[Moon Songs Special] Famous songs about the moon. Songs you’ll want to listen to under a full moon or in the moonlight.

Moon BoatSatoshi Ikeda

Satoshi Ikeda – Moon Boat

When it comes to moon-themed songs by singer-songwriter Satoshi Ikeda—known for the hit debut single “Monochrome Venus”—it has to be “Tsuki no Fune” (Moon Boat).

Released in 1988 as his fifth single, it was used in a commercial for Sanki Co.

, Ltd.

’s “Boutique JOY.” It’s a melancholic, heartrending ballad that evokes the image of the moon reflected on the water’s surface, and it’s a classic that has been covered by artists like Noriyuki Makihara and CHEMISTRY.

Highlights from Ikeda’s 30th-anniversary concert are available on his official YouTube channel, so be sure to check them out!

soft moonMasayoshi Yamazaki

Masayoshi Yamazaki / Soft Moon

Masayoshi Yamazaki’s “Yawarakai Tsuki” (Soft Moon) is a ballad whose Japanese-style wistful chord progression is both heartrending and comforting.

From the intro’s beautifully resonant harmonics into delicate arpeggios, the rich strings add depth to the piece.

A “soft moon” swaying gently on the water’s surface, and a tiny boat carrying the past… It’s a masterpiece whose sound and lyrics stir the emotions and make the heart tremble.

MoonAo

ao – Moon (Official Video)

The song “Tsuki” (Moon), sung by ao, is themed around a star longing for the moon.

At just 15, ao released her first EP, LOOK, and has quickly become a much-talked-about artist energizing the music scene.

“Tsuki” is a track included on the EP LOOK, written and composed by ao herself.

It features an airy, piano-centered sound and captures her distinctive worldview.

The music video on YouTube also has a wistful mood that aligns with the song’s imagery.

moonlightDREAMS COME TRUE

DREAMS COME TRUE – Moonlight (from URAWAN 2016 Live Ver.)

The music unit DREAMS COME TRUE has continued to captivate fans for many years since their debut with overwhelming vocal prowess and hook-filled songs.

“Moonlight,” included on their 9th album SING OR DIE, is beautiful from its opening, where a deep ensemble rides on a triple meter.

The lyrics, which evoke a spiritual message, combined with the moon as a fantastical presence, draw you in, don’t they? With its mystical arrangement and the exquisite contrast between soulful vocals and melody, it’s a hidden gem that evokes the moon.

Howl at the full moonChatmonchy

Chatmonchy 'Howl at the Full Moon' Music Video

“Howl at the Full Moon,” released in 2012, is Chatmonchy’s 11th single.

It’s a song imbued with the message: even if you head out into a dark night, the full moon’s light is there—so keep moving forward without losing to the darkness, and shine even brighter!

Evening of the full moonSoul Flower Union

Soul Flower Union – Moonlight Fanfare ~ Full Moon Evening @ BOROFESTA 2013

Originally co-written by Hiroshi Yamaguchi of HEATWAVE and Atsushi Nakagawa of Soul Flower Union, this song portrays people striving to look forward as they work toward recovery from the Great Hanshin Earthquake.

The full moon that shone on the day of the quake is sung about as a symbol of the disaster.

The song continued to be performed at consolation concerts in evacuation shelters.

spin, spinNana Muzika

kururikururi

The song chosen as the theme for the drama “Kobayakawa Nobuki no Koi” was Nanamusica’s “Kururi Kururi.” Nanamusica is a duo consisting of Kozue Nishijima and Yuri Matsufuji, and their name combines “Nana,” meaning “moon goddess” in ancient mythology, with “musica,” the Latin word for “music.” “Kururi Kururi” was released as a single in 2006 and became their first entry to reach No.

9 on the Oricon Singles Chart.

Paired with vocalist Nishijima’s heartrending voice, it’s a ballad that evokes a fragile, moonlike image.