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 profoundly good. A song that sinks in more the more you listen. Masterpieces of Japanese music: recommended popular songs (41–50)
yearsSakanakushon
Many of you may remember it playing with Ichiro Yamaguchi’s narration in the Honda “Insight” commercial.
It’s a song Sakanaction released to the world in July 2011 as the B-side to the single “Bach no Senritsu o Yoru ni Kiita Seidesu.” It portrays the determination to keep believing in the unchanging things within oneself, even while being exposed to the currents of the times.
When you want to reexamine your core, listening to it will surely support your heart.
beetle (specifically, a rhinoceros beetle)aiko
It’s a signature ballad by singer-songwriter aiko, and it still ranks high on karaoke charts! The song’s lyrical charm lies not only in its distinctive lines that compare herself to a rhinoceros beetle, but also in the many lyrics that convey straightforward love and trust.
Cherishing the time spent together now and in the future, and feeling that no matter how sad things get, it’s okay as long as you’re together—these words make you think about what true love really is.
If you have someone special, I hope you’ll take your time to listen while looking closely at the lyrics.
Walk TogetherHirai Dai
It’s a message song overflowing with hope that we want people all around the world to hear.
Released in April 2024, it was also featured in a commercial for the Nissan Note e-POWER.
Its refreshing, surf music–inspired sound is striking.
In Dai Hirai’s gentle yet powerful vocals, you can feel the resolve to overcome life’s hardships and keep moving forward.
The tones of the guitar and ukulele are rhythmic, like the sound of waves.
When you’re feeling down or about to start something new, it will surely give you a gentle push.
horizonback number
Hiraisenzon (Horizon) was created in response to the feelings of the athletes and the high school students on the organizing side of the Inter-High School Championships, which were canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19.
For three years, athletes poured their time into standing on the Inter-High stage, grinding themselves down with relentless effort, while the student organizers worked to make that stage a success.
The regret they felt over the cancellation must have been beyond words.
This song became proof of their beautiful effort and endurance.
The lyrics are moving, praising the virtue of taking pride in oneself for persevering—even if no one notices—and recognizing that their restraint may have saved someone.
It’s sure to resonate with anyone who, during the pandemic, found themselves forced to give something up.
Don’t give upZARD
This is ZARD’s sixth single, released in 1993, a timeless classic beloved by people of all ages.
Although it’s widely known as a cheer song, if you read the lyrics closely, you realize it tells of someone who once shared a deep love with their partner, and though they’ve gone their separate ways, they’re cheering that person on as they strive toward their dreams.
The two now walk different paths, yet there’s no whining—just pure support.
That refreshing clarity and sense of transparency may be what leaves such a profound impression on listeners across generations.
Beautiful finsupittsu
This song is striking for its melody and lyrics that resonate with the heart.
Created by Spitz and released in April 2023, it was used as the theme song for the feature film Detective Conan: Black Iron Submarine.
It delicately portrays the pain of repeated failures and the courage to try again, carrying a strength that seems to give listeners a gentle push forward.
Even amid changing circumstances and setbacks, it conveys the importance of not losing hope through a familiar, catchy tune that makes you want to hum along.
If I can laughUrufuruzu
In our daily lives, there are always one or two things that leave us feeling unfulfilled—anxious that we’re not getting closer to our dreams, tempted to give up thinking it might be impossible, or working desperately without seeing any reward.
In moments like these, Ulfuls’ “Waraereba” (“If We Can Smile”) lets you take a breather.
Even amid days full of frustrations, it encourages you to remember your original feelings, relax your shoulders, and keep moving forward little by little.
The lyrics are simple, so the more you listen, the more personally they resonate.
Looking back, you’ll be able to live believing that a day will come when you can laugh and say, ‘That was tough back then.’