Masterpieces in 3/4 Time: That Hit Song Too!? A Curated Selection of Popular Japanese and Western Tracks
When you think of hit songs in triple meter, what kind of tracks come to mind?
Triple meter is known as the waltz rhythm and is popular in classical music; it’s also commonly used in other genres, especially in Western music.
Interestingly, it’s often said that Japanese listeners are not as comfortable with triple meter, so it doesn’t appear much in J-pop hits.
In this article, we’ve selected songs in triple meter from Japanese and Western pop and rock.
From timeless favorites to lesser-known hidden gems, we’ve got a wide-ranging playlist for you!
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Masterpieces in Triple Meter: That Hit Song Too!? A Curated Selection of Popular Japanese and Western Tracks (61–70)
Shiretoko Ryojo (Shiretoko Travel Sentiment)Katō Tokiko
Set in Hokkaido’s Shiretoko, this is a so-called regional song.
Hisaya Morishige—an iconic Showa-era figure who wore many hats as a nationally beloved actor, singer, and comedian—wrote both the lyrics and music, and performed it himself at the 13th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
The song gained nationwide recognition when singer Tokiko Kato covered it.
Remarkably, it held the No.
1 spot on the Oricon charts for seven consecutive weeks in 1971, sparking a Shiretoko boom at the time as a synergistic effect.
As a hit in the kayōkyoku genre, it stands out as one of the rare and representative masterpieces in triple meter.
In addition to Morishige’s original version, many artists have covered it, so I recommend checking out various renditions!
Take It To The LimitThe Eagles
This song from the Eagles’ fourth album, One of These Nights, was co-written by band members Randy Meisner, Don Henley, and Glenn Frey, with bassist Randy Meisner on lead vocals.
Because it’s an energetic number, it was often performed live, but Meisner was criticized if he didn’t sing it well, to the point where he said it nearly gave him a stomach ulcer.
It sounds like he had a very tough time singing it.
Lucy In The Sky With DiamondsThe Beatles
Even the Beatles—the greatest band of the 20th century and a legendary foursome in music history—naturally have songs in triple meter.
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, featured on the 1967 album Sgt.
Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, is one such track.
Led by John Lennon, this psychedelic number was reportedly inspired by a drawing by his son, Julian Lennon.
The song’s most distinctive feature is its structure, which combines 3/4 and 4/4 time.
If you’re interested in triple meter, give it a listen—you’ll clearly hear the difference between the two rhythms.
FriendsThe Beach Boys
It may not be flashy, but it’s a textbook example of a 3/4-time pop masterpiece! The Beach Boys, who sing this song, have been hugely popular since their formation in 1961 as a group symbolizing America’s West Coast, and after shifting to a more art-oriented approach, they released provocative works that went down in music history and influenced artists around the world.
Released in 1968, Friends—an album that also includes songs penned by members other than Brian Wilson, who had been leading the initiative—is a soft rock classic with a pastoral vibe.
The title track here features dreamy choral work and melody, along with delicate arrangements—simply wonderful.
You can really feel the unique atmosphere that only a 3/4 meter can create!
Love me tenderD-LOOP
They later changed the lineup to a duo consisting of keyboardist Takahiro Hayama and vocalist MINAMI, but at the time of this song’s release in 1997, D-LOOP was a trio, and this was their second single.
Hayama was highly active as a lyricist, composer, arranger, and producer, and MINAMI was part of a unit whose vocal ability was highly acclaimed; unfortunately, MINAMI passed away in 2010, bringing their activities to an end.
Including this song, their first three releases from their debut were all tied to commercials, showing how much promise was expected of them.
Perhaps due to MINAMI’s vocal timbre, there’s a heartrending quality that really grips the chest.
FootprintsMiles Davis
Miles Davis, a towering jazz giant who profoundly influenced not only jazz but the entire course of modern music, continues to command the respect of musicians as the “Prince of Darkness.” This track, included on his 1966 album Miles Smiles, was composed by Wayne Shorter, the saxophonist of the Second Great Miles Quintet.
Its polyrhythmic development creates a thrilling momentum; while the solos and phrasing honor the jazz tradition, the piece itself transcends jazz as a genre.
In any case, the lineup from this period is a jaw-dropping, all-star, almost galactic ensemble.
Medaka Siblingswarabe
A song whose fantastical worldbuilding and simple lyrics resonate with the heart.
Warabe’s “Medaka no Kyōdai,” released in December 1982, was used as an insert song on TV Asahi’s “Kin-chan no Dokomade Yaruno!” and became a major hit.
Its distinctive three-beat rhythm creates a warm atmosphere that evokes a sense of nostalgia.
The lyrics, themed around what medaka fish, sparrows, and kitten siblings want to become when they grow up, carry a universal message about self-acceptance and growth.
Beloved by a wide range of listeners from children to adults, this is a charming song that makes you want to hum along together as a family.