[Heartwarming] Moving CM songs. Popular commercial songs

Midnight ExpresswayOkazaki Taiiku

Okazaki Taiiku runs earnestly alongside his “classmate,” rugby player Keita Inagaki! The song is Flower Companyz’s “Midnight Highway,” covered by Okazaki Taiiku / SMBC Group commercial “Forward, Together” 30+60-second versions

Since its 2004 release, “Shinya Kousoku” (Midnight Expressway) has remained a beloved anthem among rock fans, celebrated as a song that cheers you on in life.

The original is by The Flower Companyz, but it has been covered by many artists over the years—so many that in 2009 a tribute album titled “Shinya Kousoku – Ikitete Yokatta no Tsudoi -” was released featuring only versions of this song.

Singer-songwriter Taiiku Okazaki also performed this classic, and his rendition was featured in a commercial for Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group.

While he’s known for many humorous, laugh-inducing tracks, his performance here is riveting for its fiery, straightforward vocals—a powerful take that rivals the original.

Funny BunnyUru

Aquarius CM 'Invisible “Do Your Best” – Little League Baseball'

The pillows’ classic “Funny Bunny,” released in 1999 and still shining in the rock scene.

For Aquarius’s commercial, a version sung by singer-songwriter Uru was used.

While the original has a refreshing mid-tempo rock feel, Uru’s version features her clear, beautiful vocals over a piano accompaniment.

Uru’s rendition of “Funny Bunny” is included on the cover disc that comes with the limited first pressing of her 2020 album Orion Blue.

START LINESakurako Ohara

Sakurako Ohara – STARTLINE (Official Music Video)

The song chosen as the theme for the Boat Race commercial in 2021 was “START LINE” by Sakurako Ohara, a singer who is also active as an actress.

From the very beginning of the track, Ohara’s clear, straight-reaching vocals leap to the ear, and many listeners were likely captivated at first listen.

As the title “START LINE” suggests, the lyrics declare that no matter the adversity, once you set your goal, that’s your starting line—making it a song that gives you the courage and a push to start running toward what you want to do.

MapleNEW!Moka Kamishiraishi

adieu [ Kaede ] AUDIO VIDEO

Moka Kamishiraishi sings Spitz’s classic song “Kaede” in the TV commercial for Kirin Gogo no Kocha: “I Want to See You, I Want to Warm You. Winter ’17”

Moka Kamishiraishi’s song Kaede, released under the name adieu, was put out digitally after it was sung in a Kirin Afternoon Tea commercial.

It’s a cover of the song by Spitz, and compared to the original, it leans more toward an acoustic sound, giving it a softer tone.

While preserving the original’s atmosphere, she delivers it in her own expressive way, conveying a sense of love and respect for the piece.

The commercial portrays everyday scenes with Afternoon Tea, featuring warm imagery of her walking and singing with a bottle of Afternoon Tea in hand.

wrinkle alignmentVaundy

Wrinkle Happiness / Vaundy: MUSIC VIDEO

This song was released in 2021 and was featured in commercials for Shuto Iko, Osaka Isen, and Nagoya Isen.

The singer, Vaundy, is an artist whose 2019 release “Tokyo Flash” became a huge hit, and he has continued to produce a string of notable tracks since then.

The lyrics depict a man expressing his feelings for the woman he loves, conveying a romantic message about holding hands forever and growing old together.

It’s a sublime love song you’ll want to listen to with someone special.

Over the SeasonKazuyoshi Saito

Kazuyoshi Saito – Over the Season [Music Video]

This song is a piece specially written by Kazuyoshi Saito for the commercial for Maruchan’s Aka Kitsune and Midori Tanuki.

In the commercial, there’s a scene where Tetsuya Takeda looks back on his younger days, and the lyrics of the song feature many images that evoke nostalgia.

The scenery of the yard at his parents’ home, the parents who always supported him, the friends he spent so much time with.

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Memories of boyhood come flooding back all at once, leaving you with a warm feeling.

You raise me upCeltic Woman

You raise me up

[CM] Panasonic "Plasma TV VIERA" featuring Koyuki (2007)

This commercial features Ms.

Koyuki narrating to highlight what Panasonic’s VIERA is particular about.

Here, it focuses on how glare has been reduced, conveying the aim of making the TV easier to watch.

The grand atmosphere portrayed in the visuals is further accentuated by the song “You Raise Me Up” by Celtic Woman.

The blend of gently resonant strings and soaring vocals is striking, conveying a sense of grandeur while creating a moving mood.