[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.
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[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.
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.
C.O.S.M.O.S. ~Cosmos (Autumn Cherry Blossoms)~Sandaime Jē Sōru Burazāzu fromu Eguzairu Toraibu
“C.O.S.M.O.S.
~Akizakura~” by Sandaime J SOUL BROTHERS was released in 2014 as an autumn song following “S.A.K.U.R.A.” and “R.Y.U.S.E.I.” Its sound has a poignant atmosphere highlighted by strings, and even the gentle vocals evoke a sense of sorrow.
The lyrics also center on the sadness of autumn, vividly portraying the pain of not being able to reach a loved one with one’s feelings.
As a commercial song, it was used in ads for Samantha Thavasa and Huis Ten Bosch, giving the impression that the melancholy of autumn is accentuated through this track.
[Resonates with the Heart] Bittersweet Commercial Songs: Those Timeless Tracks That Bring You to Tears (11–20)
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.
Love’s Melody and Rainy SkiesAAA
AAA’s “Koi Oto to Amazora” was released in 2013 as their 38th single, a song that expresses a bittersweet love within a distinctive sense of floating.
Its sound layers a powerful, resonant beat with a plaintive piano, over which gentle vocals convey both sadness and warmth.
Alongside a wish for love to last, it also sings of the fear of losing it, revealing the pain that accompanies those feelings.
As a commercial song, it was featured in Ito-Yokado’s WARM STYLE campaign, giving an impression of warmth conveyed through tender vocals.
I love you, but I can’t love you.AAA
AAA’s “Aishiteru no ni, Aisenai” was released in 2015 as their 50th single and served as a lead single for the best album “AAA 10th ANNIVERSARY BEST.” As the title suggests, the song revolves around the theme of love, with a poignant atmosphere featuring piano tones.
The vocals convey a sense of tenderness, expressing the pain and heartache that accompany loving someone.
It was also used in Ito-Yokado’s WARM STYLE commercial, giving the impression of conveying warmth through its gently sung melody.
two peopleaiko
Aiko’s “Futari” (“Two of Us”) was released in 2008 and is also included on the album “Himitsu.” While its straightforward band sound conveys a strong energy, the lyrics depict the pain that comes with love, creating a striking contrast.
The focus is on a love that doesn’t go well, and you can feel intense emotions in the bittersweetness it conveys.
The song was used in the BeautyLabo Whip Hair Color commercial; precisely because of its driving sound, pairing it with bright visuals gives it a positive, forward-looking impression.