[Grateful for Encounters] A Collection of Classic Songs Celebrating Cherished Meetings [Love & Friendship]
When you hear “a song about encounters,” what kind of meeting do you imagine?
Perhaps the first thing that comes to mind is a man and woman meeting in a romantic context!
But there are many kinds of encounters—between friends, between teammates—and there are songs that celebrate each kind of meeting.
In this article, I’ll introduce songs themed around all sorts of encounters!
Just as people say “after parting comes a new meeting,” some songs that seem at first glance to be about farewells are actually about encounters when you look closely at the lyrics!
We’ll be introducing lots of songs, so read on to the end!
- [Thank-You Song] A song to convey your feelings of “thank you” to someone special
- [Song of Destiny] Love songs to listen to when you meet your destined person
- A bright song about comrades. A roundup of classic tracks that make you feel the bonds.
- [A New Love Song] A romance song themed around meeting someone
- Only masterpieces that color the season of meetings and farewells! Spring songs recommended for Gen Z.
- [Tears of Joy] Beautiful Friendship Songs with Lyrics You’ll Want to Gift to a Dear Friend
- A gratitude song for friends. A thank-you song dedicated to someone special.
- [Song of Gratitude] Timeless classics and the latest tracks that convey heartfelt “thank you” to your seniors
- Mutual love, unrequited love, familial love... classic songs that sing about affection
- Friendship Songs: Rediscover Your Bonds! A Carefully Curated Selection of Moving Masterpieces That Will Bring You to Tears
- [Tearjerker] Songs that make your heart tremble with tears & moving tracks with lyrics that touch the soul
- Emotional songs to listen to in spring: a collection of masterpieces that suit the season of meetings and farewells.
- Love, bonds, parting, cheers… songs so moving they pierce the heart and make you cry uncontrollably
Grateful for Encounters: A Collection of Classic Songs About Cherished Meetings [Love & Friendship] (81–90)
True truly loveHorie Yui
This song, included as a coupling track on Yui Horie’s single “Immoralist,” released in February 2011, was used as the theme song for the MMORPG “DIVINA.” It reached No.
8 on the Oricon charts.
First loveUtada Hikaru
It’s a song by Hikaru Utada that seems to express the many emotions felt through a first love awakening inside oneself.
The sound, built around piano and strings, is striking—grand in scale yet conveying a strong sense of anxiety.
The uniquely weightless feeling in the chorus vocals also leaves a strong impression, almost like someone telling themselves to stay strong.
It’s hard to tell from the lyrics whether it marks the beginning or the end of first love, which is part of the appeal; it’s a mysterious track whose impression may change depending on the listener’s emotions.
I’m glad I met you.Koizumi Kyoko
Kyoko Koizumi’s biggest hit, a million-seller.
There are times when you just can’t be honest with the person who loved you with all their heart, right? No matter what happens, I believe the time you spend together will surely become irreplaceable.
Even if you end up breaking up, it would be wonderful if you could feel that it led you both to what’s next, or that it became an unforgettable love.
This song expresses gratitude for having met and leaves you feeling very positive.
I think listening to it some time after a breakup will make it resonate even more!
EncounterMACO
This is a song performed by MACO that expresses the exhilaration of budding romance and the joy of cherishing the moment of meeting someone special.
With a gentle sound centered on acoustic guitar and piano tones, it conveys warmth and happiness straight from the heart.
The lyrics charmingly depict how everyday life changes after meeting that important person, and how you find yourself thinking of them in quiet moments.
It’s a bright, uplifting song that also portrays a strong wish for the happiness felt throughout the body to continue into the future.
Lion HeartSMAP
A gem of a love song by SMAP that passionately sings of destined love.
The lyrics express a man’s deep affection for the woman he loves and his strong resolve to protect her with his life, portraying a love that is both powerful and tender.
From sharing everyday emotions with his partner to envisioning their future family, the lyrics carry a firm vow of eternal love.
Released in August 2000, the song drew attention as the theme for the drama “Food Fight” starring Tsuyoshi Kusanagi.
Cherished as a classic wedding song, it’s recommended for couples who wish to vow eternal love and for anyone who wants to share the joy of meeting their destined partner.
heartbeatFukuyama Masaharu
It’s a song written as the theme for the drama “#Remolove: Normal Love Is a Heresy,” included on Masaharu Fukuyama’s 2020 album “AKIRA.” It portrays someone who had decided to live alone and avoid romance, yet ends up falling in love.
Perhaps past relationships didn’t go well—there’s a poignant sense of the protagonist becoming timid about love.
If you’re hesitating to step into a new relationship, this is a love song I’d definitely recommend you listen to.
[Gratitude for Encounters] A Collection of Classic Songs Celebrating Special Meetings [Love & Friendship] (91–100)
with a gentle heartSuperfly
Superfly’s “Yasashii Kimochi de” resonates with many people as a song that portrays the possibilities of new encounters.
In particular, the lyrics that sing of the hope that there may still be someone important you haven’t met yet encourage a positive outlook.
If you listen to this song in moments of loneliness or isolation, it nurtures a warm feeling toward those around you and lightens your heart.
Its universal message makes it a special track for many, to the point that it’s often chosen for wedding profile videos.
The high vocal range is also striking, and even if a singer lowers the key, the song’s appeal still comes through.
It’s truly a masterpiece that enriches the listener’s heart, evoking bonds between people and the promise of new connections.