Songs with strong messages. Classic J-Pop masterpieces and recommended popular tracks.
When you listen to music, what do you value most?
If you play an instrument, it might be the melody and structure, the guitar tone, or each instrument’s phrases.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for songs that cheer you up when you’re feeling down or want to listen to love songs, you might be focusing on the lyrics.
In this article, we’ll introduce songs packed with meaningful messages in their lyrics!
We’ve picked out powerful, message-driven tracks that will move you no matter the situation, so be sure to read the lyrics as you listen!
- [Must read] Songs with great lyrics. Moving songs you’ll want to listen to while reading the lyrics
- The lyrics are profoundly good. The more you listen, the more it sinks in. Masterpieces of Japanese music, recommended popular songs.
- Songs with powerful lyrics. Recommended masterpieces and popular tracks.
- [Tearjerker] Songs that make your heart tremble with tears & moving tracks with lyrics that touch the soul
- [A Cheer for Myself] A pep song dedicated to you who are doing your very best
- Encouraging songs: timeless masterpieces that resonate with the heart, recommended popular tracks
- Good songs themed around love, encouragement, and life—tracks with lyrics you can relate to.
- [Support for the Heart] Songs That Give You Courage When Times Are Tough
- Songs with great lyrics: soothing tracks that linger in the heart and moving ballads
- [A Life-Affirming Anthem] An Encouraging Song to Cheer You On
- A playlist of timeless gems with piercing lyrics that will move your heart
- Songs that hit home when you're feeling blue: masterpieces of Japanese music
- “Song of War”: A classic that sings of the tragedy and folly of war
Songs with a strong message. Masterpieces of Japanese music, recommended popular songs (1–10)
He was alive, wasn’t he?aimyon
The A-melody, which calmly and rapidly rattles off a list of society’s abnormality while empathizing with the feelings of someone who died by jumping, is utterly breathtaking.
In an interview about this song, Aimyon said she’s the type who doesn’t want to die.
Her effort, in her own way, to understand the emotions of those who take their own lives is evident throughout the track.
The lyrics, which coolly string together objective facts and insights, compel listeners to form their own interpretations.
I LOVE…Ofisharu Higedan Dism
A song released by Official HIGE DANDism in 2020.
It’s a ballad with a relaxed tempo, yet it features a pronounced beat that gives it a dance music feel—very much in their style.
It portrays the confusion and inner conflict of someone who can say “I love…” but can’t bring themselves to say what comes next.
It’s a song I want everyone who’s in love right now to hear.
That’s Why I Gave Up MusicYorushika
A song released by Yorushika in 2019.
It tells the story of a boy named Amy and a girl named Elma.
The song is told from Amy’s perspective, and Elma (someone dear to him) is treated almost as a synonym for music.
The title is striking, but in essence, it’s a song about the loss of someone precious.
Please try listening to it while imagining Elma as someone important to you.
Songs with strong messages. Classic Japanese hits and recommended popular songs (11–20).
YELLikimonogakari
A song released by Ikimono-gakari in 2009.
Now a staple graduation song, it’s an inspiring anthem that powerfully supports those about to take flight.
At life’s turning points or when you want to take a step forward, listening to it gives you a strong push.
If you want to draw strength from music, this is a great track to listen to.
Spot the differenceSuda Masaki
A song written and composed by Kenshi Yonezu and released by Masaki Suda in 2019.
While it grapples with the idea that one’s life might be the “wrong” one, it also carries a positive message: there are people you could only have met by living this very life.
It’s a motivational anthem for those who lack confidence in their current life or circumstances.
stick figureRADWIMPS
Although born as a human, it sings of the pain of being unable to think of oneself as human.
It’s a classic RADWIMPS song that portrays what it means to be human from a different perspective.
It carries a powerful message that the habits we all tend to fall into can end up destroying us.
A song overflowing with RADWIMPS’ signature style, expressing the difficulty of living true to oneself and as a human being.
Profound.
#302Hirai Ken
Looking at the lyrics, it begins with the narrator and the woman he cares about going to karaoke together to cheer her up after a heartbreak.
Even though he feels it’s a bit unfair, as if he’s taking advantage of her vulnerability, the song is filled with genuine kindness and love—expressed in the sentiment, “It’s okay; I’ll stay by your side anyway.” Ken Hirai’s husky vocals further amplify the song’s message.
