[2026] Classic Western songs to listen to on Tanabata: love songs about stars and the Milky Way

Walking On The Milky WayOrchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark – Walking On The Milky Way

This song, with the grand title “Walking on the Milky Way,” is a synth-pop masterpiece released in 1996 by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, a leading force in the UK electronic music scene.

As Andy McCluskey himself has called it one of his finest works, it brilliantly fuses an expansive, string-laden sound with elements of baroque pop.

Included on the album Universal, it reached No.

17 on the UK Singles Chart, yet at the time it suffered the misfortune of being rejected by BBC Radio 1 for being “not trendy.” Even so, the performance with a full orchestra on BBC’s Top of the Pops remains legendary.

Wrapped in a cosmic sense of scale and a beautiful melody, it’s the perfect track to listen to while gazing up at the Tanabata night sky.

Milky WaySyd Barrett

Syd Barrett – Milky way

Speaking of Syd Barrett from Cambridge, England, he’s known as a founding member of the legendary band Pink Floyd, but the body of work he left during his solo career after departing the band in 1968 is not to be overlooked.

This track, included on the album Opel released in October 1988, is one of the previously unreleased recordings from June 1970 at Abbey Road Studios, produced by his former bandmate David Gilmour.

While it has elements of psychedelic folk, it carries a more introspective, dreamlike atmosphere, where Barrett’s delicate guitar work and distinctive vocal style meld to draw listeners into a fantastical sonic world.

As a song themed around the Milky Way, it’s a perfect pick for the night of Tanabata.

Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)Train

Train – Drops Of Jupiter (Tell Me) (Official 4K Video)

Drops Of Jupiter (Tell Me) by the American rock band Train is a moving song that portrays longing for a lost loved one.

Frontman Pat Monahan wrote the track after his mother’s death, seeking a connection with her as if she had traveled through the cosmos.

The poetic phrase “drops of Jupiter” conveys Monahan’s bittersweet feelings as he imagines his mother in heaven.

Released in March 2001, the song quickly swept the U.S.

charts, became a hit in Australia and the U.K., and earned two Grammy Awards, receiving high acclaim.

It’s a superb love song you’ll want to listen to under the starry sky while thinking of someone dear.

Counting StarsOneRepublic

OneRepublic – Counting Stars

Since releasing their debut album in 2007, OneRepublic—an American band known for wielding catchy, approachable melodies—has continued to produce songs loved by people of all ages.

The track introduced here is one of their signature hits, released as a single from their third studio album, Native, in 2013.

It’s a model pop song: a superb piece that captivates with its solid band ensemble, striking keyboard phrases, and an irresistible sing-along melody.

Looking at the lyrics, you can’t help but be struck by sharp lines like “let’s count stars instead of money.”

LevitatingDua Lipa

Dua Lipa – Levitating (Official Animated Music Video)

“Levitating” is a landmark song in Dua Lipa’s career.

Brimming with space- and star-inspired imagery, it captures the floating sensation of a new romance and the joy and freedom felt when spending time with someone you love.

Its upbeat melody, infused with disco and funk elements, is irresistibly catchy—perfect for singing along while dancing with your partner.

Released in 2020 as a lead single from the album “Future Nostalgia,” it cemented Lipa’s sound as retro yet fresh.

It’s a romantic number you’ll want to listen to hand in hand with someone special under the starry sky.

MILKY WAYBap Kennedy

MILKY WAY by Bap Kennedy (1962-2016)

As a song themed around starry skies and the Milky Way, the work crafted by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Bap Kennedy radiates a special presence.

Featured on his 2005 album The Big Picture, this piece is also noteworthy for being a collaboration with Irish music legend Van Morrison.

Blending elements of country, folk rock, Americana, and Celtic soul, the sound exemplifies Kennedy’s musical versatility and builds a richly layered world befitting the grand theme of the Milky Way.

With contributions from renowned musicians—including pedal steel guitar virtuoso B.

J.

Cole—the track boasts a lush musical texture.

It’s a perfect choice for a Tanabata night, when you want to gaze up at the stars and slowly immerse yourself in the music.

Megumi The Milkyway AboveConnan Mockasin

Connan Mockasin – Megumi The Milkyway Above [PHLP01]

Conan Mockasin, a New Zealand-born artist who continues to captivate music fans around the world with his dreamy psychedelic music.

This track, which opens his 2011 debut album “Forever Dolphin Love,” features the word “Milky Way” in its title, making it a perfect song for a Tanabata night.

The sound woven from gentle guitar arpeggios, rhythmic percussion, and his distinctive high-pitched vocals is filled with a floating sensation, as if you’re gazing at constellations glittering in the night sky.

Coupled with the children’s voices inserted at the beginning, it invites listeners into a phantasmagoric world.