[Songs for May] Tracks that suit fresh greenery and driving & Mother's Day songs
By May, which includes the long holiday period, many of us are finally getting used to the new lives that began in April.
Some of you might be feeling a bit down from loneliness.
It may be a season when you start to miss the friends you used to spend almost every day with and the family who supported you.
This time, we’re featuring songs recommended for May! We’ll introduce refreshing tracks perfect for fresh greenery and road trips, songs that support your everyday life, and moving tunes just right for Mother’s Day.
We hope this leads you to a song that stays close to your heart.
- Songs for an Unwinding Heart in May: From Showa-Era Classics to Recent Hit Singles
- Mother's songs: moving masterpieces dedicated to beloved mothers, recommended popular tracks
- Blow away the May blues! Cheer songs and feel-good tunes to listen to in May
- [For Seniors] A collection of nostalgic classics to sing in May: popular songs everyone can hum together
- [Karaoke Songs for May] A list of classic tracks that capture the lingering spirit of spring and the arrival of early summer
- Uplifting songs to listen to in spring. Classic spring tunes that warm the heart.
- Nursery rhymes and fingerplay songs to enjoy in May! Songs perfect for the fresh green season
- Spring songs to color the season of meetings and partings—recommended for the Yutori generation
- [2026] Crowd-Pleasing Songs Recommended for People in Their 50s: A Collection of Nostalgic Classics
- Songs to Listen to on Children’s Day | A Curated Selection of Music for Tango no Sekku!
- [2026] Time-Travel to Your Memories Just by Listening! Recommended Spring Songs for People in Their 50s
- [Spring Songs Recommended for People in Their 30s] Carefully Selected Nostalgic Classics & Big Hits
- Moving songs to listen to in spring. Classic and popular spring tracks.
[Songs for May] Tracks for Fresh Greenery and Driving & Mother’s Day Songs (81–90)
Hymn to MotherMetis
One of the classic songs for Mother’s Day that many people love is “Haha Sanka” (“Mother’s Hymn”).
It’s a song Metis wrote specifically for her own mother.
While recalling her childhood days living with her mom, she expresses her gratitude throughout the lyrics.
A key point is the blend of a danceable reggae groove with simple string instrumentation.
Thanks to that, it’s perfect for conveying appreciation without getting overly sentimental.
Since it features many straightforward expressions of thanks, singing it at karaoke to get your feelings across is a great option, too.
DarlingMrs. GREEN APPLE
A heartwarming anthem that vividly captures the feelings of facing the anxieties and uncertainties of youth.
Set to a refreshing melody, it gently conveys the importance of embracing your true self.
With a sound packed with pop-rock elements and a powerful vocal performance, this is a striking track.
Produced as the theme song for the special NHK General program “18-sai Matsuri” aired in December 2024, it garnered major attention after being performed together with 1,000 members of the 18-year-old generation.
When you feel like you’re losing your way, or when you need the courage to take a new step forward, this song will be a reassuring companion.
At least this / Just this (one thing)WANIMA
WANIMA is a band that reigns as a source of courage and energy, beloved not only by kids but across a wide range of ages.
Their passionate Japanese lyrics carry a strong message, so it’s no wonder they’re popular with all generations.
Many of you may have heard their song “Kore Dake wa,” which was also featured in a McDonald’s commercial.
It’s catchy and fast-paced, yet when you listen to it during the stresses of a new chapter in life, it really resonates—a moving song that might even bring you to tears.
TrainKetsumeishi
It’s a cheer song about running toward dreams that suit the spring season.
That said, it’s filled with messages we especially want people to hear who are struggling with relationships while chasing their dreams.
Even so, the strong will to keep running makes it a moving song.
A gift from GodSazan Ōrusutāzu
The ever-beloved Southern All Stars present a song filled with thoughts for parents and children, marked by its heartwarming message and distinctive melody.
Imbued with love and respect for Japanese pop music, this work was first broadcast in February 2025 as the theme song for programs commemorating the 100th anniversary of NHK’s broadcasting.
Included on the album “THANK YOU SO MUCH,” it is sprinkled with homages to various classic Showa-era songs.
With a deep appreciation for Japan’s storied music scene and a wish to pass on musical culture to the next generation, this piece is one to be savored by parents and children alike.
It’s sure to be a wonderful opportunity to express gratitude through music as a Mother’s Day gift.
You.haji→
You want to express your gratitude on Mother’s Day, but it can feel embarrassing to say it directly, right? That’s when I’d like you to try “Anata.” It’s a song released during indie days by singer-songwriter HaJi→.
The lyrics convey thanks to the mother who has raised you up to now, along with a message like “Please don’t worry about me from now on.” It’s slow-tempo, so it’s suitable for singing at karaoke or using as background music for a message video.
Give it a try in various ways.
[Songs for May] Tracks for fresh greenery and drives & Mother’s Day songs (91–100)
Farewell in MayInoue Yosui
When we think of the season of farewells, March usually comes to mind, but this song is aptly titled “May Parting.” It was included on Yosui Inoue’s 1993 album UNDER THE SUN and was used in a Kirin Beer commercial at the time.
It depicts the scene of two people parting—beautiful and sorrowful—yet it’s a love song that deeply resonates.
You can feel the pleasant, refreshing climate of May, but the sense of melancholy steadily seeps in.
It’s a moving, highly recommended track.