[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 (31–40)
Midnight ExpresswayFurawā Kanpanīzu
Shinya Kousoku (Midnight Highway) is one of the most iconic masterpieces representing Flower Companyz.
Set to a mid-tempo rock sound, the lyrics deliver a message about life and existence that pierces straight to the core.
The phrase repeated in the chorus resonates with listeners all the more because of its simplicity.
If I can laughUrufuruzu
Released in 2002, this is an uplifting number by Ulfuls.
It reached many listeners as the ending theme of the drama “Ginza no Koi,” in which Tortoise Matsumoto appeared.
In life, there are joyful moments, but also painful and sad ones.
Though many things happen every day, this song suggests that if we can laugh at the end of the day—at the very end of it all—that alone can make us happy.
It’s a song that gives you a lot of courage.
Letter ~Dear You at Fifteen~Anjura Aki
A masterpiece by Angela Aki that is sure to resonate with adults weary from daily work and chores.
Written as a commissioned choral piece for the NHK All-Japan School Music Competition, junior high division, this song has been sung by many people, especially children.
It’s a letter written from your 15-year-old self to your future self, and from your adult self back to your 15-year-old self.
Along with the worries each version of “you” carries, it sends cheers to the self striving in the future—and in the past.
Not only adults, but also young people in the midst of their youth will likely find that encouragement from their future selves strikes a different chord than cheering received from those around them.
Bridge of Gloryyuzu
One of the signature songs by Yuzu, a duo that represents Japan’s acoustic music scene.
This song, loved as the theme for NHK’s coverage of the Athens Olympics, colored countless athlete stories and moved us all—a true classic.
Its lyrics warmly cheer you on with a message of “You can do it!” while honoring the steady effort you’ve built up and the journey you’ve walked with support from those around you.
It’s a song I hope you’ll listen to when a great wall stands in your way.
So, you are not alone.Little Glee Monster
Little Glee Monster’s, aka Litoguri’s, eighth single, released in 2017.
It drew a lot of attention, including being selected as the ending theme for the anime My Hero Academia.
With its warm, life-affirming message—“It’s okay to cry, let’s keep going!”—this song has surely encouraged many people.
The lyrics are wonderful in the way they straightforwardly accept and affirm the self.
[Must-Read] Songs with Great Lyrics: Moving Tracks You’ll Want to Listen to While Reading the Lyrics (41–50)
Correct (18Fes Version)RADWIMPS
“Seikai” (“Right Answer”) is a song that cheers everyone on to live life in their own way.
It was included on the rock band RADWIMPS’ 2018 album ANTI ANTI GENERATION, known for delivering uniquely original music to listeners.
The song portrays students in their youth, showing scenes where they talk with friends and confide about their crushes.
It was also featured on the program “18-sai” (“18 Festival”), where high school students and artists perform together; the gentle tempo carries the voices of Yojiro Noda and 18-year-old high schoolers in a way that resonates with the heart.
It’s a ballad that warmly depicts moments of sending encouragement to each person’s chosen answer.
PretenderOfisharu Higedan Dism
Despite being a relationship that can never be restored, this breakup song captivates with lyrics that sing in pure words about an unforgettable girl.
The growing feelings for someone forever out of reach, no matter how hard you try, and the frustration of never arriving at the ideal you imagined, no matter what you do—these two contrasts are portrayed in a perfectly balanced way, free of sarcasm or suffocating intensity.
That became a key reason it resonated with and gained the support of many young people.
Many listeners see themselves in these lyrics, making it a song that gently stays by your side in times of heartbreak.