7 types of sad songs: tear-jerker tracks for every scene
In life, it’s inevitable that sad things happen at various times.
We experience heartbreak and partings, and sometimes we even have to face the death of someone dear to us…
Even when we understand this in our heads, there are times when we just can’t shake the sadness.
In those moments, I’d like to introduce some timeless songs that will stay close to your heart.
I’m sure you’ll find lyrics you can relate to.
If you encounter that one special song, it might make your sadness a little easier to bear.
So sad it could make you cry (1–10)
Timeless songs that bring tears to your eyes just by listening
First, let me introduce some sad songs that will make you cry just by listening. I’m sharing tear-jerking tracks for various situations, so if you’re looking for sad songs, start here.
tear(s)Marushii
A heartrending ballad that vividly recalls days spent with a former lover under the summer sky.
Released by Marcy in August 2025, it’s a breakup song and their first ballad to be delivered for the summer, despite their history of producing many uptempo summer numbers.
The story begins with memories at a seaside park and is written entirely in the past tense, conveying the lingering attachment and pain of a love that can never return.
The way it retraces the past, as if touching memories, portrays the lingering afterglow of feelings that remain even after a breakup.
It’s a song that gently stays by your side when you’ve experienced a farewell with someone important or when you want to cry your heart out and set your feelings free.
spin; weave; compose (e.g., a story)tota
An overwhelming sense of loss for a cherished person you can no longer meet.
Gently accompanying that aching heart are the works of Totasan, an artist drawing attention as a bedroom creator.
Released in February 2023 and included on the first album “oidaki,” this piece sparked a major reaction, even reaching No.
1 on the USEN HIT SNS rankings.
Its poetic worldview—overlaying delicate, shifting emotions onto natural scenes like the sky and wind—leaves a strong impression.
While wishing for the other person’s happiness, the fierce longing to meet them once more creates a painful inner conflict that tightens your chest just by listening.
Even amid sorrow, the resolve to weave hope for tomorrow is sure to move your heart.
Lingering wordsSou
This song portrays a bittersweet resolve to keep moving forward while carrying feelings for someone lost.
Featured on Sou’s 4th album, “Sense of Wonder,” it was released digitally in advance in June 2024.
The sound crafted by mol-74 and the quietly woven lyrics blend beautifully.
Its emotional atmosphere is sure to bring many listeners to tears.
When you feel lonely or spend a night thinking of someone dear, this track will be there to comfort your heart.
It’s a standout album that also includes the opening theme for the TV anime “THE NEW GATE.”
SAD SONG feat. No No Girls FINALISTSchanmina
A special song by Chanmina and the “No No Girls” finalists has moved many to tears with its stirring performance.
The lyrics—filled with the bittersweetness behind happiness and a strong resolve to believe in the future—captivate listeners and make the piece deeply compelling.
Said to be based on Chanmina’s real experiences, it conveys the loneliness of chasing a dream and the importance of bonds with fellow travelers.
Released in January 2025, the song’s performance on THE FIRST TAKE in May of the same year tied in with the audition project and generated great emotion, topping YouTube for 10 days.
If you’re working hard at something, this song is sure to gently nudge you forward.
Don’t miss the chance to experience it.
NAOHY
HY has a lot of songs that make you cry, don’t they? This song, “NAO,” is very well-known as a heartbreak song.
It’s perfect for when you’re in the mood to cry, the kind of song that amplifies your sadness.
It’s a track that makes you feel frustrated with someone who just won’t be clear, but for those involved, these feelings probably resonate with many people.
It’s a tear-jerking masterpiece that’s perfect for anyone with unrequited love or going through a sad romance.
When you feel like having a good cry, listen to it while savoring the lyrics.
Heartbreak (1–10)
Heartbreak really is sad and painful…!
No matter how old you are, heartbreak is always painful, isn’t it? Whether it was unrequited love or a mutual relationship, it can feel like there’s a gaping hole in your heart. Here, I’ll introduce some breakup songs that will stay by your side and comfort you through that sad and painful heartbreak.
FOREVERNEW!chanmina
This song radiates a powerful resolve, turning the memories of a painful farewell into strength.
Written by Chanmina as the theme for the TV drama “Monster,” released in October 2024, it fuses intense, rock-tinged instrumentation with commanding vocals to vividly portray unrequited feelings and indelible emotional scars.
The track also drew attention for reuniting her with a Korean producer, following the deepened self-expression showcased on albums like “Naked.” It’s a perfect breakup anthem for those deeply hurt by a past relationship who still want to rise without losing themselves.
When you want to face forward while carrying anger and sadness, her powerful voice may well give you the strong push you need.
Cassis orangeNEW!Laughing Hick
This work portrays a realistic love story that sways between the feeling of not being able to fully forgive the other person and the complex emotion of still being in love.
It’s included on the masterpiece DOPAMINE, released in December 2019 by Laughing Hick, a rock band from Yamanashi Prefecture.
The raw, unvarnished word choices woven by Kota Horiuchi, who wrote the lyrics and music, and the emotionally charged band sound tinged with heartache pierce deeply into the soul.
It’s imbued with a contradictory lingering attachment: though hurt by lies and betrayal, you suddenly recall the happy times and find yourself torn.
It’s a song that will gently stay by your side when you’re going through a painful breakup, struggling between anger and love for the other person—one you’ll want to listen to in those moments.