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, farewell, cheers... songs that pierce the heart and make you cry uncontrollably (71–80)
MissingKubota Toshinobu
Toshinobu Kubota is a singer-songwriter famous for upbeat love songs like “LA・LA・LA LOVE SONG,” but he has also left behind masterpieces in the realm of sad love songs.
One of them is “Missing,” whose straightforward lyrics, imbued with an indescribable aching feeling, are sure to bring tears to your eyes.
The crystal-clear keyboard tones further elevate the song’s world.
When you’re feeling helpless in love, why not give this track a listen?
I LOVE YOUOzaki Yutaka
Yutaka Ozaki’s “I LOVE YOU” eloquently expresses the joy of being with a lover and the inner conflict of wanting to run from something.
Its deeply poetic lyrics make it a song that’s hard to listen to without tears.
In the song, the two are compared to an “abandoned cat” and an “empty box,” and imagining what situation they might be in is enough to bring you to tears.
You can also feel a sense of impermanence—the cruelty of how love can fade away.
That helplessness tightens your chest…
homeKiyama Yusaku
“Home” is a ballad by Yusaku Kiyama whose wistful yet beautiful melody really tugs at the heart.
The song expresses gratitude toward someone dear, and his gentle voice fits the lyrics perfectly—before you know it, you’ll find tears welling up as you listen.
Another highlight is the soft keyboard in the background and the gorgeous, layered string lines.
Be sure to pay attention not only to the vocals but also to the instruments when you listen!
An empty kitchenTakahashi Yuu
“An Empty Kitchen” is a song about facing the loneliness of parting with a loved one.
This tear-jerking, heartrending ballad has been performed since his street-performing days by singer-songwriter Yu Takahashi.
The imagery—“There used to be someone precious in the kitchen, but now it’s become an empty kitchen”—blends with his poignant vocals to resonate deeply with listeners.
Sung with just an acoustic guitar, it’s also a soothing track to listen to when you’re feeling worn out.
mirage10-FEET
It’s included on their seventh album, “thread.” The tear-jerking melody and lyrics—imbued with the gentleness, warmth, and a touch of wistfulness so characteristic of guitarist-vocalist TAKUMA—loosen the tear ducts.
As we grow older, many of us may feel we get used to things, think we’ve got it all figured out, and find ourselves less easily moved or excited.
Those complicated feelings are what this song sings about.
The chorus, delivered as if wrung from the heart, really sinks in.
Beyond the Night SkySMAP
SMAP had been active for many years, but this song dispelled their strong image as a variety-show act and catapulted them into the ranks of true national idols.
It sold over 1.5 million copies and became one of the signature songs of 1998.
They continued to thrive as idols thereafter.
See you tomorrow…JUJU
Released in 2011 as JUJU’s 17th single.
Chosen as the theme song for the Kansai TV/Fuji TV drama “Good Life: Thank You, Dad.
Goodbye,” it reached the Top 10 on the Oricon charts.
The song conveys love from both perspectives: a parent’s love for their child and a child’s love for their parent.