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.
- A playlist of timeless gems with piercing lyrics that will move your heart
- [Classic and Contemporary Hits] Emotionally Stirring, Heart-Touching Songs
- A gentle song. A classic that calms the heart. A song that makes you feel kind.
- [120% Empathy] A Collection of Moving Songs [Love, Friendship, Encouragement]
- Songs with strong messages. Classic J-Pop masterpieces and recommended popular tracks.
- Songs with powerful lyrics. Recommended masterpieces and popular tracks.
- A beautiful Japanese song that purifies the heart. A highly recommended classic.
- The power of words. A special feature on Vocaloid songs with great lyrics
- Songs with great lyrics: soothing tracks that linger in the heart and moving ballads
- A classic of poignant, heartwarming songs. Recommended popular tracks.
- Good songs recommended for people in their 60s: classic and popular Japanese tracks
- [When You're Lonely] A Collection of Songs That Resonate With Those All Alone
- Good songs themed around love, encouragement, and life—tracks with lyrics you can relate to.
The lyrics are profound and great. A song that sinks in more the more you listen. Masterpieces of Japanese music, recommended popular songs (61–70).
SolaninASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION
You’re moved right from the intro, aren’t you? It’s “Soranin,” the phenomenal classic by ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION and the theme song for the film Soranin.
In the movie, the story ends with the two protagonists—a man and a woman—going their separate ways.
This piece reflects the film’s worldview, singing about a parting that arises through growth, built around the story flowing between the two—days gone by, regrets, and all.
Among those are separations that are inevitable and separations we choose ourselves.
It’s pretty heartbreaking.
By the way, “solanine” is the toxin found in potato sprouts.
But this toxin is apparently essential for the potato’s growth—try layering that meaning onto the lyrics.
Deep!
I’ll walk home.Saitō Kazuyoshi
This is Kazuyoshi Saito’s fourth single, released in 1994.
It also became a hot topic as the opening song for the children’s TV show “Ponkikkies,” which was on air at the time.
It’s a simple track centered on guitar, bass, drums, and organ, but precisely because of that simplicity, its depictions of everyday, ordinary moments feel somehow poignant, evoking a sense of frustration we can relate to.
There are times when you don’t know what to do, but you can look up at the sky with drifting clouds and take a leisurely walk.
It’s the kind of song that puts you in that mood—a true classic that actually resonates more and more as you grow older.
It’s nothing.makaroni enpitsu
“It’s Nothing” brilliantly portrays the difficulty of honestly expressing one’s feelings.
It’s included on the rock band Macaroni Enpitsu’s 2022 album Expectation for Happy Edo, known for its wide-ranging musicality from flashy pop to jazzy tracks.
The crisp, well-defined tones riding a modern beat reminiscent of city pop are striking, and Hattori’s emotional vocals in the chorus resonate with dynamic power.
No matter how much you love someone, it’s hard to put everything you feel into words, isn’t it? Why not lend an ear to this gentle love song that embraces even those messy, inarticulate feelings?
Letter to TomorrowTeshima Aoi
The song “Letter to Tomorrow,” sung by singer-songwriter Aoi Teshima, also drew attention for being the ending theme of the drama “Love That Makes You Cry” (Itsuka Kono Koi wo Omoidashite Kitto Naite Shimau).
The lyrics are written as a letter to one’s future self, carrying the message: please live believing in a bright future—words that serve as encouragement to oneself.
As it bridges your past self and future self, it inspires you to keep cherishing what is precious now, unchanged, into the days ahead.
far; distant; by farGReeeeN
It was released in 2009 as GReeeeN’s 11th single.
The song was used as the theme for the Toho-distributed film “ROOKIES: Graduation” and reached No.
2 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.
It’s a song overflowing with the importance of pressing forward on the path you’ve chosen, gratitude toward the family who supports you, and heartfelt emotions.
The lyrics are full of love and deeply moving.
As many times as you likeDREAMS COME TRUE
The famous DREAMS COME TRUE song “Nando Demo,” which was used as the theme song for Fuji TV’s popular drama Emergency Room 24 Hours, is crafted as an uplifting anthem for love and work.
With incredibly catchy lyrics and a message that truly resonates, it’s a highly recommended track when you’re feeling down.
If being alive is painfulMoriyama Naotaro
If right now you’re troubled by something or tormented by emotions you can’t let out, please listen to “If Living Is Painful.” When you’re truly hurting, words like “Hang in there!” or “Don’t give up” can make it even harder, right? This song is different: it teaches that when you feel pain, cry your heart out, and when you feel sad, let yourself sink all the way to the bottom of that sadness.
It tells you that, in the long span of life, a day will come when you can look back and think, “That happened too.”