[Cheer-Up Songs Special] Songs that give you courage when you're feeling down. Encouraging tracks.
When you’ve failed at school or work, when something unpleasant has happened, when things aren’t going well with your partner or friends, or when you just can’t seem to find your energy… We all have times in our daily lives when we feel down, don’t we? When that happens, you might end up feeling apathetic or losing your motivation.
In this article, we’ll share plenty of uplifting, motivational songs that are perfect for those low moments—tracks that will cheer you up just by listening.
Give them a listen when you need the courage to say, “All right!” and take a step forward.
May you shine!
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[Cheer Song Special] Songs that give you courage when you’re feeling down. Encouraging Tracks (11–20)
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The song that supports my heart when my efforts don’t pay off or things don’t go well no matter how hard I try is “Suiheisen.” It’s a track that the rock band back number wrote for high school students aiming for the Inter-High.
Its phrases, which gently embrace the feelings of both those whose dreams and goals came true and those whose didn’t, resonate deeply.
You can also feel kindness and compassion in the slowly unfolding band sound.
It’s a ballad I especially want you to listen to when you’re feeling stuck with nowhere to put your emotions.
Coffee and syrupOfisharu Higedan Dism
This song will surely become a source of strength and emotional support for many struggling working adults.
The unpleasant things at work, the pressure, questions about your sense of purpose—if you keep swallowing all those worries and just gritting your teeth, you might explode someday.
It sings about feelings that anyone who has struggled at work has experienced.
The lyrics are incredibly realistic and resonate with many working people, and that’s because the vocalist, Satoshi Fujihara, continued his band activities while working at a bank, writing based on what he himself felt as a working adult.
Before you get stuck and your heart starts to scream, take a little break and listen to this song.
Reaching the futureatarayo
Aratayo is a band with the concept of “growing by feeding on sorrow.” Their track “Reach, Toward the Future,” featuring vocalist-guitarist Hitomi’s strikingly emotional voice, is one of their most energetic songs.
Written specifically as the opening theme for TV Asahi’s Thursday drama “Keiji to Kenji, Tokidoki Hanji,” the song delivers a courageous message that encourages moving forward despite various hardships, aligning perfectly with the show’s themes.
The music video, which beautifully captures that imagery, is also moving—so if you can, watch it together with the song.
March of 365 StepsNEW!Suizenji Kiyoko
An uplifting song set to a bright marching rhythm that celebrates the importance of taking initiative and moving forward.
Known as one of Kiyoko Suizenji’s signature hits, this single was released in November 1968 and remains popular to this day.
It is also included on the commemorative album released in October 2024, “60th Anniversary of Debut: ‘The Essence of Enka’ ~A Man’s Life~.” In 1991, she self-covered the song as the theme for a TV anime, and it was also chosen as the theme song for a film released in 2011.
Its warm message—that the small steps we take each day will beautifully color our future—resonates all the more deeply with those who have walked a long road in life.
Why not give it a listen when you’re feeling down or need a breather? It will gently give you a push forward.
ParadiseNiziU
NiziU is a nine-member girls’ idol group formed by members who won their spots through the J.Y.
Park–led project “Nizi Project.” Their song “Paradise” is a classic cheer-up anthem.
The gentle vocals that feel like a soft push on your back and the mellow sound are sure to lift a tired heart.
The music video—where all members are unified with black hair and pink dresses—also makes a strong impression.
Be sure to check it out alongside the song!
That day, in that placeWANIMA
This is the eighth digital-only single by the three-piece rock band WANIMA, featured as an insert song in the drama “Nanba MG5” starring Shotaro Mamiya.
After living driven by desire and putting on airs, you end up at a hollow present.
Many people have probably experienced feeling empty, thinking, “What have I been working so hard for when I have nothing to be proud of?” “Even without special talent, if you live with pride in yourself, it will surely lead to tomorrow.” It’s a song that gently wraps around a heart that has lost its confidence.
[Cheering Songs Special] Songs that give you courage when you're feeling down. Uplifting tracks (21–30)
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This song was released in 2015 as the 12th single.
With its light, refreshing acoustic guitar sound, the slightly bittersweet lyrics make you feel as if the song is by your side when you’re feeling down.
It was used as the commercial song for Pocari Sweat Ion Water.
