The lyrics are profoundly good. The more you listen, the more it sinks in. Masterpieces of Japanese music, recommended popular songs.
When you listen to music, what do you focus on?
There are many aspects you might pay attention to—such as the vocals, the mood of the song, or, if you create music yourself, the overall structure of the track.
Among these, many people probably focus on the lyrics.
One of the best things about lyrics is that they let you feel the message of the song in the most direct way!
In this article, we’ll be introducing plenty of songs with deeply evocative lyrics that are incredibly compelling.
We’ve picked out many pieces that become moving once you understand their meaning, so be sure to listen closely.
The lyrics are profoundly good. The more you listen, the more it sinks in. Masterpieces of Japanese music: recommended popular songs (1–10).
Feelin’ Go(o)dFuji Kaze
It’s a track bursting with positive energy and overflowing comfort.
Created by singer-songwriter Fujii Kaze from Okayama Prefecture, it was released in July 2024 as his 13th digital single.
A brisk rhythm layered with Fujii’s soulful vocals makes you feel energized just by listening.
And of course, the lyrics deserve special attention: they carry an uplifting message that values personal growth and love for others.
It’s a song that shows the beauty of embracing change and living lightly.
junkYonezu Kenshi
A warm, poetic work that depicts missed connections and pure love between two people.
It’s a song by Kenshi Yonezu, the popular singer-songwriter behind numerous hits like “Lemon” and “Kanden,” released in August 2024 as the theme song for the film Last Mile.
It sings of continuing to live while embracing human imperfection, and the importance of doing so.
The more you listen, the more it seeps into your heart—a deeply flavorful track.
AcaciaBUMP OF CHICKEN
It’s a song by the rock band BUMP OF CHICKEN.
Released in November 2020, it drew attention for its collaborative video with the Pokémon series.
The lyrics sing about bonds that can’t be put into words and a deep understanding of the other person.
It captures that special relationship where feelings are conveyed just by meeting each other’s eyes.
It’s a deeply moving number that makes you want to listen closely.
Who is your partner or rival?
Please forget it.Yorushika
This song poignantly portrays a breakup with a lover.
Released by Yorushika in July 2024, it’s marked by a transparent, airy vocal tone and melancholic lyrics.
The plea to “forget about me” alone is enough to make your chest tighten just by reading it.
The warm arrangement seems to expand and carry those feelings even further.
It may stay by your side when you’re trying to heal a broken heart.
Please take your time and listen closely.
IfRADWIMPS
“What If” sung by RADWIMPS.
The lyrics include a scene where the narrator confesses to the person they have feelings for, and the faint hope that the other person might like them too is captured in the three characters of the title, ‘What If’ (moshimo).
In the latter half of the song, the protagonist—‘I’—expresses a desire to return to the time before confessing, when they were simply in love in a pure, unspoken way.
Considering the sorrow and pain of their relationship being damaged by revealing their feelings, you can acutely sense the lingering thought that perhaps it would have been better if they had remained mutually in love without saying it—or even stayed in unrequited love.
