Masterpieces that sing of effort. Recommended popular songs.
Work, studying, club activities, everyday life…
To make anything go well, daily effort is essential.
But even when we know that, it’s hard to keep it up—that’s what makes it difficult!
Everyone has times when they want to try hard but just can’t.
In those moments, how about listening to some wonderful music and giving it one more push?
In this article, I’ll introduce not only songs themed around effort, but also songs that cheer you on as you keep trying.
If you take in the messages woven into the lyrics, I’m sure you’ll be able to keep going.
Take your time and listen to the songs we’re about to introduce.
- [A Cheer for Myself] A pep song dedicated to you who are doing your very best
- [For those who strive] An encouraging cheer song
- Club Activity Youth Songs: Motivational Anthems and Timeless Tracks of Memories with Teammates
- Anthems of Challenge: Uplifting Songs That Cheer You On to Take the Leap
- Timeless songs that sing of hopes and dreams. Masterpieces that lead those who strive toward the future.
- For those chasing dreams and goals! Support songs recommended for Gen Z
- [Deeply Moving] A Tear-Jerking Cheer Song: Popular Inspirational Anthems That Resonate with the Heart
- Before a match or when you feel like giving up! Cheer songs to keep you going in club activities
- A song that encourages you just by listening
- A gift to dream-chasers! Songs about dreams and anthems that help make them come true
- [A Life-Affirming Anthem] An Encouraging Song to Cheer You On
- [Today's Cheer Song] To everyone giving it your all! A gem of an inspiring anthem that resonates with the heart
- [Tearjerker] Songs that make your heart tremble with tears & moving tracks with lyrics that touch the soul
Masterpieces that sing of effort. Recommended popular songs (21–30)
To tomorrowFUNKY MONKEY BABYS
The heartwarming cheer song from FUNKY MONKEY BABYS gently gives a push to those facing worries and hardships.
This work turns past experiences and frustrations into hope, inspiring the courage to keep moving toward tomorrow.
Released in November 2009, it reached a peak of No.
4 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.
It was also chosen as the support song for Nippon TV’s 88th All Japan High School Soccer Tournament, and the music video featuring former Japan national team player Masashi Nakayama drew attention.
It’s the perfect track for anyone striving toward their dreams or seeking the courage to take a step into tomorrow.
SMILE ~Like a Clear, Sunlit Sky~Kuwata Keisuke
This is the support song for the “Let’s Do It Together 2020” project, launched by the five commercial TV networks joining forces to boost excitement for 2020.
The lyrics, which speak to us saying “Let’s do our best together,” give you courage.
Effort matters, of course, but it’s also very much Keisuke Kuwata’s style not to preach by saying “Effort is important.” It’s a song that brings the new National Stadium vividly to mind.
Masterpieces that sing of effort. Recommended popular songs (31–40)
excessively earnest; overly serious to a fault; straight-lacedCreepy Nuts×Ayase×Ikuta Rira
This song is a heartwarming anthem for people who keep working earnestly despite the fatigue and frustrations they feel in everyday life.
Created collaboratively by Creepy Nuts, Ayase, and Rira Ikuta, the piece beautifully blends their unique styles to deliver an approachable melody and a powerful message.
Released in March 2022, it was used as the theme song for Nippon Broadcasting System’s “All Night Nippon” 55th Anniversary commemorative performance.
It resonated with many listeners, reaching No.
6 on the Billboard JAPAN Download Songs chart.
Whether you struggle with mornings but still push yourself to wake up early, or you’re clumsy yet refuse to give up and keep trying, this song stands by and encourages everyone who is giving life their all.
OH!SHISHAMO
A SHISHAMO-style life-affirming anthem that transcends its time.
The lyrics stay relentlessly positive, saying things like, “Even if someone laughs at you for giving your all or working hard, don’t let it get to you.” That message, fused with a sound that’s both pop and rock, gives listeners real courage.
With this song in particular, the raw, straight-from-the-heart lyrics feel exhilarating.
It’s a track I’d love to hear live once I’m done with work or studying.
doorGReeeeN
It’s a positive song that tells you there’s nothing to do but press on and keep moving forward.
It’s a track by the music group GReeeeN, who have created many famous songs like “Kiseki” and “Hoshikage no Yell,” and it was released as a single in 2008.
Rather than being bright and catchy, it feels like a song where a quiet fire burns deep in the heart.
When you’re thinking, “I want to overcome this and become a new me,” this song might help—so by all means, give it a listen.
BeginningBLUE ENCOUNT
This is a work that makes you want to cherish the present moment.
It’s a song by the rock band BLUE ENCOUNT, released as their third single in 2016, and it was chosen as the official support song for the 94th All Japan High School Soccer Tournament.
Vocalist Shunichi Tanabe’s voice soars as if it could fly anywhere, striking straight at the heart—a rock ballad that truly resonates.
The distorted guitar tones carry a heartrending sorrow that can move you to tears.
We don’t know whether our efforts will bear fruit… but listening to this song fills you with the resolve to keep going anyway.
Count to tenTakehara Pisutoru
A song whose persuasiveness comes precisely because it’s by Pistol Takehara, who clawed his way up to the majors.
You keep taking things head-on and trying again and again, only to fail… If days like that continue, anyone would feel close to breaking.
Drawing on his own experience with boxing, Takehara likens it to a fight against oneself.
When you’re knocked down, others do the counting for a while—but only at ten do you decide for yourself to stand up.
Listening to Pistol Takehara’s powerful singing makes you want to believe in that strength within you.
You’ll be fine—let’s expand the possibilities within ourselves!
