a breakup or wants to reaffirm their appreciation for someone important.
It’s also perfect for creating a wistful mood in Instagram Reels.