[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 precious meetings [Love & Friendship] (21–30)
EncounterHY
With its simple title, “Encounter,” I felt this song was a perfect fit to introduce in this article.
The lyrics can be understood as talking about a lover, but not only that—don’t you also have those meaningful encounters with friends, seniors, or mentors, where you feel, “Meeting this person changed my life or the way I see things”? Listening to this song brings up feelings of gratitude for those precious encounters and a desire to support the people who matter to you.
I’m glad I met you.Inoue Sonoko
“I’m Glad I Met You” is a refreshing song perfect for spring, and it also makes a great graduation song for those moving on.
Where there are new encounters, there are also farewells; this track captures those moments and overflows with gratitude for meeting someone special.
Because you were there, I could do my best; and going forward, meeting you—your very presence—will continue to give me courage.
Filled with these warm feelings, it’s a recommended song for expressing thanks to someone who has supported you, like a friend or an upperclassman.
[Grateful for Encounters] A Collection of Classic Songs About Cherished Connections [Love & Friendship] (31–40)
Baby, I love youTEE
A signature love ballad by TEE, whose lyrics convey love straightforwardly, albeit clumsily, and resonate deeply.
Released as a single in October 2010, it was also beloved as the ending theme for TBS’s COUNT DOWN TV.
Its heartfelt plea of “I just want you by my side” and its warm message that makes you feel the happiness of everyday life are enough to make your heart swell just by listening.
It later drew attention when covered by Che’Nelle, and it has continued to be cherished as a classic song often played at weddings and proposals.
I think it’s a masterpiece that’s perfect for moments when you want to express gratitude you can’t usually put into words to your precious partner, or to celebrate an irreplaceable encounter.
This work is filled with the pure feelings of a clumsy man—be sure to listen to it together with someone special.
I want to keep looking at youflumpool
Everyone has someone precious to them—family, friends, a lover.
And without exception, we all eventually experience parting.
Gazing at You captures those encounters and farewells in life, the happiness and the sorrow.
In the song, it celebrates the joy of meeting, while singing of the bittersweet pain of wanting to stay together forever but being unable to.
Please listen while thinking of someone dear to you.
You’ll surely be soothed by flumpool’s gentle melodies and sweet vocals.
Also, don’t miss the romance-drama-style music video.
Maiden in Loveikimonogakari
This is one of Ikimonogakari’s early signature ballads, expressing the swells and shifts of being in love with heartfelt directness.
Carried by a melody that blends warmth with wistfulness, it sings of the miracle of meeting someone precious and the pure heart that thinks of them.
As you listen, you may find yourself recalling someone irreplaceable, feeling your chest tighten with emotion.
Released as a single in October 2006, it was used at the time as the ending theme for Nippon TV’s “Ren’ai Bukatsu (Love-Katsu).” Beloved ever since, it’s recently drawn attention again as the CM song for the wedding information service “Zexy” starting in March 2025.
It’s also included on albums such as “Sakura Saku Machi Monogatari,” and its charm lies in how it’s been passed down in various arrangements.
Portraying a steadfast, single-minded love, this song is perfect not only for those with unrequited feelings but also for moments when you want to express gratitude to a partner.
It’s a popular choice at weddings, making it a wonderful tune to accompany life’s happiest moments!
Gray and Blue (+Masaki Suda)Yonezu Kenshi
This work, which became a major talking point thanks to the miraculous collaboration between Kenshi Yonezu and Masaki Suda, is included on the classic 2017 album BOOTLEG.
It portrays two childhood best friends who, though they grow up and walk separate paths, continue to draw strength from each other’s existence.
The worldview, likened to the colors of the sky at dawn, makes you feel the un-fading strength of their bond, no matter how much time passes or how circumstances change.
When you feel a sudden loneliness amid days of passing by one another, or find yourself yearning to see an old friend, listening to this song will surely be there for your heart.
It’s a soul-stirring masterpiece that seems to bless the “now,” where each of us is living earnestly in our own place!
RPGSEKAI NO OWARI
This is the fourth major-label single by the mixed-gender four-piece band SEKAI NO OWARI, who continue to deliver one-of-a-kind entertainment and craft a distinct world with lyrics that range widely from global perspectives to deeply personal themes.
Chosen as the theme song for the animated film Crayon Shin-chan: Very Tasty! B-class Gourmet Survival!!, the track, true to its title, features a march-like arrangement that evokes an RPG and sets your heart dancing.
Its message—that there are companions on the path you’re walking—may blow away the anxieties that arise on the journey toward your dreams.
It’s a light yet powerful number that gives you the courage to move forward through the strength of bonds.
