[Japanese Music] The Magic of Arpeggios: A Collection of Beautiful Songs Featuring Arpeggios
In Japanese, “arpeggio” is expressed as 分散和音 (bunsan waon), which simply means a playing technique where you play the notes of a chord one at a time.
It’s a method often used on guitar and piano in ballads, and chances are everyone has heard it at least once.
If you’ve only recently learned the term “arpeggio,” you might be eager to listen to more songs that feature it.
In this article, we’ll introduce many recommended pieces with beautiful arpeggios just for you.
Immerse yourself in the beauty of arpeggios!
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[J-Pop] The Magic of Arpeggios: A Collection of Beautiful Songs with Arpeggios (11–20)
I want to see you.iri
A song by iri, a singer-songwriter from Kanagawa Prefecture.
It’s a soothing number featuring an acoustic guitar arpeggio that plays throughout behind a hip-hop track.
The steady, flowing arpeggio in the same rhythm accentuates the rap’s distinctive phrasing and irregular rhythms, resulting in a groove that makes you want to sway naturally.
The lyrics, which convey passionate and strong emotions laid over the slow tempo, resonate deeply.
lemonadeChilli Beans.
Let me introduce one of Chilli Beans.’ signature songs, which opens with moody arpeggios reminiscent of ’80s American pop.
Released as the lead track from their debut EP “d a n c i n g a l o n e” in August 2021, this piece can be considered their starting point, capturing the bittersweet romance of youth.
The lightly chorus-tinged guitar arpeggios shape a nostalgic soundscape throughout the track and beautifully complement the vocal melody.
Vaundy, a classmate from the music school Voice, took part in the arrangement, and the song became a viral hit, reaching No.
1 on Spotify’s “Viral 50 – Japan.” It’s a classic recommended for when you want to bask in faint memories of adolescence or savor the delicate resonance of arpeggios.
Night journeyYorushika
This is a gem of an arpeggio piece by Yorushika that beautifully captures the serenity of the night.
The delicate broken chords on acoustic guitar form the core of the song, and the deep tone created by tuning a half-step down from D quietly seeps into the listener’s heart.
The arpeggio pattern—supporting the bass with the thumb while flowing over the higher strings—expresses both nighttime solitude and hope at once.
Released in March 2020 and featured as an insert song in the feature-length animated film “A Whisker Away,” it is also included on the album “Plagiarism.” It’s the perfect track for late-night moments when you want to immerse yourself in music alone or face the emotions deep within.
BELOVEDGLAY
This song, released in 1996 by GLAY, a four-piece band from Hakodate, Hokkaido, is a gem of a ballad that begins with a beautiful acoustic guitar arpeggio.
TAKURO’s profound lyrics brim with passion for music and affection for his bandmates, resonating deeply with listeners.
The intro’s carefully articulated broken chords, played one note at a time, define the song’s warm atmosphere, and a similarly beautiful phrase brings the track to a close in the outro.
Chosen as the theme song for the TBS drama “A Summer Proposal,” it became a massive hit, selling over 800,000 copies.
This piece is perfect for reaffirming your feelings for a lover or someone dear to you, and its simple yet profound arpeggios continue to be cherished by many guitarists.
Let’s hide and kiss in the car.Mr.Children
This hidden gem of a song is a masterpiece included on the 1992 album “Kind of Love.” Among Mr.Children’s early works, it’s a fan favorite: a simple acoustic guitar arpeggio rings throughout the entire track, and its delicate tone beautifully conveys the secret feelings of young lovers.
With lyrics and composition by Kazutoshi Sakurai, the song is a jewel-like ballad that portrays the frustration of a love that hasn’t quite grown up, and the poignant emotions of two people avoiding prying eyes as they reaffirm their love.
The way the arpeggio pattern evolves as the song progresses adds a rich expressiveness that leaves a lasting impression.
It remains beloved by many fans as a hidden classic that resonates deep in the heart—perfect for a drive with your partner or for listening alone on a quiet night.
That’s Why I Gave Up MusicYorushika
The title track from Yorushika’s first full-length album, by the male–female duo formed in 2017 that made their major-label debut in 2019.
It’s an impressive number featuring a fast-paced melody and complex, driving piano arpeggios.
Placed at the end of this concept album, it closes the story: the lyrics depict a struggle to reach a conclusion despite hesitation, while the bright, uplifting tone—contrasting with the lyrical turmoil—fits perfectly, resulting in a deeply resonant song.
[J-Pop] The Magic of Arpeggios: A Collection of Beautiful Songs Featuring Arpeggios (21–30)
Soldiers of Februarythe cabs
It’s one of the finest masterpieces in the math rock scene, where lyrics singing of Siberia’s desolate landscapes intertwine with Kunimitsu Takahashi’s refined arpeggios.
Included on the cabs’ debut mini-album “Ichiban Hajimeno Dekigoto,” released in April 2011, the track features intricate clean-tone arpeggios that convey both clarity and tension within a rhythm structure rich in odd meters.
Yoshikatsu Shuto’s fragile vocals and Kazuta Nakamura’s bombardier-like, highly technical drumming come together to paint a world that is decadent yet beautiful.
The deep emotions embedded in the literary, abstract lyrics and the delicate articulation of the arpeggios are exquisitely matched, making this a song you’ll want to hear when you’re grappling with complex feelings.