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!

Playlist

Songs with satisfying key changes: classic J-POP and Japanese tracks where the mood and impression shift naturally
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Que sera, seraMrs. GREEN APPLE		An inspiring song by Mrs. GREEN APPLE
2	Racing into the NightYOASOBI		Explanation of YOASOBI’s signature song “Racing into the Night”
3	hundreds of millions of light-yearsOmoinotake		Omoinotake’s drama theme song “Ikioku Kōnen” has become a massive hit.
4	swallowtail butterflyPorunogurafiti		A classic whose Latin melody carries the heart to a foreign land
5	Bunny GirlAKASAKI		AKASAKI’s emotionally moving songs that are popular on social media
6	Nandemonaiya (Movie Version)RADWIMPS		The memorable theme song of “Your Name.”
7	waxing; filling up; becoming full; growing (e.g., the moon growing fuller)Fuji Kaze		R&B-style singer-songwriter Fujii Kaze
8	CITRUSDa-iCE		Da-iCE “CITRUS” — an emotional song
9	mixed nutsOfisharu Higedan Dism		A masterpiece where the key changes in the anime theme song shine
10	lilacMrs. GREEN APPLE		The hit song Lilac by the hugely popular band Mrs. GREEN APPLE
11	HANABIMr.Children		Mr.Children’s masterpiece with a half-step key change
12	idolYOASOBI		YOASOBI's “I Love You,” anime theme song
13	Blue BenchSasuke		Sasuke’s debut single ramps up with key changes
14	SaudadePorunogurafiti		Pornograffitti's classic song Saudade, passionate.
15	As a personSUPER BEAVER		A masterpiece by SUPER BEAVER with pleasantly shifting key changes
16	Summertime CinderellaRyokushokushakai		The exhilarating theme song of Midsummer Cinderella
17	The Long and Short FestivalShiina Ringo		A sophisticated summer classic of Sun-burism
18	Love will winKAN		A refreshing piano pop song that represents the Heisei era
19	First LoveUtada Hikaru		Popular single by Hikaru Utada
20	StoryAI		AI's 12th single, a masterpiece of key changes
21	My NoteSukima Suichi		A heartfelt ballad by Sukima Switch
22	Crackers on the back of my mindzutto mayonaka de ii no ni.		A ZUTOMAYO song with captivating key changes.
23	Cry BabyOfisharu Higedan Dism		Revengers theme song, intense key changes
24	Nameless PoemMr.Children		Mr.Children's 10th single, a song with fun key changes.
25	instinctShiina Ringo		Ringo Sheena’s signature song “Honnō,” with its powerful vocals
26	Rain and CappuccinoYorushika		Yorushika's 'Rain and Cappuccino': The allure of key changes and dissonance
27	SubtitleOfisharu Higedan Dism		Subtitled song of love that doesn't reach the other person
28	As I love you selfishly, I won’t hurt anyone but you.B’z		The appeal of B’z’s signature song “Ai no Mama ni”
29	Everyday lifeOfisharu Higedan Dism		A song that delicately depicts everyday emotions
30	KanadeSukima Suichi		A masterpiece by Sukima Switch with brilliant key changes
31	Dan Dan Kokoro HikaretekuFIELD OF VIEW		A classic anime theme song, distinguished by its natural key changes.
32	A bouquet of flowers with loveSuperfly		A classic song by Superfly, distinguished by its pleasant key changes.
33	MiracleGReeeeN		Musical characteristics of GReeeeN’s “Kiseki”
34	single-minded; wholehearted; devoted; earnestKing Gnu		Jujutsu Kaisen 0 theme song with an impressive musical structure
35	Love so sweetarashi		Arashi’s 2007 single, notable for its key changes
36	YesterdayOfisharu Higedan Dism		The allure of sophisticated key changes in movie theme songs
37	Brilliant RainKing Gnu		King Gnu's “Amesansan” has captivating key changes.
38	Romantic Flightkome kome CLUB		A signature song by Kome Kome Club that became a million-seller through a commercial jingle.
