Timeless songs that stay close to your heart when times are tough. Uplifting tracks with gentle lyrics that really sink in.
What kind of music do you listen to when you’re going through a tough time?
When work, studying, busyness, or relationships wear you down, it can get hard to take in words.
But listening to wonderful music can give you energy, right?
Gentle messages that stay by your side, sounds that softly wrap around you, and bright moods can soothe the heart.
In this article, we’ll introduce classic songs that can ease that kind of pain.
Try listening while you take a break and want to lift your spirits.
May your heart be lit up, even if just a little.
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Timeless songs that gently stay by your side when times are tough. Uplifting tracks with tender lyrics that resonate (71–80)
rainbowAqua Timez
Even in times of pain and sorrow, the song that makes me feel hopeful that something good will definitely await after the tears is Aqua Timez’s “Niji.” Released in 2008, this song was used as the theme for the third season of the drama Gokusen.
Life has its ups and downs, and even the days that seem pointless and the hard days all have meaning.
It gently encourages you, saying that even when you feel at rock bottom, there’s no need to rush—just move forward step by step at your own pace.
It gives you strength when everything feels dark and you can’t stand back up.
White LightSuperfly
This is a song filled with a warm, heartfelt message.
Its gently embracing melody and the powerful, resonant vocals of Shiho Ochi reach out to listeners’ hearts.
It was released digitally in advance starting in January 2015, and was later included on the album “WHITE” in May of the same year.
To celebrate the album’s release, a free live concert was held on May 30 at Osaka Castle’s Nishinomaru Garden, drawing an audience of about 15,000.
It’s a recommended track for when you’re feeling down or exhausted.
Listening to it may lighten your heart a little and give you the courage to look forward.
MOVE ON!hikari no naka ni
I’ve lost sight of what I’m working so hard for—I just want to run away.
Everyone has moments like that, right? That’s exactly when I want you to listen to “MOVE ON!”.
It’s a 2021 song by Hikari no Nakani, a rock band from Tokyo that now continues as Yamashita Kaho’s solo project.
The emotional, fast-paced sound carries a hint of nostalgic youth rock.
The lyrics, which seem to speak for your pain against that backdrop, really hit home.
It’s a special pep song that will support anyone who’s absorbed in something, or facing that all-important moment—like entrance exams.
ElfAdo
A powerful performance by Ado that resonates as an anthem for those who carry loneliness yet keep moving forward.
Released in January 2025 as the theme song for the drama “Who Watched the Peacock’s Dance?”, this work brilliantly captures the world of the series starring Suzu Hirose.
While staying close to the feelings of a protagonist who continues a solitary struggle, it sings of the preciousness of living true to oneself, making it a song that deeply touches the hearts of those weary from work or life.
It’s an encouraging track we especially recommend to anyone feeling lost or anxious in their daily life, or to those who have paused midway on their own path.
Future Projectionsloppy dim
When you’re tired or want to relax, I highly recommend giving “Mirai Yosozu” a listen.
It’s a rap song released as the lead track of an EP by the hip-hop unit sloppy dim.
With a gentle, heartfelt delivery, it expresses the feeling of looking to the future with hope.
You’ll surely feel energized when you hear it.
It’s also a great pick for enjoying the perfectly synced performance—like the harmonies and switch-offs between ove and syun.
The chorus, in particular, is breathtaking.
spin; weave; compose (e.g., a story)tota
Tota is an artist whose charm lies in her unadorned, sincere voice.
Since 2022, she has been sharing her music from home in the style known as a bedroom sound creator.
This song, released in 2023, features lyrics that express a wish—and offer encouragement—to live life to the fullest even in times of sadness or hardship, right up to the very end.
It’s curious how being alive can make us conscious of death, but the lyrics, which juxtapose life and death, are thought-provoking.
It’s a track you’ll want to listen to while savoring the words carefully.
MindsetKamikita Ken
A ballad that evokes deep empathy, woven from tranquil acoustic guitar and delicate vocals.
In this piece, Ken Kamikita turns inward, expressing the emotions and conflicts that lie deep within his heart.
It portrays a heartfelt plea to have one’s existence acknowledged, the anxiety and confusion of searching for the meaning of life, and the complex state of finding a kind of solace in the world’s indifference.
Released in April 2017 on the mini-album “LAYERED” and unveiled alongside a concept book, the work drew attention as an ambitious project that fused music and literature.
When you face hardship and feel on the verge of losing your sense of purpose, this song will stay close to your heart and give you the courage to confront yourself.