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.
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- 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).
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.
BeginningBLUE ENCOUNT
Here is “Hajimari” (“Beginning”), brought to you by BLUE ENCOUNT, a four-piece rock band from Kumamoto Prefecture.
It was also selected as the support song for the 2015 All Japan High School Soccer Tournament.
The emotional melody is another element that really grabs you.
This song depicts the “beginning” days when, together with friends, you set off aiming for glory, chronicling the sweat-soaked days of hard work.
Even though the latter part of the song evokes a sense of parting, it’s profound that it’s not the end but a “beginning.”
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).
FarewellSEKAI NO OWARI
A song by SEKAI NO OWARI, released digitally in April 2023.
It was chosen as the theme song for Fuji TV’s Wednesday drama “My Dear Husband.” With its lively melody and Fukase’s soothing vocals, it features a refreshing sound arrangement that leaves a strong impression.
The comfort of the chorus is so well-crafted it can wash away the anxiety and hardship swirling in your heart.
When you listen, you’ll surely picture your best friend or partner.
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.
Love RadiantMisora Hibari
This is a single released by Hibari Misora in 1986, with singer-songwriter Kei Ogura enlisted for both lyrics and composition.
It was a commemorative song for the 40th anniversary of Misora’s debut, and it has been covered by many artists as one of her signature works.
It’s a gentle song that makes you feel that love is essential in life.
The heroine who’s always in tearsbokula.
This is a song that carries a fleeting, heartrending love on a jewel-like, tear-inducing melody.
It’s included on bokula.’s EP “Namida Nijimu no wa Kokoro no Honne desu.” released in April 2024, which drew attention as their major-label debut.
Emotions swaying between dependence and independence are woven into real, candid words.
Subtle sensations hidden in everyday life are beautifully portrayed, such as likening a phone’s remaining battery to one’s emotional bandwidth.
It’s the perfect track to listen to on a night when you want to immerse yourself in bokula.’s world.