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!

Playlist

A famous song about setbacks. A song that stays by your side when times are tough or you feel like giving up.
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	ContinueSEAMO		A song that expresses the importance of continuing
2	Progresskokua (sugashikao)		A sense of frustration, self-loathing, and a wish for renewal
3	DiamondBUMP OF CHICKEN		A song that cheers you on as you keep trying without fearing failure, no matter how many times you stumble.
4	For me to be myselfOzaki Yutaka		Live true to yourself without blaming society
5	StarRingChildAimer		A song that puts on a brave face through hardship and reexamines its dreams
6	If you wish for a miracleJUJU		Being cheered on by JUJU’s song for a miracle
7	rainbowTakahashi Yuu		An uplifting song that cheers you on to believe in yourself and move forward
8	Baby Don’t CryAmuro Namie		It’s a cheer song for someone precious to me.
9	migratory bird[Alexandros]		Even if no one sees your effort, keep flying
10	You can do it!Nakajima Miyuki		Songs that encourage you and accept your weaknesses
11	Endless JourneyMr.Children		Encouraging songs from Mr.Children for when you're tired
12	youSUPER BEAVER		SUPER BEAVER's salvation song
13	Don’t give up on your dreamsOkamura Takako		Relieve stress with heartwarming classic songs
14	Baton RoadKANA-BOON		The BORUTO opening theme song, the importance of moving toward the future
15	together; along with; bothWANIMA		WANIMA's punk rock gives me energy and the power to live
16	LoserNagabuchi Tsuyoshi		Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi cheer song that sings the fighting spirit of losers
17	StoryAI		A signature song by AI, this heartwarming ballad sings about the importance of helping one another.
18	PIECE OF MY WISHImai Miki		An uplifting ballad that sings of hope for tomorrow
19	Sayonara ColorSUPER BUTTER DOG		Takashi Nagazumi’s distinctive singing voice captures the heart
20	Shineieiri reo		Leo Ieiri's encouraging cheer song
21	Blue Springback number		A song that portrays the struggles and pains of youth while offering hope for the future.
22	LOSERYonezu Kenshi		A song that gives losers the courage to move forward
23	Even if it’s one of a kindkujira		Whale songs ease the anxieties of the heart
24	moment; instant; a split secondGReeeeN		I walk on, believing in the day I’ll shine even when I’m not recognized
25	In the Morning of DeterminationAqua Timez		The shock of failure when you’re giving it your all
26	tear(s)FUNKY MONKEY BABYS		Failure is not wasted; it nourishes success.
27	Precious thingsroodo obu mejyaa		A song with a youthful, exhilarating vibe that lifts your spirits
28	FlowerKinKi Kids		A song that acknowledges your efforts and encourages you
29	An Anthem to Encourage the Talented and TroubledBUMP OF CHICKEN		A song that gives you the courage to bounce back from setbacks
30	The Never-Ending SongTHE BLUE HEARTS		A song that empathizes with suffering and gives you the courage to rise up
31	Tomorrow as wellSHISHAMO		A pop number that gives you the courage to get back up even after setbacks.
32	Robinsonsupittsu		The novelistic lyrics of Spitz are captivating.
33	It’s fine.Urufuruzu		A song that supports people who strive
34	Our TomorrowElefanto Kashimashi		Eleka-shi's songs make me feel like I can do my best.
35	Barefoot GoddessB’z		A song that affirms the self who shines after overcoming setbacks
36	If being alive is painfulMoriyama Naotaro		It's okay to cry when you're having a hard time.
37	Hello, Again ~A Place That’s Been There Since Long Ago~My Little Lover		A song of a young person who leaves their hometown to chase their dreams
