5 Japanese Songs You Can Relate To This Valentine's Day!

"Happy Hearts' Day", "Araw ng mga Puso", or whatever they call it, only a day remains 'til the dreaded much-awaited celebration of love, Valentine's Day.

Aside from celebrating love with their special someone, there are other approaches that people prefer to do; some celebrate the day with their families, others call their mates and chill somewhere, some go out and treat themselves a fancy meal, many tend to be bitter and go hate on happy couple, and lastly some lock themselves up and self-loathe all day.


Which of the following are you planning to do? Well, regardless of what you decide, the goal of this post is something different from the things I've mentioned above.

Aussiebuano's suggestion this coming Valentine's Day is to have a sound trip, specifically listening to these 5 Japanese songs that you could relate to. If you're a JPop enthusiast, then this post is for you. If not, then you will become one after hearing these songs. *winks*

DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of these videos and they are taken from their music producers' official YouTube pages. If you like their songs, please support them by buying their albums. You will not just help them as artists, but you'll also support the music industry.

The following songs are arranged randomly and the lyrics are provided with their respective Romaji (Romanised Kanji) and English translations.

Shirushi (シルシ) by LiSA

First on the list is a song by LiSA. She is well-known in the anime world to have sung lively and upbeat songs that match the story of the respective animes. In this song, however, the melody is slow and her voice is calm but very powerful. The way I interpret this song is that no matter how things may get rough in your life, sharing it with your special person makes it worthwhile and fulfilling.

Anyways, feel free to have your own interpretation of the song and let us know in the comments section what you think about it. The music video above is just short so I'll put the entire lyrics below: (credits to: Nila Klarceva, Arlill, and Geheiligt)

Kanji/Japanese

街明かり照らした 賑やかな笑い声と 路地裏の足跡



伝えたい想いは どれだけ届いたんだろう いつも振り向いて確かめる



--------

いつだって迷わず キミはきっとどんなボクも追いかけてくれるから


--------

じっと見つめた キミの瞳に映ったボクが生きたシルシ


何度も途切れそうな鼓動 強く強く鳴らした 今日を越えてみたいんだ




--------

手にした幸せを 失うことを恐れて 立ち止まっているより


一つ一つ大きな 出来るだけ多くの 笑顔咲かせようと たくらむ


--------

思い出す ボクらの 通り過ぎた日々がいつも輝いて見える様に



--------

ぎゅっと握った キミの温もりで 感じた ボクら繋いだ証


キミと今同じ速さで あの日描いた未来を 歩いている



--------

いくつ願い叶えてもキミと過ごしたい新しい明日をすぐに



次々にボクは きっとまた願ってしまうから


--------

流れてく時間(とき)は容赦無く いつかボクらをさらってくから


瞬きした一瞬の隙に キミの見せる全てを見落とさないように



--------

じっと見つめた キミの瞳に映った ボクが生きたシルシ


何度も途切れそうな鼓動 強く強く鳴らした



今日を越えていけなくても


キミと生きた今日をボクは忘れない

English

Lively laughing voices are illuminated by the city lights, as my footprints are left behind in back alleys.

Wondering how much of what I wanted to tell you made it through, I'm constantly turning back to check.

--------

You never hesitate, so I'm sure you'll come running to me... no matter who I've become.

--------

As I stare intently into your eyes, my reflection there is the proof I exist,

And my heartbeat, which seemed it would stop any minute, is resounding louder and louder... wishing to make it through another day.

--------

Rather than stopping in my tracks, afraid to lose the happiness I've obtained,

I'm planning to inspire the biggest and most wide-spread smiles I can manage...

--------

... in the same way that the days I remember us spending together never seem to lose their shine.

--------

Clutching your warmth tight, I feel the proof that we're connected;

At this moment, I'm walking at the same speed through a future we imagined together.

--------

No matter how many of my wishes come true, I want to be with you, with a new tomorrow right by our side...

... 'cause I'm sure to come up with new things to wish for.

