[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
- [Moving] Tear-jerking cheer song. A roundup of popular motivational anthems that resonate with the heart!
- For When You Need a Good Cry: Soul-Soothing Tearjerker Classics — Life, Love, and Work
- 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
[For the Heart] Songs That Give You Courage When Times Are Tough (101–110)
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.
UniqueAARON
This song is also the theme for the drama “Isn’t That a Rip-Off?”—and I always look forward to Kyoko Yoshine’s slightly spacey, soft-hearted character in it.
It’s also the debut track from the artist AARON—pronounced “Aaron.” Even when unexpected rain falls or your IC card won’t work and you feel a bit down, the song embraces a positive mindset that sees those moments as “unique.” The lyrics brim with energy to keep moving forward day by day, and there’s so much to relate to.
As you listen on, elements of a love song blend in, and that subtle touch is great too.
It’s a track that leads to a happy ending—one I’d love for you to play when you need a boost.
room for growthCreepy Nuts
Creepy Nuts has delivered a track full of eagerness to explore life’s possibilities.
Included on their September 2021 album “Case,” this song portrays the growth you come to recognize as you get older and the boundless potential within yourself.
It captures, from a distinctive angle, the more flexible way of seeing things that comes with adulthood and the encounter with a new version of yourself.
Also adopted as a cheer song for professional baseball, this track gently encourages anyone who wants to believe in their limitless potential or transform who they are now.
It’s a song you’ll want to listen to when you’re feeling setbacks or uncertainty, and when you’re ready to take a new step forward.
BOYKing Gnu
King Gnu, a band leading Japan’s rock scene, wrote “BOY” as the opening theme for the anime Ranking of Kings.
The song portrays pressing on toward the future without giving in to hardships or pain.
Rather than intense rock, it has a gentle feel that will both encourage you and help you relax.
Be sure to check it out together with the music video, which unfolds like a moving drama.
spiralLONGMAN
LONGMAN is a rock band formed by alumni of Matsuyama University that made their major-label debut in 2019.
Their digital-only single “spiral,” released in 2023, was selected as the opening theme for the TV anime Mushoku Tensei II: Jobless Reincarnation.
The lyrics depict scenes of breaking away from the past while repeatedly wrestling with self-loathing, and may give courage to those who are struggling to take that first step forward.
With a refreshing, soaring chorus and tight ensemble that pushes you from behind, it’s an emotional rock tune.
[For the Heart] Songs That Give You Courage to Listen to When Times Are Tough (111–120)
REALiZELiSA
“REALiZE,” the theme song for the Japanese-dubbed version of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
It’s a straightforward rock tune that highlights LiSA’s sharp, powerful vocals.
The high-speed number vividly conjures images of Spider-Man soaring through the air, and just listening to it feels like a great way to blow off steam.
The guitar riffs ringing to the rhythm, the hefty, dynamic sound, and the catchy melody all feel great—and it’s perfect for karaoke, too!
Footsteps ~ Be StrongMr.Children
Mr.Children is a four-piece rock band that has become a monster act everyone knows in the J-POP scene.
Their 35th single, Footsteps ~Be Strong, used as the theme song for the film Nobunaga Concerto, is a powerful ballad that conveys a passionate message.
Its lyrics encourage and support hearts worn out from trying too hard, giving us the courage to stand up again and pursue our dreams.
It’s an emotional number whose vocals, gentle yet strong, stir the spirit.