[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] (1–10)
Fragments of an EncounterKetsumeishi
This song was chosen as the theme for the film “Flowers in the Shadow” and is also a popular ballad often played at weddings.
In life, meetings and partings repeat, and there are difficult times, but if you come to know the true joy of meeting someone, you can remain happy even when parting comes.
The lyrics can be read that way—gentle, and reminding us of someone irreplaceable.
We want to cherish encounters with people we consider precious and with those who consider us precious, don’t we?
Song of PointillismMrs. GREEN APPLE
A song by the three-piece rock band Mrs.
GREEN APPLE, who announced the opening of Phase 2 in 2022 and are expected to resume activities.
Included on their seventh single, “Ao to Natsu” (Blue and Summer), it’s known as a signature number representing the band’s Phase 1.
The conflict between holding unchanged feelings for a former lover and trying to move forward on a new path is something many who’ve experienced a painful breakup will likely relate to.
Featuring a piano-centered arrangement, it delivers the lyrics straight to the heart along with the beauty of its melody—a track that gives you a push to embrace new encounters.
Eine KleineYonezu Kenshi
Kenshi Yonezu’s “Eine Kleine” is a song with bittersweet, aching lyrics and melody that tremble at anxieties looming ahead, even in the midst of present happiness.
Released in 2014, it was never issued as a single, yet it has remained on the charts for a long time and continues to be widely loved.
The content of the song isn’t negative; it’s a song that sings of a strength born from acknowledging one’s weakness, in order to keep facing forward and moving on.
“Eine Kleine” reaffirms the importance of savoring the happiness we have right now.
It’s a number well-suited to scenes of both romance and friendship.
[Grateful for Encounters] A Collection of Classic Songs About Cherished Meetings [Love & Friendship] (11–20)
knot; tie; bind; concludeSaucy Dog
Yui (“Knot”), with its gently swaying rhythm and melody, richly conveys the fluffy, lovestruck feelings at its core.
It’s a song released in 2020 by the rock band Saucy Dog.
Formed in 2013, Saucy Dog is a three-piece band consisting of vocalist-guitarist Shinya Ishihara, bassist Kazutaka Akizawa, and drummer Yuika Seto.
True to its title, Yui is a track that will resonate even more deeply with anyone who understands the desire to deliver love beyond anxiety and tangled emotions, to strengthen bonds, and to cherish someone important.
The sincere lyrics—like a clumsy protagonist trying to confirm their feelings for the other—pierce the heart.
Song of a FriendBUMP OF CHICKEN
A story of friendship and gratitude woven by BUMP OF CHICKEN.
Written specifically as the theme song for the Doraemon film series, this gem of a track is filled with feelings for Nobita.
Released in February 2011, the song overflows with vocalist Motoo Fujiwara’s lifelong love for Doraemon since childhood.
Its heartwarming melody and profound lyrics teach us the importance of friends.
The gratitude toward a friend who walks with you even on rainy days seeps into the listener’s heart.
It’s a perfect song for those struggling with friendship or wanting to express their feelings to someone important.
FriendKetsumeishi
A classic song about the importance of friendship, it captivates with lyrics that resonate deeply.
It carefully weaves feelings about parting from and reuniting with friends, stirring the hearts of listeners.
Released as a single in February 2002, it became one of Ketsumeishi’s signature tracks.
It was also chosen as the ending theme for TV Tokyo’s “JAPAN COUNTDOWN.” This song is recommended for times when you want to look back on memories with friends or when you want to overcome a farewell with someone important.
Its gentle vocals and heartwarming lyrics are sure to be a source of comfort for you.
Reunion SongKawasaki Takaya
This heartwarming song, themed around reunion, comes from singer-songwriter Takaya Kawasaki, known for his captivating husky vocals.
Digitally released in August 2024, the track was written for his nationwide hall tour “Aishin -MANAGOKORO-,” which begins the same year.
Set to a driving, up-tempo melody, it conveys wishes to reunite with fans and deep feelings of gratitude.
The lyrics express a resolve to keep searching for light even in darkness and a powerful determination to fight on together.
Emphasizing how Kawasaki’s music serves as a “place to escape,” a companion in difficult times, the words are sure to resonate with listeners.