A masterpiece piano ballad
This is a song list of ballads performed by Japanese singers, featuring striking piano sounds.
It’s packed with highly soothing tracks whose warm piano tones and gentle melodies will put listeners at ease.
Recommended for those who are feeling tired.
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Piano Ballad Masterpieces (21–30)
loverFukuyama Masaharu
福山雅治の8枚目のシングルとして1993年に発売されました。Panasonic コンポ「SC-CH505<レスティ>」CMソングに起用された曲で、歌詞・曲づくりは福山雅治が手掛けています。わかれてしまった恋人への未練を感じる曲で、福山雅治の初期の名バラードです。
I was looking at the moon.Yonezu Kenshi
Kenshi Yonezu, the singer-songwriter whose 2018 release “Lemon” was a huge hit.
His 2023 release “Tsuki wo Miteita” (“I Saw the Moon”) opens with a very striking, emotional intro featuring only soft vocals and piano.
The highlight is when the chorus arrives: the strings come in all at once, and his singing shifts to a more powerful tone.
Another must-hear moment is the development right after the chorus, where it pares back to just strings and piano.
Overall, there are many sections where you can enjoy the harmony between the piano and the other parts, so be sure to listen with that in mind!
Masterpieces of Piano Ballads (31–40)
teddy bearHamasaki Ayumi
It’s a song included on Ayumi Hamasaki’s third original album, “Duty,” released in 2000.
As an original album, it became her biggest hit.
In concerts, she sings it together with a large teddy bear.
It’s a bittersweet yet warm song and a popular ballad among fans.
tearsfayray
Released in 2007 as Fayray’s seventh single.
The song was used as the theme for the TBS drama “Friends.” Although it peaked at No.
11 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart, it became Fayray’s biggest hit.
It’s a ballad whose gentle vocals and piano tones exude a mature allure.
YELLikimonogakari
It was released in 2009 as Ikimono-gakari’s 15th single.
The song was written as the set piece for the NHK National School Music Competition’s junior high division, and it is also popular as a graduation song.
Its piano-based melody and lyrics, which express the delicate emotions of junior high school students, are perfect for choral singing and resonate deeply.
Homeayaka
“Home” is a ballad by singer-songwriter Ayaka, featuring gentle, comforting piano.
Fast, flowing piano phrases can be great, but the key to this song is its slow, simple lines.
That simplicity lets Ayaka’s clear, translucent voice stand out, drawing you in.
She’s also known for her beautiful falsetto in signature songs like “Mikazuki,” and it’s used effectively here as well.
Its soft timbre pairs exquisitely with the quiet piano.
Also noteworthy is how the arrangement gradually adds instruments like strings, acoustic guitar, and bass as the song progresses.
moonlightOnitsuka Chihiro
It was released in 2000 as Chihiro Onitsuka’s second single.
The song was selected as the theme for TV Asahi’s Friday Night Drama “TRICK,” with Onitsuka herself writing the lyrics and composing the music.
It is a medium-tempo ballad that expresses a desire to be freed from oppression.
It became Onitsuka’s biggest hit and one of her signature songs.