[Tear-Jerking Breakup Songs] A curated selection of love songs that gently comfort a wounded heart!

freesiaMarushii

Marcy – Freesia (Official Music Video)

Marcy is a rock band that continues to move hearts with relatable, down-to-earth lyrics and melodies.

This song delicately portrays the frustrating feelings of a woman who can’t leave a relationship she knows is nearing its end—a heartfelt rock ballad.

Ukyo Yoshida’s emotionally rich vocals intertwine with beautiful string arrangements, and the rising intensity toward the chorus is sure to tighten the listener’s chest.

Released as a single in April 2025, it was also selected as the theme song for the short film channel “Shunkan seju.” It is included on the album Flavors, released in November of the same year, and is gaining recognition as one of the band’s new signature tracks.

Why not listen to it when you’re struggling with unrequited love or on a night when you just want to let the tears flow?

Sentimental KissShio Reira

Reira Shio - Sentimental Kiss [Official Music Video]

This work depicts an unbreakable lingering attachment—the kind where you can’t cut off an ambiguous relationship with a former lover.

It’s a song by Rei La Ushio, released in May 2022 as her third digital single.

Chosen as background music for ABEMA’s dating show “He and the Wolf-chan Are Not to Be Deceived,” it topped Spotify’s Viral Chart and has surpassed 50 million streams worldwide.

Its gentle sound, centered on acoustic guitar and piano, embraces the complex emotions that arise as the distance between hearts and bodies grows inversely proportional.

Many listeners may find themselves relating to the experience of being unable to fully end a relationship and letting it drag on.

It’ll get stained.Chatto Monchī

Chatmonchy “I’ll Be Dyed” Music Video

This is the song chosen as the theme for the drama TONSURA starring Yuriko Yoshitaka.

The soaring high notes by Eriko Hashimoto in the chorus, together with the swelling band sound, heighten the poignancy of the lyrics.

The words express regret about a relationship with someone precious.

To fill that regret, the singer smokes the same cigarettes that person used to smoke, letting their feelings waft away.

When we’re heartbroken, we can’t help but touch objects that remind us of a loved one or act in ways that bring their presence back to us, can we…

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Stardust VenusAimer

Stardust Venus

It’s a heart-wrenching ballad that portrays the complex feelings of having to choose separation.

Precisely because the memories of the one you loved remain so beautiful, the pain of goodbye stands out all the more.

It was included on a single released in August 2012 and served as the theme song for the drama “Will Such Extravagant Love Fall Upon Me?” Aimer’s husky, sweet voice seems to gently touch a wounded heart.

Give it a listen alone on one of those frustrating nights when you mustered the courage on Valentine’s Day but your feelings didn’t reach them.

After the tears fall, your heart should feel just a little lighter.

Even if you wait for a miracleSaucy Dog

Saucy Dog “Even If We Were Waiting for a Miracle” Music Video (Theme song for the film “Love’s Terminal Illness”) <9th Mini Album “Curry Rice” to be released on 2025.12.17>

A bittersweet yet powerful rock ballad by Saucy Dog that portrays love that’s too pure and feelings with nowhere to go.

It delicately expresses the resolve to take a step forward from a passive self that only waits for miracles, as well as intense inner conflict.

Many listeners will likely be moved to tears by vocalist Shinya Ishihara’s emotionally rich singing.

The song was written as the theme for the film “Koi ni Itaru Yamai,” released in October 2025, and was later included on the mini-album “Curry Rice.” Closely tied to the film’s story, this piece will gently nudge the backs of those suffering from unrequited love.

Even as you’re hurt by a reality that won’t go your way, it will soothe your heart as you wish to look ahead.

wishsumika

sumika / Wish [Music Video]

A heart-stirring ballad by sumika that portrays the ache of unrequited love and the inner conflict of wishing for the other person’s happiness.

Included on the single “Negai / Higher Ground,” released in December 2019, this song was written as the theme for TV Asahi’s Saturday Night Drama “Ossan’s Love -in the sky-.” In an astonishing anecdote, vocalist Kenta Kataoka reportedly revised the lyrics 117 times to align with the drama’s worldview.

The lyrics, which struggle to hold back overflowing feelings, and the melody that grows more heated as the emotions rise, are sure to bring tears.

It’s a gentle yet heartrending masterpiece, one we especially hope those who can’t muster the courage on Valentine’s Day and are holding onto painful feelings will listen to.

Snow WhiteMarushii

Marsi – Shirayuki (Official Music Video)

This is a wistful winter love ballad by Marcy, a band from Fukuoka, opening with bell tones that evoke the crisp winter air.

Carrying an unrequited love, the lyrics lament time that will never return with “what if, back then,” and you may find yourself in tears from the sympathy.

Ukyo Yoshida’s delicate, emotive vocals and the warm sound crafted by Rui Momota gently cradle a wounded heart.

Released digitally in December 2020 and later included on the album “Memory,” this song is one you’ll want to hear if you’re regretting a missed chance or if your love came to an end on Valentine’s Day.