[Must read] Songs with great lyrics. Moving songs you’ll want to listen to while reading the lyrics

DancerFukkun:)Tatsuki Fukuda
Primarily active in Tokyo, I have experience as a backup dancer for artists, a music video dancer, and a commercial dancer. I continue to work as a dancer while also engaging in article production. After discovering Michael Jackson in junior high school, I began dancing in my second year of high school. Since starting dance, in addition to the J-Pop and Japanese rock I had been listening to, I began exploring Western R&B, rap, alternative music, and other tracks commonly used for dance. In elementary school, I spent three years in a choir, and because I love singing, I often go to karaoke for fun. These days, I enjoy a wide range of music, from Japanese rock and rap to K-pop.
POPS writer/editorKEI
Since discovering music during my school days, I’ve mainly listened to Japanese and Korean pop. I have experience writing articles for sites like Utaten. 2000s J-pop and 2010s K-pop were especially the soundtrack of my youth. With the mindset that “good is good,” I enjoy music across genres. Thanks to past work environments and their influence, I was exposed to lots of classic rock and kayōkyoku (Japanese popular songs), which may have broadened the scope of what I love. At RAG MUSIC, I currently focus on K-pop and J-pop. I strive to edit with a feel for the scene and an eye for hit potential.

From among the many masterpieces Japan is proud of, we’ve carefully selected songs with outstanding lyrics to introduce to you.

We’ve gathered “once-heard-never-forgotten” message songs that speak straight to the heart, ranging from universally acclaimed classics to the latest hits.

If you’re looking to listen to music that will make you cry, move you, or lift your spirits—or songs that might even influence your life—these picks are perfect.

Please give them a listen.

I believe you’ll find songs that will stay by your side, encourage you, and become a source of emotional support when times are tough.

[Must-Read] Songs with Great Lyrics: Moving Tracks to Listen to While Reading the Lyrics (1–10)

hundreds of millions of light-yearsOmoinotake

Omoinotake | Hundreds of Millions of Light-Years [Official Music Video]

hundreds of millions of light-yearsOmoinotake

Released on January 24, 2024, “Ikuokukounen” is a heartfelt pop number from the three-piece band Omoinotake.

Centered on the importance of bonds that transcend time and distance with a loved one, and on unwavering love, the song gained attention as the opening theme for the TBS Tuesday drama “Eye Love You.” Its message—unchanging feelings for someone far away and the hope of reunion someday—gently warms the listener’s heart.

Even amid the busyness of daily life, it reminds us of the importance of thinking of others.

It’s a song with that kind of power, and one I especially recommend to those in long-distance relationships.

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familieMrs. GREEN APPLE

Mrs. GREEN APPLE「familie」Official Music Video

familieMrs. GREEN APPLE

A song from Mrs.

GREEN APPLE filled with feelings for family and loved ones.

Its pop, refreshing melody and powerful beat are comforting and resonate with listeners.

The title phrase conveys a sense of irreplaceable bonds.

Released as a digital single in August 2024, it was also featured in the commercial for Honda’s new FREED.

The lyrics express the importance of life’s journey, inner struggles, and connections with the people you love.

It’s a track that will surely strike a chord when you want to cherish time with family and friends, or when you’re standing at a crossroads in life.

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ultramarineYOASOBI

YOASOBI “Gunjou” (with Osaka Toin High School Wind Ensemble) from UT × YOASOBI ‘SING YOUR WORLD’

ultramarineYOASOBI

Gunjou, released in 2020 by the music duo YOASOBI, who have many signature songs.

It’s a track often performed as a choral piece or by orchestras.

The lyrics, which evoke the freshness, bittersweetness, and fleeting nature of youth, pair perfectly with its driving sound.

It portrays a protagonist who grows by facing the true feelings they had been hiding without realizing it.

It’s a youth anthem that gives you the courage to “follow your heart, even if you’re still burdened with worries and anxieties.” Listen to the words filled with kindness that will clear away your gloom.

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About meMrs. GREEN APPLE

Mrs. GREEN APPLE – About Me [LIVE from M-ON!]

About meMrs. GREEN APPLE

“Boku no Koto” is a song about the importance of living true to yourself, in both joyful and difficult times.

The band Mrs.

GREEN APPLE, known for delivering richly musical pieces to listeners, released it in 2019.

Set against a grand sound that incorporates a marching band, Motoki Omori’s warm vocals resonate throughout.

Its message—portraying those who keep striving without giving up, whether times are good or not—will stir your heart.

It’s a track that accepts the fact that people and oneself are different beings, and depicts the brave figure of living authentically.

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to clear up (weather)Yorushika

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Non-Credit Opening (Cour 2) / Opening Theme: Yorushika — Haru

to clear up (weather)Yorushika

Yorushika’s “Haru” is a digital single released on January 5, 2024, and it was selected as the opening theme for the TV anime Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End.

Its driving band sound is striking, and—as the title suggests—it evokes a scene where a blue sky stretches wide overhead.

The lyrics depict personal emotions and the changing face of nature through weather metaphors like wind, clear skies, and rain.

Its refreshing yet gently poignant musicality is sure to resonate with you.

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