A classic of poignant, heartwarming songs. Recommended popular tracks.

ByrdEGO-WRAPPIN’

Byrd – EGO-WRAPPIN’

Speaking of EGO-WRAPPIN’, they’re a band well known for their vocal prowess and performances.

If possible, I’d rather hear their songs live than on CD.

This time, I’d like to introduce “Byrd,” one of their many bittersweet songs.

It’s a hidden gem known to those in the know.

People of the pastHY

[A Tearjerker] A Song That Makes Everyone Remember the Past: “To People of the Past” by HY

In this song, the keyboardist Izumi Nakasone provides the vocals.

In the previous song, “366 Days,” she still couldn’t forget the person she loved, but this song is about deciding to let go.

It’s fine to reminisce about someone you used to love, but if there’s someone new to fall for, it’s a song about choosing to forget.

DEPARTURESglobe

globe / 'DEPARTURES' (Starring: Ayaka Miyoshi)

Speaking of globe’s “DEPARTURES,” it’s a mega-hit and an incredibly famous song.

The heartrending melody and KEIKO’s poignant voice are simply the best.

It’s a moving song that really suits the winter season.

It’s also a beloved classic that’s very popular at karaoke.

Where does our sorrow go?Harukamirai

Harukamirai – Where Does Our Sorrow Go (Official Music Video)

Harukamirai’s soul-stirring cries, rooted in their unique worldview, strike straight to the heart.

While reflecting the anxieties and chaos of society, the song carries a strong will to keep moving forward and a desire to protect cherished companions.

Conveying the importance of holding on to hope even amid struggle, this work fuses punk rock with emotional elements to deliver a powerful sound that shakes the listener.

Included on the album “Living Is About Holding Onto a Hope as Small as a Booger,” released in February 2025, it marks a new frontier for a band with a track record that includes theme and insert songs for the film “Rin.” This is a message song that resonates with everyone who, despite feeling loneliness and anxiety, still wants to face forward and live.

The Toilet GodUemura Kana

Toilet God / Kana Uemura

Kana Uemura’s “Toire no Kamisama” (The Goddess of the Bathroom) is also a heartrending, moving song.

The lyrics are everything in this piece, so it’s best to listen to it carefully while reading along.

If possible, I recommend listening with your family—especially with your grandmother.

I won’t fall in love anymore.Makihara Noriyuki

[Official] Noriyuki Makihara “I Won’t Fall in Love Again” (Music Video) [5th Single] (1992) Noriyuki Makihara / Mou Koi Nante Shinai

The master of love songs, Noriyuki Makihara.

All the songs he sings are heartbreakingly bittersweet, but this time I’d like to introduce “Mou Koi Nante Shinai” (“I Won’t Fall in Love Again”).

It’s a song from the perspective of a man still hopelessly hung up after a breakup, and part of its charm is that the lyrics are a bit unusual and unique.

Lovers Are Wine-ColoredCHAGE and ASKA

Lovers Are Wine-Colored

In the 1990s, when CHAGE & ASKA were at the height of their success, every song they released was a big hit—and each one was dramatic.

“My Lover Is the Color of Wine” is another masterpiece.

I especially recommend the lyrics.

I suggest listening while reading them.