--------

The flowing of time will mercilessly carry us away someday,

So I'll do my best to not miss a single thing you'll show me in that flash of an instant.

--------

As I stare intently into your eyes, my reflection there is the proof I exist,

And my heartbeat, which seemed it would stop any minute, is resounding louder and louder!

Even if I can't make it through another day,

I'll never forget the days I spent with you...

Romaji

Machi akari terashita nigiyakana waraigoe to rodjiura no ashiato


Tsutaetai omoi wa dore dake todoita ndarou itsumo furimuite tashikameru



--------

Itsu datte mayowazu kimi wa kitto donna boku mo oikakete kurerukara


--------

Jitto mitsumeta kimi no hitomi ni utsutta boku ga ikita shirushi

Nando mo togire-soona kodoo tsuyoku tsuyoku narashita kyoo o koete mitainda



--------

Te ni shita shiawase o ushinau koto o osorete tachidomatte iru yori

Hitotsuhitotsu ookina dekiru dake ooku no egao sakaseyou to takuramu


--------

Omoidasu boku-ra no toorisugita hibi ga itsumo kagayaite mieru yoo ni


--------

Gyutto nigitta kimi no nukumori de kanjita boku-ra tsunaida akashi

Kimi to ima onaji haya-sa de ano Ni~Tsu kaita mirai o aruite iru


--------

Ikutsu negai kanaete mo kimi to sugoshitai atarashii ashita o sugu ni


Tsugitsugini boku wa kitto mata negatte shimaukara


--------

Nagarete ku jikan (Toki) wa yōshanaku itsuka boku-ra o saratte kukara

Mabataki shita isshun no suki ni kimi no miseru subete o miotosanai yoo ni


--------

Jitto mitsumeta kimi no hitomi ni utsutta boku ga ikita shirushi

Nando mo togire-soona kodoo tsuyoku tsuyoku narashita kyoo o koete


Kyoo o koete ikenakute mo


kimi to ikita kyoo o boku wa wasurenai

Together by MONKEY MAJIK

Second on this list is from MONKEY MAJIK. The song is a mix of both Japanese and English language and is sung by the band's Canadian vocalists, making the song very refreshing to listen. I have a feeling that the message of this song is when one meets their special one, the encounter brings forth brand new emotions which are enough to overwrite the ones that make them sad.

Let us know in the comments section if you think otherwise. The music video is short as well, so I'll put the entire lyrics below: (credits to: Kirby Agudelo and Chelli)

Kanji/Japanese

もしこの背中に翼があったら
いますぐキミに届けたい
あふれだす幸せを



----------

もしこの背中に翼があったら
いますぐキミに届けたい
あふれだす幸せを



そよぐ風に乗り
ひかり輝く未来を
Together いつまでも


----------

夢にみていたこの景色を
Harmony 耳を澄ませてみれば
『いいの。この道であってる？』
いつも不安で揺れていたのさ





----------

振り返ることもしないまま
ずいぶん遠くまで来たんだ


----------

何もかも早すぎて変わりすぎて
It's never gonna stop,
we'll keep it on top
And be together


----------

もしこの背中に翼があったら
いますぐキミに届けたい
あふれだす幸せを



そよぐ風に乗り
ひかり輝く未来を
Together いつまでも


----------

I got this feeling
deep inside me
It's a miracle, 出逢えた奇跡を
I don't believe that I'm alone


----------

You tried to tell me
and now I see
キミは分かってたんだ

But now I've opened up my heart
I can't wait to hold you in my arms

----------

振り返ることができたなら
こんなに遠くに来れたかな？



----------

何もかも早すぎて変わりすぎて
It's never gonna stop,
we'll keep it on top
And be together


----------

もしこの背中に翼があったら
いますぐキミに届けたい
あふれだす幸せを

そよぐ風に乗り
ひかり輝く未来を
Together いつまでも




----------

Try to walk away
Always from the same ol'day
Every little stop I take
Becomes my own

