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!
Playlist
| Masterpieces in 3/4 Time: That Hit Song Too!? A Curated Selection of Popular Japanese and Western Tracks | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1east | Azure WaltzEVE |  play_arrow | A gemlike ballad that weaves the emotions of youth |
| 2east | Always With MeKimura Yumi |  | The theme song of Spirited Away |
| 3east | DropletSukima Suichi |  play_arrow | A song of hope and renewal that resonates with the heart |
| 4east | Piano ManBilly Joel |  play_arrow | A masterpiece based on Billy Joel’s real-life experiences |
| 5east | O flowers now in full bloom,Kobukuro |  play_arrow | An anthem of support carrying the hopes of spring, the courage to face forward |
| 6east | We Are The ChampionsQueen |  play_arrow | Expressing the courage to overcome trials and the bonds with comrades |
| 7east | Merry XmasBoA |  play_arrow | BoA’s 15th single: a winter love song |
| 8east | stick figureRADWIMPS |  play_arrow | Philosophical and heart-stirring songs by RADWIMPS |
| 9east | I RememberSuperfly |  play_arrow | Superfly's 'I Remember' is a grand pop song in triple meter. |
| 10east | Bed Of RosesBon Jovi |  play_arrow | Using triple meter in a Bon Jovi ballad |
| 11east | rainbowkururi |  play_arrow | The appeal of Quruli’s second single “Niji” |
| 12east | TokyoKuwata Keisuke |  play_arrow | A gem of a masterpiece by Keisuke Kuwata that portrays the loneliness of a rainy night |
| 13east | Fly to Your HeartSelena Gomez |  play_arrow | Cheer Song of Tinker Bell |
| 14east | Poem of TruthDo As Infinity |  play_arrow | Do As Infinity Oriental Grace Single |
| 15east | First loveaiko |  play_arrow | A sweet, heartrending love song: aiko’s masterpiece |
| 16east | NOT FOUNDMr.Children |  play_arrow | A delicate love song used as a TV drama theme song |
| 17east | JupiterHirahara Ayaka |  play_arrow | The singer, who is also active as an actress and saxophonist, … |
| 18east | NEVER EVERHamasaki Ayumi |  play_arrow | A masterpiece that portrays humanity’s quest for eternal truth. |
| 19east | deep forestSEKAI NO OWARI |  play_arrow | SEKAI NO OWARI’s theme song about animals and humans |
| 20east | Rain, then Sunshine Hallelujahyuzu |  play_arrow | Born on the streets and rising straight to stardom... |
| 21east | shadowShibasaki Kou |  play_arrow | Ko Shibasaki’s poignant masterpiece, the theme song of Into the White Night |
| 22east | My Room, My Dress Shirt, and MeHiramatsu Eri |  play_arrow | Singer-songwriter Airi Hiramatsu’s 19... |
| 23east | MinuetYamazaki Masayoshi |  play_arrow | To singer-songwriter Masayoshi Yamazaki... |
| 24east | Slow BalladRC sakuseshon |  play_arrow | The beautiful masterpiece by RC Succession |
| 25east | IrisGoo Goo Dolls |  play_arrow | “Iris” was featured in the 1988 film “City …” |
| 26east | Taking shelter from the rainPenthouse |  play_arrow | The catchiness of city pop and the soulfu… |
| 27east | Sea and Bouquetkinoko teikoku |  play_arrow | “Sea and Bouquet” makes effective use of 3/4 time… |
| 28east | Open ArmsJourney |  play_arrow | Journey's classic anthem of open-hearted love |
| 29east | Spring of Life9mm Parabellum Bullet |  play_arrow | A rock band that debuted in 2007, 9… |
| 30east | BreakawayKelly Clarkson |  play_arrow | The popular American audition show “America’s …” |
| 31east | ImagineAriana Grande |  play_arrow | Released in February 2019, the commercially... |
| 32east | Waltz #2Elliott Smith |  play_arrow | Indie rock to alternative from the 1990s… |
| 33east | Kiss From A RoseSeal |  play_arrow | One of the British soul singer Seal’s… |
| 34east | Indigo WaltzKubota Toshinobu |  play_arrow | With an un-Japanese vocal style, it... |
| 35east | Nothing Else MattersMetallica |  play_arrow | Generally, even worldwide as a metal band, often... |
| 36east | Caribbean BlueEnya |  play_arrow | Enya's famous waltz |
