Recommended breakup songs for women in their 50s: classic and popular Japanese tracks

GoodbyeOf course

Sayonara – Off Course (Full)

Even now, Kazumasa Oda still has that bright, high voice, and when it comes to heartbreak, this song—whose title says it all—is the one.

For some reason, breakups in songs are often set in the rain or snow, probably because those images feel melancholic.

Of course, both snow and rain appear in this song as well, but the most striking line is “Soon it will be a white winter outside!” which, to me, amplifies the sorrow of the breakup even more.

Time goes byEvery Little Thing

Time goes by – Every Little Thing (Full)

It’s one of Every Little Thing’s signature songs, isn’t it? “Time goes by” is a single released in 1998, and people in their 40s and 50s are surely familiar with it.

In its lyrics and melody alike, it’s a heartbreaking love song that tightens your chest.

If you’ve broken up with someone you love and are in the midst of heartbreak, you probably find yourself thinking, “If only I’d done this then… and that then…” filled with regrets and thoughts about things that can’t be changed now.

This is a breakup song that gently soothes you while staying close to those feelings.

Unforgettable DaysMISIA

MISIA – Days We Won’t Forget (Official HD Music Video)

MISIA’s “Wasurenaide” depicts, with striking realism, a pair who are on the verge of breaking up right now.

It’s a number that moves you with its clean yet deeply realistic portrayal of the moment they will no longer be lovers after today, and from tomorrow will relate to each other as friends.

That feeling of being able to accept even the times you were irritated by the other person’s attitude, angry, or felt awful as somehow beautiful memories now—you can relate, can’t you? And yet it’s the chorus—and the very title, “Don’t Forget”—that pierces through as the true heart of the song.

Goodbyes still dwell in my heart even now.ZARD

Farewell still resides in my heart.

It was released in 1995 as ZARD’s 16th single.

It was chosen as the theme song for our film series “Reiko Shiratori de Gozaimasu!” and reached No.

1 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.

You can feel the resolve to look at heartbreak positively by retracing the places filled with memories of him.

It’s a song that gives strength with lyrics about sorting through those memories and graduating from him.

Ice RainShizuka Kudo

Shizuka Kudo / Ice Rain [Official Video]

A heartbreak song you want to listen to in the cold season as the snow falls: Shizuka Kudo’s “Ice Rain.” Heartbreak alone already feels cold and chilling, but with this song set against a winter backdrop, the white snow seems to make an already frozen heart even colder, as if driving the chill deeper.

It’s a breakup song about knowing in your head that you’re parting from someone you love, but your heart can’t catch up to that reality.

For anyone who feels the same—unable to manage the emotions of heartbreak—this is a song you won’t be able to listen to without tears.

DEAR…againKohmi Hirose

Kohmi Hirose / DEAR…again

When you think of Kohmi Hirose, she’s the queen of winter songs who has sung countless love songs.

Her “DEAR.

.

.

again” is a very poignant heartbreak song.

Its melody is catchy and has a charm that sticks in your head after just one listen.

foreignerSaki Kubota

Foreigner – Saki Kubota (Full)

Released in 1979.

It was her debut single, featured in a commercial, and even reached No.

1 on the Oricon charts—a song that drew a lot of attention as an unconventional artist.

Since she appeared on music shows every week, the chorus left such a strong impression that I found myself humming it.