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)
Wakabasupittsu
It’s a moving song that makes you think about the memories held in each person’s heart.
Since forming in 1987, Spitz has continued to perform at the forefront as one of Japan’s leading rock bands.
Released on November 5, 2008, this track is their 34th single and was used as the theme song for the film “The Cherry Orchard.” It features inventive touches in its sound, such as expressing parts that would normally use strings with electric guitar, and incorporating mandolin influenced by Travis.
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?
Manhattan KissTakeuchi Mariya
This is Mariya Takeuchi’s 20th single.
The song is well known as the theme for the 1992 Japanese film “Manhattan Kiss,” which starred Ayumi Ishida and Eisaku Yoshida and was a hot topic at the time.
It’s a very poignant ballad themed around an extramarital affair.
Sanguisorba officinalis (Great burnet)sugimoto masato
Released in 2007, this song was performed on NHK’s Red and White Year-End Song Festival the same year, sparking a huge response.
“Waremo-kou” is read “Waremokō,” and the lyrics were a poem given to Sugimoto by the lyricist Tetsuya Chiaki when Sugimoto was grieving the loss of his mother.
A song of a son thinking of his late mother—it brings you to tears, doesn’t it? The richly textured voice makes the words resonate, overlapping with the memories of each listener’s beloved family.
pupilaiko
This song gently sings about the journey from the birth of new life to growth, and eventually parting.
It was included on Aiko’s fourth album, “Himitsu,” and released in August 2006.
The lyrics convey the importance of the parent-child bond and love, and listening to it really warms your heart.
From a newborn baby to adulthood, it portrays the stages of life through Aiko’s characteristically warm perspective.
It’s said to have been written with thoughts for a friend’s child, making it a song especially recommended for mothers raising children.
When your heart feels tired, listening to it will surely make you feel tender and calm.
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.