Songs That Bring Back the Shows: Beloved Drama Theme Songs
Dramas that make people’s hearts race with excitement, no matter the era.
Whether it’s the flutter of a love story or the nail-biting tension of a suspenseful plot, many of us can’t wait for the day our favorite drama airs each week!
And what’s indispensable to those dramas are the theme songs that embody their worlds.
In this article, we’ll introduce some nostalgic drama theme songs.
We’ve gathered a selection of masterpieces that will make you want to watch those dramas all over again the moment you hear the music.
Whether you watched them when they first aired or are discovering them for the first time, give them a listen and immerse yourself in the world of the dramas!
- [2000–2009] A roundup of theme songs from popular dramas!
- [2010–2019] A roundup of theme songs from popular dramas
- [Drama Theme Songs] Over 800 Million Plays! A Curated Selection of Unforgettable Classics
- Theme and insert songs from the long-running Monday 9 p.m. dramas: classic hits from popular series and recommended fan favorites
- A catchy tune that sounds familiar
- [90s Western Films] Theme Songs & Insert Songs: Nostalgic Classics
- Theme Songs of NHK Taiga Dramas Through the Years: The Allure of Music That Colors Historical Stories
- Evokes the charm of the good old days. Showa-era inspirational songs that are still loved today.
- [Drama Soundtrack Collection] Timeless soundtrack masterpieces that revive the emotion: BGM and main theme
- Love songs that resonate with women in their 60s: gem-like romance tunes that revive memories of youth.
- [Korean Drama OSTs] Classic Popular Songs That Color the Story: Best Masterpieces
- [2026] A roundup of popular theme and opening songs from TV period dramas
- Relive those feelings from back in the day! Youth anthems recommended for the Yutori generation
Remembering the works! Theme songs from nostalgic dramas (21–30)
Old-fashionedback number
A gem of a love song that portrays love and loss that touch the heart.
Woven with delicate words about everyday exchanges with a loved one and unforgettable memories, this work reminds us of the importance of small joys in daily life.
Released in November 2018, it was chosen as the theme song for the TBS drama “A Story to Read When You First Fall in Love” (Dai Ren’ai: Boku o Wasureru Kimi to).
For back number, it was their first time providing a drama theme song in about three years, since 2015.
It’s a recommended track for those who cherish a special someone and wish to keep the memories with them close to their heart.
I miss you. I want to see you.Tezuka Shota
A striking ballad that sings of loss and eternal love.
It poignantly depicts the protagonist’s deep sorrow and intense longing after the happy days with his beloved wife are lost forever.
Written by Yasushi Akimoto and released under Kei Tanaka’s character name Shota Tezuka, the song served as the theme for the NTV drama “Your Turn to Kill: Counterattack,” which began airing in July 2019.
It’s a must-listen for anyone who can relate to the grief of losing a loved one and to the story of two people bound by a powerful bond.
White lilies on my birthdayFukuyama Masaharu
A heartwarming song that deeply reflects on the meaning of a name given by one’s parents and expresses gratitude in its lyrics.
Released in April 2013, it is Masaharu Fukuyama’s 30th single.
Chosen as the theme song for TBS’s Sunday drama Tonbi, it carefully portrays the inner journey of a protagonist who, having once wanted to keep his distance from his family in his youth, comes to understand the depth of their love as he grows older and learns to openly express gratitude for their irreplaceable presence.
Like a pure white flower gifted on the milestone of a birthday, this work is infused with sincere feelings and is sure to resonate when you want to honestly convey thanks to your parents or be reminded anew of the importance of family.
Eiichi Ohtakishiawasena ketsumatsu
One of Eiichi Ohtaki’s signature songs, which drew huge attention as the theme for the massively popular “Getsuku” Monday 9 p.m.
drama Love Generation starring Takuya Kimura and Takako Matsu.
If you watched the show, hearing this track might bring back, as if it were yesterday, the heart‑pounding push-and-pull of their romance.
The lyrics, which exquisitely portray the ever-shifting feelings of a grown woman in love, are superb.
You could even interpret them to suggest that the two met for the sake of a happy ending—how did you hear it? Ohtaki’s song “Let’s Begin with a Happy End” was also used as an insert song in the drama and became a hit.
Highly recommended as well!
In conclusion
I introduced some nostalgic TV drama theme songs—how was it? Did you get to reunite with the theme song from a drama you loved? If you discovered any songs for the first time in this article, be sure to check out not only the theme songs but the dramas themselves too!