Songs with satisfying key changes: classic J-POP and Japanese tracks where the mood and impression shift naturally
There’s a technique called “modulation” that’s used when you want to dramatically change a song’s scene or mood partway through.
If we were to explain modulation in depth, it would be enough to fill an entire music theory book, so I’ll skip the details here.
The most common pattern is raising the key for the final chorus to heighten the excitement.
There are also songs that, for example, modulate only in the pre-chorus to catch the listener off guard, as well as songs that skillfully modulate repeatedly while still sounding natural, using subtle modulation techniques.
This time, I’ve picked out a few songs where the modulations feel particularly pleasing or are especially well crafted.
If this article sparks your interest in modulation, please explore further by searching online.
Understanding how songs are put together will surely open up a whole new way to enjoy music!
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Songs with Key Changes That Feel Great: Classic J-POP and Japanese Hits That Naturally Shift and Change Impression (51–60)
MarionetteBOØWY
Released in 1987 as BOØWY’s sixth single.
Vocalist Kyosuke Himuro said he wrote the song with the mindset of “If anything by BOØWY will sell, then take this,” and true to his words, it reached No.
1 on the Oricon charts and became one of BOØWY’s signature songs.
Real FaceKAT-TUN
It was released in 2006 as KAT-TUN’s debut single.
The song drew attention because the lyrics were written by Shikao Suga and the composition was by Takahiro Matsumoto of B’z.
With a slightly mischievous image that suited KAT-TUN and a sound that set it apart from previous Johnny’s songs, it reached No.
1 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.
Start over!Sakurazaka46
A number that highlights the live energy driven by the jumping in the intro and strongly showcases Sakurazaka’s strength in performance.
It was released in 2023 as their sixth single.
The composition is by Nasca, who has delivered numerous classics in collaboration with the group, including during the Keyakizaka era.
With its significant impact, this song became a turning point for the group—a message song where the fusion of classical elements and rock-pop resonates beautifully.
Centered in a minor key, the frequent modulations give the impression of traveling back and forth across distant tonal spaces.
The lift in the final chorus brings a brighter feel, and together with the members’ expressions, it really hits you in the heart.
It’s a bold, challenging track that spurs a fresh restart.
Shut up.Ado
This is a song by Ado that overwhelms listeners with powerful lyrics and vocals.
It’s a fierce rock number that voices anger at the absurdities and rules of society, and when it modulates up by a half step in the final chorus, that emotion surges to its peak.
That key change works like a switch that releases pent-up frustration.
Produced by syudou, it was her major-label debut single, released in October 2020.
It drew widespread attention, making the Top Ten in the 2021 New Words and Buzzwords Awards, and was also used in a commercial for Myojo Foods’ “Chukazanmai.” It’s included on the album “Kyougen.” When you want to blow away the pent-up haze of everyday life, try blasting it at full volume for a cathartic reset.
Songs with satisfying key changes. Classic J-POP and Japanese tracks where the mood and impression shift naturally (61–70)
Young adultmakaroni enpitsu
Macaroni Enpitsu is a skilled rock band whose members all graduated from music college.
They resonate with many young people, and among their works, the one I’d especially like to highlight is this track, released in September 2019 as the lead song from the album “season.” It was also chosen as the opening theme for TV Tokyo’s Drama 24 series “I Dreamed of That Girl.” Centered on the theme of unconditional love that stands by those who carry loneliness and anxiety, it features an excellent build where the chord progression and melody rise powerfully from the calm verse into the chorus.
Rather than a strict key change, it evokes the feeling of your view opening up in step with an emotional swell.
Listen to it on nights when you feel like a loser or when you long to feel someone’s love, and it will surely bring solace to your heart.
CAN YOU CELEBRATE?Amuro Namie
It was released in 1997 as Namie Amuro’s ninth single.
Chosen as the theme song for Fuji TV’s Monday 9 p.m.
drama “Virgin Road,” it topped the Oricon charts for two consecutive weeks and achieved double million-seller status.
With this song, she won the Grand Prize at the 39th Japan Record Awards, marking her second consecutive win.
ClassicJUDY AND MARY
Released in October 1996 as JUDY AND MARY’s 10th single.
The song was originally written by guitarist TAKUYA for a solo project, but there’s an anecdote that it ended up being released by JUDY AND MARY because YUKI was determined to sing it.
It was used as the opening theme for TBS’s “Pop-file” and in a TV commercial for Nissin Foods’ “Vegetable Soup Noodles.” As for the modulation, the key change happens in the chorus after the interlude, where the key goes up.
As a setup for the modulation, the phrase right before the chorus is sung once in the original key and then a second time in the higher key, which clearly signals a scene change and allows the key to shift smoothly without feeling out of place.
There are also phrases and chord progressions—such as in the third measure of the A section—that make it feel as though the key changes, but it’s tricky to decide whether to treat these as actual key changes or simply as accidentals.
Since the track features only piano and vocals, listen closely to the piano and enjoy the richness of the chord progressions.
