[Karaoke Songs for May] A list of classic tracks that capture the lingering spirit of spring and the arrival of early summer

In spring, I think of you.Ozawa Kenji

Kenji Ozawa – Thinking of You in Spring

It’s a gentle, soft, and tender song by Kenji Ozawa.

It has just the right vibe for listening while taking a leisurely walk on a calm spring day.

The lyrics, which seem to contain a story of a man and a woman, are richly nuanced and open to as many interpretations as there are readers.

I think that’s a lovely touch—how the song’s expression can change depending on the listener’s perspective.

By the way, there’s a film with the same title as this song, “Haru ni Shite Kimi o Omou” (In Spring, I Think of You).

Watching the movie might change how you interpret the lyrics even further.

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Hane Keisuke

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Letterback number

back number – Letter (full)

Many songs by back number, if you just look at the lyrics, feel like poems or even letters.

In that sense, their command of the written word is stronger than other artists.

This song, “Tegami” (Letter), is like a letter written to one’s own mother.

The lyrics recount, in the order of memory, the things one’s mother did for them, overflowing simply with gratitude.

I’d love to sing it to my mom on Mother’s Day.

It was also used in an NTT Docomo commercial, so some people might find it familiar.

Come, spring.Matsutoya Yumi

Spring, Come – Yumi Matsutoya (Full)

“Haru yo, Koi” is Yumi Matsutoya’s 26th single, released in 1994.

It’s a hit song by Yumi Matsutoya that has been featured in numerous commercials and is well known as a graduation song.

Around May, when you’ve settled into a new life, it’s the kind of song that makes you nostalgic for graduation season and want to sing along.

It’s a recommended track that’s sure to spark shared memories of youth with everyone.

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kurichan

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rootKing Gnu

King Gnu – Root

Even if I’m someone who doesn’t stand out, I want to be someone who matters to the person I love.

This is a mid-tempo ballad by King Gnu that weaves delicate emotions into its fabric.

Like the roots of a flower slowly spreading underground, it gently portrays relationships that grow over time and two people supporting one another as they draw close, expressed with a tender sensibility.

Released in October 2024 as the theme song for the TBS drama “Diamonds Sleeping in the Sea,” it layers a beautiful piano-and-strings melody with a contemporary sense of rhythm and choral parts reminiscent of a nursery rhyme, vividly capturing the flow of time and feelings that never change.

While embracing life’s transience, the song invites you to reflect on what it means to live quietly yet with strength.

It’s a track that will resonate in your heart when you’re anxious about a new environment or uncertain about a relationship with someone important to you.

Make it into a bouquet.wacci

wacci “Make It a Bouquet” Music Video

This moving song conveys gratitude to one’s parents through a warm melody.

Included on the November 2018 album “Gunjō Refrain,” it gently sings of the feelings one wants to express only now, as an adult, to parents who put up with so much since childhood.

In May 2020, a music video composed of photos and videos of family memories submitted by about 400 fans was released, warming many hearts amid stay-at-home restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Perfect for moments when you want to express your feelings to someone special—such as a Mother’s Day gift or a wedding thank-you to parents—the song continues to be beloved for wacci’s gentle vocals.

MayHata Motohiro

May

This is a heartwarming song crafted by Motohiro Hata, depicting a journey to visit a lover’s hometown with a warm, comforting vocal tone.

The gentle sound of the acoustic guitar, along with a pure desire to learn about the place where the other person was born and raised and to understand their past, resonates deeply through its tender melody.

The track is included on the album “Signed POP,” released in January 2013.

If you find yourself reflecting on a loved one’s past and wanting to know and understand them more, be sure to listen to it on a quiet night at a relaxed pace.

It will surely wrap you in a warm, comforting feeling.

Doki itnaniwa danshi

Naniwa Danshi – Doki it [Official Music Video]

It’s a refreshing, spring-breeze-like song delivered by Naniwa Danshi.

From a brisk, popping rock sound to a gentle, translucent melody, it overflows with fun and warmth.

Its appeal also lies in the encouraging, forward-looking message that celebrates individuality and gives you the courage to take a new step as yourself.

Set for release on February 26, 2025, the track is also featured in a commercial.

It’s perfect for a pleasant spring drive or for anyone starting a new chapter in life.

Like being wrapped in warm sunlight, it lifts your spirits with a bright, feel-good energy.