Masterpieces that sing of freedom. Recommended popular songs.

50%Ofisharu Higedan Dism

Official HIGE DANDism – 50% [Official Audio]

It’s a pop tune that sings, “Cherishing yourself is wonderful.” Released in December 2024 by Official HIGE DANDism, it was written as the theme song for the film Cells at Work.

Its comforting, piano-forward sound and relatable lyrics are the highlights.

The lyrics will especially resonate with those who want to break free from excessive competition and the pressure to always push themselves.

After listening, why not make some time to be kind to yourself?

BirdmanZūkaraderu

ZUKA LA DEL “Birdman” (Official Music Video)

It’s such an uplifting, refreshing track that makes you want to jump for joy.

It’s a song by ZOOKARADERU, a three-piece rock band from Hokkaido, released digitally in October 2024.

The comfortable rhythm, breezy melody, and lyrics yearning for freedom match perfectly.

Let this music carry you, and you’ll feel like breaking free from the everyday.

It’s perfect when you want a change of pace or are ready to take a new step forward!

I just wanna be myselfLEO (BE:FIRST)

LEO (BE:FIRST) / I just wanna be myself -Special Video-

A song that celebrates the importance of staying true to yourself.

Set to a light, funky rhythm, it portrays moments when we feel the simple joys and happiness of everyday life.

With a positive message that “you only live once,” its warm lyrics champion self-love and a free-spirited way of living, resonating deeply.

Released in October 2024, it drew attention as the second installment of BE:FIRST’s LEO’s solo project.

Its debut performance at BMSG FES’24 and broadcasts on TBS further boosted the buzz.

It’s a track that lifts you up when you’re short on confidence or feel constrained by others’ expectations.

spring’s dry windIzumiya Shigeru

HD Shigeru Izumiya - Spring Karakkaze (Spring Dry Wind)

This is one of Shigeru Izumiya’s signature songs, released in 1972.

You could say that rejecting others and choosing to be alone is also a form of freedom.

The song portrays someone clumsy, out of step with society, and struggling to make money.

Is it a sense of freedom felt at rock bottom? Before he found success as an actor, Izumiya was well suited to elegies of low-wage labor.

When dawn breaksAsakawa Maki

Maki Asakawa – When the Night Breaks (Dawn Comes)

Maki Asakawa, the female vocalist who reigned as the “Queen of the Underground” in the ’60s.

She sings about a woman who moves to a town just because she kind of likes it, and who, come morning, is ready to set off on a solo trip on a whim.

Is it that she relies on no one and loves no one? The song’s protagonist, so unmanageable in her own pace, overlaps with Maki Asakawa herself, who lived freely.

Hikaru Utada has also performed this song live.

Days of DeceptionHamada Shogo

SHOGO HAMADA "Days of Deception" cover

The freedom in this song is a form of freedom seen from a poignant angle—from the man’s side, born out of the disconnect between a man and a woman, with him yearning for freedom.

Shogo Hamada’s voice resonates with sorrow, amplifying the sense of melancholy even more.

It’s quite an old song, and I think many people from younger generations may not know it, but when I think of the theme of freedom, this song naturally comes to mind.

I am me…Tanaka Aimi

Aimi Tanaka “I Am Me…” MUSIC VIDEO

A powerful song with a message about valuing your true self.

Released in January 2024 as Aimi Tanaka’s 4th single.

Its lyrics portray a woman freeing herself from others’ expectations and setting out on a new journey—something many listeners will find encouraging.

Her distinctive voice—husky yet capable of ringing high notes—deepens the song’s world.

The music video, featuring an all-pink outfit, is also striking.

Emphasizing the importance of cherishing individuality, this work is sure to serve as a guiding light for anyone feeling uncertain about their path in life.