----------

この気持ちwon't change,
won't fade away
もう一度
You are the one for me
キミだけを

----------

いまこの瞳に広がる空を
いますぐキミに届けたい
なつかしい歓びを

キミといつまでも
忘れかけてた未来を
Together Forever
いつまでも…。




----------

楽しい日々を思い出すよ


----------

いつまでも…。

English

If I were to grow wings on my back
I want to convey to you right now
This overflowing happiness

----------

If I were to grow wings on my back
I want to convey to you right now
This overflowing happiness

riding in the swaying wind
in the glittering light of the future
together, forever

----------

this scenery that I've been seeing in my dream
if you try to make your ears listen carefully to the harmony
『is it ok? is this path correct?』
I was always shaken by anxiety

----------

without even looking back
I've come quite a long way


----------

more than anything else, changing too much, too fast
It's never gonna stop,
we'll keep it on top
And be together

----------

If I were to grow wings on my back
I want to convey to you right now
This overflowing happiness

riding in the swaying wind
in the glittering light of the future
together, forever

----------

I got this feeling
deep inside me
It's a miracle, this miracle of our meeting
I don't believe that I'm alone

----------

You tried to tell me
and now I see
you've always understood

But now I've opened up my heart
I can't wait to hold you in my arms

----------

if I was able to look back
would have I been able to come this far?


----------

more than anything else, changing too much, too fast
It's never gonna stop,
we'll keep it on top
And be together

----------

If I were to grow wings on my back
I want to convey to you right now
This overflowing happiness

riding in the swaying wind
in the glittering light of the future
together, forever

----------

Try to walk away
Always from the same ol'day
Every little stop I take
Becomes my own

----------

this feeling won't change,
won't fade away
one more time
You are the one for me
you are the only one

----------

the sky that spreads out in front of my eyes
i want to convey it to you right now
this nostalgic joy

with you forever
this future i've tried to forget
Together Forever
forever...

----------

i remember the enjoyable days

----------

forever...

Romaji

moshi kono senaka ni tsubasa ga attara
imasugu kimi ni todoketai
afuredasu shiawase wo


----------

moshi kono senaka ni tsubasa ga attara
imasugu kimi ni todoketai
afuredasu shiawase wo


soyogu kaze ni nori
hikari kagayaku mirai wo
Together itsumademo


----------

yume ni miteita kono keshiki wo
Harmony mimi wo sumasete mireba
『ii no. kono michi de atteru?』
itsumo fuan de yureteita no sa


----------

furikaeru kotomo shinai mama
zuibun tooku made kitanda

----------

nanimo kamo hayasugite kawari sugite
It's never gonna stop,
we'll keep it on top
And be together

----------

moshi kono senaka ni tsubasa ga attara
imasugu kimi ni todoketai
afuredasu shiawase wo


soyogu kaze ni nori
hikari kagayaku mirai wo
Together itsumademo


----------

I got this feeling
deep inside me
It's a miracle, deaeta kiseki wo
I don't believe that I'm alone

----------

You tried to tell me
and now I see
kimi wa wakatte ttanda

But now I've opened up my heart
I can't wait to hold you in my arms

----------

kuri kaeru koto ga dekita nara
konna ni boku ni koretakana?

----------

nanimo kamo hayasugite kawari sugite
It's never gonna stop,
we'll keep it on top
And be together

----------

moshi kono senaka ni tsubasa ga attara
imasugu kimi ni todoketai
afuredasu shiawase wo

soyogu kaze ni nori
hikari kagayaku mirai wo
Together itsumademo



----------

Try to walk away
Always from the same ol'day
Every little stop I take
Becomes my own

----------

kono kimochi won't change,
won't fade away
mou ichido
You are the one for me
kimi dake wo

----------

ima kono hitomi ni hirogaru sora wo
imasugu kimi ni todoketai
natsukashii yorokobi wo

kimi to itsumademo
wasurekaketeta mirai wo
Together Forever
itsumademo..



----------

Tanoshii hibi wo omoidasuyo

----------

itsumademo...

