Love, bonds, parting, cheers… songs so moving they pierce the heart and make you cry uncontrollably
When things don’t go well—like heartbreak or setbacks in life—and you’re feeling down, don’t you ever feel like having a good cry to get it all out?
On the other hand, some of you might want to play music when celebrating or expressing gratitude to family and friends, or you might be looking for a moving BGM to enrich those unforgettable wedding moments.
In this article, we’ll introduce tear-jerking songs tailored to a variety of situations like these.
From timeless tearjerkers to hidden gems, we’ve selected tracks that will stay close to your heart.
“If feels like it’s singing about me,” “It gently accompanies me when I’m feeling low or overjoyed”—give these tried-and-true songs, filled with such messages, a listen.
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Love, bonds, farewells, cheers… songs so moving they pierce the heart and make the tears unstoppable (61–70)
TearsX JAPAN
Released in 1993 as X JAPAN’s ninth single.
The song is based on “Tears ~Daichi o Nurashite~,” which YOSHIKI composed in 1992 as the theme for the 43rd NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
He later revealed that, as the lyricist, he wrote it in memory of his late father.
It is widely regarded as a masterpiece and one of X JAPAN’s most moving, tear-inducing songs.
I feel like going home.ikimonogakari
Released in 2008 as Ikimono-gakari’s ninth single.
The song was used as the theme for the Toho-distributed film “Sand Chronicle” and reached No.
7 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.
It’s a song that evokes a sense of nostalgia, making you want to return to your hometown or think of someone dear to you.
Things that have formShibasaki Kou
“All things with form will one day disappear”—Katachi Aru Mono is a song that captures that sense of transience.
Released in 2004 by actress and singer Kou Shibasaki, the track features a profoundly beautiful melody and showcases her vocal ability to master high notes.
Together, these elements interact to create a moving, immersive world.
The music video is also produced to a very high standard, and watching it alongside the song lets you appreciate its charm even more deeply.
Hello again ~ a place that’s been around since long ago ~My Little Lover
It’s one of My Little Lover’s early smash hits that propelled them into hugely popular artists.
The main riff feels very sentimental and somehow nostalgic, doesn’t it? That alone makes the song moving, but pay attention to the lyrics too! The narrator, “I,” is said to be expressing their feelings as they leave a place they’ve grown attached to.
That said, the lyrics could be interpreted in various other ways as well.
Bridge of Gloryyuzu
Yuzu’s “Eikou no Kakehashi” is a song with the power to strengthen the heart.
Its lyrics, which encourage those in the midst of challenge and growth, and its courageous melody make it something special that deeply moves countless listeners.
Offering the courage to move forward, this song gives strength even when facing life’s hardships.
It’s also perfect as background music for graduations and new beginnings, adding a moving touch to important moments.
Carrying a message that deserves to be passed down across generations, it continues to be cherished by many as a warm expression of support.
Dear daysHirai Ken
Released in 2011 as Ken Hirai’s 34th single.
It was chosen as the theme song for TBS’s 60th anniversary drama series “JIN,” and its lyrics, which link to the story, convey unfulfilled feelings and love that transcends time in a grand ballad.
Ken Hirai’s vocals resonate deeply in the heart.
The Toilet GodUemura Kana
Kana Uemura’s “Toire no Kamisama” (The Toilet Goddess), released in 2010, is a heartwarming song she wrote based on her real-life experiences with her grandmother.
Believing her grandmother’s words—“There’s a beautiful goddess in the toilet, and if you keep it clean, you yourself will become beautiful”—the young protagonist scrubbed the toilet every day.
However, as she entered adolescence, she ended up hurting others and leaving home, and in the end, while they remained at odds, her beloved grandmother passed away.
It’s a story that will move you to tears.