A catchy tune that sounds familiar

Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICHane Keisuke
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. After working in a music studio and handling wedding sound, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with a variety of instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in junior high school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on my own musical activities and the experience gained through my work, I produce daily articles, including various song introductions, features on music festivals around the country, and live reports. In music, I enjoy not only rock from Japan and abroad but, lately, a wide range of J-pop as well.
Keyboard playerSAKI
I’ve been playing the Electone since I was six, mainly performing Disney music, anime songs, and music from dramas and films. I post performance videos on YouTube and social media, and I also give concerts. Building on my Electone experience, I took up synthesizer and piano during my student years and performed at school-sponsored events. As a writer, I’ve covered not only music-related topics but a wide range of genres, so I hope to draw on my experience to deliver articles that make readers think, “I want to try that!” or “I want to listen to that!”

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 (81–90)

Heaven and HellJacques Offenbach

Sports Day Music: Infernal Gallop (from Orpheus in the Underworld Overture) / Offenbach

Heaven and HellJacques Offenbach

This is a commercial introducing Mercari Hallo, a service where you can find part-time gigs to fill spare moments, like after work.

It shows Kazuya Ninomiya moving from his usual job to a short-term gig, and the quick transition conveys how easy the service is to use.

The music especially emphasizes the speed of the visuals—an arrangement of the classic “Orpheus in the Underworld” (known for frantic scenes), which is a staple as background music for busy moments.

The light, brisk tempo helps you clearly picture the idea of making efficient use of your time.

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A Small Restaurant in the ForestTeshima Aoi

Aoi Teshima – A Small Restaurant in the Forest (Official Audio)

A Small Restaurant in the ForestTeshima Aoi

Aoi Teshima is a singer who made her major debut with the theme song “Therru’s Song” from the Studio Ghibli film Tales from Earthsea, captivating listeners with her delicate, translucent voice.

Many people have likely heard her 15th digital-only single, “A Small Restaurant in the Forest,” which was featured on NHK’s Minna no Uta.

The lyrics vividly conjure the world suggested by the title and fill you with warmth just by listening.

With its soothing vocals and ensemble that linger in the ear, it’s a track that will heal hearts across generations.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Eternal, unchanging loveOda Tetsurō

Tetsuro Oda — Unchanging Love Forever

Eternal, unchanging loveOda Tetsurō

A song by singer-songwriter Tetsuro Oda, known for providing tracks to Being-affiliated artists who dominated the J-POP scene in the 1990s and for producing female singer Nanase Aikawa.

Since it was used in a Pocari Sweat commercial, many of you have probably heard it.

It’s a timeless classic that hasn’t lost its luster over the years, covered by renowned artists such as Ryuichi Kawamura of LUNA SEA, Kobukuro, and Nanase Aikawa.

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Hoshino Takashi

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In conclusion

We’ve introduced lots of songs you’ve probably heard somewhere—commercial or theme songs, tracks blowing up on social media, and timeless J-pop classics that haven’t lost their shine even years after release! Maybe you only knew the chorus before, but when you listened to the whole song, you discovered it’s actually great—and perhaps found a new favorite number. Be sure to create a fresh playlist that includes not only nostalgic tunes but also new songs!