For When You Need a Good Cry: Soul-Soothing Tearjerker Classics — Life, Love, and Work
There are moments in life when you just feel an overwhelming urge to cry, aren’t there?
In this article, we introduce songs that are guaranteed to make you cry and tracks to listen to when you want to let the tears flow.
We’ve gathered classic songs and masterpieces that support your desire to cry from various angles—heartache in love, the difficulties of life, the hardships of work, and more.
Anyone’s heart can get worn down if they push themselves past their limits.
If you’re feeling tired, please give these a listen.
I’m sure these wonderful pieces of music that gently stay by your side will bring you comfort.
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[For when you want to cry] Tear-jerking masterpieces to heal your heart. Life, love, work (71–80)
TRUE LOVEFujii Fumiya
This is a song that Fumiya Fujii released in 1993 as his second single after the breakup of The Checkers.
It became famous as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama Asunaro Hakusho and was a massive hit, selling over two million copies.
It’s a wistful ballad that leaves you with tears in your eyes by the time it ends.
I loved (it/you)erica
It’s a straightforward breakup song with beautifully arranged piano and strings.
If you listen to a track that sings so directly about a lost love, anyone fresh from a breakup will surely find it hard to hold back tears.
I think many people will feel the words resonate with them and empathize with every line woven into the lyrics.
Still, even though it’s a breakup song, it’s not just about lingering attachment—the lyrics also convey a determination to move forward, one step at a time.
That earnest resolve is moving in its own right.
HeavenMrs. GREEN APPLE
A soul-stirring song performed by Mrs.
GREEN APPLE.
Released in May 2025 as their 17th single, it also serves as the theme song for the film “I Will Tell You the Truth,” starring Motoki Omori.
This piece lays bare both the purity inherent in humanity and the shadows that lie behind it, posing profound questions to the listener’s heart.
It begins with a hush reminiscent of a cathedral, unfolds dramatically like a story, and fades away as if vanishing into thin air—an arc that seems to mirror our very lives.
Its unpredictable turns are sure to capture anyone’s heart and move them to tears.
It’s a song that gently gives you a push when you want to face your own emotions.
maybeYOASOBI
YOASOBI is known for producing songs based on novels.
While they often give the impression of upbeat tracks, this song, released in July 2020, takes a calmer, mid-tempo approach that invites a more reflective listen.
The piece portrays the quiet yet somewhat ambiguous emotions of two people on the morning of their separation.
Even as they try to accept that it’s no one’s fault, fleeting moments bring back memories of the past—those unresolved, wavering feelings align perfectly with Ikura’s clear, transparent vocals.
Chosen as the theme song for a short film, it resonated widely, with the music video surpassing 100 million views by July 2023.
If you’ve experienced the end of a romance and want to sink into a sentimental mood at night, this song might gently stay by your side.
HoweverGLAY
When it comes to recommended GLAY ballads, “HOWEVER” is the one, right? The lyrics are highly relatable, and above all, TERU’s powerful vocals leave a strong impression.
It’s an absolute tearjerker, so why not give it a listen when you feel like having a good cry?
A seagull is a seagull.Naoko Ken
A single by Naoko Ken released in 1978.
It’s a heartbreak song told from a woman’s perspective.
No matter the era, love brings its share of troubles.
Composed by Miyuki Nakajima.
Although it’s a song from the ’70s, the melody still sounds wonderful today.
I think the portrayal of a strong woman uniquely captures the character of that period.
If you’re in the mood for a ballad or want to bring tears to a karaoke session, how about adding it to your repertoire?
SakuraHanzaki Yoshiko
This is Miyako Hanzaki’s first major-label single, released after she steadily grew her fanbase through live performances alone as the “Queen of Shopping Malls.” It went beyond being a song that makes you cry, becoming widely known as a “tear-jerker” that drew a huge response.
Based on a true story, the song conveys a heartrending longing for a friend who has passed away.
It’s a song that prompts you to remember that special someone you can no longer meet.