[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)
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.
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.
[Resonates with the Heart] Bittersweet Commercial Songs: Those Timeless Tracks That Bring You to Tears (11–20)
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.
From our joined handsback number
“Tsunai da Te kara” by back number is a single released in 2014 and is also included on the album “Love Story.” Its light, breezy band sound is striking, and the refreshing arrangement evokes a sense of optimism.
Layered over that bright sound are lyrics that look back on memories, conveying a wistful sense of regret born from the happiness of past days.
The song was also used in a JTB commercial, where the visuals highlight the lightness of the music to create a forward-looking impression.