Masterpieces that sing of regret. Recommended popular songs.
There’s a saying that life has its ups and downs, and as long as we’re living, we’re bound to have regrets.
When that happens, what do you do to bounce back?
Many people relieve stress by exercising or traveling, but listening to music to sort out your feelings is also highly recommended.
In this article, I’d like to introduce lots of songs themed around regret!
If there’s something you just can’t help regretting, try listening to music and take the next step forward.
- Recommended songs to listen to when you feel regret: classic and popular Japanese tracks.
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Classic songs about regret. Recommended popular tracks (11–20)
regretShibata Satoko
Its stylish sound and bouncy vocals will stick in your head.
It’s a song by Satoko Shibata, a singer-songwriter from Hokkaido, included on her 2017 album “Holiday of Love.” It may come across as a breezy, carefree breakup song, but reading the lyrics, you can imagine a protagonist forcing themselves to act cheerful.
That said, it isn’t exactly a sad song either; with each repeat listen, you notice something new and it keeps surprising you.
Even though, true to its title, it sings about “regret,” you might find yourself smiling and skipping as you listen on a walk.
If I can laughUrufuruzu
It was released in 2002 as Ulfuls’ 23rd single.
The song was used as the ending theme for the Yomiuri TV drama “Ginza no Koi,” in which Tortoise Matsumoto appeared, and from 2007 it was also featured in commercials for Takeda Pharmaceutical’s Alinamin series.
It’s a bright, upbeat song that lets you laugh off your regrets with an “Ahaha” and blow them away.
No matter how…Nishino Kana
It was released in 2011 as Kana Nishino’s 15th single.
Chosen as the song for the SONY WALKMAN “Play You.” commercial, it tells of how the more she loves him, the more jealous and selfish she becomes—and when she does, he drifts away.
While she regrets this bittersweet, irretrievable love, she still refuses to deny the “love” of the past.
It’s a song that voices a powerful feeling that cannot be forgotten.
Rewound SummerFukuyama Masaharu
A song included on Masaharu Fukuyama’s seventh original album, “SING A SONG,” written and composed by Masaharu Fukuyama.
It evokes memories of a summer spent with his girlfriend, along with the ache and regret of wanting to rewind time but no longer being able to.
The lyrics, expressing a sense of futility over not being able to be honest and the lingering remorse, are especially striking.
dearestKOH+
It was released in 2008 as KOH+’s second single.
The song was used as the theme for the film version of the drama Galileo, titled Suspect X, and was written, composed, and produced by Masaharu Fukuyama.
The lyrics express the feelings of a man who falls in love with a woman appearing in the film.
You’re not here.ZARD
It was released in 1993 as ZARD’s seventh single.
The song became a million-seller and was used as the theme song for the Nippon TV drama “Kanojo no Kirai na Kanojo” (The Girlfriend She Hates).
It expresses the feeling of loss after a breakup so deeply that the singer almost regrets having met him and fallen in love in the first place.
Masterpieces about regret: Recommended popular songs (21–30)
Morning will come againDREAMS COME TRUE
It was released in 1999 as DREAMS COME TRUE’s 24th single.
The song was used as the theme and insert song for the Fuji TV drama “Emergency Room 24 Hours,” and its lyrics are positive, conveying that no matter how hard the day has been, the night will always end and a new morning will come.