Encouraging songs: timeless masterpieces that resonate with the heart, recommended popular tracks

excessively earnest; overly serious to a fault; straight-lacedCreepy Nuts×Ayase×Ikuta Rira

Creepy Nuts × Ayase × Rira Ikuta / Baka Majime “Do You Remember That Night” Special Video

This song is a heartwarming anthem for people who keep working earnestly despite the fatigue and frustrations they feel in everyday life.

Created collaboratively by Creepy Nuts, Ayase, and Rira Ikuta, the piece beautifully blends their unique styles to deliver an approachable melody and a powerful message.

Released in March 2022, it was used as the theme song for Nippon Broadcasting System’s “All Night Nippon” 55th Anniversary commemorative performance.

It resonated with many listeners, reaching No.

6 on the Billboard JAPAN Download Songs chart.

Whether you struggle with mornings but still push yourself to wake up early, or you’re clumsy yet refuse to give up and keep trying, this song stands by and encourages everyone who is giving life their all.

Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!Androp

androp “Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!” music video (Mitsuya Cider commercial song)

This is a song that gives power to those of you who’ve stopped in your tracks and are struggling, telling you, “What you’re doing isn’t wrong,” and “Keep charging straight ahead.” Both the sound and the vocals overflow with freshness.

You might even start to feel that all your fretting was a little silly.

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BOW AND ARROWYonezu Kenshi

Kenshi Yonezu – BOW AND ARROW

A new song by Kenshi Yonezu written as the opening theme for the TV anime “Medalist.” The protagonists, who push forward without fearing failure, are depicted with powerful imagery likening them to a bow and arrow.

The story of companions who overcome setbacks and strive to regain their brilliance on the ice is deeply moving.

Released as a digital-only single in January 2025, the piece was written and composed by Kenshi Yonezu himself, who also created the cover illustration.

It’s a song that stays by your side at life’s turning points—when you’ve worked hard yet can’t find confidence and feel like breaking—and gives you a gentle push forward.

March Toward TomorrowKuwata Keisuke

Keisuke Kuwata – March Toward Tomorrow (Full ver.)

Written by Keisuke Kuwata in 2011, at a time when many people were anxious about tomorrow, this is a marching song of hope.

Its unadorned, simple sound centered on acoustic guitar seeps all the more deeply into the heart.

The lyrics carry a strong message to the disaster-stricken areas, and there is a verse that sounds as if it sings “in Tohoku,” a characteristically modest form of encouragement from Kuwata that is profoundly moving.

This warm number was released in August 2011 as part of a triple A-side single and was also used in an NTT Docomo commercial.

It’s a talisman-like song, perfect for those moments when you want just a little boost of energy or a gentle push on the back.

Clap your handsNICO Touches the Walls

NICO Touches the Walls - “Clap Your Hands”

Formed in 2004 and making their major debut in 2007, most of the lyrics and compositions for their songs are handled by Ryuya Mitsumura, who serves as the vocalist and guitarist.

It is said that the “NICO” in the group’s name is a woman’s name, chosen because they wanted to include a foreign woman’s name.

Love will winKAN

KAN - Love Will Win

The song gained popularity after being used as an insert song on a Fuji TV program and went on to become a long-selling hit.

It topped the Oricon charts for eight consecutive weeks and even won the Japan Record Award the following year.

Although it’s an older song, it continues to be loved today, and I believe it’s a tune that remains in many people’s ears and memories.

Don’t give upZARD

Don't Give Up – ZARD (Full)

When you feel like you might be defeated, when your heart feels like it might break, this is the song you’ll want to listen to: “Makenaide,” released in 1993 as ZARD’s sixth single.

It’s an upbeat cheer song that encourages people of every generation through any hardship.