[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
[Gratitude for Encounters] A Collection of Classic Songs Celebrating Special Meetings [Love & Friendship] (91–100)
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 thought about killing myselfNakajima Mika
This is the 38th single by Mika Nakashima, a singer who has made her presence felt through a wide range of activities including singing, acting, and voice work.
The song was written for the rock band amazarashi, and its strikingly impactful title contrasted with a lyrical melody became a hot topic.
From lyrics that sing about the bonds that changed feelings of wanting to die, one can draw a positive message that there is hope in life no matter how deep the despair.
It’s a number that reminds you, when you feel reckless or hopeless, of the importance and preciousness of the encounters you have.
Our dizzying encounterŌhashi Torio
A medium-tempo number by Ohashi Trio that became the theme for the film “Good Stripes.” It wraps you in a warm, cozy atmosphere.
It turns the feeling of a fated meeting—two people who were meant to meet—into song, and it seems like listening to it with someone you love would make you feel incredibly sweet.
There’s something wonderful about a destined encounter, isn’t there? You may not be perfectly compatible, yet being together somehow just feels comfortable.
The lyrics, which depict the romance in everyday life, make my heart flutter.
It’s a cute track that makes you want to keep on being in love.
one’s true feelingssumika
Sumika’s song “Honne,” which delivers a powerful message about the preciousness of encounters, was released in 2021.
This work, which sings of deep gratitude and bonds with club activity teammates, is marked by Kenta Kataoka’s heartfelt vocals.
The lyrics portray the importance of friends who have grown together—sweating side by side and sometimes even fighting—and it’s a song that stirs the heart.
It also conveys the value of the irreplaceable “now” within a life where farewells and meetings repeat.
This rousing track is recommended not only for students in the midst of their youth, but also for adults who look back fondly on days gone by!
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.
First LoveUtada Hikaru
A romantic ballad by Hikaru Utada that carries tender, bittersweet feelings of love and the pure pain of parting on gentle vocals and a beautiful piano melody.
Released to the world in 1999 as the theme song for the drama “Majo no Jōken” starring Nanako Matsushima and Hideaki Takizawa, the song was included on the album “First Love” and achieved an astonishing sales figure of over eight million copies.
The young Utada’s portrait of a first breakup and the lingering emotions that follow continues to move many hearts as a universal feeling everyone experiences.
Recommended for those who have known fateful meetings and farewells, or who wish to reminisce about their first love.
My GraduationSPEED
This is the sixth single by SPEED, a four-member idol-style dance and vocal group that took the J-pop scene by storm with their overwhelming singing and dance performances, drawing attention at debut because all members were in elementary or junior high school.
Chosen as the commercial song for Nissin Foods’ “Nissin Yakisoba U.F.O.,” it became a major hit thanks to its emotional expressiveness that makes you forget their ages.
The powerful vocals in the chorus convey a sense of strength and determination to keep moving forward while cherishing precious memories.
With its message that partings lead to new encounters, this is a track that gives you courage—one to listen to when you want to bring closure to your feelings.