Recommended love songs for college students: Japanese love songs you should listen to when a romance begins

A lifetime’s worth of love lettersUsotsuki

Usotsuki – A Lifetime’s Worth of Love Letters (MV) @USOTSUKI_DA

A Lifetime’s Worth of Love Letters portrays someone who keeps confessing their feelings to the one they love, over and over.

It was released in 2016 as the title track of an album by Usotsuki, a band that has performed at many rock festivals across Japan.

When you fall for a classmate or a teammate, sometimes you can’t think about anything else, right? The song depicts delivering that straightforward feeling, carried by a passionate band performance.

If you’re a high school student who just can’t give up on that special someone, lend an ear to this rock number that’s sure to give you courage.

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playing loversmakaroni enpitsu

Macaroni Enpitsu 'Pretend Lovers' MV

Despite its bright sound, Koibito Gokko portrays a bittersweet love.

Released by Macaroni Empitsu as a digital single in 2020, it was used as the tie-in song for Honda’s “Hop on a bike?” campaign.

As the title Koibito Gokko (“Playing Lovers”) suggests, the two people in this song aren’t actually a couple.

It tells a sad story in which, although they like each other, they can’t be honest, and in the meantime the other person drifts away.

It’s a love song I especially want high school boys who can’t bring themselves to say “I like you” to listen to.

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Stand by me, Stand by you.Hirai Dai

Hirai Dai / Stand by me, Stand by you. (Lyric Video)

Here’s the eighth installment in Dai Hirai’s biweekly digital single releases: “Stand by me, Stand by you.” It’s a song about mutual love, movingly expressing the joy of the miracle of meeting someone special.

It’s touched so many hearts that it even ranked on Spotify’s Viral Chart.

Whether your love is unrequited or reciprocated, this is a track I recommend to every high school student in love.

It’ll make you want to cherish the person you like, no matter the circumstances.

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Partneryuka

Yuka “Partner” Music Video

A song I’d love people overflowing with feelings for their beloved to listen to is “Partner.” It was released in 2022 by Yuka, a singer-songwriter drawing attention for her realistic, female-perspective take on love.

The song went viral on TikTok, so many high schoolers probably know it.

Its pop melody line set to a light, breezy beat is super cute.

The lyrics honestly express feelings toward a partner, making it a perfect love song for a bright and lively high school life.

Try singing the chorus—packed with love for your partner—together as a couple!

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Pure Love SongShonan no Kaze

Shonan no Kaze “Junrenka” MUSIC VIDEO (Original ver.)

It’s one of Shonan no Kaze’s signature long-running hits, debuting at their personal best of No.

2.

The song is a straightforward love song that resonates with young people.

It’s also a popular karaoke choice, so I’d especially recommend it to men.

Spot the differenceSuda Masaki

Masaki Suda 'Machigai Sagashi' (Spot the Difference)

One of Masaki Suda’s signature songs that captures the shock of falling in love.

It’s a classic that pairs a catchy melody with single-minded devotion to someone you adore.

Listen while thinking of the person you like, and you’ll likely realize the strength of your own feelings.

This love song resonates with the pure hearts of high school boys, gently supporting the pain of falling for someone.

It will set the feelings hidden inside you ablaze.

GO FOR IT!!Nishino Kana

Kana Nishino 'GO FOR IT!! (short ver.)'

This song, by Kana Nishino—aka Kanayan, the goddess of love songs—and also used in the Lunch Pack commercial, is an anthem that gives a push to anyone with a crush! The lyrics are packed with that frustrating, youthful feeling of not being able to close the distance with the person you like, or being too nervous to talk to them.

Debating whether to text them, impulsively checking your fortune… all those relatable moments are in there.

Let Kanayan’s lyrics give you the courage to take the next step.