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!
- The Appeal of Irregular Time Signatures: A Collection of Songs in 5/4 Time
- Standard songs for ballroom dancing. Popular and well-known tracks.
- Coming-of-age songs for your 50s: heart-thumping × heartwarming classics and popular tracks [2026]
- [Gets you grooving] Upbeat Japanese songs. Tracks that make you feel happy.
- [For Seniors] Have Fun and Relieve Stress! Introducing Dances Everyone Can Enjoy Together
- The Appeal of Odd Time Signatures: A Compilation of Songs That Use 7/4 Time
- Ranking of Popular Children's Songs [2026]
- Kids will love it! A collection of dance song ideas with easy-to-follow rhythms
- [March 2026] Trending Songs: A roundup of the hottest viral tracks right now
- [Rhythm] A roundup of popular Japanese songs that use 16-beat [2026]
- [Spring Songs Recommended for People in Their 30s] Carefully Selected Nostalgic Classics & Big Hits
- [Classic and Contemporary Hits] Emotionally Stirring, Heart-Touching Songs
- [Easy to Remember] A Collection of Cool Dances Recommended for Girls
[Masterpieces in 3/4 Time] That hit song too!? A curated selection of popular Japanese and Western tracks (21–30)
shadowShibasaki Kou
A masterpiece steeped in melancholy and poignancy, strikingly rendered in a 3/4 rhythm.
Feelings of loneliness, sorrow, and complex emotions toward a loved one are conveyed through Ko Shibasaki’s translucent vocals and the piano’s quiet melody, resonating deeply with listeners.
The beautiful, medium-tempo melody weaves a story alongside the delicate tone of the guitar—truly breathtaking.
Released in February 2006 and serving as the theme song for the TBS drama “Byakuyakō,” the piece struck a deep chord with audiences, reaching No.
2 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart and appearing on numerous releases, including the albums “Kiki ♥” and “Single Best.” The lyrics, penned by Ko Shibasaki herself with a keen grasp of the novel’s world, and the stirring melody gently embrace the hearts of those who have experienced heartbreak or parting.
MinuetYamazaki Masayoshi
This is a single released in 2005 by singer-songwriter Masayoshi Yamazaki.
The word “minuet” refers to a European dance with a 3/4 time rhythm.
This song is also built on that rhythm, and the use of accordion and acoustic instruments gives it a distinctly exotic feel.
Nevertheless, Yamazaki’s vocals proceed at his own pace, showcasing his signature style to the fullest.
Before his debut, Yamazaki reportedly sang blues in Kyoto, and he also had connections with the late Daishin Watanabe, an R&B singer who was active mainly in Kyoto.
Slow BalladRC sakuseshon
It’s a song by RC Succession, led by the late Kiyoshiro Imawano, who had a profound impact on the Japanese music scene, released as a single in 1976.
While Kiyoshiro Imawano is strongly associated with wild numbers like “Ameagari no Yozora ni,” he could also move you with beautiful songs like this that make your heart flutter.
The lyrics simply recount ordinary little moments, yet they tighten your chest.
It’s a classic that’s been covered by artists like Bank Band and Noriyuki Makihara.
Indigo WaltzKubota Toshinobu
A pioneering figure who brought a completely new breeze to the world of Japanese pop with a vocal style unlike anything typically Japanese, Toshinobu Kubota’s song appears on his 1988 album “Such A Funky Thang!”.
While R&B-style singers aren’t uncommon now, the impact when Kubota first emerged was nothing short of shocking.
This track is a waltz-time ballad, and he delivers a sensuous performance, giving precise dynamics to a vocal line that could easily become monotonous.
Spring of Life9mm Parabellum Bullet
9mm Parabellum Bullet is a rock band that debuted in 2007.
Their song “Inochi no Zembai” is a shadowy track composed as the theme for the film Higanjima.
It projects a world like a deranged tin doll, strongly reflecting the movie’s survival horror elements.
That otherworldly, decadent mood is irresistible! This sensation is created precisely because it’s in triple meter.
When a waltz rhythm combines with a dark tonal color, it becomes all the more unsettling.
IrisGoo Goo Dolls
“Iris” is a song by the American rock band Goo Goo Dolls that was used as the theme song for the 1998 film City of Angels.
It begins with a gentle acoustic guitar, and John Rzeznik’s slightly husky vocals expand dramatically in the chorus, creating a refreshing yet bittersweet atmosphere.
Another interesting aspect is that the song is in 3/4 time, which gives it a subtly dreamlike, otherworldly feel.
Taking shelter from the rainPenthouse
Penthouse is a six-member band garnering attention for their music, which blends the catchiness of city pop with the power of soul.
Their fourth major-label digital single, “Amayadori,” was created as an inspiration song for the manga “Watashi ga Himo wo Kau Nante.” The jazzy ensemble, propelled by a waltz (3/4) rhythm, further elevates the beautiful melody.
It’s an emotional track whose lyrical worldview and unhurried beat feel wonderfully soothing.
