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).
A person who loves springGLAY
This is “Haru o Aisuru Hito” (The One Who Loves Spring), included on GLAY’s third album released in 1996.
It’s said that the guitarist TAKURO was inspired to create the piece after traveling in Iceland and being moved by the resilient way the local people live.
With that in mind, when you listen to it, you can feel how the warmth of spring—perceived all the more keenly after enduring harsh cold—connects with the kind of love one gains only after overcoming difficult days.
era; age; time; periodNakajima Miyuki
Written and composed by Miyuki Nakajima, it was released as a single in 1975.
In 2006, it was selected for the Agency for Cultural Affairs and the Japan National PTA Council’s “100 Best Japanese Songs.” Its message—that even in hard times, a day will come when we can smile—resonates in every era.
As long as we live, we repeatedly encounter meetings and partings, joy and sorrow; the song gently gives voice to this human condition.
It reminds us that this is precisely why life is wonderful—a true anthem to life that transcends generations.
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?
bookmarkkuriipuhaipe
It was produced as the campaign song for “FM802 × TSUTAYA ACCESS!”, a collaboration between the Osaka radio station FM802 and TSUTAYA.
Featuring a star-studded lineup including Aimyon, Suga Shikao, and GEN from 04 Limited Sazabys, the song was written and composed by Seikaikan Ozaki of CreepHyp.
The version performed by CreepHyp is also extremely popular at live shows.
It’s a coming-of-age song that stirs an indescribable sense of longing—those bittersweet feelings everyone has experienced race through your mind.
next toMarushii
A ballad written by Marcy, a rock band from Fukuoka, as an answer song to their hit “Love Song.” The lyrics capture the moment you realize the true nature of love through the gestures and expressions of a partner who’s always by your side, gently reminding us of the precious happiness found in everyday life.
Ukyo Yoshida’s vocals intertwine with the warm instrumentation to resonate deeply in the heart.
Included on their third album “Flavors,” released in November 2025.
Through this song, feel the irreplaceable value of the days spent with someone you cherish.
Words are triangular, hearts are square.kururi
A gentle, heartwarming gem sung by Quruli, “Words Are Triangular, Hearts Are Square.” There’s a common reading that because a triangle is half of a square, the song suggests words can only express half of what’s in the heart.
On the other hand, when you see the title, some of you might be reminded of the playful phrase “Goodbye, triangle; come again, square.” Layering that with the title, you could interpret it as saying “goodbye” in words while the heart is thinking “please come again!” It might even be a father’s feelings toward his daughter who’s gotten married…
In short, there are countless possible readings! Lyrics that allow ten different interpretations for ten different listeners—that’s the mark of a true classic.
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.