[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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[Resonates with the Heart] Bittersweet Commercial Songs: Those Timeless Tracks That Bring You to Tears (11–20)
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.
Snow BlossomNakajima Mika
Mika Nakashima’s “Yuki no Hana” was released in 2003 and is one of her signature songs, even inspiring the film “Yuki no Hana.” The song conveys bittersweet emotions associated with winter, and the piano-centered arrangement powerfully enhances that sense of poignancy.
As the track progresses, the sound grows more dynamic, evoking a deepening sadness and longing.
It has also been widely used in commercials—starting with Meiji Seika’s ads—and stands as a classic that vividly brings winter landscapes to mind.
KichijojiIkuta Rira
Kichijoji,” a song that poignantly portrays a bittersweet love, has been selected as the theme for the Sokenbicha “Move Me Forward” commercial.
Rira Ikuta’s beautiful vocals match the CM perfectly.
With delicate singing and melody, the song amplifies the heart-fluttering romance between Natsuki Deguchi and Ryota Aoyama shown in the commercial.
It captures the wistful feeling of recalling someone from the past while walking along roads you once took, in familiar places.
It’s a song that evokes nostalgia and makes anyone remember a love from those days.
A Naked Heartaimyon
Aimyong’s massive hit song “Naked Heart” is used in Suntory BOSS’s commercial, “Alien Jones: The Usual Vending Machine.” In it, the human played by Koji Yakusho mourns the removal of a vending machine he’s attached to.
The pairing of a rather surreal storyline with a moving ballad is intriguing.
As for the song itself, it’s a ballad about unrequited love, so I hope you’ll listen to it while reflecting on your own experiences.
Its heartrending lyrics are sure to tighten your chest.
Love Garmentimase
In the commercial “Koi-Goromo” for Kirin’s flagship product, Afternoon Tea, the collaboration with imase has been creating a buzz.
The CM features imase’s song “Koi-Goromo” as the BGM, and it also uses footage from the music video, whose visual beauty is captivating.
“Koi-Goromo,” which plays as the background music, was released in 2024 and portrays winter scenery and the bittersweet romances of youthful days.
It’s a heart-tightening, soul-warming track that perfectly suits the MV depicting students in a brass band.
PlatinumSano ibuki
This song perfectly blends a heart-stirring melody with deeply relatable lyrics.
Sano Ibuki’s gentle vocals capture listeners’ hearts and won’t let go.
Released in May 2022, it’s known as the tie-in song for Asahi Beer’s ASAHI WHITE BEER.
Through the commercial, it reached many ears, and surely found its way onto countless playlists.
The lyrics explore parting and the emotions that follow, portraying a resolve to move forward without dwelling on lost love or the past.
At life’s crossroads—something everyone experiences—listening to this track is sure to warm your heart.
[Heart-Touching] Bittersweet Commercial Songs: Those Classic Tracks That Bring You to Tears (21–30)
How are you?adieu
This song was used alongside an animation created to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Kanro Ame, which portrays an unchanging desire to be gentle.
Set to an acoustic sound, the song calmly speaks its feelings, and its vocals convey a unique sense of weightlessness.
The lyrics depict the loss of time spent with a loved one, and the floating, somewhat unreal sonic expressions evoke an inability to accept the present reality.
The lines about feelings refusing to fade and lingering in the heart also heighten the sense of poignancy.