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 classic song about setbacks. Songs that stay by your side when times are tough or you feel like giving up (51–60)
Heretical StarOfisharu Higedan Dism
If you’re seeking a heart-trembling thrill of emotion, this is the number you need to hear.
Written by Satoshi Fujihara of Official HIGE DANDism after overcoming a bitter past experience, it’s a soul-stirring anthem of encouragement.
Set to a driving melody, it teaches the importance of ignoring the noise around you, believing in your own path, and shining in your own way.
Its earnest message strikes straight to the heart and may bring a surge of emotion.
This track is included on the mini-album “Report,” released in April 2017.
Although it has no commercial tie-ins, it’s a staple at their concerts, beloved by many fans for the powerful sense of unity it creates.
If you ever feel like you’re losing yourself or need the courage to take a step forward, this song will surely give you strength—lighting a lamp in your heart and giving you the energy to move ahead.
AkariMy Hair is Bad
A gem of a song that captures the feelings of people who keep fighting hard even while weary from everyday life.
Included on My Hair is Bad’s album “ghosts,” released in July 2024, this track vividly portrays the inner heart that puts on a brave face while harboring weakness, along with the will to move forward nonetheless.
Emotional guitar tones and powerful vocals gently embrace the emotions deep within.
The album “ghosts” also features the theme song for the film “Crayon Shin-chan: Our Dinosaur Diary” and the official theme for the 96th Senbatsu as presented by MBS.
When work or relationships weigh on you and your heart feels like it might break, this song will be by your side and help you take a step toward tomorrow.
That’s important.Daiji MAN Burazāzu Bando
I don’t think there are many other songs whose chorus and overall message are as powerful as this one.
Even when you stumble again and again and start to think you might be finished, it makes you feel, “This is exactly the moment to hold firm!” and gives you the strength to get back up every time.
TOMORROWMayo Okamoto
I think everyone has heard the chorus on TV at least once.
The lyrics are upbeat and very straightforward, yet they pierce the heart.
When I’ve been through a lot of tough times, listening to this uptempo song makes me feel like I can become stronger.
A masterpiece that sings of setbacks. Songs that stay by your side when times are tough or you feel like giving up (61–70)
Goodbye, my hero.Kasamura Tōta
A song by Tota Kasamura, marked by a piano-centered, serene melody and delicate arrangements.
Depicting independence, responsibility, and the strength to support others, this work was included as the title track of the album “Goodbye, My Hero,” released in November 2019.
As Kasamura’s 79th piece, it sings of the resolve to take a new step forward through parting with one’s past self and idealized image.
It is a track that will deeply resonate with those who have experienced heartbreak, setbacks, or farewells with someone important.
I don’t mind being unhappy for the rest of my life.mafumafu
Mafumafu’s songs, whose lyrics both confront reality and simply stay by your side, really resonate.
Announced after about a year-long hiatus, the message of this work saves us when we’re on the verge of giving up or facing defeat.
There’s nothing more unbearable than the sense of powerlessness that you can’t do anything by your own strength, and the words that convey deep despair and worthlessness really hit home.
While facing hardships and challenges, the song expresses both the strong will to overcome them and a sense of vulnerability, evoking deep empathy in listeners.
The background that it was produced during the hiatus that began in June 2022 also adds weight to the piece.
SetbackMatsuyama Chiharu
With a straightforward title like “Setback,” and because it’s by Chiharu Matsuyama, who’s known for so many great songs, you can’t help but wonder what kind of song it is.
When you’re feeling down, you suddenly think of your hometown.
Sometimes you feel like going back to that town filled with memories of happier times.
Your hometown is always there, waiting for you.
To rest your tired heart and body, why not take a little trip back home?