39	I want to hug you.Mr.Children		Masterpiece by Mr. Children: a timeless love song that resonates with the heart
40	My RevolutionWatanabe Misato		Misato Watanabe’s classic song about living true to yourself
41	me me sheRADWIMPS		An emotional ballad that portrays lingering attachment and tender affection
42	maybeYOASOBI		YOASOBI's poignant, heart-touching song
43	Heralding springyama		A solitary masterpiece created online
44	New EraAdo		Ado’s “New Genesis” is characterized by a modulation to the parallel key.
45	AnarchyOfisharu Higedan Dism		The film’s theme song is striking, with smooth key changes.
46	MelissaPorunogurafiti		The opening theme of the anime 'Fullmetal Alchemist' is moving.
47	reverse dreamKing Gnu		The ending theme song of the film Jujutsu Kaisen 0
48	Young adultmakaroni enpitsu		A moving masterpiece by a band from a music university
49	Secret of my heartKuraki Mai		A classic song where the Detective Conan ending theme sings of secrets
50	SaudadePorunogurafiti		A passionate love song of Latin rock
51	broad daylightKing Gnu		King Gnu masters the mainstream by using key-change techniques.
52	A Fateful EncounterCHAGE and ASKA		A hit song inspired by “An Affair to Remember”
53	horizonback number		An inspiring cheer song born during the COVID-19 pandemic
54	Bedroom WarfareONE OK ROCK		A famous ONE OK ROCK song with an impressive key change
55	Real FaceKAT-TUN		KAT-TUN’s debut single becomes a smash hit, taking the No. 1 spot.
56	Shut up.Ado		Express anger at society with powerful lyrics
57	Hello, Again ~A Place That’s Been There Since Long Ago~My Little Lover		A moving song that modulates from a bright tone
58	Start over!Sakurazaka46		A message song about a beautiful fusion that became a turning point
59	MarionetteBOØWY		BOØWY’s signature song, a hit from 1987
60	Magic MusicKimura Kaera		Kaela Kimura’s iconic song “Magic Music” is bursting with rock vibes.
61	TemptationGLAY		A signature song by GLAY that became a million-seller in 1998.
62	IT’S ONLY LOVEFukuyama Masaharu		Masaharu Fukuyama’s hit song “Niji” became a huge hit through a commercial.
63	FLASHPerfume		Perfume, a song with a memorable key change in the chorus
64	Things that have formShibasaki Kou		Kou Shibasaki achieves great success transitioning from actress to artist
65	ClassicJUDY AND MARY		JUDY AND MARY, 1996 hit song
66	rainbowAqua Timez		Aqua Timez’s signature song “Niji” features striking key changes.
67	Naughty SunORANGE RANGE		An OR theme song depicting summer love and excitement
68	SUNHoshino Gen		Gen Hoshino's 70s-style dance classic track
69	Finishing Blow feat. Cory WongVaundy		Supported by young people for its original music
70	Ponytail and ScrunchieAKB48		A masterpiece by AKB48 featuring elaborate key-change techniques
71	NEXT LEVELYU-KI		TRF/YU-KI’s Kamen Rider Kabuto theme song is notable for its key changes.
72	Silent majorityKeyakizaka46		Keyakizaka46’s skillful musical modulation techniques
73	Just the two of usRADWIMPS		RADWIMPS' single features an appealing key change in the chorus.
74	Tomorrow as wellSHISHAMO		SHISHAMO’s songs that sing about down-to-earth worries
75	DepartureGReeeeN		A father’s song as he smilingly sends off his daughter who is chasing her dreams
76	CAN YOU CELEBRATE?Amuro Namie		Namie Amuro's smash hit song, the theme for Virgin Road
77	cherry blossomKobukuro		Kobukuro’s popular cherry blossom song “Hana” is a big hit.
