[A Gem of a Love Song] Classic and Popular Tracks to Listen to When You're in Love

planetariumOtsuka Ai

Ai Otsuka / Planetarium (Short Ver.)

Ai Otsuka’s 10th single, “Planetarium,” released in 2005, is probably strongly associated by many with the smash-hit drama Boys Over Flowers, for which it served as an image song.

In the show, it played during especially heartrending scenes and elevated the emotion—one of those songs that really grabs you.

Following her signature hit “Sakuranbo,” it became another major success, and it’s a number that will surely squeeze the hearts of those in love.

Unlike upbeat love songs, this track perfectly embodies the feelings of an “unrequited love” and “emotions that don’t reach.”

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utatane

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First LoveUtada Hikaru

Hikaru Utada – First Love

Hikaru Utada’s debut album First Love holds the record for the best-selling album in Japan’s history.

The song of the same name, included on the album and later released as a single, is nothing short of a landmark love song that practically everyone knows.

It was astonishing—and became a hot topic—that Utada was still in her teens when she wrote and sang it.

The song captures the aching emotions of being in love, perfectly fitting the phrase “heart-wrenching.”

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utatane

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Because it won’t reach / Because it doesn’t reachHirai Ken

Ken Hirai 'Because It Won’t Reach You' MUSIC VIDEO (Short Ver.)

Ken Hirai’s singing voice really draws you in, doesn’t it? His ballads in particular are masterpieces.

This song was used as the theme song for the film “50 First Kisses.” The melody feels bright yet bittersweet, and it gradually brings tears to your eyes.

The way Ken Hirai single-mindedly expresses his feelings for that special someone resonates with anyone in love.

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gummy

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POP STARHirai Ken

Ken Hirai – POP STAR @ Ken’s Bar 2011

Ken Hirai, known for singing numerous moving love songs, released “POP STAR” in 2005.

It was written as the theme song for Fuji TV’s Monday 9 p.m.

drama “Dangerous Sister” and reached No.

1 on the Oricon singles chart.

This pop tune charms with its bright sound and driving rhythm, and the lyrics—sung from the perspective of a guy head over heels for his lover—are downright endearing.

It’s also been featured in music simulation games like Taiko no Tatsujin, making it a classic that brings happiness to many people!

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Hamada Takuya

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God of RomanceHirose Kōmi

Kohmi Hirose / God of Romance

This song seems to portray the complex, unyielding emotions of a tough, formidable woman.

The singer, Kohmi Hirose, has many songs associated with winter.

The lyrics and melody perfectly capture the feelings of a powerful woman in love, so many listeners will likely find a lot to relate to.

My lover is Santa ClausMatsutōya Yumi

My lover is Santa Claus

Although “My Lover Is Santa Claus” is a Christmas song emblematic of the 1980s, aren’t there still many people who listen to it every Christmas even now? Its romantic lyrics make it a wonderful song that tickles the hearts of many.

Unrequited loveHamada Shogo

Unrequited Love (ON THE ROAD “FILMS”)

This is a song by Shogo Hamada that sings of the deep pain of loving someone who will never look back at you.

If you’ve ever fallen in love the moment you met someone, you might strongly relate to this song.

Even if you think you shouldn’t have fallen for them, there’s no turning back now—yet there’s hardly any chance they’ll love you in return.

It’s a painfully harsh situation.

Still, the feeling of loving someone isn’t something you can easily suppress or gloss over.

When it comes to the pain of unrequited love, it seems all you can do is let yourself sink into it.

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yuri

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