Ballad Masterpiece Selection Performed by Japanese Girls' Bands

alivethe peggies

alive

A soul-stirring ballad by the peggies that questions the meaning of living while holding two opposing feelings—loving yourself yet hating yourself.

Written by vocalist Yuho Kitazawa at age 19 as if passing a baton to her wavering, nearly confidence-losing self, the painfully honest lyrics pierce the heart.

The song was included on NEW KINGDOM, a masterpiece from their indie era released in November 2015, and was re-recorded in 2020 as an acoustic version on the Anemone EP.

When you’re lost in life or can’t believe in yourself, the gentle guitar tones and warm vocals will seep into your heart like encouragement from a close friend.

It’s the perfect track for a night when you want to spend time quietly facing yourself.

Shige-chanSabasusutā

Shige-chan

This is a gem of a ballad by Sabasister, whose quietly plucked guitar tones and wistful melody strike straight to the heart.

The song is a very personal and warm piece, born from drummer Gouke’s love for the one and only stuffed animal she has kept by her side for over 20 years.

Natchi’s emotionally rich vocals convey heartfelt gratitude to a presence that knows everything—our painful nights and our helpless moments alike.

Featured on the acclaimed March 2024 release “Kakugo wo Kimero!” (“Make Up Your Mind!”), this track reveals a new side of the band.

It gently teaches us the preciousness of being someone’s “special.” Why not listen closely when you want to calm your mind alone, or on a night when you’re thinking about your own treasured keepsakes?

Night TheaterHump Back

Night Theater

This is an outstanding rock ballad by Hump Back that portrays the loneliness brought by the night’s silence and the impatience of not quite being an adult.

The straightforward words and emotional vocals of singer-guitarist Momoko Hayashi seem to speak for those hazy, conflicted feelings unique to our youth.

The single containing this track, Dear Boy, released in June 2018, was also chosen as the ending theme for Nippon TV’s Buzz Rhythm 02, drawing attention at the time.

The down-to-earth lyrics, sung over a bittersweet, medium-tempo melody, gently sink into the listener’s heart.

On nights when everything feels like it’s going wrong and you’re feeling down, listening to this song might give you a quiet nudge to try just a little bit harder.

Little by littleSARD UNDERGROUND

SARD UNDERGROUND “Little by little, little by little” MV YouTube Size

This medium-tempo ballad by SARD UNDERGROUND breathes new life into previously unreleased words left by Izumi Sakai of ZARD.

The song carefully portrays the delicate process of how our relationships with loved ones—and our own hearts—slowly change.

Many listeners will likely see themselves in the earnest protagonist, who refuses to rush yet steadily strives to move forward.

Vocalist Yua Jinno’s clear, pure voice gently wraps around that single-minded sincerity.

Released in February 2020, the track served as an ending theme for the anime Detective Conan and has been cherished by many fans.

On nights when your heart feels unsteady, listening to it may leave you with a warm feeling, as if someone is softly giving you a push from behind.

leap day personRADWIMPS

RADWIMPS – Leap Day Person [Official Music Video]

Written for the album “The Last 10 Years ~Original Soundtrack~,” released in March 2022, this piece is a grand ballad woven from piano and orchestral arrangements.

While it grapples with the heavy theme of death, its lyrics beautifully portray the miracle of meeting a loved one and the preciousness of life, moving listeners to the core.

Created as the theme song for the film “The Last 10 Years,” starring Nana Komatsu and Kentaro Sakaguchi, it also reflects deep immersion in the work—Yojiro Noda reportedly read the script nearly a hundred times before completing it.

It’s perfect not only for lingering in the film’s afterglow but also for those moments when you want to reaffirm the irreplaceable tenderness of everyday life; take your time and listen closely.

to shake; to sway; to waverHump Back

Hump Back – Yureru Music Video

This song, performed in the traditional style of a three-piece rock band, features a fleeting, beautiful melody that flows like neon lights through a nighttime city as seen from a car window.

The distorted guitar sound, resonating with the singer’s breath, leaves a strong impression.

As the title suggests, its airy, floating atmosphere is part of its charm.

I want to become the wind.Nakanomori BAND

Nakanomori BAND – I Want to Become the Wind [PV]

Its folksy sound that evokes the Showa era and the lyrics politely asking someone to “please do ~” create a nostalgic feel.

Although it’s a song from the 2000s, it’s a classic that would likely set a tender, sentimental mood when sung at a snack bar or karaoke with your boss.