[Carefully Selected] Popular Love Songs: Recommended Romance Tracks

GarnetOku Hanako

Hanako Oku / Garnet (Solo Performance) [Music Video]

This song was chosen as the theme for the hit animated film The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, and it enjoyed long-term sales alongside the movie’s extended run.

It portrays the poignant feelings of unrequited love from a woman with little romantic experience.

Known as a tear-jerking anime song, it has been covered by Chihiro Yonekura as well as many other voice actors.

One more time,One more chanceYamazaki Masayoshi

Masayoshi Yamazaki – “One more time, One more chance” MUSIC VIDEO [4K Quality]

For Masayoshi Yamazaki, it was his fourth single overall, released in 1997.

Chosen as the theme song for Yamazaki’s first starring film, “The Moon and a Cabbage,” it became a long-running hit, and was later used as the theme song for Makoto Shinkai’s anime “5 Centimeters per Second.” It was re-released in 2007 as a Special Edition and is one of Yamazaki’s signature songs.

I’ve always liked you.Saitō Kazuyoshi

Kazuyoshi Saito – I’ve Always Loved You [Music Video]

It’s a song released by Kazuyoshi Saito in 2010, about the class Madonna he’d always had a crush on.

The lyrics, which can also be interpreted as taking place after a class reunion, convey the feeling of having loved someone for a long time.

It’s a slightly bittersweet love song.

crescent moonayaka

Ayaka – Crescent Moon

Ayaka’s first love ballad released as a single, Mikazuki, features lyrics themed around a long-distance relationship.

With this song, Ayaka won the Best New Artist award at the Japan Record Awards, and it also drew attention when figure skater Miki Ando—who is close friends with Ayaka—performed to it.

It’s a recommended track for those times when you can’t see the one you love and your feelings are overflowing.

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DarlingNishino Kana

Kana Nishino 'Darling' MV (Short Ver.)

It was released in 2014 as Kana Nishino’s 24th single.

The song was used as the Tuesday theme for the information program Mezamashi TV and features a warm portrayal of everyday life with her husband.

It expresses the feelings of a woman who, despite having many flaws, wishes for him to stay by her side.

lonelyAbe Mao

Mao Abe – Lonely [Official Music Video]

It was released in 2010 as Mao Abe’s fourth single.

The song was used in a Calpis Water commercial, and it expresses the feeling of not being able to see a boyfriend in a long-distance relationship.

It’s a track filled with the emotion of loving him so much and just wanting to see him.

Lead controlnarumiya

Lead Control – Narumiya

Narumiyasan’s new song is a thrilling track where the sweetness and pain of love intertwine exquisitely.

A pop sensibility fuses seamlessly with a dark atmosphere, and jazz-inspired elements add up to create an original sound.

The lyrics portray a codependent relationship between lovers and the inner struggle of a heart that can’t quite grow up, piercing listeners to the core.

Released as a digital single in September 2024, this piece will be a great gateway to exploring Narumiyasan’s musical style in depth.

It’s likely to resonate especially with teens and people in their twenties!