[Support for the Heart] Songs That Give You Courage When Times Are Tough
In life, tough and painful times are bound to come, and you’ll likely experience major setbacks as well.
In those moments, many people find it hard to carry everything alone, yet don’t quite feel like talking to someone either.
At times like that, letting music gently stay by your side is something I recommend.
In this article, I’ve gathered songs that can give you strength when you’re going through hard times.
From timeless classics to the latest hits, I’ve picked a variety—so please find the support song that’s just for you.
- [For those doing their best] A comforting song to listen to when you're tired of life
- [Songs to Listen to When You Want to Die] I want to disappear... A song to support you who feel that way
- Timeless songs that stay close to your heart when times are tough. Uplifting tracks with gentle lyrics that really sink in.
- [Songs Portraying Strong Women] Positive Tracks to Listen to When You’re Feeling Discouraged
- Take the first step!! Songs that give you courage, songs that make you persevere when you listen
- [Dark Songs] A carefully curated selection of deeply dark tracks and heartbreaking songs that accompany you in tough times
- Songs to listen to when you’re feeling down! Tracks that boost your self-confidence
- For When You Need a Good Cry: Soul-Soothing Tearjerker Classics — Life, Love, and Work
- [Deeply Moving] A Tear-Jerking Cheer Song: Popular Inspirational Anthems That Resonate with the Heart
- Timeless songs that sing of hopes and dreams. Masterpieces that lead those who strive toward the future.
- A famous song about setbacks. A song that stays by your side when times are tough or you feel like giving up.
- [Today's Cheer Song] To everyone giving it your all! A gem of an inspiring anthem that resonates with the heart
- [Tearjerker] Songs that make your heart tremble with tears & moving tracks with lyrics that touch the soul
[Support for the Heart] Songs That Give You Courage When Times Are Tough (61–70)
Que sera, seraMrs. GREEN APPLE
Do you know what the title “Que Sera Sera” means? It’s a phrase that lightens your mood, roughly meaning “whatever will be, will be,” which became popular in Japan in the late 1950s and has since taken root—almost like a coined expression here.
This song by Mrs.
GREEN APPLE is one I highly recommend for times when you’ve failed, feel down, or start blaming yourself.
If you sometimes ask yourself, “Why am I like this?” or feel, “I really hate myself,” please give it a listen.
You’ll surely realize that the only person who can truly cherish you is yourself.
What do you want to become?Rozarīna
Rosalina’s song is an anthem that resonates with people swept up in the busyness of daily life who tend to lose sight of their dreams.
Her distinctive smoky, slightly gritty voice gently wraps around lyrics that sink deep into the heart.
Included on the album “INNER UNIVERSE,” released in January 2020, the track sparked major buzz on social media and surpassed 5.9 million views on YouTube.
When you’re exhausted from studying or work, or when you’ve lost sight of your true goals, listening to this song will surely give you the courage to pause and face yourself.
Just being alive is admirable.ReoNa
For those shedding tears over days that just won’t go right, this song might be the companion you need.
It’s a track by ReoNa, a singer known as a “despair-type anisong singer,” included on her fifth single, “Nai Nai,” released in 2021.
The lyrics and composition were created by the popular Vocaloid producer Tota Kasamura.
The lyrics, which spill out feelings straight from the heart, are so raw they tighten your chest just reading them.
The sorrowful piano and ReoNa’s on-the-verge-of-tears vocals really hit you right in the tear ducts.
Rising SunEXILE
Released in 2011 as a double A-side single, EXILE’s 37th single “Rising Sun/Itsuka Kitto…” was put out as a charity song to support recovery efforts in areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake.
With its powerful dance and uplifting lyrics, the song gave courage to many people.
Dream FighterPerfume
An anthem cheering on those striving toward their dreams and goals, Perfume’s “Dream Fighter.” These lyrics, which sing that people work hard every day because having dreams and goals gives them a real sense of being alive, are sure to make anyone’s heart skip.
Perhaps it’s precisely because we’re alive—because we want to make our lives better—that we can keep pushing ourselves.
Still, walls will inevitably appear, and there will be days of hardship.
But those walls come because they are ones you can definitely overcome.
That’s why, even when it’s tough, don’t give up—break through the wall and keep fighting! It leaves you with that determination.
To Us Who Were Once GeniusesCreepy Nuts
A warm, encouraging song by Creepy Nuts that powerfully portrays the potential for genius everyone once had and the individuality that gets lost within society.
It’s a track from their second major album, “To Us Who Were Once Geniuses,” and was released to the world in August 2020 as the TV commercial song for Teikyo Heisei University.
Riding on a hip-hop rhythm, it carefully depicts the limitless possibilities everyone had in childhood and the purity that fades as we grow up, while delivering a message to keep looking forward without giving up.
When you feel crushed by social pressure or self-doubt, listening to this song will surely give you the courage to take a new step forward.
IchibanboshiSnow Man
This is a message song by Snow Man that expresses the determination to keep moving forward even when your heart feels like it’s about to break.
A medium-tempo ballad, it features a warm melody and stunning harmonies that showcase the individuality of all nine members.
The lyrics carefully portray a shift in emotion—from the pain of being unable to accept even words of encouragement to a feeling of gratitude toward those who offered support.
Included on the album “i DO ME,” released in May 2023, the song has maintained strong popularity among fans.
It gently accompanies anyone striving toward a dream or hoping to support someone else.