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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Masterpieces that comfort your heart when times are tough. Uplifting songs with gentle lyrics that really sink in (31–40)
Letter ~To You at Fifteen~Anjura Aki
A memorable classic marked by the warmly resonant piano and Angela Aki’s gentle yet powerful vocals.
Released in September 2008, this song was also chosen as a required piece for the NHK All-Japan School Music Competition and has been loved by many.
The lyrics depict a story in which a 15-year-old self and an adult self converse through letters, delivering a message that closely resonates with listeners’ hearts.
Widely embraced in various settings, it has also been featured in commercials for Japan Post Group and Kansai Electric Power.
It’s a song that quietly stays by your side in moments when work or relationships wear you down, when you feel like you’re losing yourself—when your heart is on the verge of breaking.
It’s okay to cry.Momoiro Kurōbā Zetto
It’s their 11th single.
Lyrics and music by Miyuki Nakajima.
It was used as the theme song for the film “Akumu-chan The Movie.” Momoiro Clover Z deliver this highly message-driven track with all their might.
Their earnest vocals give you a real boost of motivation.
To youamazarashi
This is an amazarashi song that stands beside those burdened with pain so heavy it feels like their hearts might break, offering deep empathy and tenderness.
As a message to people who struggle with self-worth or feel on the verge of losing their reason to live, it became the title track of the album “Anta e,” released in November 2013.
Embracing the hearts of those who keep fighting desperately, it powerfully sings of the importance of forgiving yourself and the meaning of living true to who you are without fearing failure.
Rather than cheering someone on from the outside, this work is an anthem that begins with a dialogue with oneself.
When you grow weary of life, its melody and lyrics will be there to gently stay by your side.
Don’t forget that smile.ZARD
My top recommendation for a ZARD classic that lifts you up when times are tough is this song! It’s so beloved by fans that it’s included on many best-of albums, and it was one of Izumi Sakai’s own favorites: “Ano Hohoemi o Wasurenaide” (“Don’t Forget That Smile”).
It was first included on their third album, HOLD ME, in 1992.
Sometimes, those nostalgic memories are what keep us going, right? This is a coming-of-age song that makes you picture those happy days.
Izumi Sakai’s gentle lyrics set to a beautiful melody give you so much courage.
It’s refreshing yet tinged with sadness—the kind of beauty that mirrors the feeling of wanting to move forward even when it hurts.
smileAnly
A gem of a ballad that gives you the courage to keep looking forward no matter what.
Sung by Anly, a singer-songwriter from Ie Island in Okinawa, the song stands out for its straightforward message of staying smiling especially in tough times.
Carried by a warm sound with the soothing tones of acoustic guitar, it gently seeps into the listener’s heart.
Released in March 2016, the track was used as the theme song for the special drama “Boku no Inochi,” based on the true story of a boy with a serious illness and his family.
With lyrics celebrating the bonds between loved ones, it’s perfect for graduations and new beginnings.
If you listen when you’re feeling a little down, you’ll be wrapped in a kindness that feels like a gentle nudge forward.
Timeless songs that stay close to your heart when times are tough. Uplifting tracks with gentle, touching lyrics (41–50)
Night MusicMrs. GREEN APPLE
A song that gently envelops the solitary moments of facing oneself in the stillness of the night.
The longing to be loved, the desire to convey the pain buried deep within the heart—yet being unable to put it into words…
Such tender, aching emotions are expressed through delicate melodies and a dreamlike soundscape.
Released by Mrs.
GREEN APPLE in January 2024 as the theme song for the film “Silent Love,” the track drew a huge response, surpassing 100 million streams on Billboard Japan.
On nights when you can’t face your own weakness, or when your heart feels like it’s about to break, let this song stay by your side—it will surely bring you solace.
Endless JourneyMr.Children
It’s a song that is, as everyone knows, synonymous with Mr.Children.
When you’re stumbling in life, hitting a big wall, and feeling stuck, listening to this straightforward song will always help you move forward.
Hearing the line, “The higher the wall, the better it feels when you climb it,” makes you think, “Oh, is that so? Then maybe I should try climbing it,” and you can take a step ahead.