[Resonates with the Heart] Masterpiece Ballads with Beautiful, Poignant Lyrics
There are so many moving ballads out there, aren’t there?
Among them, we’re going to spotlight ballads with a focus on “great lyrics.”
Of course, there are many ways lyrics can be good—what kind do you like?
From songs with rich storytelling, to love songs that sing of profound affection, to gentle pieces that move you to tears, we’ll dig into the charms of ballad lyrics across many styles.
Ballads, where the power of music can be felt even more strongly, stay close to our hearts.
Be sure to find ballads with lyrics that match your own tastes!
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Songs That Resonate with the Heart: Exquisite Ballad Masterpieces with Great Lyrics (141–150)
tomorrowNoda Megumi
This is the song chosen as the theme for Fuji TV’s Thursday drama series “Watashi no Takaramono” (My Treasure).
It is performed by Emi Noda, a singer-songwriter from Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture.
A heart-stirring ballad filled with both wistfulness and hope, it combines lyrics that reflect the drama’s worldview with Noda’s straightforward vocals for a deeply moving result.
The delicate, piano-centered sound gently envelops the listener.
It’s an anthem for life that teaches us the importance of living in the present.
road; way; path; street; route; Tao (in philosophy)EXILE
A warm, timeless classic that stands by you through youthful farewells and life’s turning points.
Released in 2007, it has long been cherished as a graduation song.
The lyrics, which treasure memories and sing of hope for the future, truly resonate.
The gentle yet powerful vocals of EXILE’s ATSUSHI and TAKAHIRO deepen the emotion even more.
The song was also used as the opening theme for Nippon TV’s “Music Fighter.” It’s a track I want people to hear when they’re taking a new step forward or parting from someone important.
It’s sure to give you courage.
Love and Be Loved (feat. Moeka Shiozuka [Hitsujibungaku])Ryu Matsuyama
![Love and Be Loved (feat. Moeka Shiozuka [Hitsujibungaku])Ryu Matsuyama](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/LbxK_yWAApU/sddefault.jpg)
This song features a gentle melody that tenderly embraces the ache of longing for a lover and the complexities of love.
The lyrics woven by Ryu Matsuyama delicately capture moments when being called by name makes one feel their own existence, and the sensations that arise from being loved.
Released in April 2020, the track features Moeka Shiotsuka of Hitsujibungaku, and their two voices create a sublime harmony.
It’s a perfect song for times when you’re struggling with a relationship or want to face yourself.
Listening to it may help you find a thread to untangle your complicated emotions.
[Resonates with the Heart] Timeless Ballad Masterpieces with Great Lyrics (151–160)
EndlessTOMOO
A heart-stirring ballad packed with the sparkle and poignancy of youth.
This new song by TOMOO, written as the ending theme for the drama “Zenryōiki Ijō Kaiketsu-shitsu” starring Tatsuya Fujiwara and released digitally in October 2024, uses the metaphor of a ribbon tracing a spiral to portray two people moving forward without becoming entangled.
Centered on piano and vocals, the lyrics weave tenderness and pain in a way that strikes the heart.
It conveys a sense of cherishing the small joys of everyday life, as if conjuring the image of a view shared side by side with someone.
With lyrics that evoke hope after the rain, it’s sure to lift your spirits.
Let the flowers in your heart bloom.ikimonogakari
Ikimono-gakari’s heartwarming ballad shines once again.
Released in December 2008, this song was used as the support anthem for the 87th All Japan High School Soccer Tournament.
With lyrics penned by Hotaka Yamashita and Kiyoe Yoshioka’s clear, pure vocals, it resonates deeply.
It expresses a steadfast will to keep chasing dreams without losing hope, even in the face of adversity and challenge.
In moments when you feel like breaking, amid days of struggle, this piece gives you courage and the strength to keep your own flower from withering.
Even in tough times, it will surely stay close to your heart.
A truly moving ballad.
For that dayKitahara Mirei
This gem of a ballad features Mirei Kitahara’s richly expressive voice that resonates in the heart.
It vividly portrays the loneliness and wistfulness felt on quiet nights, as well as deep feelings for a loved one.
Released in February 2024, the work has come to be widely recognized as one of Kitahara’s signature songs.
Complex emotions are conveyed with a quiet yet powerful intensity, rendering a fading love beautifully and poignantly.
For those standing at a turning point in life or wishing to bare hidden feelings, it will offer great courage.
Please take your time and listen closely.
I was looking at the moon.Yonezu Kenshi
Kenshi Yonezu, the singer-songwriter whose 2018 release “Lemon” was a huge hit.
His 2023 release “Tsuki wo Miteita” (“I Saw the Moon”) opens with a very striking, emotional intro featuring only soft vocals and piano.
The highlight is when the chorus arrives: the strings come in all at once, and his singing shifts to a more powerful tone.
Another must-hear moment is the development right after the chorus, where it pares back to just strings and piano.
Overall, there are many sections where you can enjoy the harmony between the piano and the other parts, so be sure to listen with that in mind!
In conclusion
I introduced ballads with great lyrics. Because the tempo is relaxed, the words sink in more easily and really hit home. Whether it’s letter-like wording, richly narrative songs, or deeply moving lyrics—what kind of lyrics do you prefer? Be sure to dive into various types of great lyrics along with this article.