Friendship Songs: Rediscover Your Bonds! A Carefully Curated Selection of Moving Masterpieces That Will Bring You to Tears

Old FriendsYonYon

Old Friends

A moving song themed around friendship has been born! Crafted by YonYon together with her old friends SIRUP and Shin Sakiura, this piece gently sings of the precious bonds nurtured through life’s uphill climbs.

Blending elements of hip-hop and gospel, and featuring a performance by Gen Z trumpet virtuoso Reiya Terakubo, the sound exudes a comforting warmth.

Released in January 2025, this track is perfect for expressing gratitude and support to cherished friends.

As a song that accompanies life’s milestones—weddings, graduations, and more—it’s sure to resonate in your heart.

We’ve alwaysikimonogakari

Ikimono-gakari “We Are Always” Music Video

A warm melody that gently wraps around the bond with a cherished friend seeps into the heart.

It’s a cheering song that gives you the courage to walk forward with your companions, while staying close to the fear of moving ahead.

Because we have friends who support one another, we can take a new step—this song conveys the preciousness of such friendship.

Released by Ikimono-gakari in January 2012 as the campaign CM song for U-CAN, the piece was also included on the album NEWTRAL and moved the hearts of many.

Its warm vocals and positive message will surely give a gentle push when you want to express gratitude to a dear friend or cheer on someone taking on a new challenge.

Youth and a momentmakaroni enpitsu

Macaroni Enpitsu “Youth and a Moment” MV

A heartwarming song that captures the casual brilliance and fleeting nature of youth.

With a driving melody and sentimental lyrics, it conveys the importance of everyday moments spent with friends and the joy of watching each other grow.

It tells us that the time shared with a bored-looking friend in the classroom after school will one day become a shining memory.

Released as a digital single in March 2019, it was later included on the album “season,” released in September of the same year.

It was also featured in a McDonald’s commercial and selected as the opening theme for TV Tokyo’s Drama 24 series “I Dreamed of That Girl.” As a work that vividly portrays the passion of teammates practicing together for sports festivals and the image of young people striving to cherish each moment, it is a song we hope many students will listen to.

Kono Yubi Tomareyosugala

Yosugala – Kono Yubi Tomare

This song by yosugala delivers a powerful message centered on encouragement and compassion for those facing hardship.

It reaches out to anyone feeling defeat or loneliness, expressing—through an emotional melody—the importance of extending a hand and continuing to believe in their inner light.

Created by members of the band AliA, the piece premiered at the hall concert “progress the night -LINE CUBE SHIBUYA-” held in February 2025 and was released in March of the same year.

As a heartwarming anthem that supports friends practicing for school festivals and cultural events, and companions walking together toward their goals, it is sure to resonate with many people.

telepathyORANGE RANGE

ORANGE RANGE - A Heartfelt Telepathy

This is a song with a universal message that our hearts remain connected even when we’re apart.

Centered on the bonds that transcend physical distance, it portrays heart-to-heart connections alongside a warm, uplifting melody.

Released in December 2004 as a track on the album “musiQ,” it was also featured in a commercial for au by KDDI, capturing the hearts of many.

The song was used as an insert track in the film “Check It Out, Yo!” and led to a collaboration with MONGOL800.

It’s a work where ORANGE RANGE’s diverse musicality blends beautifully with a technopop sound.

This is a song you’ll want to listen to when parting from dear friends or thinking of companions far away.

Cry BabyOfisharu Higedan Dism

Official HIGE DANDism – Cry Baby [Official Video]

A moving message song about facing adversity and the bonds between friends from Official HIGE DANDism.

Written specifically as the opening theme for the anime Tokyo Revengers, released in May 2021, the track boasts remarkable achievements.

In May 2022, it surpassed 100 million views on YouTube and received Triple Platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of Japan.

With its innovative musicality—featuring as many as ten key changes—and lyrics that brilliantly capture the anime’s worldview, it won the hearts of not only anime fans but countless listeners at large.

Singing of friendship, perseverance, and hope for the future, this is a must-listen for anyone who wants to reaffirm the value of camaraderie or who finds themselves at a crossroads in life.

Precious thingsroodo obu mejyaa

Lord of Major / Precious Things

A gem of a pop melody that portrays the precious friendships of adolescence.

Its warm feelings for friends at a parting and the vow never to forget those bonds are deeply moving.

Centered on themes of meeting and parting, growth and hope, it masterfully fuses driving rock sounds with lyrics that resonate in the heart.

Released as an indie single by Road of Major in September 2002, the song stayed in the top 10 of the Oricon chart for 19 consecutive weeks and achieved an astonishing 900,000 in total sales.

In 2009, it was also featured in a Mazda commercial in Taiwan, drawing attention both domestically and abroad.

It’s a track you’ll want to play when making up with a friend or when reaffirming the bonds with those who matter most.

It’s also a perfect cheer song for anyone facing farewells such as graduation or transferring schools.