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 stay close to your heart when times are tough. Uplifting tracks with gentle, comforting lyrics (11–20)
At all times.Makihara Noriyuki
Noriyuki Makihara’s “Donna Toki mo (No Matter What)” is a song that truly resonates with how important—and how difficult—it is to be yourself.
It’s a classic that has been loved ever since its release.
In our daily lives—working, getting through the day—we inevitably interact with people.
Some of them may be hard for us to deal with.
And in those moments, don’t we sometimes get hurt, overthink things, or suppress ourselves just to avoid conflict? It gets harder and harder to breathe, doesn’t it? When that happens, please listen to this song.
It will surely remind you of what truly matters to you.
Let’s do our best.SMAP
It’s a classic SMAP song that speaks straight to the heart.
It was used as a theme song for Fuji TV programs such as “Naruhodo! The World.” Life can be tough, and sometimes you forget what you’re working so hard for.
But when you listen to this song, you naturally feel like, “Let’s keep going together.” It carries a message of valuing hard work and grit while moving forward without fear of failure.
With its lively melody and warm vocals, it’s sure to lift your spirits and help you stay positive.
Released in September 1994, the single debuted at No.
1 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.
In the Morning of DeterminationAqua Timez
It’s a song that gently wraps your heart in kind words and lifts you up.
Released in July 2006, it was chosen as the theme song for the animated film “Brave Story.” The lyrics, which acknowledge one’s own weakness yet encourage looking forward and moving on, truly resonate.
If you’re going through tough days, I hope you’ll give it a listen.
It will give you the courage to take that first step.
Aqua Timez’s warm vocals will softly light your heart and help you commit to a new morning.
sunflowerYūsuke
A heartwarming song by Yusuke that stays by your side in tough times.
It likens the way sunflowers bloom facing the sun to the human way of life, singing about the strength to keep looking forward even in difficult situations.
The lyric “Take a deep breath” gives courage to listeners.
Released in March 2009, it was used as the theme song for a Fuji TV drama.
It debuted at No.
2 on the Oricon weekly singles chart, capturing the hearts of many.
Highly recommended for those facing setbacks or worries, or standing at a crossroads in life.
Morning will come againDREAMS COME TRUE
When you lose someone precious, it can feel like the color suddenly drains from your everyday life, and everything becomes strangely empty.
You might feel like nothing matters anymore.
In times like that, I want you to listen to DREAMS COME TRUE’s “Asa ga Mata Kuru” (“Morning Will Come Again”).
Losing someone is deeply painful, and it’s something we’d avoid if we could.
But nothing lasts forever.
Farewells come someday, and even after that, everyday life goes on.
This song tells us, “That’s why we have to keep living.” If you drift through life as if nothing matters, you might even disappoint the person you cared about.
I hope this song helps you slowly start facing forward again.
NO MORE CRYD-51
This is a song characterized by a message that truly resonates and a refreshingly bright sound.
D-51’s warm vocals gently wrap around the listener’s heart.
Released in February 2005, it was also used as the theme song for the Nippon TV drama “Gokusen.” It’s perfect for anyone trying to get through tough times or looking to face forward and keep going.
When you’re feeling down, why not listen to this track and draw some strength from it? It’s sure to stay close to your heart.
It’s a supportive anthem that encourages you not to fear shedding tears and to take a brave new step forward.
Masterpieces that comfort the heart when times are tough. Uplifting songs with gentle lyrics that resonate (21–30)
If being alive is painfulMoriyama Naotaro
It’s a ballad whose shocking opening line makes everyone doubt their ears—and then captures their hearts.
Sung by Naotaro Moriyama, who frames the world from a unique perspective, this masterpiece lays bare both the pain and joy of living.
The lyrics, written by poet Ochanomizu Kazu around 1997, were turned into a song after Moriyama happened upon them.
Released in August 2008 as his 16th single, it also drew attention as the CM song for Shuto Iko, Osaka Isen, and Nagoya Isen.
Its paradoxical wording delivers a message that affirms “living,” one that should especially resonate with those carrying deep worries.
Rather than forcing yourself to be cheerful, why not listen quietly on a night when you want to face your heart with calm?