A bittersweet song that trended on TikTok. A heart-wrenching ‘setsuna’ song.
In this article, we’ll introduce a selection of bittersweet songs—the kind that have trended on TikTok or are often used there.
Songs that bare honest feelings: true “setsuna” tracks.
Not only do the lyrics resonate with a wistful heart, but the overall emo vibe is sure to captivate you.
There are plenty of songs so heartrending they make your chest tighten.
Focusing mainly on love songs, we’ve picked out a variety of tracks.
Listening might vividly bring back memories, and they’re great choices for lyric videos, too.
Be sure to take your time and listen.
- Touching songs popular on TikTok. From hit tracks to hidden gems, we introduce a range of favorites.
- [So touching it makes you cry] A heartbreakingly wistful and sad song that tightens your chest
- [Tearjerker] Songs that make your heart tremble with tears & moving tracks with lyrics that touch the soul
- A collection of tear-jerking songs trending on TikTok: timeless tracks that will move you to tears.
- Emotional Japanese songs popular on TikTok. Moving tracks that leave you at a loss for words.
- [Unrequited Love] Heart-wrenching Love Songs | A Roundup of Tear-Inducing Crush and Breakup Tracks
- A heartbreaking, tear-jerking ballad that gained popularity on TikTok
- Tear-jerking songs that will loosen your tear ducts, perfect for Instagram Stories
- [Songs of Bereavement] Songs about losing someone dear. Tracks to listen to while thinking of a loved one.
- Masterpieces of bittersweet breakup songs. Recommended popular tracks.
- My heart aches with bittersweet pain! Breakup songs I’d recommend to Gen Z
- [Today’s Heartbreak Song] A poignant love song that gently wraps your wounded heart
- Heart-piercing, bittersweet songs and sad music for Instagram Stories
A heartbreaking song that went viral on TikTok. Heart-wrenching 'setsuna' songs (11–20)
Dried flowersYuuri
With over 500 million streams, this mega-hit song solidified Yuuri’s popularity.
The poignant lyrics liken the gradually fading days of memories to dried flowers that slowly lose their color.
People say time heals heartbreak, but the truth is it’s hard to forget.
Comparing it to dried flowers that retain their shape even as they fade may suggest that no one can ever completely forget.
piercingKubota Kai
This is a song by Kubota Kai, a singer-songwriter trending on TikTok.
The title “Pierce” symbolizes the emotional wounds and holes that everyone carries.
The song portrays a aching desire for someone who can fill that emptiness like a piercing.
When you’re struggling with loneliness or anxiety, having someone by your side feels so warm and reassuring.
Even if you think “just for now is enough,” once you experience that moment of happiness, it’s only human to find you can’t let it go.
tobacco / cigarette(s)Koresawa
This is a song by Koresawa, a popular singer-songwriter known for her pop melodies, realistic lyrics, and cute singing voice.
The heartrending love song “Tabako” (“Cigarette”) is especially memorable for its lyrics that vividly capture the emptiness right after a relationship ends.
It’s been a fan favorite since her indie days and has been highly praised by major artists like Suga Shikao and Enon Kawatani.
Even though the other person won’t come back no matter how much you regret what you said or did, you end up repeating those meaningless thoughts—something that can happen not only in love but in many different situations.
A song about being cheated on but still in love.riria.
“Was I the only one who was single-heartedly in love?” A song by singer-songwriter Riria that lays bare the aching feelings of a girl who discovers her partner’s infidelity.
Anyone who has gone through the pain of a betrayal in love won’t be able to help but relate.
In today’s world, where you can find any information on social media, many of us have had the experience of stumbling upon something we never wanted to know.
If that “something” turns out to be affectionate moments between the person you love and another woman, the sadness and anger can surge until you can hardly stand it.
After the nightadieu
This is a poignant breakup song sung by actress Moka Kamishiraishi, who performs under the name adieu.
It portrays the painful feelings of a woman who, even while realizing that her partner’s feelings have drifted away, still goes along with what he wants—something many people, regardless of gender, can likely relate to.
One-sided love wears you down the longer it goes on and only takes you further from happiness.
As the end of the song suggests, perhaps the only solution is to let go of your feelings for the other person and set yourself free.