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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- 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
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- 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 (51–60)
Bridge of Gloryyuzu
Glorious Bridge was chosen as the official theme song for NHK’s Athens Olympics broadcasts.
The music duo Yuzu, known for delivering positive messages that brighten people’s hearts, released it in 2004.
It has been performed on numerous TV programs, so many of you may already know it.
It’s a warm message song that cheers on the days spent striving toward your “dreams” and “goals.” Their harmonies resound alongside moving strings.
Give it a listen when you’re struggling or pausing in life—this song will give you strength.
Lion HeartSMAP
It was released in 2000 as SMAP’s 32nd single.
The song was used as the theme for the NTV drama Food Fight starring Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, and it became SMAP’s second million-selling single.
Although it doesn’t use direct expressions, the lyrics can be interpreted as a promise to stay together forever, making it a deeply moving song.
Come Again8LOOM
Leaping from the Tuesday drama “Kimi no Hana ni Naru,” starring Tsubasa Honda, into real-world success, the limited-time boy group 8LOOM has become a hot topic.
“Come Again” is their debut single, and it’s truly a song filled with resolve.
It wraps you in a gentle yet steadily forward-moving tempo and melody.
The lyrics and the members’ vocals, which give you the courage to push past setbacks and pursue your dreams, are powerful yet tender, easing the heart.
When you feel like you might falter, the words resonate even more deeply, giving you the strength to let your own flowers bloom!
LeoYuuri
Leo is a moving song that portrays the bond between a dog and its owner.
It’s included on singer-songwriter Yuuri’s 2022 album Ichi, released after his breakout hit Dry Flower made his name widely known.
Warm piano tones resonate over a mid-tempo track.
Told from a dog’s perspective, the lyrics depicting everyday life with its owner are tear-jerking.
It’s a heartwarming piece that makes you appreciate the presence of those close to you.
Whether you have a pet or not, be sure to give it a listen.
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).
Since I was littleJUDY AND MARY
A single released in 1995 by the rock band JUDY AND MARY, who gained popularity with their overwhelming individuality.
Its flowing, beautiful melody and wistful guitar phrases are also striking.
What grips you from the start are the lyrics, which feel like a recollection of childhood.
The word “spell” that appears several times must have been something that truly gave strength.
It may represent the very childlike spirit we forgot upon becoming adults.
Each gentle, conversational word resonates deeply in this song.
contrailArai Yumi
The B-side of her second single, released in 1973.
It became widely known again in 2013—forty years after its release—when it was used as the theme song for Hayao Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli film The Wind Rises.
Even now, it hasn’t faded in the slightest: a gem of pop music that blends beauty with bittersweet sorrow.
In fact, Yumi wrote the song in memory of a friend who passed away young, likening that life to a single streak of cloud.
Though it deals with the heavy theme of death, the lyrics, melody, and arrangement exquisitely capture its transience and beauty—truly breathtaking.
SignFLOW
FLOW’s “Sign,” well-known for being used as a theme song for the anime Naruto, perfectly matches the show’s world, where friends fight and grow together.
Among Naruto fans, it’s highly regarded as a legendary track.
The lyrics especially resonate in the parts that teach us that true strength lies in kindness.
They overflow with the reassuring feeling that someone cares about you, and with the courage to keep moving forward even when you’re afraid.
