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