A famous song about setbacks. A song that stays by your side when times are tough or you feel like giving up.
While living, there are happy moments, but there are surely many times when we feel crushed, too.
I researched songs about the theme of setbacks—ones that can give you encouragement.
Rather than songs that just say “Keep it bright and push through!”, I mainly picked tracks that stay close to those frustrating feelings during a setback and the tough times.
So when nothing seems to be going right, please give them a listen.
May setbacks become the seeds of success.
I’m sure music will give you plenty of strength!
- Songs to listen to when you’re feeling down! Tracks that boost your self-confidence
- [Songs to Listen to When You Want to Die] I want to disappear... A song to support you who feel that way
- [Dark Songs] A carefully curated selection of deeply dark tracks and heartbreaking songs that accompany you in tough times
- [Moving] Tear-jerking cheer song. A roundup of popular motivational anthems that resonate with the heart!
- [Support for the Heart] Songs That Give You Courage When Times Are Tough
- [A Cheer for Myself] A pep song dedicated to you who are doing your very best
- [Cheer-Up Songs Special] Songs that give you courage when you're feeling down. Encouraging tracks.
- [For those doing their best] A comforting song to listen to when you're tired of life
- [A Life-Affirming Anthem] An Encouraging Song to Cheer You On
- [Yami Song] Fight darkness with darkness!? Deep tracks that stay close to your pain
- [Tearjerker] Songs that make your heart tremble with tears & moving tracks with lyrics that touch the soul
- Masterpieces that sing of regret. Recommended popular songs.
- [For when you want to cry or feel sad] Tear-jerking masterpieces that make you cry when you listen
A collection of classic songs about setbacks: songs that stay by your side when times are tough or you feel like giving up (41–50)
Full-Power BoySukima Suichi
It’s a track that captures the frustration of constantly stumbling, getting covered in mud, and not being able to move forward gracefully—yet still makes you want to keep going.
People who play sports or are busy with work every day will find so much to relate to; it makes you feel like you’ve got to push yourself more and just charge ahead, even if it’s messy.
MyselfNagabuchi Tsuyoshi
When I’m so clumsy that I feel frustrated, I sometimes even deny my own will.
In those moments, listening to this song fills me with a pure feeling that it’s okay to live more honestly and straightforwardly with myself.
Starting Line ~ A New BreezeBaba Toshihide
This is a song where Toshihide Baba’s warm, gentle voice really sinks into your heart.
It feels like he’s giving you a little push forward, encouraging you to accept the failures and setbacks everyone experiences.
Rather than being crushed by disappointment, he cheers you on to change your perspective, treat it as a new starting line, and move forward slowly.
It’s a number you’ll want to sink into and listen to carefully on lonely, difficult nights.
YUIGLORIA
This song expresses the frustration and inner conflict of being young and failing to make things work.
When you’re facing some kind of problem, it’s a track whose lyrics effortlessly overlap with your own feelings, making it easy to relate to.
Forever LoveX JAPAN
It’s one of X JAPAN’s signature ballads.
The piano in the prelude is very beautiful.
It’s the kind of song you want to listen to when you’re worn out from the endless journey of life and find yourself thinking, “I wish it would all just end.” It soothes the weariness of the heart day by day.
Bridge of Gloryyuzu
It was also the theme song for the Athens Olympics, wasn’t it? I get a message like, “The sweat and tears you’ve shed up to now were never in vain,” and “Have confidence and step onto the big stage!” It’s the kind of song that gives you a push in the back before exams or important matches.
Que sera, seraMrs. GREEN APPLE
A heartwarming song with an emotionally rich story and a universal message has arrived from Mrs.
GREEN APPLE.
Titled with a Spanish phrase meaning “what will be, will be,” the piece offers gentle support and strong encouragement to those who strive every day.
Singing about the importance of self-esteem and self-acceptance, it’s a song anyone can relate to.
Released in April 2023 and written as the theme song for the TV drama “Sunday Night Probably…,” it won the 65th Japan Record Award in December of the same year.
This was a first-time achievement for Mrs.
GREEN APPLE, who had not previously had a major drama tie-in.
It’s a song that gives you a gentle nudge forward when you’re struggling with work or life and feel like you might stop in your tracks.
Recommended for those who want to keep moving forward while valuing their true selves and for anyone seeking the courage to take a new step.