[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)
Momentary as it is≠ME
This is a song by the idol group ≠ME, produced by Rino Sashihara, released in April 2023 as their sixth single.
It’s a refreshing yet powerful message song that wraps a band sound in piano and string tones.
With positive lyrics about “the happiness of being with someone important to you,” just reading them can be encouraging—so your friends might be delighted if you share it with them.
When you’re feeling down, this song is sure to save you.
Snow SmileBUMP OF CHICKEN
This is the fifth single by BUMP OF CHICKEN, a four-piece rock band whose avant-garde, ever-evolving sound has continued to influence artists since the 2000s.
The track features ear-catching acoustic guitar arpeggios, and its arrangement—somehow dry yet transparent, evoking wintry scenes—feels wonderfully comfortable.
The lyrics, which express gratitude for a precious encounter and depict someone setting off while holding those memories close, let you sense the depth of a bond that undeniably existed.
It’s a song about a connection that doesn’t fade with distance, a number that stirs a sentimental mood as spring approaches.
I love you!Hirano Aya
This is a song by Aya Hirano, who is also active as a voice actress.
It was included as a coupling track on the single “Super Driver,” released in July 2009.
It reached No.
2 on the Oricon daily chart and No.
3 on the weekly chart.
I’m glad I met you.Tomo to Suzannu
Filled with a heartwarming melody and deep affection, this song expresses gratitude for meeting someone special.
When a fateful encounter happens in life, it conveys in simple words the happiness of being united with that person, resonating with listeners’ hearts.
Released in May 2009, the song was performed by the unit formed from Fuji TV’s “Quiz! Hexagon II,” Tomo and Suzanne.
Created as a wedding song, it’s one you’ll want to use as background music at a wedding.
Listening to it may bring back a flood of memories with your loved one.
I can’t put it into wordsOda Kazumasa
A signature song by Off Course, led by Kazumasa Oda.
In the wordless chorus, a rush of emotions wells up and I’m moved to tears before I know it.
Parting is painful, no matter the form it takes.
But perhaps it’s precisely because we part that our encounters are beautiful, and the time we shared can shine.
The song expresses both the earnest feeling that there might have been more we could have done, that we wanted to laugh together more, and the gratitude for having met at all.
Oda occasionally performs it in his solo shows as well, and his beautiful voice and the wonderful lyrics never fail to bring me to tears.
