[For High School Students] Melancholy Songs That Stay Close to Your Feelings [Tough Times]
School isn’t all fun and games, is it?
It’s sad, but some people might even say, “Most of it isn’t fun at all!”
Still, no matter how tough it gets, those memories and feelings will become the strength that supports you.
In this piece, we’ll introduce some “dark” songs that will stay close to your tired heart.
There are plenty to choose from, so if you go through the songs listed, you’re sure to find something you can relate to.
Let’s borrow the power of music and get through the present together.
- [Yami Song] Fight darkness with darkness!? Deep tracks that stay close to your pain
- [Songs to Listen to When You Want to Die] I want to disappear... A song to support you who feel that way
- [Dark Songs] A carefully curated selection of deeply dark tracks and heartbreaking songs that accompany you in tough times
- Songs to listen to when you’re feeling down! Tracks that boost your self-confidence
- [Recommended for Teens] Songs to Listen to When Your Heart Is Tired / Songs You Want to Hear
- Emo songs recommended for junior high school students: A roundup of classic and popular Japanese tracks!
- Uplifting songs recommended for high school students
- [Relatable Lyrics] Emo songs to listen to when you're stuck after a breakup or relationship troubles
- [Melancholy] For when you want to sink all the way. Masterpieces that depict various kinds of gloom.
- [For those doing their best] A comforting song to listen to when you're tired of life
- Songs that hit home when you're feeling blue: masterpieces of Japanese music
- [Tearjerker] Songs that make your heart tremble with tears & moving tracks with lyrics that touch the soul
- Yami songs recommended for college students: melancholic tracks to listen to when you're feeling down
[For High School Students] Depression Songs That Stay Close to Your Feelings [Tough] (11–20)
The strong and fleeting onesCocco
Cocco is a Japanese female singer-songwriter and an artist active in a wide range of fields beyond music, including picture books, essays, and novels.
This song is her second major-label single and is counted among her signature tracks.
It won Best Female Clip at the 1998 SPACE SHOWER Music Video Awards.
Following an intro with bright, ringing guitar tones, a poignant melody unfolds over a reggae-style offbeat.
The result evokes the nostalgic glow of a tropical sunset.
Go for it!Nakajima Miyuki
This is a song included on Miyuki Nakajima’s 10th album.
Some of you might remember actress Hikari Mitsushima doing an a cappella cover of it in a nutritional supplement commercial.
It was created based on a message sent by a fan to a radio show.
The way it gradually builds in intensity is really moving, isn’t it?
Silent majorityKeyakizaka46
Keyakizaka46’s debut single, released in 2016.
“Silent Majority” refers to the quiet masses—the unspoken majority—meaning ordinary people who don’t actively voice their opinions.
The lyrics convey that if you don’t speak up yourself, nothing will be communicated to those around you, and the strong, message-driven nature of the song—distinct from typical idol music—became a hot topic.
It’s a powerful encouragement song that makes you feel, to live as your true self, don’t give up—stay true to your own will.
Hey HoSEKAI NO OWARI
This is SEKAI NO OWARI’s 10th major single, released as a support single for “Bremen,” a project carried out in collaboration with the NPO Peace Winds Japan aiming for zero animal euthanasia.
Rather than loudly insisting “Let’s help them!” the understated lyrics gently stay close to someone’s SOS, making the message linger even more strongly.
It’s a masterpiece that reflects SEKAI NO OWARI’s aesthetic, with a worldview that reassures you—this world is not something to be thrown away.
a May flyRADWIMPS
This is RADWIMPS’ 16th single.
The melody isn’t all that intense, but the lyrics and music video are provocative, depicting the madness within oneself and feelings of anger or impulses toward someone.
Give it a listen when you’re tired or feeling stressed.
AliensKirinji
This is one of Kirinji’s signature songs.
It became a hot topic when the actress Non sang it a cappella in a commercial, so some of you might know it from that.
Although it’s a song from the ’90s, it doesn’t feel dated at all.
The sweet vocals and harmonies soothe anyone who listens.
[For High School Students] Emo Songs That Stay Close to Your Feelings [Tough] (21–30)
-ness; typicality; the quality/essence of being [X] (as in “X-ness” or “X-like character”)SUPER BEAVER
![-ness; typicality; the quality/essence of being [X] (as in “X-ness” or “X-like character”)SUPER BEAVER](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/wol-XHb1VhM/sddefault.jpg)
Have you ever felt bewildered by changing surroundings and prying eyes, finding yourself stuck on the question of who you really are? When that happens, this work by the four-piece rock band SUPER BEAVER is exactly what I want you to hear.
It affirms your evolving self and belts out an unshakable inner strength over a rock sound.
Released as a single in September 2014, it was chosen as the opening theme for the TV anime Barakamon.
Later included on the album Aisuru, it’s one of their signature tracks.
All the more reason to give it a listen when you’re preoccupied with others’ gazes and judgments and feel like you’re losing sight of yourself.
You’ll likely feel a weight lift from your shoulders.