A roundup of bright friendship songs: upbeat tracks and crowd-pleasers.
There are lots of songs about friendship, and you’ll probably hear them at friends’ birthdays, during graduation season, and even at weddings.
You might also sing friendship songs at karaoke.
At times like that, you might find yourself thinking, “Among friendship songs, I want to listen to or sing something upbeat.”
In this article, we’ll introduce lively, up-tempo tracks that are perfect for getting everyone excited!
Use this as a reference when you want to listen to or sing friendship songs with a bright, cheerful vibe.
Roundup of bright friendship songs: up-tempo and hype tracks (1–10)
treasureNEW!wacci
A heartwarming number that portrays the anxiety and loneliness felt while chasing a dream, and the importance of friends who support each other in those moments.
Just believing you’re not alone can make you stronger, and the time spent together becomes the most irreplaceable treasure—this is the message woven into the song.
It will surely remind you of the bond with “the friends from those days.” The track is included on the album “Kanjō Hyakkei,” released in August 2017.
Interestingly, it drew attention when Miho Takagi named it her “victory song” to listen to before competitions at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics, which also led to a live performance on the TV program “Sukkiri.” It’s a perfect song for those striving toward their dreams or for teammates pushing each other to improve, such as in school clubs.
Precious thingsroodo obu mejyaa
Released in 2002, Road of Major’s indie debut single is a quintessential youth punk anthem themed around friendship and bonds.
It delivers universal themes—meeting and parting with friends, supporting one another—through an energetic sound.
Remarkably, as an indie release, the song spent 19 consecutive weeks in the Oricon Top 10 and sold over 900,000 copies in total.
It’s also included on the album “ROAD OF MAJOR” and the best-of compilation “GOLDEN ROAD ～BEST～.” This track is perfect for anyone who has dear friends they’re connected to at heart, even when apart.
Listen to it during graduation season or at the start of a new chapter in life, and you’ll be reminded of the irreplaceable value of those connections.
FlenjerOtsuka Ai
It’s a song you’ll want to listen to when you want to cheer up a friend who’s feeling down, or when you want to cut loose together and laugh it off.
It was released in April 2006 as the 11th single.
Since it was used as the CM song for Toshiba mobile phones and as the theme song for Nippon TV’s “Sports Urugusu,” many people probably heard it often at the time.
The title is a unique coined word that combines “friend” and “sentai hero.” It’s a track packed with Ai Otsuka’s signature wordplay and a passionate embrace of friendship.
OrangeSPYAIR
A rousing anthem of youth that seeps into the heart with tenderness and poignancy, like a sunset melting into the horizon! This is a song by SPYAIR, released in February 2024 as the theme for the film Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle.
It expresses the bitterness and pain experienced amid friendship, dreams, and growth by likening them to the tang of a sweet-and-sour orange.
While carrying anxieties about the future, it’s infused with a resolute will to give someone a push forward and keep facing ahead oneself.
It’s the perfect track for moments when you want to cherish precious time with your teammates and renew your resolve to step onto the next stage.
silhouetteKANA-BOON
This song, themed around friendship and youth, is a coming-of-age anthem where a refreshing, energetic sound pairs perfectly with gentle vocals.
It’s brimming with the energy of “We might forget this someday when we’re adults, but right now we’re going to give it everything we’ve got!”
determinationSUPER BEAVER
It’s a classic that upliftingly sings of youthful emotions.
It powerfully portrays young people moving toward the future and warmly conveys the importance of living true to oneself.
The melody that draws out a positive mindset and the deeply resonant, message-rich lyrics are beautifully harmonized in this song.
Released in November 2023 as the CM song for Morinaga’s “in Jelly Energy Glucose,” it was also included on the album “Ongaku,” released in February 2024.
An ambitious work by SUPER BEAVER, it fully showcases their sincere musicality.
It’s a song to listen to when you stand at a crossroads in life, face an important decision, or are about to take a new step forward.
It serves as a powerful cheer song that offers the courage to believe in yourself and hope for the future—especially resonant for high school students.
Thank you, God.Sugata Masaki × Nakamura Tomoya
A heartwarming song that sets bonds with friends and everyday gratitude to a gentle melody.
Co-written by Masaki Suda and Tomoya Nakamura in August 2020, it portrays the importance of friendship—supporting one another even while facing life’s difficulties and anxieties.
Their vocals, both powerful and warm, gently convey the courage to keep moving forward and a sense of appreciation for one’s companions.
The track is also included on the album “COLLAGE,” and its memorable music video, which creates a feeling of warm encounters, features Tori Matsuzaka appearing as a photographer.
It’s a song you’ll want to listen to when celebrating a friend’s new journey or reflecting on time spent with friends.