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 3/4 Time] That hit song too!? A curated selection of popular Japanese and Western tracks (21–30)
My Room, My Dress Shirt, and MeHiramatsu Eri
It’s a 1992 single by singer-songwriter Eri Hiramatsu, which became a hit with CD sales exceeding one million copies.
Set in 3/4 time, the song has a very cute tone, but the lyrics aren’t merely cute—there are even lines that are so intense they’re almost frightening.
You can feel a woman’s passionate emotions born of love, and the song won the Lyrics Award at the 34th Japan Record Awards.
A film with the same title was also produced based on this song, starring Nami Arimori, and I feel it captures a snapshot of that era.
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.
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.
Sea and Bouquetkinoko teikoku
“Sea and Bouquet” is a song by the rock band Kinoko Teikoku that makes effective use of 3/4 time.
It starts with a relatively brisk 3/4 from the intro and keeps the triple meter all the way to the end, yet it somehow never feels odd.
The key is how the 3/4 rhythm gives the track a floating, drifting sensation.
Kinoko Teikoku’s poetic lyrics pair perfectly with this feel, making it a textbook example of how to make the most of triple meter.
Open ArmsJourney
This song is one of the signature tracks by Journey, a rock band from the U.S.
West Coast.
It sings of a generous, open-hearted love: when the woman who left returns, he will accept her unconditionally.
At the time of its release, Olivia Newton-John’s “Physical” was a big hit, and this song ended up somewhat overshadowed.
Even so, it remains a timeless, captivating masterpiece—a slow waltz-time ballad whose charm has not faded with the years.
