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
- [Moving] Tear-jerking cheer song. A roundup of popular motivational 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 (31–40)
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.
Starting Line ~ A New BreezeBaba Toshihide
A single song that feels soft and warm, as if it reflects Toshihide Baba’s gentle character.
The sound production was handled by Kobukuro’s Mr.
Kobuchi.
This song was performed on the NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen, wasn’t it? I’m sure you’ll find yourself relating from the very first line.
Days when the shining past comes to mind, when you think you can’t go on anymore yet still can’t give up.
It’s tough to keep doing your best every day, isn’t it? These simple words resonate with those fragile, wavering feelings.
Baba’s tender voice eases the heart, and this wonderful classic seems to softly, kindly nudge forward everyone living in the present.
ImaginationSPYAIR
An emotional rock number that conveys a powerful determination—“I will absolutely become the person I envision!” It’s a track by the rock band SPYAIR, known for hits like “THIS IS HOW WE ROCK,” released in 2014 as their 14th single.
Chosen as the opening theme for the volleyball-themed anime Haikyuu!!, it captures a youthful spirit that matches the story’s atmosphere.
It makes you feel, “The time I’m spending now, this effort, isn’t in vain.”
Be the soil that makes flowers bloom, rather than the flowers themselves.berii guddoman
Even if you can’t be the main character, you are wonderful just for trying—this heartwarming number sings that message.
It’s a track by BERRY GOODMAN, released digitally in December 2024, written specifically for NHK’s “Minna no Uta.” Based on the words of Tomoshige Yamashita, the honorary manager of the Seiryo High School baseball team, it was created as a cheer song for people who keep striving, and it resonated deeply with many listeners.
It might be the perfect song to send when you want to encourage someone.
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!
Masterpieces that sing of perseverance. Recommended popular songs (41–50)
BraveNaoto Intiraymi
When your mind is flooded with the negative thought, “No matter how hard I try, it’s pointless—I won’t gain anything,” this song might become your support.
It’s a track by singer-songwriter Naoto Inti Raymi, released as a single in 2011.
With beautifully resonant strings, it’s an easy-to-listen-to pop song.
You can enjoy it without putting on a brave face.
It leaves you feeling that it’s okay to fail and encourages you to be yourself—so definitely give it a listen.
Because you’re my hero.LiSA
Among LiSA’s songs—the singer who became a national sensation after the hit of Demon Slayer’s theme song “Gurenge”—this is the one I want to introduce in this article.
With a West Coast pop-punk vibe that hits hard, it perfectly matches her bright and energetic image, making it the ultimate cheer song! The lyrics carry messages like “Watching you keep putting in the effort makes me want to cheer you on,” and “When you’re doing your best, it makes me want to do my best too,” and they’re sure to give you courage.
All the effort you’ve been quietly putting in—someone, somewhere, is surely noticing it!
