![[Touches the heart] Bittersweet commercial songs: those famous tracks that make you tear up](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/pGgRMwJWs6M/maxresdefault.webp)
[Touches the heart] Bittersweet commercial songs: those famous tracks that make you tear up
When you’re watching TV or browsing the internet, you sometimes come across a commercial with a song that unexpectedly tugs at your heartstrings, don’t you? Along with memorable visuals, that bittersweet feeling and the intensity of the emotion resonate within you, and before you know it, you’re wondering, “What song is this?” In this article, we’ll introduce CM (commercial) songs that evoke a certain wistfulness.
You just might find that song you couldn’t stop thinking about back then.
[Resonating with the Heart] Bittersweet Commercial Songs: Those Masterpieces That Make You Tear Up (1–10)
MapleKamisiraishi Moka
Moka Kamishiraishi’s song Kaede, released under the name adieu, was put out digitally after it was sung in a Kirin Afternoon Tea commercial.
It’s a cover of the song by Spitz, and compared to the original, it leans more toward an acoustic sound, giving it a softer tone.
While preserving the original’s atmosphere, she delivers it in her own expressive way, conveying a sense of love and respect for the piece.
The commercial portrays everyday scenes with Afternoon Tea, featuring warm imagery of her walking and singing with a bottle of Afternoon Tea in hand.
Beyond sorrowAimer
Aimer’s “Beyond the Sorrow” is a track included on the single “SPARK-AGAIN” as well as the album “Hoshi no Kieta Yoru ni” (On the Night the Stars Disappeared).
Its piano-centered, heartrending sound paired with Aimer’s fragile yet powerful vocals conveys a determination to push through suffering.
As the title suggests, the lyrics portray a resolve to move beyond sorrow, and the gradual shift toward a more positive outlook is truly moving.
It’s also notable that the song was used in an iichiko NEO commercial; set against grand, sweeping scenery, the track helps create an emotional atmosphere.
lost itemVaundy
Vaundy’s “Wasuremono” (“Lost Property”) was released as a single in 2022 and later included on the 2023 album “replica.” It features an aggressive band sound and striking, emotionally charged vocals, giving the impression of raw, unfiltered feelings and frustrations being laid bare.
The lyrics focus on things forgotten in everyday life and memories, depicting both the things one never wants to forget and the sadness of forgetting.
As a commercial song, it was used in a McDonald’s ad starring Junichi Okada, where, under the theme of “a burger that transcends time,” the track conveys the excitement surrounding the return of a revived burger.
I’ve fallen in love.YUTORI-SEDAI
The three-piece band YUTORI-SEDAI from Nishitokyo released the song “Koishichattanda” in 2024.
Its light, danceable rhythm makes a strong impression, vividly conveying the excitement of falling in love.
As the title suggests, the lyrics revolve around love, portraying the way it can throw you off balance and make it hard to stay composed.
The song was also used in a commercial celebrating the 50th anniversary of AEON Topvalu, where its breezy sound layers add a cheerful, uplifting tone to the visuals.
the first strong spring windnishina
Nishina’s “Haru Ichiban,” released in 2023, is a wistful song that looks back on past memories while pondering what we once loved.
Its sound is gentle, with a relaxed, spacious tone that accentuates the melancholy mood.
Nishina’s strained, poured-out vocals also heighten the sense of sorrow, and the way she revisits emotions alongside concrete scenes conveys a palpable ache.
Chosen for radiko’s 2023 commercial, the track pairs perfectly with radio—the medium that brings so many colors to everyday life—and its calm, bittersweet atmosphere.
earring on the right earKoresawa
Koresawa’s “Migi Mimi no Pierce” (Right Ear Earring) is a track included on the 2021 album Jun’ai Closet.
Triggered by the loss of a right-ear earring, the song looks back on the events leading up to a breakup, expressing how the love between them changed over time.
Its buoyant sound is striking as well, conveying a sense of determination to move forward decisively.
Reflecting on the days the two spent together also reveals how the other person felt about her, which adds to the pain.
Sugar losswanuka
Wanakusa’s “Sugar Loss” is a track included on the 2022 album Aonisei.
While it seems to depict feelings at the time of parting, its light, buoyant sound creates a mysterious atmosphere.
The lyrics, which pay close attention to rhyme, are another highlight; by expressing goodbye in a breezy way, they convey a sense of determination to move forward.
As for commercial tie-ins, it was used in a Morinaga DARS commercial—the airy sound and gentle vocals are a perfect match for chocolate.
Tearful KissSazan Ōrusutāzu
Here’s a Uniqlo commercial packed with a heartwarming episode in a short span of time.
Haruka Ayase and Yumi Kawai encounter each other on a train.
The atmosphere between them is awkward, and Kawai looks away from Ayase.
But Ayase approaches Kawai holding a mandarin orange, and they make up.
It seems they had a quarrel, as Kohei Matsushita is also shown calling Kawai with concern.
The background music is Southern All Stars’ 1992 release “Namida no Kiss.” Though the song is about a love drifting apart and the end of summer, the deep affection within its bittersweetness resonates with the interaction between Ayase and Kawai.
blue skyaiko
Aiko’s “Aozora” was released in 2020 as her 39th single and was included the following year, in 2021, on the album “Doushitatte Tsutaerarenai Kara.” The song portrays emotions surrounding the end of a romance, and the sense of not being able to put feelings into words conveys a deep poignancy.
The sound has a gentle atmosphere that accentuates that wistfulness, and even the warm tone of the piano expresses sadness.
As a commercial song, it was used in a Mercari ad, and through its straightforward outpouring of emotion, it gives the impression of conveying Mercari’s closeness to everyday life.
NEVER FALL IN LOVE AGAINSazan Ōrusutāzu
This commercial, which shows Haruka Ayase and Kohei Matsushita getting ready in the morning, introduces the appeal of HEATTECH.
As they prepare to head out, both of them put on HEATTECH, and their surprised reactions to its comfort and warmth are memorable.
Toward the end of the commercial, the two are shown going out in outfits centered around HEATTECH, highlighting that it’s easy to incorporate not just as underwear but as a part of fashion.
The background music features Southern All Stars’ “NEVER FALL IN LOVE AGAIN,” a gentle, soothing track whose lyrics about bittersweet autumn love resonate with the heart.