Hitomi wo Tojite (瞳をとじて) cover by BENI

Third on this list is an English cover of Ken Hirai's "Hitomi wo Tojite" sung by the very beautiful American-Japanese pop singer BENI (Beni Daniels/Arashiro). While her cover of the song contains lyrics slightly different from the translation of the original one, the message and emotions brought out by this masterpiece are pretty similar.

The recipient of this song can be from two sides: either someone you've broken up with or someone who has already left the world, but I'm sticking to the latter. My interpretation of this song is related to "moving on".

It takes time for people to move on with their lives especially when someone dearest to them is no longer beside them. There are times when they do things out of habit, but then they find out that it's not the same as it was when their special person. Thus, reminiscing the good times with that person.

I've managed to listen to the original one here and looked at its English translation here and it seemed to lean towards the "deceased loved one" angle. Do you agree? Let us know below. The music video above is not the full song as well, so I'll just put the entire lyrics of the cover below:

English

I wake up just to find the empty space

I try to get to sleep again, and imagine you're here

I thought I heard you whispering my name

I try to reach my arms to you
But you're not there

-----------

Then I realize it's just a dream

I have to face another day, the night is over

Sun shines through my window now I see

I have to face the truth again, that you're really gone


----------

How should l know why everything's the same

When I can't hold you, kiss you, hear you say you love me too

There's no way that I could erase all the memories of you


----------

I keep inside, all of the time
Cause they show how I'm still in love with you
Your love's forever

Everytime I close my eyes
I can see you by my side

Tell me babe, what else can I do?

It doesn't bother me at all
How many seasons fall

You'll always be here in my heart


----------

If you ever asked me to, someday

Maybe I 'd be strong enough to get over you

I'd rather spend my nights and my days

With all the pain and the regret

Just crying over you

----------

How should I understand how life goes on

Without you I won't last a day,
Remember how we used to pray

I wish that I could just forget and set my heart free


-----------

Although I tried, I don't know why
I'm falling deeper in love with you
I wish forever

Everytime I close my eyes
I can see you by my side

Tell me babe, what else can I do?

It doesn't bother me at all
How many seasons fall

You'll always be here in my heart


----------

Your love's forever
Everytime I close my eyes
I can see you by my side

Tell me babe, what else can I do ?

It doesn't bother me at all
How many seasons fall

You'll always be here in my heart


----------

I close my eyes and try to find
The traces of your love so kind

Tell me baby, what else can I do?

Love will never fade away
That's just what you would say

----------

I know we'll never be apart

You'll always be here in my heart

Kanashii Ureshii (かなしい うれしい) by Frederic

Next on this list is from the Japanese band Frederic called "Kanashii Ureshii" and is the opening theme song for the anime "Love and Lies". For those who haven't watched the anime, I will not spoil you but the title is already a takeaway on the whole story, so I recommend you to watch the anime and read the manga. But we're not here to talk about the anime, of course.

The overall feel of the melody of the song is both enthusiastic and energetic. However, if you look into its lyrics, it's actually targetted to people who are torn between happy and sad feelings, and at the same time, confused whether to embark on a journey into the unknown or just stick with the present that's laid out for them.

Pretty relatable, don't you think? Good thing the music video above is a complete one, but regardless, I'll put in the lyrics below: (credits to Happyblossom for the translation!)

Kanji/Japanese

真っ赤な線を描いた ちっぽけな心の話
僕らの未来はどこに向かって光るの？
続きの線を描いた 色づいてしまうたびに眩しい
そんな心のリズムを繋ぎ出す




----------

かなしい かなしい かなしい かなしい
うれしい うれしい うれしい うれしい
ふたつの感情に揺さぶられては
まだ見ぬ行き先を照らし出してくだけ


----------

このまま嘘でもいいから夢泳がせて
正しい正しい今を探してく
僕らは見えない未来を信じてる
だから正しい正しい今を探しては光った



----------

真っ赤なレール繋いだ ほっとけない君の話
僕らの夜汽車はどこに向かって走るの？
煙に巻いた想いは振り向いてしまうたびに寂しい
そんな心のビートを繋ぎ出す




----------

かなしい かなしい かなしい かなしい
うれしい うれしい うれしい うれしい
ふたつの感情に揺さぶられては
まだ見ぬ行き先に進み続けるだけ


----------

さよなら
さよなら
悲しいだけの僕らの話


----------

このまま嘘でもいいから夢泳がせて
正しい正しい今を探してく
僕らは見えない未来を信じてる
だから正しい正しい今を探してく
僕らはまだ見ぬ行き先に足を向けて
悲しい悲しい悲しいやっても 止まらない

