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Compilation of Sad BGM You've Heard Somewhere [Famous]
Have you ever been watching a video on YouTube and thought, “Wait, I’ve heard this BGM in someone else’s video too”? Since there are only so many sites that distribute free audio tracks, it’s inevitable that the same songs get used a lot.
What I’m about to introduce are those sad, melancholic BGMs that make you think, “I’ve heard this somewhere before.” As mentioned, the selection ranges widely from free audio tracks to classical masterpieces.
Now then—how many of these pieces do you know?
Famous Sad BGM You’ve Heard Somewhere: Compilation (1–10)
MomentAkiyama Hirokazu
If you often watch video sites like YouTube, you might already know it.
“Moment” by composer Hirokazu Akiyama is an irresistible piece with a sadly beautiful piano melody.
Its piano lines seem to soothe your fatigue while staying close to your downcast feelings, and if you like the vibe of Ryuichi Sakamoto’s “energy flow,” this may really hit home for you.
Also, the strings and drum-like percussion in the middle create a grand, stirring progression that’s truly moving.
Listen to it when you’re feeling a bit worn out from school or work—it’ll help you relax your shoulders and fill you with fresh motivation!
Only a single voicerokudenashi
With its moving melody and profound lyrics, Rokudenashi’s song stirs the hearts of many listeners.
It delicately portrays the hardships of living and the anguish of suppressing one’s emotions.
Released in December 2021, the track garnered major attention, surpassing 55 million streams on Spotify and 100 million views on YouTube.
It also topped Hong Kong’s Spotify Viral 50 chart, setting a new high watermark for a Japanese artist—a fact that generated plenty of buzz.
It’s a must-listen for anyone who struggles with the conflict between honestly expressing their feelings and maintaining harmony with those around them.
MoonlightClaude Debussy
Clair de Lune by the French composer Claude Debussy.
This piece is famous not only as background music for TV and online videos, but also as something you often hear in places like hospitals and cafés.
Its melody—tinged with a faint glimmer of hope amid sadness—is especially striking.
By the way, Debussy is classified in the classical genre of Impressionist music, and he’s well known for leaving many original works that aren’t bound by traditional rules of harmony and scale.
As an aside, the often-confused Moonlight is a piece by the German composer Ludwig van Beethoven.
That one’s also a well-known classic you’re likely to hear, so be sure to check it out too.
GymnopédiesErik Satie
Gymnopédies is often played as background music in quiet cafés and hospital waiting rooms.
The title is pronounced “Jim-no-peh-dee,” and it was composed in 1888 by the French composer Erik Satie.
It isn’t exactly a sad piece; rather, it has an irresistible, mysterious charm that feels nostalgic and calming.
By the way, there are three pieces—No.
1, No.
2, and No.
3—and the one most commonly known is No.
1.
Nos.
2 and 3 aren’t as famous, but if you get the chance, please give them a listen!
you are my cursenyamura
This track is defined by its grand, melancholic atmosphere.
Nyamura’s sweet vocals and the dark, emotional lyricism pierce the heart.
The lyrics, depicting complex emotions where love and hatred coexist, seize listeners and won’t let go.
Released in June 2023, it became a massive hit on TikTok, topping Billboard JAPAN’s “TikTok Weekly Top 20” chart for four consecutive weeks.
Highly recommended for those struggling with heartbreak or lost love.
Why not listen to this piece and confront your own emotions?
I miss youRADWIMPS
A RADWIMPS song released on March 11, 2021, marking the 10th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake.
It portrays the feelings of disaster victims and delivers a powerful message, resulting in a work that evokes deep emotion.
Included on the concept album “2+0+2+1+3+1+1 = 10 years 10 songs,” the piece was born from “Itoiro,” a relief fund project RADWIMPS launched immediately after the disaster.
It offers a poignant depiction of those who lost loved ones in the earthquake, expressing both their enduring longing for the deceased and their effort to accept their absence.
The song resonates not only with survivors but with many listeners, moving hearts and offering an opportunity—through RADWIMPS’s music—to reaffirm the importance of confronting and remembering the earthquake.
unravelAdo
A song themed around deep emotions and self-exploration has been given a fresh interpretation by Ado, moving many listeners.
This work holds a special place for anime fans and music lovers alike, showcasing Ado’s vocal prowess to the fullest.
It was included as one of the tracks on the “Ado’s Cover Album,” released in December 2023, and was also made available on streaming platforms.
In August of the same year, a live performance at the Nippon Budokan captivated the audience.
Filled with a powerful message about not losing oneself, it’s a recommended track for those seeking a time of introspection.
spin; weave; compose (e.g., a story)tota
Did you know that a song with a wistful, poignant atmosphere is often used as background music for YouTube videos? This piece is one such track, boasting over 400 million total plays across social media.
Its lyrics delicately depict subtle emotional shifts, expressing deep affection and aching sorrow through natural elements like the sky, wind, and flowers.
Included on Tota’s first album, “oidaki,” it was released in February 2023.
Sung with a clear, transparent voice, the song has the power to comfort those who have experienced heartbreak or parting.
It’s a recommended listen for quiet moments alone or when you want to dwell on feelings for someone special.
Farewell SongFrederic Chopin
Frédéric François Chopin, a composer from Poland.
His “Farewell Song” is a staple piano piece often heard at piano recitals and in school music classes.
Its official title is Etude No.
3 from “12 Etudes, Op.
10,” and it came to be nicknamed “Farewell Song” after it was used in the 1934 German film of the same name.
The section that develops from a slow introduction into intense phrases particularly expresses deep sorrow, piercing the heart…
Even if I’m not there.Hirai Dai
A song by Dai Hirai filled with deep love and feelings for his future family.
It features a grand arrangement centered on piano and strings, along with a beautiful yet fleeting melody.
Released in January 2022, it was also included on the album “Hope & Wish,” which came out in May of the same year.
The music video was created in collaboration with Tekken, a comedian famous for flipbook-style animation, and surpassed 2 million views within two days of its release.
The piece conveys the wish that parting from a loved one be etched in the heart not only as sorrow, but as a warm memory of love.
Highly recommended for those with families and for anyone who wants to feel their devotion to someone dear.