Gratitude Song Rankings [2026]

Dear,Snow Man71rank/position

Dear,

Snow Man is an idol group whose members shine across a wide range of platforms, including TV, dramas, and stage productions.

One of the new songs included on their best-of album THE BEST 2020‑2025, released in January 2025, is this track.

Marking the fifth anniversary of their debut, it’s a medium-tempo ballad themed around gratitude and the bond with the fans who have supported them.

The gentle harmonies of the nine voices layering over a warm, piano-and-strings ensemble leave a lasting impression.

The lyrics are filled with countless expressions of thanks for love, quietly resonating in the listener’s heart.

This piece is perfect for graduations and send-off moments, for those who wish to express their appreciation to friends and mentors.

It’s a warmly comforting number that softly encourages those embarking on a new journey.

THE GIFTHirai Dai72rank/position

Dai Hirai / THE GIFT (Music Video)

The song released by Dai Hirai in July 2019 is a heartwarming number that celebrates friendship.

Along with its gently resonant melody, it expresses gratitude for encounters with cherished people.

Included on the album THE GIFT, this track also drew attention as the theme song for the animated film Doraemon: Nobita’s Chronicle of the Moon Exploration.

It’s the perfect song to give on special days when you want to convey your thanks, such as a friend’s birthday or a wedding.

Put your feelings into it and be sure to give it a listen.

Because we’re friends.Ochiai Wataru73rank/position

Wataru Ochiai – Because We’re Friends (Music Video)

Singer-songwriter Wataru Ochiai, whose warm voice and down-to-earth words resonate with many listeners.

Perfect for graduation season, “Tomodachi Yakarane” is a friendship song written in unpretentious language with a touch of Kansai dialect.

Its warm message—that even if you’re apart, the relationship doesn’t end—helps ease the sadness of parting.

Released as a digital single in February 2022, the song was also chosen as the tie-up track for Tokyo Dome City Attractions’ spring event “Welcome, Graduates 2023.” The lyrics, sprinkled with concrete memories from student days, are sure to awaken each listener’s own recollections.

How about giving it to a friend who’s graduating to convey your unchanging bond?

Family SongHoshino Gen74rank/position

Gen Hoshino – Family Song (Official Video)

Set to a heartwarming melody, this masterpiece gently sings about the small joys of everyday life and the connections between people.

Gen Hoshino delicately depicts scenes like morning light and windowsills, as if capturing familiar moments within a family.

Its message—embracing bonds that go beyond blood ties and accepting the diversifying forms of family with warmth—resonates deep within.

Released in August 2017, the song was used as the theme for the Nippon TV drama “Overprotected Kahoko” and reached No.

1 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.

Its distinctive sound, which skillfully incorporates elements of late-1960s to early-1970s soul music, is another draw.

It’s a gem that stays close to the feeling of wishing happiness for someone important to you, so why not listen to it in a quiet moment alone? Its gentle sound may even move you to tears.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.naniwa danshi75rank/position

Naniwa Danshi – Thank You from the Bottom of My Heart [Jacket Shooting Movie]

A heartwarming mid-tempo number sung by Naniwa Danshi as the theme song for the theatrical film of Ninja Boy Rantaro, which follows the adventures and growth of young ninjas.

Its gentle melody and lyrics filled with gratitude perfectly match the film’s worldview.

Released as a digital single in November 2024, it will build excitement for the movie’s December premiere.

Celebrating the irreplaceable moments of everyday life and the bonds between friends, this song is perfect for times when you want to express thanks to someone important or simply feel warm and comforted.

Be sure to give it a listen—it’s a track packed with the charm of Naniwa Danshi.

MOTHERSEAMO76rank/position

SEAMO 『MOTHER』

This is SEAMO’s “Mother.” The lyrics are written as a letter addressed to a mother who has grown old and whose back has become rounded.

It’s a masterpiece that makes tears well up with the mother’s kindness portrayed and the heartfelt gratitude expressed in response.

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Gazing up, the sky is blueHata Motohiro77rank/position

Motohiro Hata / Aogeba Aozora Music Video

This heartwarming medium-tempo ballad sung by Motohiro Hata reminds us that parting isn’t an end, but the beginning of new days.

The gentle tones of the acoustic guitar and his clear, “voice of steel and glass” tenderly soothe hearts weighed down by anxiety or loneliness.

One of the song’s greatest charms is how it portrays a strong bond that remains even when people are apart—without ever using the word “goodbye.” It drew attention when it aired from March 2019 as the theme song for SoftBank’s “Graduation” TV commercial, and it was later included on the album Copernicus.

It’s the perfect song to give to a dear friend you’ve spent so much time with, conveying gratitude for the past and a heartfelt “let’s keep walking together” for the future.