English

Drew a bright red line, it's the story of a tiny heart
Where does our future lights up toward?
Drew the continuing line, it gets more blinding the more it gets coloured
I start linking such rhythms of the heart


----------

Sad, sad, sad, sad
Happy, happy, happy, happy
Shaken by the two emotions,
I just illuminate the destination I can't see yet



----------

Let me swim in this dream, even if this is a lie
I'll be searching for the correct, correct present
We're believing in a future we can't see
So searching for the correct, correct present, we shine

----------

Linked bright red tracks, your story is one that can't be left alone
Where does our night train run toward?
The mystified feelings get sadder every time I look back
I start linking such beats of the heart

----------

Sad, sad, sad, sad
Happy, happy, happy, happy
Shaken by the two emotions,
I just keep going forward towards the destination I can't see yet


----------

Good bye
Good bye
Our story that's nothing but sad

----------

Let me swim in this dream, even if this is a lie
I'll be searching for the correct, correct present
We're believing in a future we can't see
So I'll be searching for the correct, correct present
We direct our feet to our destination that we haven't seen yet
Even if we're sad, sad, sad; it doesn't stop

Romaji

Makka na sen wo egaita chippoke na kokoro no hanashi
bokura no mirai wa doko ni mukatte hikaru no?
tsuzuki no sen wo egaita irozuite shimau tabi ni mabushii
sonna kokoro no rizumu wo tsunagidasu

----------

Kanashii kanashii kanashii kanashii
ureshii ureshii ureshii ureshii
futatsu no kanjou ni yusaburaretewa
mada minu yukisaki wo terashidashiteku dake

----------

Konomama uso demo ii kara yume oyogasete
tadashii tadashii ima wo sagashiteku
bokura wa mienai mirai wo shinjiteru
dakara tadashii tadashii ima wo sagashite wa hikatta

----------

Makka na reeru tsunaida hottokenai kimi no hanashi
bokura no yogisha wa doko ni mukatte hashiru no?
kemuri ni maita omoi wa furimuite shimau tabi ni sabishii
sonna kokoro no biito wo tsunagidasu


----------

Kanashii kanashii kanashii kanashii
ureshii ureshii ureshii ureshii
futatsu no kanjou ni yusaburaretewa
mada minu yukisaki ni susumi tsuzukeru dake

----------

Sayonara
sayonara
kanashii dake no bokura no hanashi

----------

Konomama uso demo ii kara yume oyogasete
tadashii tadashii ima wo sagashiteku
bokura wa mienai mirai wo shinjiteru
dakara tadashii tadashii ima wo sagashiteku
bokura wa mada minu yukisaki ni ashi wo mukete
kanashii kanashii kanashii yatte mo tomaranai

Kimi ni Todoke (君に届け) by MAY'S

Last, but not the least, is a song from the Japanese pop duo MAY'S titled "Kimi ni Todoke". This song is also used as the ending theme song for the 2nd season of the anime of the same title. If you're into stories involving the spring time of love and rejection, then Kimi ni Todoke is a must-watch. While MAY'S is a duo, most of their songs are sung by Katagiri Maiko and the music composition is handled by NAUGHTY BO-Z. To be honest, I just thought MAY'S is just a single person.

The song is all about a person falling in love and ensuring that their love will reach the one they're yearning for. The emotions felt when you're in love can be mind-boggling, as if you're in for a roller coaster ride.