| 37east | when the party’s overBillie Eilish |  play_arrow | In 2019, “bad guy” became a hit and… |
| 38east | In Other WordsKaye Ballard |  play_arrow | “In Other Words” is the prototype of “Fly Me to the Moon.” |
| 39east | HeartbreakerGrand Funk Railroad |  play_arrow | American band, Grand Funk Ra... |
| 40east | Children’s CrusadeSting |  play_arrow | As the bassist and vocalist of The Police, Po… |
| 41east | Night of GuernicaBUCK-TICK |  play_arrow | A prolonged hiatus from activity since their formation in 1987… |
| 42east | Pink + WhiteFrank Ocean |  play_arrow | American singer-songwriter, Fran… |
| 43east | Moon RiverHenry Mancini |  play_arrow | Introduction to the classic song Moon River and its history |
| 44east | Army DreamersKate Bush |  play_arrow | England, known for its distinctive, whisper-like voice... |
| 45east | I’m In Love With My CarQueen |  play_arrow | A rare Queen song, a song about cars |
| 46east | Manic DepressioJimi Hendrix |  play_arrow | Jimi Hendrix’s iconic 3/4-time hard rock song |
| 47east | Chim Chim ChereeJohn Coltrane |  play_arrow | 'Chim Chim Cher-ee' is a musical… |
| 48east | ProvidenceLUNA SEA |  play_arrow | Since the band's formation in 1989, the so-called ’90s… |
| 49east | Flowers in waterNakamori Akina |  play_arrow | A piece featuring a piano accompaniment with emphasized low tones, and an impressive, mid… |
| 50east | For youTHE BLUE HEARTS |  play_arrow | The beginning of THE BLUE HEARTS' 'Kimi no Ta...' |
| 51east | ShiverColdplay |  play_arrow | 『Fix You』『Viva La Vi… |
| 52east | A Midsummer Day’s DreamOhtaki Eiichi |  play_arrow | A Midsummer Daydream emphasizes a triple meter rhythm... |
| 53east | SiestaKEYTALK |  play_arrow | The impressive feel created by key changes embedded within the sense of speed... |
| 54east | The Toilet GodUemura Kana |  play_arrow | A true story about Kana Uemura and her grandmother... |
| 55east | El HombrePat Martino |  play_arrow | American jazz guitarist, Pat Mar… |
| 56east | (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural WomanAretha Franklin |  play_arrow | Also known by its Japanese title “Natural Woman,” … |
| 57east | Morning Has BrokenCat Stevens |  play_arrow | Cat Stevens' signature song "Morning Has Broken" |
| 58east | Come Away With MeNorah Jones |  play_arrow | Norah Jones's waltz-time ballad |
| 59east | Good nightkyarī pamyu pamyu |  play_arrow | Started working as a reader model in 2009 and continued… |
| 60east | AmyChihara Minori |  play_arrow | Minori Chihara’s new song is the theme song for an anime film. |
| 61east | Let me peek into the depths of your eyes.Porunogurafiti |  play_arrow | Porno Graffitti’s love-themed TV drama theme songs |
| 62east | Lucy In The Sky With DiamondsThe Beatles |  play_arrow | As the greatest band of the 20th century, leaving its mark on music history… |
| 63east | Close To The EdgeYES |  play_arrow | A British progressive rock band... |
| 64east | SecretThe Pierces |  play_arrow | Allison Pierce and Katherine Pierce… |
| 65east | Medaka Siblingswarabe |  play_arrow | The fantastical worldview and simple lyrics resonate with the heart... |
| 66east | Shiretoko Ryojo (Shiretoko Travel Sentiment)Katō Tokiko |  play_arrow | Set in Shiretoko, Hokkaido, it’s a so-called local/regional … |
| 67east | FriendsThe Beach Boys |  play_arrow | It may not be flashy by any means, but it's a waltz-time pop song... |
| 68east | Love me tenderD-LOOP |  | Later, keyboardist Takahiro Hayama and vocalist ... |
| 69east | Take It To The LimitThe Eagles |  play_arrow | The Eagles’ fourth album, One of These Nights… |
| 70east | FootprintsMiles Davis |  play_arrow | As one of the great jazz giants, Ja... |
| 71east | SarabandeJon Lord |  play_arrow | Even as Deep Purple’s organist... |
| 72east | emptyyuzu |  play_arrow | Since their formation in 1996, they have been loved by many people in Japan... |