Masterpieces that sing about play. Recommended popular songs.
We’ve put together a collection of songs themed around childhood games like hide-and-seek, marbles, swings, and paper airplanes.
Packed with bittersweet nostalgia for the games everyone has experienced and the tender, aching feelings of childhood, this playlist is full of heart-tugging tracks.
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Classic songs about play/fun. Recommended popular tracks (21–30)
Red BalloonAsada Miyoko
It was released in 1973 as Miyoko Asada’s debut single.
She was a regular on the TBS home drama “Jikan Desu yo,” and the song was performed in the show.
It reached No.
1 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart and won the Newcomer Award at the 15th Japan Record Awards.
Dinner is ready.Yano Akiko
A boy who plays happily and energetically with his friends, comes home, and over dinner excitedly tells his mom and dad, “Listen, listen!” as he reports everything that happened that day, then drifts off to sleep, tired from playing.
It’s a gentle, heartwarming song that brings on a nostalgic feeling that makes you want to go home.
Classic songs about play. Recommended popular tracks (31–40)
paper airplaneFujii Fumiya
It’s a song included on Fumiya Fujii’s second album, R&R, released in 1995.
The lyrics were written by Fumiya Fujii and the music composed by Char.
During live performances, there’s a segment where the audience flies paper airplanes together, making it one of the songs that really gets the crowd going.
Soap bubbleNagabuchi Tsuyoshi
It was released in 1991 as Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi’s 24th single.
The song was issued as the lead single from the album “JAPAN,” which also came out in 1991, and it was used as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Shabondama,” starring Nagabuchi.
It reached No.
1 on the Oricon charts, became a million seller, and stands as the best-selling single of Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi’s career.
Fukuwarai (a traditional Japanese “lucky laugh” face-making game)Takahashi Yuu
It was released in 2011 as Takahashi Yu’s third single.
The song was used in Tokyo Metro’s “TOKYO HEART” commercial and later, in 2017, for the 20th anniversary commercials of Tsukiji Gindaco.
While there are times when our smiles are distorted like a ‘fukuwarai’ face, the song straightforwardly expresses the idea that a day will come when we can truly smile from the heart.
swingDo As Infinity
It’s a song included on Do As Infinity’s fifth original album, “GATES OF HEAVEN,” released in 2003.
The track was initially put out as a digital-only pre-release, and in the music video, a swing set assembled from the ground up is shown within the grounds of Kishimojin Shrine in Zoshigaya.
Seesaw Game: A Song of Brave LoveMr.Children
Released on August 10, 1995, this is Mr.Children’s ninth single.
Comparing love to a seesaw game, it’s a classic Mr.Children track sung with both humor and poignancy.
The big final chorus builds to a climax that elevates the song wonderfully.