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

LiarUeto Aya

Aya Ueto - Usotsuki

Aya Ueto delivers a moving song that delicately portrays a person trying to move forward after a breakup while hiding their true feelings.

The folkloric, wistful melody and her clear, translucent voice vividly express the emotions of someone putting on a brave face yet still thinking of their former partner.

Released in November 2004 as Ueto’s 10th single, the song was written and composed by Tetsurō Oda and included on the album “Re.” It’s a track that many who are striving to stay positive after heartbreak—while keeping their deepest feelings hidden—will deeply relate to.

Her vocals convey both strength and aching tenderness, sure to leave your heart feeling warm.

To you who didn’t choose meKoresawa

Koresawa “To You Who Didn’t Choose Me” [Music Video]

This is a quintessential Koresawa number that poppily portrays the pain of heartbreak, lingering feelings, and wishes for the other person.

Released in February 2025 as the lead track from the album “To the You Who Chose Me, and the You Who Didn’t.” It features a catchy melody and lyrics that express the emotions of a breakup in a straightforward yet cute way.

The positivity and strength hidden beneath the sadness create a song that resonates with listeners.

It will be your ally when you’re trying to move on from heartbreak!

catDISH//

DISH// (Takumi Kitamura) – Neko / THE FIRST TAKE

This is a moving song that overlays the end of a bittersweet love with the ephemeral freedom of a cat.

Written and composed by singer-songwriter Aimyon, it beautifully harmonizes with DISH//’s musical style to create a true masterpiece.

Released in August 2017 as the B-side to the single “We Did It,” it was later featured in 2020 as an insert song in the drama “Cat.” That same year, it received the Excellence Award at the 62nd Japan Record Awards and was included on the album “X.” Embracing listeners who have experienced parting with someone dear, this heartwarming track gently holds universal feelings of loss and lingering attachment, while nurturing the strength to keep looking forward.

Tearful KissSazan Ōrusutāzu

Tearful Kiss

A bittersweet yet beautiful melody that seeps into the heart, this ballad delicately portrays the protagonist’s sorrow and lingering feelings as they face a breakup with a lover.

The emotionally rich vocals woven by Southern All Stars, together with a simple instrumental arrangement, convey the pain of heartbreak with striking clarity.

Released in July 1992, it drew major attention as the theme song for the drama “Zutto Anata ga Suki Datta.” It became Southern All Stars’ first million-selling single and won the Excellence Award at the 34th Japan Record Awards.

Whether you’re seeking to heal the sadness of parting or reminiscing about past love, this song gently stays by your side—and continues to be a source of comfort for many to this day.

We’re already broken up, you and I.AYANE

AYANE / We’ve already broken up, you and I (Lyric Video)

It’s a bittersweet love song that brings back memories of past relationships.

Released in January 2025, it’s included on the EP album “my luv.” AYANE’s clear, airy vocals are striking, and before you know it, you find yourself overlaying your own life onto the world of the lyrics.

The smooth, mellow R&B sound really seeps in, too.

It’s perfect for listening alone on nights when you can’t help but think of an ex.

By the time it ends, you might be able to look forward a little.

Sad KissDREAMS COME TRUE

DREAMS COME TRUE – Sad Kiss (from DWL 2015 Live Ver.)

Sad Kiss by DREAMS COME TRUE is a song that captures the pain of heartbreak—the feeling of “This isn’t how it was supposed to be.” It’s included on their debut album, DREAMS COME TRUE, which bears the band’s name, and it was also used as an insert song in the film A Bouquet for Yamada Baba.

Even a single kiss, given to help with letting go, becomes unforgettable and only deepens the pain.

Human hearts are complicated; it’s not so easy to give up or neatly move on.

Perhaps only time can truly heal us.

Take your time listening closely to Sad Kiss, and slowly find your way to recovery.

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Hamada Takuya

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Tu-tu-luSixTONES

SixTONES – Tu-tu-lu [PLAYLIST -SixTONES YouTube Limited Performance- Day.9]

One of the theme songs for the drama “However, There Is Passion,” which portrays the youth of Nankai Candies’ Yamazato, is SixTONES’ “Kokkara.” Featured on the standard edition is this achingly bittersweet mid-tempo ballad, “Tu-tu-lu.” The titular “Tu-tu-lu” feels like the anguished cry of a man who regrets what happened but can no longer turn back.

The wordless hook elevates the sorrow of a love that’s fallen apart.

Lyrics that recall happier days—something like, “I didn’t exactly believe in forever, but back then, maybe the two of us had something like it…”—really hit home.