It takes an enormous amount of courage for us to be able to convey our feelings of love to our special someone. Once our feelings have reached them, waiting for their answer can be very nerve-wrecking, but thrilling at the same time. However, some people prefer their feelings bottled up inside their hearts, for they fear the day they'll hear the words of rejection from the ones whom they think complete them, and end up breaking them apart.

I know for sure, this song is something almost everyone in their adolescent or adult lives can relate because I, too, have been through the ordeal of falling in love.

Similar to Frederic's music video, fortunately this is also a complete one. So, I'll make sure to put the complete lyrics below so that you can start listening. (credits to Rei and Rizuchan for the translation)

Kanji/Japanese

どうか今だけは振り向かないで
夕暮れ さわぐ風 触れそうな距離
君を見つめてる ずっと




----------

君に届け 君に届け
叶わない恋でもいい 傷ついてもいい
何度でも伝えたい

君が好きで 君が好きで
眠れない夜でもいい 朝が来なくてもいい
何度でも伝えたい 君に届け





----------

今日も思い出がひとつ増えてく
ため息 ためらいさえ 愛しいくらい
君を待っていた ずっと



----------

君に届け 君に届け
叶わない恋でもいい 傷ついてもいい
何度でも伝えたい

君が好きで 君が好きで
眠れない夜でもいい 朝が来なくてもいい
何度でも伝えたい 君に届け





----------

君に届け 君に届け
叶わない恋でもいい 傷ついてもいい
何度でも伝えたい

君が好きで 君が好きで
眠れない夜でもいい 朝が来なくてもいい
何度でも伝えたい 君に届け

English

Please don't turn around right now
In this noisy wind in the twilight where we're close enough to touch
I'm always gazing at you


----------

It'll reach you, It'll reach you
It's okay my love is not returned, it's okay if I get hurt
I just want to express over and over

That I love you, I love you
It's okay if I can't sleep tonight, it's okay if morning never comes
I just want to express it over and over, for it to reach you

----------

Today I gain another memory
Sighing, even hesitating become dear to me
I've always been waiting for you

----------

It'll reach you, It'll reach you
It's okay my love is not returned, it's okay if I get hurt
I just want to express over and over

That I love you, I love you
It's okay if I can't sleep tonight, it's okay if morning never comes
I just want to express it over and over, for it to reach you

----------

It'll reach you, It'll reach you
It's okay my love is not returned, it's okay if I get hurt
I just want to express over and over

That I love you, I love you
It's okay if I can't sleep tonight, it's okay if morning never comes
I just want to express it over and over, for it to reach you

Romaji

douka ima dake wa furimukanai de
yuugure sawagu kaze furesou na kyori
kimi wo mitsumeteru zutto



----------

kimi ni todoke kimi ni todoke
kanawanai koi demo ii kizutsuite mo ii
nando demo tsutaetai

kimi ga suki de kimi ga suki de
nemurenai yoru demo ii asa ga kunakute mo ii
nando demo tsutaetai kimi ni todoke


----------

kyou mo omoide ga hitotsu fueteku
tameiki tamerai sae itoshii kurai
kimi wo matteita zutto


----------

kimi ni todoke kimi ni todoke
kanawanai koi demo ii kizutsuite mo ii
nando demo tsutaetai

kimi ga suki de kimi ga suki de
nemurenai yoru demo ii asa ga kunakute mo ii
nando demo tsutaetai kimi ni todoke


----------

kimi ni todoke kimi ni todoke
kanawanai koi demo ii kizutsuite mo ii
nando demo tsutaetai

kimi ga suki de kimi ga suki de
nemurenai yoru demo ii asa ga kunakute mo ii
nando demo tsutaetai kimi ni todoke

Conclusion

We have different situations and circumstances when it comes to love and romance. Some people may be single since birth, some happily married, or some who are separated or widowed, you name it. Songs are pieces of art, expressing the feelings and telling stories related to our situation. I hope you were able to relate yourselves to at least one of these five songs.

Happy Singles' Hearts' Day everyone! See you later!