A song about losing a friend: bereavement, betrayal, and separation.

STAYNEW!Kobukuro

Kobukuro – STAY

Even in the depths of grief after losing someone precious, this Kobukuro song portrays the strength to keep living with their memory.

It gently stays close to the inner turmoil and loneliness that sway deep within the heart, while its powerful vocals express the resolve to keep facing forward and hold one’s ground.

Released as a single in July 2009, it was also used as the theme song for the drama “The Summer of Bureaucrats.” Later that same year, it was included on the acclaimed album “CALLING.” It will resonate tenderly with those tormented by a sense of loss and unable to move on, giving them the courage to start walking again.

It’s a song you’ll want to hear when you’re trying, little by little, to move toward the future with memories of a beloved person you can no longer see held close to your heart.

mortuary makeupNEW!Rosu

mortuary makeup -shinigeshou-

A song by Rosu that depicts the scene of giving a final touch of makeup to someone who has grown cold.

Released in June 2022.

As it faces the reality of losing a loved one, it sings of the piercing emotions of accepting a farewell.

Though short, this work is filled with a charm that later connects to the album Yoru no Shitsu.

When you’re wrapped in an overwhelming sense of loss, the song’s earnest and gentle worldview stays close to your sorrow.

Recommended for those who have experienced a final goodbye with someone dear.

On a night when the tears won’t stop, please give it a listen.

Our Let It BeNEW!Kamikita Ken

Our Let It Be

A soft yet resolute singing voice seems to seep into the depths of the heart.

This is a cover released in February 2012 by singer-songwriter Ken Uekita.

The song conveys a life carried on with the pain of loss and unforgettable promises, set to delicate acoustic sounds.

It was also included on the best-of album “BEST OF KKBOX,” released in October 2024.

It’s the kind of piece that will stay with you on nights when you want to remember someone dear and quietly shed tears.

PhoenixNEW!Saitō Kazuyoshi

Phoenix

This is a song included on Kazuyoshi Saito’s album “Tsuki ga Noboreba” (When the Moon Rises).

Released in September 2009, it is known for being written with deep feelings for Kiyoshiro Imawano, who passed away that May.

It goes beyond mere sentimentality, radiating the fiery spirit of a rock musician.

Imbued with a wish to keep being reborn like a phoenix, it carries a strength that looks forward even amid sorrow.

When you feel lonely after losing someone important, it can make you feel that the messages they left behind continue to live on within you.

While facing grief, it gently gives a push to keep living earnestly—why not let yourself be enveloped by such a warm and powerful voice?

afterglowNEW!Sugimoto Rarara

Afterglow / Sugimoto Lalala

It’s a song that gently unfolds from an image like gazing up at stars twinkling in the night sky, carrying a deep longing for someone precious who has been lost.

Singer-songwriter Lalala Sugimoto created it over a decade ago; it remained unsung for a long time, but after time passed, she internalized it in her own way, re-recorded it, and released it digitally in June 2022.

It was later included on the album “Even If It’s Broken, I Love It,” released in September 2023.

The delicate acoustic sound woven by piano and percussion tenderly envelops the passage of time and the sorrow lingering deep in the heart.

When you want to quietly shed tears under the night sky, remembering someone dear you can no longer meet, please listen softly.

Hello,my friendNEW!Matsutōya Yumi

Yumi Matsutoya – Hello, my friend

It’s a classic song that, alongside late-summer imagery, conveys a heartfelt longing for someone one can never meet again.

Released as a single in July 1994, it is widely cherished as one of Yumi Matsutoya’s signature works.

It was also used as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “A Summer with You,” and remains etched in many people’s memories.

Contrary to its title, which sounds like a greeting for a reunion, the song quietly embraces the pain of loss and portrays a protagonist who holds dear the memories of days gone by.

Its forward-looking message—seeking a sliver of hope even within sorrow—resonates deeply.

It’s a companion for nights when you remember someone important and let the tears fall softly.

The Day I Became a JewelBUMP OF CHICKEN

BUMP OF CHICKEN “The Day It Became a Jewel”

This song poignantly portrays the sorrow of parting with a friend.

It was included on BUMP OF CHICKEN’s 8th album, “Butterflies,” released in February 2016, and was also featured in a Calpis Water commercial.

Its arrangement conveys a quiet intensity, and the lyrics impressively express the feeling of cherishing a lost bond like a precious gem.

There’s also an anecdote about the band convening at the studio at 3 a.m.

It’s a track that gently pushes those who are trying to face forward despite the pain of farewell.

If you’ve experienced losing someone important or find yourself remembering a friend you’ve grown apart from, this is a song you should definitely listen to.