A tear-jerking breakup song that washes the pain away with tears

Why feat. Emimi NodaTakase Tōya

Takuya Takase / Why feat. Emi Noda (Official Music Video)

A heartbreak ballad distinguished by a beautiful, soul-stirring melody.

Toya Takase’s emotional vocals and Emi Noda’s clear voice brilliantly capture the bittersweet feelings after a breakup.

Released digitally in January 2022 and included on the album “13-gatsu 1-nichi” (The First Day of the 13th Month), this song resonated with many listeners who relate to the joys of love and the pain of parting, drawing attention on charts across Asia.

It’s a track I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone who feels the loneliness that deepens at night or the emptiness of losing someone dear.

tobacco / cigarette(s)Koresawa

Koresawa “Tobacco” [Music Video]

It’s a painfully honest story song that realistically portrays heartbreak.

Over more than six minutes, post-breakup emotions are carefully traced alongside the gentle tones of an acoustic guitar.

A pack of cigarettes left behind by an ex becomes the trigger for recalling the time they spent together, and looking back, only regret remains—such a bittersweet inner landscape is woven through Koresawa’s delicate vocals.

Released in March 2017, just before her major-label debut, this piece can be considered a culmination of her work.

It’s also included on the album “Korekara,” where it continues to be loved.

The melodious, straightforward lyrics are sure to resonate deeply with anyone who has experienced heartbreak.

On nights when you want to face your own feelings, try singing it at karaoke.

tragic heroineMy Hair is Bad

My Hair is Bad – Tragic Heroine

Told from the perspective of a woman visiting her ex, My Hair is Bad’s song vividly portrays a heart caught between lingering attachment and the bravado of not wanting to admit weakness.

It depicts someone masking unresolved feelings with a smile, while lyrics that lay bare tangled emotions will resonate with anyone who’s experienced heartbreak.

Blending energetic band instrumentation with an impassioned vocal performance, the track was released in February 2024 and later included on the July album “ghosts.” As a song that captures the delicate nuances of the pain of a breakup and longing for an ex, it’s a perfect listen when you want to confront your own feelings.

Act like an adult.suisou gurashi

Suisougurashi “Pretending to Be Grown-Up.” Official Music Video

A bittersweet love song that portrays the complex emotions of a woman who goes to meet someone on the last train at midnight.

Released by Suisougurashi in March 2022, the song delicately captures the feelings of a woman swept up in an adult romance.

Set to jazzy sounds and a catchy melody, it vividly depicts her inner conflict as she keeps the relationship going by hiding her true self to suit the other person’s convenience.

With a clear, translucent vocal, it expresses a woman wavering between her straightforward affection and the anxiety of losing her sense of self.

A song that offers comfort to those hurting from unrequited love or heartbreak.

I can’t bring myself to hate (you/it).ren

Ren – Can't Bring Myself to Hate You (Music Video)

A work that sings of emotions born in the space between loss and lingering attachment.

Even when cornered into a situation where they can’t help but depend on the other person, their love is so deep they can’t even bring themselves to hate them.

Ren’s clear, translucent vocals capture that aching feeling beautifully.

The lyrics vividly portray the subtle, complex emotions hidden deep in the heart, creating a worldview that truly resonates.

Released in September 2021, this piece is also known as Ren’s debut song.

Its delicate, acoustic guitar–driven arrangement enhances the poignancy of the vocals.

It’s a song that stays with you when you’re suffering from lingering attachment or obsession toward someone you love, or when you love them so much you can’t let go.

The Last LieBENI

Saigonouso

An emotionally moving ballad where bittersweet feelings are conveyed through a clear, translucent singing voice.

Released in January 2012, this song by BENI delicately portrays the emotions of someone accepting a breakup while wishing for just one gentle lie at the very end.

Its beautiful melody, centered on piano and strings, further highlights the lingering attachment to a loved one and the pain of parting.

The lyrics were written by BENI herself, with composition by Yoko Kuzuya.

Included on the album “Fortune,” it is cherished by many as a ballad that feels close to the heart.

Resonating with those who have experienced the pain of losing someone irreplaceable, this song helps soothe the wounds of heartbreak.

Cinderella BoySaucy Dog

Saucy Dog “Cinderella Boy” Music Video <5th Mini Album “Lazy Sunday” Released on 2021.8.25>

This song is included on Saucy Dog’s mini-album “Lazy Sunday,” which weaves a heart-wrenching love story that tightens the chest.

It portrays a bittersweet, inescapable dependence, even while suffering the agony of being torn apart by the other person’s lies.

Coupled with a melodious rock sound and written from a female perspective, it leaves a lingering aftertaste where sorrow and affection intermingle.

Released in August 2021, it also drew attention for its animation-style music video by Miku Masuda.

In 2022, the band appeared on Music Station.

It’s a recommended track for those struggling with complex feelings toward someone they love or seeking empathy in the subtleties of human relationships.