A song that encourages you just by listening
Do you listen to music when you’re feeling down or want to cheer yourself up?
If you love music, you’ve probably thought, “I want to listen to a wonderful song that lifts me up.”
In this article, I’ll introduce songs that stay close to your heart and gently encourage you.
Just by listening, you may start to feel a little better, or find yourself pushed forward by the messages in the lyrics.
I hope this helps lighten your heavy heart, even just a little.
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Songs that encourage you just by listening (21–30)
The world is smiling at you.Little Glee Monster
This one is a must for a feel-good anthem! It’s Little Glee Monster’s “Sekai wa Anata ni Waraikakete Iru” (“The World Is Smiling at You”).
Released in August 2018 as their 12th single, it was also selected as Coca-Cola’s annual image song for 2018.
The fresh, sparkling rhythm and the group’s rich choral work feel so good to listen to.
With its positive message that if you smile as yourself, the world will smile back, this track is truly a vitamin for the heart.
It’s an upbeat number that makes your body want to move just by listening, making it perfect for your morning run or walk! The powerhouse sound—winner of the Composition Award at the 60th Japan Record Awards in 2018—will blow away a gloomy mood and recharge you for tomorrow.
Let’s give it a tryWANIMA
An energetic track that covers a nursery rhyme everyone’s heard at least once, given a bold rock arrangement in true WANIMA style.
Even when you’re feeling sluggish before starting to study, the song’s exhilarating drive will naturally boost your motivation.
Its positive message—urging you to try first without fearing failure—will give powerful encouragement to anyone tackling entrance exams or test prep.
Released as a digital single in January 2017, it also created a buzz as the theme song for au’s “Santaro” commercial series.
Give it a listen when you want to face your weaker subjects with a positive mindset.
FanfareTamaki Kōji
This is a rousing anthem powerfully sung by Koji Tamaki, famed for his overwhelming vocal prowess, riding on a melody full of drive and momentum.
Released as a single in November 2025, it was chosen as the theme song for TBS’s Sunday drama “The Royal Family.” Drawing on his childhood experiences in Hokkaido and paralleling life with the growth of a horse, this work was created with those images in mind.
Its message—that life isn’t only about winning or losing, and that it’s important to face forward and move on as your true self—resonates deeply with listeners.
Pick this song when you need that extra bit of courage at a crucial moment.
Love MySelfIS:SUE
A refreshing cheer song that gently nudges people to take their first step toward a challenge.
IS:SUE’s brisk melodies and soft harmonies stay close to the listener’s heart.
Set for release in February 2025, this work powerfully sings about the importance of believing in yourself, even as it touches on feelings of anxiety.
Riding on a danceable, pop sound, it delivers a message of self-affirmation in down-to-earth words.
For those feeling uneasy before a new chapter or unsure about their choices, it will surely bring warm courage to their hearts.
99 Steps feat. Kohjiya, Hana HopeSTUTS
This refreshing and stylish track produced by beatmaker STUTS is a must-listen! Released in May 2025, it was chosen as the official song for Pocari Sweat’s commercial “You Are Surely Someone’s Sun.” Built on STUTS’s signature hip-hop foundation with a smooth, feel-good beat, the unique styles of rapper Kohjiya and singer Hana Hope come together to create something truly emotional.
This song feels like it gives courage to those who are hesitating just one step before the goal, helping them take that final step forward.
It’s the ultimate anthem to cheer you on and give you a push toward your goals!
HeyDREAMS COME TRUE
“Nee” is Dreams Come True’s 46th single, released in 2010, and it achieved record-breaking results on the Oricon Weekly Chart.
Despite being about heartbreak, the lyrics convey a powerful message of pursuing a positive way of life, don’t they? Miwa Yoshida’s solid, powerful vocals further amplify the emotional energy and resonate with listeners.
It’s not only for those who’ve experienced heartbreak; it also works as a song to encourage someone important to you, making it a great choice for karaoke as well.
It shifts from a ballad in the first half to an outpouring of positive energy in the latter half, so be sure to enjoy singing it together!
IdeaHoshino Gen
This is a masterpiece by Gen Hoshino that I especially want you to listen to when you’re feeling a bit low.
Released in August 2018, the song was used as the theme for the NHK morning drama series “Half, Blue.” Its structure is captivating, unfolding from a buoyant, marimba-based intro into a gentle first verse.
His warm voice gives you a soft push forward.
The positive worldview—one that seems to turn even the sound of rain into song—will surely lighten your heart, whether on your commute to work or school, or as you stand before an important challenge.