78	QUINCYBoA		BoA’s hit song “Every Heart” wins the Grand Prize
79	Dear My FriendEvery Little Thing		Naoko Iijima’s commercial jingle wins the grand prize
80	Dream BeatWienners		The key change conveys a forward-looking feeling and hope.
81	smileikimonogakari		Ikimonogakari: a song overflowing with smiles
82	When cherry-blossom hues danceNakajima Mika		Mika Nakashima’s ballad song that sings about cherry blossoms
83	main streetShiina Ringo & Tōtasu Matsumoto		A collaboration song by Ringo Sheena and Tortoise Matsumoto
84	EverythingMISIA		A celebrated ballad, a masterpiece that colors the season of love.
85	Refrain of SoulsTakahashi Yoko		The theme song of Evangelion, “Refrain”
86	Even if I grow tired of swimming in this loveZARD		Theme song of a suspense drama, a famous track with a sense of acceleration
87	GarnetOku Hanako		The theme song of The Girl Who Leapt Through Time is popular along with the film.
88	At the mercy of the seaYOASOBI		A narrative song about meeting a ghostly girl at the harbor at night
89	AWAYOKUBA – SlashUVERworld		Dramatic songs by UVERworld
90	SeventeenYOASOBI		A collaborative work between YOASOBI and a novel by Miyuki Miyabe
91	Bird’s PoemLia		Lia’s AIR theme song, a heartrending melody
92	Everyday, KachushaAKB48		AKB48’s 21st single: Guam-shot MV well received
93	sense of shameshuuchishin		The hit song by the quiz show-born unit 'Shuchishin'.
94	Bird’s PoemLia		The moving theme song of AIR, “Tori no Uta” (Bird’s Poem)
95	paprikaFoorin		The famous song by Foorin produced by Kenshi Yonezu
96	SWEET PAINglobe		globe’s classic song “SWEET PAIN” is captivating for its key changes.
97	I miss you so much, I want to see you.Nishino Kana		Kana Nishino’s famous song—an emotional track known for its striking key changes
98	ZEROB’z		A signature song by B’z, a hit in a funk-metal style.
99	VanillaGACKT		Gackt’s second single, notable for its striking key changes
100	Aim to be a Pokémon MasterMatsumoto Rika		The first opening theme of the Pokémon anime, the famous song sung by Rica Matsumoto
101	You’re My Only Shinin’ StarKadamatsu Toshiki		Toshiki Kadomatsu’s classic song, self-covered by the artist himself
102	Stars on EarthNakajima Miyuki		Miyuki Nakajima’s “Jidai” becomes a major hit as an NHK program theme song
103	Let It Go ~As I Am~Matsu Takako		The theme song of Frozen is characterized by delicate key changes.
104	Furisodationkyarī pamyu pamyu		Kyarī’s coming-of-age song celebrating her 20th birthday
105	Stand By YouOfisharu Higedan Dism		The hit song by the hugely popular Official HIGE DANDism
106	Happy Summer WeddingMōningu Musume.		A heart-touching wedding song by Morning Musume
107	love the worldPerfume		Perfume’s smash hit tops the CM song rankings
108	I’m proudKahara Tomomi		Tomomi Kahala’s signature song, produced by Tetsuya Komuro
109	HarmonyLittle Glee Monster		A Little Glee Monster song with an excellent key change
110	I BELIVEKahara Tomomi		Tomomi Kahala's hit song led to a big breakout through commercials.
111	Heeey?Matsuura Aya		Ayaya Matsuura's Tissera commercial song
112	MadderMoriyama Naotaro		An inspiring, heart-touching ballad by Naotaro Moriyama
113	HitotsuboshiKOH⁺		The key change in the movie theme song by KOH+ is outstanding.
114	Boys&GirlsHamasaki Ayumi		Ayumi Hamasaki’s hit song makes a big leap forward.
115	Ultramarine DaysToukyou Jihen		An explanation of Tokyo Jihen’s classic song “Gunjou Biyori”
116	flameLiSA		Musicality of LiSA’s smash-hit theme song from Demon Slayer
117	Rockdom ~ Blown by the WindTHE ALFEE		A classic hit by THE ALFEE that evokes youth
118	Swet & TearsTHE ALFEE		A signature song by THE ALFEE known for its striking key changes.
119	butterflyKimura Kaera		Love song, Kimura Kaela’s classic wedding tune
120	Morning will come againDREAMS COME TRUE		An inspiring classic that gives you courage—the theme song of the emergency ward drama
121	ALIVESPEED		SPEED scores a big hit with the theme song for Andromedia
122	You’re my sunshineAmuro Namie		Namie Amuro’s hit song, produced by Tetsuya Komuro