A classic that evokes the year’s end. Looking back on the year through music [Just a little left of this year!]
What kind of year has it been for you?
This year felt long yet short, and at last it’s time to wrap it up!
Year-end always comes with all sorts of events, and music is essential for getting into the spirit, right?
So in this article, we’ve picked out plenty of songs that are perfect for the end of the year.
From songs about the year’s end to winter tunes, we’ve gathered popular tracks across generations—so you’re sure to find the perfect song for you!
Whether you’re someone who says, “This year was great,” or someone who feels, “This year was so-so,” we’ve got a full lineup of year-end songs we hope you’ll listen to.
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Timeless songs that evoke the year’s end. A year in review through music [Almost the end of the year!] (71–80)
five mon coinsMOROHA
MOROHA is a duo known for their unique sound, where message-driven rap intertwines with acoustic guitar.
“Gomonzen” was included as the closing track on their 2019 album MOROHA IV.
The lyrics, which reflect on oneself while watching NHK’s year-end Kouhaku Uta Gassen, pierce the heart as if asking, “Is this really okay?” If you want to perform something outside the usual repertoire, definitely give “Gomonzen” a try!
Winter, againGLAY
It’s a song that evokes a scene of snow fluttering down and the chill steadily closing in.
“Winter, again” is GLAY’s 16th single, released in 1999.
It became their biggest hit among their singles.
It’s one of the signature songs of 1999 and also won the Japan Record Award that year.
Winter BellsKuraki Mai
With its bright melody that lights up Christmas and the year’s end, Mai Kuraki’s “Winter Bells” is the perfect song.
Released in 2002, it was used as the opening theme for the anime Detective Conan.
The lyrics evoke a wonderful Christmas spent with someone you love, filling you with happiness as you listen.
The gospel-like feel of the melody enhances the song’s warmth.
It’s a heartwarming track that brings a sense of comfort to the cold year-end season.
The Land of ‘Good Job’ (Otsukaresama)Saitō Kazuyoshi
Saito Kazuyoshi’s song “Otsukaresama no Kuni” focuses on the phrase “otsukaresama desu.” We use it casually in everyday life, but the song reminds us that this expression reflects the beauty of the Japanese language and the spirit of its people.
Listening to it, “otsukaresama desu” starts to feel like a magic phrase that gently lightens the heart.
The gentle melody carried by the acoustic guitar helps each word melt into your heart.
As the year draws to a close, be kind to yourself for all your hard work and give this song a listen!
Love Song in DecemberGACKT
As the year draws to a close, this song, “December Love Song,” seems to drift in from somewhere and you hear it often.
Released as a single by GACKT in 2001, it has since been followed by remixes and foreign-language versions.
With an image like gently falling snow and a melody that heightens the feel of year’s end, it’s a perfect song for December.
Because it’s December, it may seem like a Christmas song, but amid the year-end rush, it’s a track that soothes the heart when you listen to it.
New Year’s Eve (Ōtsugomori)sadamasashi
The last day of the year—New Year’s Eve.
The title of this song, “Ōtsugomori,” is read as “ōtsugomori,” not “ōmisoka.” It’s one of the tracks on Masashi Sada’s 32nd album, “Nihon no Utsukushiki Omokage,” released in 2006.
On this day, with the New Year arriving tomorrow, how do you spend it each year, and what feelings do you have? This song beautifully expresses what you might call a “reset.” Even though there were all kinds of unpleasant things this year, a new year begins tomorrow, and it’s a song that makes you feel ready to start fresh and do your best again.
CalendarShibasaki Kou
“Calendar” depicts spending New Year’s Eve with a loved one while looking back on memories from the past year.
It was included on Kou Shibasaki’s 2007 album Kiki.
The lyrics are distinctive for chronicling events from January to December like a diary.
Phrases evoke various scenes, such as travels with a lover or partner and savoring delicious foods.
Sung over a melody that expands a pop-inspired worldview, her cute vocals convey a sense of fun.
Why not listen to this track that captures the flutter of excitement before the New Year arrives?
