Work songs: recommended masterpieces and popular tracks
There are plenty of songs that cheer on people working hard every day, but I’ve put together a selection of so-called “message songs” for those who are labeled—or call themselves—corporate drones.
I’m sure there are tracks you’ll find nothing but relatable, so when you’re worn out from work or need a little mental breathing room, listen with the idea of finding comrades.
These songs will make you feel relieved or crack a smile, and they should help you reset and think, “Maybe I can push just a little more!”
- Songs that help you work hard. Cheer songs for working people.
- An encouraging work song for office workers
- I want to quit my job!! Uplifting songs to listen to when work is tough
- Songs I want to listen to when I'm tired from work
- [A Cheer for Myself] A pep song dedicated to you who are doing your very best
- Masterpieces that sing of effort. Recommended popular songs.
- Power songs that fill you with energy just by listening. Recommended classics and popular tracks.
- A perfect song for Labor Thanksgiving Day. A song that conveys gratitude and encouragement.
- [Motivation Injection] Songs to listen to on days when you don't want to go to work
- Songs with strong messages. Classic J-Pop masterpieces and recommended popular tracks.
- [Today's Cheer Song] To everyone giving it your all! A gem of an inspiring anthem that resonates with the heart
- [Cheer Song] Songs to Listen to During Your Commute
- Job-change anthems: inspiring and popular songs that give you courage
Work songs: Recommended masterpieces and popular tracks (11–20)
Salaryman’s Song 2011Hatsune Miku
Hatsune Miku’s “Salaryman’s Song 2011” sings about the feeling of boredom that comes from repeating the same thing every day.
Produced by Ayane ~xi-on~, this track feels like a direct reflection of the daily life of an office worker.
Many listeners will likely think, “This is about me,” and relate to it! We often say that normal is best, but days spent doing nothing but shuttling between home and the office without any change can feel a bit sad, can’t they? Still, it’s also true that somewhere inside we keep thinking, “Tomorrow, something will be different.” Recommended for those who, while searching for a glimmer of hope somewhere in their hearts, feel the bittersweetness of simply living day by day.
The moratorium never ends.za endo
“The End,” a corporate-slave rock band made up of active office workers, released their track “The Moratorium Never Ends” in 2021.
The word “moratorium” is often used to describe the grace period before becoming an adult, before stepping into society.
Even after graduating from the role of student and joining a company, many people wonder: Will I really work here until retirement? Won’t I regret giving up my dreams? This song sings to young office workers carrying those worries: Treat this time as still part of your moratorium, and go ahead—worry as much as you need! If there’s even a little something about your current situation that’s on your mind, you might just discover something within yourself through this song.
Sign of Courage ~ Regain Theme ~Ushiwakamaru Saburōta (Tokito Saburō)
The phrase “Can you fight for 24 hours?” also ranked in the 1989 New Words and Buzzwords Awards.
Of course, “fight” here means “to work,” not “to battle.” As a “verbal legacy” from a time when things like consensus and compliance weren’t talked about as much as they are now, it might have its own value.
The song has the feel of a march for hardworking adults, created with the energy drink Regain in mind.
In the Reiwa era, when many people want to work but can’t, would lyrics with a “We’ll keep working 24 hours straight!” vibe be taken as some kind of joke?
There’s always tomorrowRe:Japan
If you know about Re:Japan, you’re quite the comedy connoisseur.
Re:Japan was a group formed by a star-studded lineup of Yoshimoto Kogyo talents, including Downtown’s two members, Cocorico’s two members, Kanpei Hazama, Hanako Yamada, and others.
With their song “Ashita ga Aru Sa” (“There’s Always Tomorrow”), they even performed at the year-end NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen.
I vividly remember Hitoshi Matsumoto singing shyly—it left quite an impression.
The track is a cover of the song of the same name originally sung by Kyu Sakamoto, and it also made headlines because Yukio Aoshima revised the lyrics.
The words—“There are all kinds of things in work and in life, but there’s always tomorrow”—resonate widely across generations as they gently let worries roll off.
I also recommend the Ulfuls cover version!
Salaryman BluesIshihara Yūjirō
Yujiro Ishihara, a megastar who epitomized the Showa era and founded Ishihara Promotion—also known as the Ishihara Corps—was active both as an actor and as a singer.
His song “Salaryman Blues” is a track that seems to gently embrace the poignant feelings of office workers.
Even when they’re doing their best, many salarymen carry the pain of things not going well, and to those around them they can appear tinged with sadness.
This song carries a warmth that feels as if Ishihara’s gentle voice watches over and heals that figure.
SalarymanShinagawa Yuu to Suberāzu
It’s amusing that Yu Shingawa from the comedy duo Shinagawa Shoji is singing a song representing Japanese salarymen.
I believe quite some time has passed since the lyricist retired from show business, but it was the one and only Shinsuke Shimada.
Business trips, small allowances, and the image of salarymen who keep a calm facade—those things never change, no matter the era.
Work songs: recommended masterpieces and popular tracks (21–30)
The Sun Also RisesArajin (shuuchishin + Pabo)
The debut single by Aladdin, a unit formed from Pabo and Shuchishin, born out of the quiz show “Quiz! Hexagon II.” It’s a straightforward song cheering on Japan and its salarymen.
Since that’s the concept, everyone on the CD jacket is dressed in suits.