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 That Make You Cry So Much the Tears Won’t Stop (21–30)
One more time,One more chanceYamazaki Masayoshi
Among Masayoshi Yamazaki’s songs, this one is especially popular and has become one of his signature tracks.
It was used as the theme song for the film “5 Centimeters per Second,” and many people may have discovered it through the movie.
Yamazaki’s wistful vocals carried by a gentle, intimate guitar accompaniment leave a strong impression and naturally bring tears to your eyes.
The lyrics capture feelings that almost everyone has experienced, and simply listening to them evokes vivid scenes, wrapped in a sense of realism and melancholy.
Because (I’m) aliveLUNKHEAD
This is LUNKHEAD’s 14th single, “Ikiteiru kara,” released in 2013.
Even just from the title, it sounds like a classic, but both the lyrics and the melody hit you right in the heart.
By confronting “death,” the song makes “life” come into clear focus, and it suggests that even with hardships, living gives things their meaning.
It’s a track I’d recommend to anyone worn out by everyday life.
Love, bonds, partings, cheers… songs that pierce the heart and make you cry until the tears won’t stop (31–40)
First LoveUtada Hikaru
A melody that gently embraces a bittersweet farewell and unforgettable memories.
The lingering sweetness of young love woven by a 16-year-old Hikaru Utada seeps into the listener’s heart.
While accepting a past romance as a cherished memory, it also conveys a forward-looking strength to take a new step.
Included on the album “First Love,” released in March 1999, it was chosen as the theme song for the drama “Majo no Joken,” which began airing in April of the same year.
Set against a warm arrangement of piano and strings, even the breaths in the vocal performance resonate as part of the story.
This gem of a song offers solace when parting with someone dear or when you wish to bring closure to a past relationship.
Wherever you areONE OK ROCK
ONE OK ROCK is a rock band that made a spectacular debut with “The Beginning” and has continued to perform both in Japan and internationally without losing momentum.
Since they began in 2005, they have kept releasing great songs into the world.
Among them, one of their signature tracks is “Wherever you are,” released in 2010.
It’s a ballad that sings of a romantic, earnest love—quite different from the band’s intense rock image.
The words of love are delivered generously and straightforwardly.
It’s a song you’ll want to dedicate to someone special.
KBUMP OF CHICKEN
Among BUMP OF CHICKEN fans, the song “K” enjoys extremely high popularity.
The meaning of the letter K becomes clear by the end as you read the lyrics… and that stylish device is just so cool.
The lyrics unfold entirely like a story, creating an atmosphere that truly says, “This is BUMP!!” The craftsmanship of weaving a message into a narrative structure—and even embedding the meaning of the title itself—is nothing short of superb.
You’ll surely be moved by the black cat who keeps running to fulfill a bond of friendship.
threadNakajima Miyuki
Despite being released in 1998, Miyuki Nakajima’s signature song “Ito” is still cherished today as a wedding staple.
Its lyrics, which liken people to threads and their encounters to a woven fabric, are very well known.
Many listeners have been deeply moved by the way the song prompts us to reconsider the meaning of meeting others and the meaning of living.
It’s a classic that has been covered by many artists, including Bank Band led by Kazutoshi Sakurai.
StoryAI
When it comes to singer-songwriter AI’s signature songs, Story is the one that stands out, isn’t it? If someone who once helped you through hard times is now struggling themselves, it’s only natural to want to help them somehow.
This song expresses that warm sense of gratitude and the compassion you feel for someone important.
If you’re going through something difficult right now, listening to this track will surely lighten your heart.
Delivered through AI’s rich, resonant voice, this message is bound to reach you deeply.