[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)
Spring GoesAimer
Aimer is a female singer who made her major debut in 2011 with “Rokutousei no Yoru / Kanashimi wa Aurora ni / TWINKLE TWINKLE LITTLE STAR.” This song was used as the theme song for the fantasy anime “Fate/stay night [Heaven’s Feel] III.
spring song.” Its sound, which resonates with the heartstrings, leaves a strong impression, giving the feeling of being guided into another dimension.
It’s a beautiful track brimming with a mystical, fantastical atmosphere!
moonlightOnitsuka Chihiro
Chihiro Onitsuka is a female singer-songwriter who made her debut at age 19 with her first single, “Shine,” released on August 9, 2000.
It’s a medium-tempo ballad that longs for liberation from oppression and was used as the theme song for the TV Asahi drama Trick.
The track is characterized by a sentimental sound woven from acoustic guitar, violin, and piano, along with Onitsuka’s clear, translucent vocals.
It starts straight from the chorus, transitions into the A and B sections, then returns to the chorus.
Perhaps due to the wide-ranging melody and grand accompaniment that together create a profound world, you lose your sense of time as you listen.
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?
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.
Tree of WadatsumiHajime Chitose
This is the debut single by Chitose Hajime, a singer from Amami Ōshima in Kagoshima Prefecture.
According to composer-lyricist Gen Ueda, it was created with the image of “a woman who loves someone so deeply that she turns into a flower,” and the poignantly heartrending lyrics leave a strong impression.
Enveloped by a tranquil, solemn atmosphere surrounding two people who, for certain reasons, could not be together, Chitose Hajime—renowned for her overwhelming vocal power rooted in the folk songs of Amami Ōshima—delivers the song with her distinctive vocal flourishes, culminating in a piece that conveys both strength and an almost divine radiance.
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.
[For High School Students] Emo Songs That Stay Close to Your Feelings [Tough] (21–30)
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.