A classic Japanese song that sings of sorrow
In everyday life, we all go through sad experiences—like heartbreak or setbacks at work.
When you’re feeling down, some people listen to upbeat, energizing songs to lift their spirits, while others intentionally choose sad songs.
Which are you?
Sometimes, letting yourself sink into the ultimate sentimental mood with a sad song can actually make the sadness fade.
Here, we’ll introduce some classic Japanese songs that sing of sorrow!
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Masterpieces of Japanese songs that sing of sorrow (81–90)
mutual feelingsthe shes gone
A lover who drifted away because of my own mistakes… you can feel that regret so strongly in this song.
It’s by the three-piece band the shes gone and is included on their 2018 mini-album “DAYS.” The vocalist Maru’s pleasantly relaxed singing matches the ambient, expansive sound, making it easy to unwind.
But it’s still a breakup song.
As the track goes on, your chest tightens.
A love without regret… it’s hard, but it’s what we want, isn’t it?
I didn’t want to know, if it meant losing it.atarayo
A four-piece rock band based in Tokyo, Atarayo describes themselves with the tagline “a band that feeds on sorrow.” This track, included on their first album The Moon Remains Silent in the Polar Night, opens with a catchy, lyrical guitar riff that amplifies the sense of heartache.
The idea that some things are happier left unknown, or that you can’t walk away even when you know you’ll get hurt, is a story many who’ve experienced long relationships will relate to.
It’s a breakup song that conveys the difficulty of love, vividly portraying the painful emotions leading up to the decision to part ways.
Love songSambomasutā
“Love Song” is one of Sambomaster’s signature tracks.
It’s a love song addressed to a woman who is no longer here.
Brimming with longing to see her again, it’s a heartbreak song whose poignant melody and the vocals of Takashi Yamaguchi really touch the heart.
Sad Colors, huh? ~ OSAKA BAY BLUESUeda Masaki
A classic ballad that lets you fully savor the charm of old-school songcraft, “Kanashii Iro Yane.” It’s a 1982 single by soul singer Masaki Ueda—who also delivered many beloved tunes with the band emblematic of the Kansai blues scene, Ueda Masaki & South To South.
The lyrics were written by the legendary Chinfa Kan, who colored countless masterpieces from the Showa to Heisei eras.
The composition is by Tetsuji Hayashi, a melody maker known for crafting breezy songs now often grouped under city pop.
Masaki Ueda’s husky, overwhelmingly emotive vocals are incredibly cool, and the lyrical expressions resonate with a deep, heartrending poignancy.
It truly brings tears to your eyes…
A masterpiece whose quietly evocative expressions heighten the sense of melancholy, gently nestling close to a broken heart, while setting many memories in motion and even conveying a certain strength.
I can’t stop this sadnessAnri
I don’t think that was her intention at all, but she may have been a pioneer of singers and entertainers known only by a given name, without a surname.
Songs like “Mediterranean Dream” and “All-American” carried a certain refined, exotic flavor that felt distinct from traditional Japanese kayōkyoku.
Even this track—an utterly despairing breakup song about having your boyfriend stolen by a friend—is wrapped in a cosmopolitan pop sheen.
She sings “Kanashimi ga Tomaranai,” yet you don’t feel the suffocating weight of heartbreak; perhaps that’s one of the charms of an Anri song.
It’s a perfect pick for anyone freshly heartbroken who still wants to keep their spirits up.
Kanna Route 8Matsutōya Yumi
It’s a classic powerhouse song, also included on their best-of album.
Even as it’s struck by the sadness of a broken heart, it makes you feel a reckless surge of energy—like you want to take off running, like you just want to get away somewhere.
Masterpieces of Japanese music that sing of sorrow (91–100)
Tokyoichou BOYZ
Even though I should be sad, what I keep remembering are the good times.
It’s a song by the punk rock band Ginnan BOYZ, who led the rock scene of the 2000s.
It’s included on their 2005 album “Kimi to Boku no Daisanji Sekai Taisen-teki Ren’ai Kakumei” (A Third World War-esque Love Revolution Between You and Me).
The lyrics describe how, in the midst of the city, the image of the person you love suddenly pops into your head.
The wrung-out vocals and palpable emotion are irresistibly compelling—an achingly moving work.
Give it a listen when you really want to cry your heart out.