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 deeply moving. The more you listen, the more it sinks in. Masterpieces of Japanese music: recommended popular songs (91–100).
Yo, you there, kid.Takehara Pisutoru
Pistol Takehara, who has openly said he’s a fan of Downtown’s Matsumoto, unleashes his delicate yet bold poetic world in this song—the one used in that life insurance commercial—delivered in a gritty, manly baritone.
Rooted in folk yet tinged with punk, it radiates an overwhelming, full-throttle energy.
Rather than gently nudging listeners forward, his rough-and-tough musical soul—honed, no doubt, through his parallel career as an actor—feels more like a boot to the backside.
It’s a rare kind of power you don’t often encounter.
Forget-me-notTakahashi Yuu
These are songs by the wonderful singer-songwriter Yu Takahashi, known for inspiring, passionate lyrics like in “Ashita wa Kitto Ii Hi ni Naru” and “Fukuwarai.” It was released digitally in September 2022.
The lyrics, which tenderly evoke thoughts of someone dear and suddenly bring back nostalgic images of your hometown, slowly sink in.
With its gentle melody and warm atmosphere, this track is one of Takahashi’s softest-feeling ballads.
It seems to mirror the winding paths we take and draw out the feelings we’ve been quietly holding, making it a companion to many different moments in life.
Please listen while thinking of someone important to you.
The lyrics are deep and great. A song that sinks in more the more you listen. Masterpieces of Japanese music, recommended popular songs (101–110).
Time goes byEvery Little Thing
Released in 1998 as Every Little Thing’s eighth single.
Chosen as the theme song for Fuji TV’s Thursday 10 p.m.
drama “Amai Kekkon” (Sweet Marriage), it became a million seller.
It’s a standout ballad whose lyrics convey profound depth—about heartbreak and the hope that one day you’ll be able to smile again.
One dayThe ROOTLESS
The ROOTLESS’s major-label debut song “One day,” from the rock band that disbanded in 2015, became a big hit after being selected as a theme song for the anime One Piece.
Its lyrics—about continually facing forward so you don’t lose what’s important to you—resonate deeply, especially alongside the anime’s worldview.
The emotional, gently paced melody that delivers each word with care is another highlight.
Give it a listen when you feel like running away.
It’s sure to give you the courage to face things head-on.
NAOHY
When it comes to HY, I think many people find their bittersweet love songs especially appealing.
Among their many love songs, “NAO” is one that a lot of listeners deeply relate to and love, isn’t it? The lyrics depict a woman’s unrequited love, and the story is heartbreakingly painful.
The woman and the man she’s in love with have a “more than friends, less than lovers” vibe.
But his heart is drawn to another woman, so their relationship doesn’t progress.
Even when she tries to give up, he’s too kind for her to let go, and her feelings for him only grow stronger.
For anyone who’s ever found themselves falling deeper and deeper into love like this, this song will truly hit home.
FriendsRebekka
It’s a classic that tugs at the heart with bittersweet feelings for a friend from the past.
One of Rebecca’s signature songs, it was released in October 1985.
It was used as the ending theme for the Nippon TV drama “Half Potato na Oretachi” and became a huge hit.
The lyrics, written based on vocalist NOKKO’s experiences in junior high school, resonated with many listeners.
The song captures the complex emotions that waver between friendship and love, carried by a pleasant melody.
It’s a track that brings back the sweet and sour memories of youth.
meteor showerOnitsuka Chihiro
It was released in 2002 as Chihiro Onitsuka’s sixth single.
The lyrics and music were written by Onitsuka herself, and it was used as the theme song for TV Asahi’s Friday night drama “Trick 2.” The song’s lyrics acknowledge one’s own ugliness while conveying that we cannot live by ignoring our connections with others, and its expansive, transparent vocals resonate deeply with the heart.