[Must read] Songs with great lyrics. Moving songs you’ll want to listen to while reading the lyrics
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.
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[Must-read] Songs with great lyrics. Moving songs you’ll want to listen to while reading the lyrics (181–190)
be master of lifeaiko
This heartwarming song beautifully captures the strength to face life’s hardships with positivity, as well as the moments of vulnerability we sometimes show.
Included on the album “Natsufuku,” released in June 2001, it was also used as the theme for Ezaki Glico’s “3C” commercial, and is filled with messages that resonate closely with listeners.
Aiko’s characteristically delicate lyrics blend perfectly with a refreshing rock sound, gently speaking to the importance of living true to yourself.
It’s a song you’ll want to hear when you feel lost in life or when you want to support someone dear to you.
It offers a wonderful experience in which feelings for someone and hope for tomorrow swell warmly in your heart.
[Must-read] Songs with great lyrics. Moving songs you’ll want to listen to while reading the lyrics (191–200)
plateauSakanakushon
Does anyone remember the Sante FX commercial “Yes, those eyes — Accompaniment,” where Ichiro Yamaguchi, the vocalist of Sakanaction, performed a solo rendition? Compared to other commercials, it was strikingly sensational and left a deep impression on many viewers.
The song featured in that ad is Plateau.
In its band arrangement, the track feels entirely different from the stripped-down image of the commercial’s solo performance.
The word “plateau” in the title refers to a state of stagnation, and reading the lyrics with that in mind reveals someone struggling to break through their current situation amid various inner conflicts.
For those in a similar place, this song might become a source of support.
Perfect LieSuperfly
A ballad that sings of a woman’s aching feelings.
I imagine many women have listened to these lyrics and felt understood.
Frustrating as it is, that helpless emotion comes through in every word.
You can’t help but feel Ochi Shiho’s talent when she delivers a song like this so effortlessly.
I recommend listening to it alone, taking time to really absorb the lyrics.
Stop the clockKarumen Maki
Jacks were a psychedelic rock band active in the late 1960s.
Because it was the heyday of folk and Group Sounds at the time, they didn’t attract much attention, but they left behind numerous classic songs.
One of them is Stop the Clock.
It’s likely a song about bereavement, depicting an endless longing for a departed lover.
The original is great, but Carmen Maki’s version is especially well done, so I’ve highlighted it here.
To My AdolescenceAka-hoho Shishunki
A Korean-born singer active mainly in Korea and Japan, BOL4 (Bolbbalgan4), released “To My Youth” in 2019.
The song expresses the helpless feelings experienced during one’s youth and portrays the act of facing those overwhelming emotions.
Set to a clear, piano-centered sound, her emotional vocals convey a wide range of feelings.
On TikTok, it’s frequently used in videos themed around school life and romance.
It’s a gentle ballad that offers comfort in moments of anxiety—whether about friendships, love, or the future.
Give this song a listen to experience a track that captures the unique confusion of adolescence.
No Longer HumanGOMESS
Rapper GOMESS, who’s also been making waves in MC battles, is known for a distinctive flow that evokes Shibito.
What many may not know is that GOMESS is autistic.
On top of that, he has panic disorder, and when he first emerged on the scene he was mentally very unstable.
Out of those circumstances came the masterpiece “Ningen Shikkaku” (No Longer Human).
It depicts his resolve to live with autism, which cannot be cured.
This is a must-check work for anyone living with congenital disadvantages.
AndanteYaita Hitomi
It’s an irresistibly cool song about hurling straightforward love at a logical, argumentative man.
I bet many listeners have thought, “I want to be a strong woman like this!” The brisk drum roll at the start pulls you right in.
But maybe the real secret to its popularity is how the lyrics let you feel the sweetness behind that strong woman in every corner.
I can’t help but put it on repeat!