38	Silent majorityKeyakizaka46		Walk your own path, true to yourself
39	As many times as you likeDREAMS COME TRUE		If you keep trying without giving up, you will succeed.
40	Always, surely, it will come true.chay		When you're feeling down, remember the positivity you had when you succeeded.
41	Wings Named YouKobukuro		A powerful song that supports hard work
42	moonlightOnitsuka Chihiro		A life song of losing oneself to power
43	Full-Power BoySukima Suichi		The courage to move forward even while stumbling
44	MyselfNagabuchi Tsuyoshi		When I feel defeated by my clumsiness, this song helps me regain my true self.
45	Starting Line ~ A New BreezeBaba Toshihide		An anthem that embraces failure and moves forward anew
46	YUIGLORIA		A song that expresses youthful failures and struggles
47	Forever LoveX JAPAN		Ballads by X JAPAN that heal the heart.
48	Bridge of Gloryyuzu		A cheer song where hard work pays off
49	Que sera, seraMrs. GREEN APPLE		Mrs. GREEN APPLE's new song wins the grand prize
50	Don’t give upZARD		Sakai Izumi’s uplifting anthem
51	At all times.Makihara Noriyuki		The courage to live true to yourself
52	IchibanboshiSnow Man		Even when my heart breaks, Snow Man makes me face forward.
53	Whether crying or laughingKetsumeishi		A gem of a song that powerfully sings about overcoming setbacks
54	Hammer Song and the Tower of PainBUMP OF CHICKEN		The feeling of seeking kindness when striving hard
55	HappinessAI		A song that conveys the importance of staying smiling with your friends even in sad times.
56	Nothing I do goes well.meiyo		An emotional song portraying self-loathing and inner conflict
57	Heretical StarOfisharu Higedan Dism		A song of courage to believe in your own path and move forward
58	AkariMy Hair is Bad		Expressing the feeling of moving forward despite being tired
59	That’s important.Daiji MAN Burazāzu Bando		A song that gives you the strength to rise after setbacks
60	TOMORROWMayo Okamoto		Uplifting, positive lyrics
61	Goodbye, my hero.Kasamura Tōta		Singing of severing ties with emotional scars and the resolve to take a new step
62	I don’t mind being unhappy for the rest of my life.mafumafu		An encouraging song announced after Mafumafu’s hiatus
63	SetbackMatsuyama Chiharu		The importance of returning to one’s hometown in times of setback
64	If I had been living aloneSUPER BEAVER		SUPER BEAVER's ballad depicting bonds between people
65	Yours sincerelyrokudenashi		A heart-stirring song by good-for-nothings that accompanies the journey of self-discovery
66	SunshadeYuka		Expressing parting and anxiety with a gentle yet powerful song
67	Beyond the nighttsuru		Let's believe in someone's presence and move forward
68	The True Nature of TearsSUPER BEAVER		Theme songs for TV dramas by SUPER BEAVER
69	To youamazarashi		An anthem of support for those who have lost the meaning of life
70	Tear SongOka Midori		A signature song by Midori Oka that portrays the loneliness of urban women
71	Naming the waves, and that our breathing has an end.Kitanitatsuya		A heartfelt ballad that portrays the transience of life and love
72	A bird that cannot flyyuzu		A classic song by Yuzu about a journey from despair to rebirth
73	7 daysphatmans after school		A delicate song that asks about the meaning of life
74	horizonback number		back number high school student support song
75	counting songamazarashi		A song that delicately portrays the joys and sorrows of life
76	Pain, go away!ZORN		A song of deep despair and hope, weaving a cry of the soul
77	No matter how smallwacci		An encouraging song by wacci that expresses the courage to face one’s weakness
78	Where does our sorrow go?Harukamirai		A message song imbued with Harukamirai’s hope and strong will
79	MindsetKamikita Ken		A profound ballad that confronts the inner self
80	AnswerIkuta Rira		An encouraging song that gives you the courage to keep walking toward the future, even while you're unsure
81	Why Don’t You Play in Hell?Hoshino Gen		A moving song that paints hope between life and death
82	BOW AND ARROWYonezu Kenshi		Kenshi Yonezu handled the opening theme song for Medalist.
83	It’s fine for now.MIMI		A soothing song that gently accompanies the heart with a tender melody
84	Until your night breaks (into dawn)Kasamura Tōta		Questioning a broken world, searching for a light of hope
85	Everything is exhausting!takayan		An emotional single that resonates with everyday stress
86	To Us Who Were Once GeniusesCreepy Nuts		A cheer song depicting the potential of genius and the individuality that gets lost
87	Resolution on the Seventh DayUVERworld		Questioning the transience of life and the meaning of living
88	gardenFuji Kaze		A gem of a song by Fujii Kaze that gently portrays the impermanence of life through the changing seasons
89	To My AdolescenceAka-hoho Shishunki (BOL4)		BOL4’s soothing song delicately depicts the feelings of adolescence
90	Small RevolutionSUPER BEAVER		Singing of everyday courage and self-transformation
91	Write it as “regret,” read it as “future.”mafumafu		Mafumafu’s rock ballad: a cry from the heart
92	NonfictionHirai Ken		A moving ballad born from a friend's death
93	LIFEkimaguren		Regain your true self with Kimaguren’s fight song
94	A Cheer Song Dedicated to YouHIPPY		An anthem of encouragement that helps you overcome setbacks and gives you courage
95	Young adultmakaroni enpitsu		A despairing pop-rock song by Macaroni Empitsu