Masterpieces that sing about various lives. Recommended popular songs.

CheersNagabuchi Tsuyoshi

Cheers

A lanky long-haired young man used to sing in a faint voice, “Please fall in love with me,” and later, after becoming a buff macho man, he screams, “I’ll love you!” Some people may think, “Nagabuchi has really changed,” but I believe the feeling of caring for others, as sung in ‘Kanpai,’ has always run through Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi as an artist.

It’s a standard song for graduations and farewell parties—haven’t you sung it at least once? The message wishing someone to be gentle, to be strong, and to be happy is timeless.

Let’s become a familyFukuyama Masaharu

Masaharu Fukuyama – Let’s Become a Family (Full ver.)

Everyone knows how multi-talented Masaharu Fukuyama is, right? And his good looks go without saying.

There are many artists who continue to sing about love and romance between men and women even after building their careers, but I think it’s rare to find someone like Fukuyama who focuses on familial love and human affection.

As its title suggests, the song “Kazoku ni Narou yo” (“Let’s Become a Family”) overflows with love for fathers, mothers, children, and siblings.

The unadorned lyrics seem to further highlight the depth of that love.

We don’t usually think of family as something special, yet having a family truly is something special—that’s the feeling this song gives me.

SymphonyHirai Dai

Hirai Dai / Symphony (Music Video)

Characterized by warm, heartfelt vocals and a grand orchestral arrangement, this gem of a love ballad gives voice to the universal longing for a hero and the resolve to protect the ones we cherish.

Infused with Dai Hirai’s perspective as a father, it carries a powerful message brimming with hope and love for the future.

Released in April 2023 as the theme song for the film TOKYO MER: Mobile Emergency Room – The Movie, it marked Hirai’s first theme for a live-action film.

The song is also included on his best-of album LOVE＋PEACE, released in May of the same year.

This track is perfect for new beginnings with someone special, pivotal moments in life, or any time you need the courage to face forward.

Wrapped in its warm vocals, it’s sure to help you take that first step toward tomorrow.

Life is hard.satō moka

Life is busy

There are days when the weight of everyday life feels like it might crush you, and you can’t help but sigh, right? For anyone carrying that kind of helpless feeling, the opening track of singer-songwriter Moka Sato’s album “ERA,” released in October 2024, offers gentle companionship.

While candidly laying bare the real struggles of life—like daily payments and relationships—its breezy, stylish sound has a way of lifting you up.

A message like “You don’t have to push yourself” seeps deep into your heart, loosening taut strings.

If you’re exhausted from giving your all just to get through each day, try listening to this record and let your shoulders relax.

moment; instant; a split secondGReeeeN

GReeeeN – Setsuna

Everyone has probably wondered at least once what the meaning of life is for them.

Still, the answer is hard to find.

Even when you feel discouraged by the vast expanse of life ahead, this song reminds you that we all share the same twenty-four hours in a day, and it makes you want to cherish each one.

GIFTMr.Children

Mr.Children「GIFT」Music Video(Short ver.)

I wonder what my own color is.

You can’t answer it with just “black and white.” If you keep walking toward the color you think is the most beautiful, you’ll surely come to know that color.

And you’ll be able to share what you gain along the way with others.

I received the gift of realizing that rather than becoming number one, it’s more important to live a life where you’re the only one.

Thank you.

HEROMr.Children

Mr.Children「HERO」［(an imitation)blood orange］Tour2013 Live

This song, with its very charming animated music video featuring cute dolls, is truly captivating.

It’s said that Mr.

Sakurai, who was battling illness, wrote it for his child who was his emotional support, and you can feel his love for his child.

The lyrics sing about the importance of living and the heroes of our lives.