[For adults too] Youth songs that let you look back on your memories
What was your youth like?
Did you ever throw yourself into something, agonize over love, or spend tons of time with friends? I imagine each of you has spent that special time in your own unique way.
And among those reading this, some of you might even be right in the middle of your youth now!
In this article, we’ll introduce plenty of songs that sing about all kinds of “youth,” the kind that will set your heart ablaze.
It’s a playlist that feels like the very heart of young people—hot, sweet-and-sour, a little bitter, and swirling with all sorts of emotions.
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[For Adults, Too] Youth Songs That Let You Look Back on Memories (31–40)
Blue BookmarkGalileo Galilei
This song, which served as the theme for the anime “Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day,” is a signature track by the rock band Galileo Galilei.
The performance has a refreshing feel, like a cool breeze blowing through, and vocalist Yuki Ozaki’s voice—tinged with a certain fragility—leaves a strong impression.
The lyrics skillfully weave in themes that resonate with the anime’s story, which moved many fans to tears, so those familiar with the show will find plenty of moments that hit home.
From the quiet ordinariness of everyday life to the powerful bonds that tie people together, it’s a song packed with the essence of youth.
futureMr.Children
This song, which everyone can relate to for its depiction of the struggles of youth, is included on the 2005 album Four Dimensions.
It was also used in a Pocari Sweat commercial, so many of you may have heard it.
There was a time when we believed an endless future awaited us, only to find ourselves realizing that what lies ahead seems limited, and wondering, “Is this really okay?” Haven’t you felt that way, too? While wrestling with those conflicts, the song portrays the daily struggle to push forward.
It’s truly a track you should listen to during your youth.
Youth PhotographLittle Glee Monster
This song is extremely popular as a graduation tune, and as the title suggests, it’s a track that instantly brings back memories of student life right in the heart of youth! The lyrics depict the very day of the graduation ceremony, and listening to it makes you feel as if you’ve time-traveled back to that moment.
Lines like “We’ll always be friends, even after we graduate” may move some listeners to tears even as adults.
Despite the nostalgic lyrics, the song itself has a bright, very happy vibe—that’s another big part of its appeal!
Run Through the MemoriesMy Hair is Bad
This heartwarming ballad was written as the theme song for the film Crayon Shin-chan: Our Dinosaur Diary.
As the closing track on the album ghosts, released in July 2024, it’s a masterpiece that makes you realize how the days and memories shared with loved ones shape who you are now.
The lyrics, which Shiiki says were written “for someone,” overflow with a gentleness that can transform even a painful past into the strength to move forward, and many listeners are sure to be deeply moved.
Though the rhythm is relaxed, the emotional swell in the chorus is breathtaking and powerfully shakes the listener’s heart.
Give it a listen when you want to reflect on time spent with family and friends, or when you need the courage to take a step forward.
Letter ~To You at Fifteen~Anjura Aki
Released in 2008, this song is one of singer-songwriter Angela Aki’s signature tracks.
The lyrics are written as a letter from her 15-year-old self to her future adult self, along with a reply from that adult self.
Many people may have sung it back when they were 15—middle school age—the very theme of the song.
It captures the worries and uncertainties of youth, while also delivering an encouraging message to believe in yourself and keep moving forward.
Pay attention to the lyrics, which can stir your heart not only in your adolescent years but even after you’ve grown up.
[For Adults Too] Youth Songs That Let You Revisit Your Memories (41–50)
Linda LindaTHE BLUE HEARTS
Linda Linda, one of the signature songs by THE BLUE HEARTS, the rock band that represents Japanese punk rock.
The opening lyrics, which convey a unique beauty only Hiroto Kōmoto could express, and the straightforward declarations of love have surely moved countless listeners from back then to today.
Their characteristically rough, high-velocity performance overflows with youthful energy no matter how many times you listen, and no matter how old you are, hearing this song still makes your heart burn.
Blink of YouthShiina Ringo
This piece was provided to Chiaki Kuriyama in November 2011 and later included on the self-cover album “Gyakuyunyuu: Kouwankyoku.” It sings of the fleeting sparkle and wistfulness of a guileless season when beauty and righteousness were believed to be one and the same.
The tenderness for a time that can never return, and the bewilderment of growing up depicted in this song are feelings that, in some corner of the heart, everyone has experienced.
It’s a sophisticated number that gently keeps you company on slightly sentimental nights, when your thoughts drift to days gone by.