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Lovely music

A catchy tune that sounds familiar

There are quite a few songs we often hear—commercial jingles, theme songs, tracks that go viral on social media, and timeless classics—without actually knowing their titles.

Many of us have probably experienced that thrill of carefully listening from the intro, and then, when the chorus hits, realizing, “I know this song!”

In this article, we’ll introduce many of those “songs you’ve heard somewhere before.”

If you’ve been feeling that nagging “I can hum it, but I don’t know what it’s called…” sensation, this is definitely for you.

Catchy, familiar-sounding songs (71–80)

AlienKirinji

There are timeless songs that get covered across generations, and Kirinji’s “Aliens” is surely one of them.

“Aliens” is the sixth track on their 2000 album 3, and it was also released as a single.

With its moody, night-ready sound, the song exudes the mature vibe typical of Kirinji, often dubbed the Japanese Steely Dan.

It has been covered by a variety of artists, including Motohiro Hata, Hanaregumi, and Masayuki Suzuki.

If you haven’t heard it yet, be sure to give it a listen!

threadNakajima Miyuki

Thread – Miyuki Nakajima (Full)
threadNakajima Miyuki

In recent years, this song has been used in commercials for canned coffee and Toyota Home.

Although it was released in 1998, it consistently ranks high on karaoke charts.

The lyrics feel like they slip right into your heart.

It’s the kind of song you want to listen to late at night on a whim.

Sunny dropNovelbright

Novelbright – Sunny drop [Official Music Video]
Sunny dropNovelbright

This song bursts right out of the gate with a high-tone vocal chorus—so catchy, isn’t it? Just a few seconds of the intro is enough to grab your attention.

It was used as the Coca-Cola commercial song featuring Haruka Ayase, so many of you might remember it.

The band singing it is Novelbright, who made their major debut with this track.

Yudai Takenaka’s powerful vocals are on full display here—once you hear it, it really sticks in your head!

I want to be kinder.Saitō Kazuyoshi

Kazuyoshi Saito – I Want to Be Gentle [Music Video Short ver.]
I want to be kinder.Saitō Kazuyoshi

Released in 2011 as the theme song for the popular TV drama “Kaseifu no Mita,” this track—Saito Kazuyoshi’s 39th single—quickly became a familiar hit.

It was his first time providing a theme for a TV drama, and the song drew major attention alongside the show’s success, becoming a smash hit.

Following his previous single “Zutto Suki Datta,” he produced a music video that faithfully recreates the image of a Beatles live performance, a band he greatly admires, making it a fun piece to watch for its meticulous attention to detail as well.

Summer NudeMagokoro Burazāzu

Magokoro Brothers “Summer Nude” OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO
Summer NudeMagokoro Burazāzu

It’s a song released in 1995 that has been covered by many artists.

In 2013, Fuji TV even produced a drama inspired by this song, and I think it’s still a summer tune that people listen to often.

When Tomohisa Yamashita covered it, the song also became popular among younger listeners.

Arrivée des camionneursMichel Legrand

Arrivée des camionneurs (From “Les demoiselles de Rochefort”)
Arrivée des camionneursMichel Legrand
[MITSUBISHI Motors] Lancer Cedia Wagon debut (Lancer Cedia Wagon Turbo) 2001 Mitsubishi Motors TV commercial

This commercial, which aired in 2001 and shows a lively drive as it suddenly warps from the city into the great outdoors, is for the Lancer Cedia Wagon Turbo.

The vivid yellow Lancer racing through rocky mountains really leaves an impression, doesn’t it? By the way, many people have probably heard the song playing in the background of this commercial but don’t know its title.

The piece is Arrivée des camionneurs, composed by Michel Legrand for the film The Young Girls of Rochefort.

It’s also known in Japanese as “Kyaraban no Tōchaku” (Arrival of the Caravan).

Its passionately evocative melodic line stands out, and once you hear it, its catchiness really sticks with you.

On nights when cherry blossoms fallaimyon

Aimyon – On the Night the Cherry Blossoms Fall [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]
On nights when cherry blossoms fallaimyon

Aimyong’s songs are there for all kinds of everyday moments.

“Sakura ga Furu Yoru wa,” released digitally in February 2021, might be familiar as the theme song for ABEMA’s romance reality show “Don’t Be Fooled by the Wolf.” Its lyrics echo a delicate love that seems to portray a springtime parting.

They capture not only the butterflies before dating, but also the complicated feelings that can arise once you’re together.

There’s a gentle, encouraging vibe to it, too.

It’s a beautiful love song with Aimyong’s signature blend of fragility and warmth in the melody.