Memories gifted with the songs of May: timeless spring classics and moving tales of music
May blesses us with comfortable weather—a perfect season for enjoying music.
From early-summer breezes that make you hum a gentle “samidare” (May rain) melody, to moving song stories perfect for Mother’s Day, and even tunes that support you through the May blues, there are so many songs tied to this month.
In this article, we’ll introduce gems that capture the shift from spring to summer, as well as masterpieces filled with heartfelt messages for loved ones.
You’re sure to discover a song that resonates with your heart.
Enjoy the read to the very end!
- [Karaoke Songs for May] A list of classic tracks that capture the lingering spirit of spring and the arrival of early summer
- [May Songs] Uplifting Cheer Songs & Moving Mother’s Day Song Collection
- [For Seniors] Songs to Sing in Refreshing May When the Fresh Green Shines
- Blow away the May blues! Cheer songs and feel-good tunes to listen to in May
- [Spring Songs] Classic and Latest Hit Collections Perfect for a Bright, Gentle Spring
- [For Seniors] Spring Songs You'll Want to Hum: Feel the Season with Nostalgic Classics
- Spring songs that were hits in the 90s. Classic and popular tracks from Japanese music.
- [2026] Time-Travel to Your Memories Just by Listening! Recommended Spring Songs for People in Their 50s
- Spring songs for people in their 60s: A collection of classic tracks about cherry blossoms and farewells
- Nursery rhymes and fingerplay songs to enjoy in May! Songs perfect for the fresh green season
- [Spring Songs Recommended for People in Their 30s] Carefully Selected Nostalgic Classics & Big Hits
- Spring songs to color the season of meetings and partings—recommended for the Yutori generation
- Songs to Listen to in June: A Curated Selection of Rain-Themed Tracks and Classics for Father’s Day
Memories Sent with Songs of May: Classic Spring Tunes and Moving Song Stories (21–30)
Motherkariyushi 58
This is “Anma” by Kariyushi 58, a band formed in 2005 by members born and raised in Okinawa.
“Anma” means mother.
It’s a song that expresses gratitude to a mother who loved the singer no matter how hard things got or what harsh words were said.
Above all, the revelation in the latter half that the singer himself welcomed a jewel-like baby girl in early spring adds a profound emotional impact.
It’s a spring song about family that brings happiness.
True to the name “Kariyushi,” which conveys auspiciousness, it’s a joyful, feel-good track!
Early summer rainEvery Little Thing
This is a song included at the end of Every Little Thing’s 2004 masterpiece “commonplace,” which sings of everyday life.
Each word—sounding like a prayer or a wish, hoping feelings will be conveyed—is a “letter,” and it’s said to be a theme Kaori Mochida, who wrote the lyrics, very much wanted to write about.
A powerfully moving song that resonates deeply.
Ichirō “Ikkun” Itō’s acoustic guitar tones gently echo in the heart as well.
Carry the feelings you received from someone precious and live today—place those unspoken emotions into “Samidare.”
The Wheat SongNakajima Miyuki
May is often the season for harvesting wheat.
Rice is planted in early summer and harvested in autumn, but wheat is the opposite: it’s planted in autumn and harvested in early summer.
For that reason, the early summer period before the rainy season is also called “barley autumn” (mugi-aki), and it has come to be known in haiku as a seasonal word for summer.
This song is about wheat and was also used as the theme song for the NHK drama Massan, so please give it a listen in this season.
May DayBUMP OF CHICKEN
Every year on May 1, a festival called May Day—also known as Labor Day—is held.
BUMP OF CHICKEN’s “Mayday” might seem at first glance to be related to that May Day, but it actually isn’t.
The song takes its name from the distress signal “Mayday” used on ships and airplanes, and it features electronic sounds reminiscent of Morse code.
Try listening to it while following along with the lyrics to see what kind of song it is.
The Magic of MayKalafina
This is the song “Gogatsu no Mahō” (May’s Magic) by the vocal unit Kalafina, which disbanded in March 2019.
Many of their songs evoke a sense of nostalgia, and this track fully conveys that wistful world.
The melody line is particularly beautiful, and their harmonies are compelling.
Although this video features a piano arrangement, the beauty still comes through clearly.
cute personUrufuruzu
Speaking of May, there’s Mother’s Day, isn’t there? The 1997 single “Kawaii Hito” is a song themed around mothers, with the Wulfuls’ signature style in full swing! From the very first beat of the intro, it lifts your spirits and puts you in a great mood—such a cute track.
It happily sings a son’s gratitude to his mother, and the blend of the Wulfuls’ heartwarming, human touch with their rock ’n’ roll band sound is a perfect match.
That cozy, feel-good vibe also seems perfect for the moment you give a gift!
carnationShiina Ringo
Ringo Sheena’s “Carnation” is a song that was also used as the theme for the NHK morning drama series Carnation.
The drama focuses on family love spanning from the Taisho to the Showa era, and the song likewise evokes a somewhat nostalgic, retro atmosphere.
Its relaxed, jazz-waltz-like 3/4 time feels so pleasant, doesn’t it? Since May includes Mother’s Day, how about listening to this song and giving your mother a little present?