Lovely nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs

[Rain Songs] Songs to listen to on a rainy day. A special feature on rain-themed tracks.

Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICKeisuke Hane
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. After working at a music studio and in wedding sound engineering, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with various instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in middle school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on personal music activities and professional experience, produces daily articles, including song introductions, features on music festivals around Japan, and live reports. Enjoys a wide range of music, from domestic and international rock to, more recently, a broad spectrum of J-pop.
A Vocaloid producer who is also a music writerWakachan Araki
I started playing guitar in middle school and focused on band activities during my student years. I’ve been a hobbyist Vocaloid producer for over 15 years. After entering the workforce, I gained experience in various roles, including event sound engineering and videography/photography. As a writer, I’ve contributed introduction articles for music and manga websites, and in 2022 I had the opportunity to write the bonus liner notes for IA SUPER BEST. My specialties are Japanese rock, Vocaloid, and manga.

Do you like rainy days?

Some people dislike them because you get wet and can’t go out, while others love the sound of the rain or the calm atmosphere—there are all kinds of opinions.

For many, rain also ties in with a slightly bittersweet feeling, and there are plenty of songs that use rain as a theme to sing about that sense of poignancy.

In this article, we’ll introduce lots of popular songs that are perfect for listening to on a rainy day!

While many of them are melancholy, there are also songs that sing about hope—like how the rain will stop someday—so be sure to listen to plenty of them!

[Rain Songs] Songs to listen to on rainy days. Special Rain Song Feature (81–90)

SquallMasaharu Fukuyama

Masaharu Fukuyama [Live] Squall

Squall by Masaharu Fukuyama

Masaharu Fukuyama’s 14th single.

Released on November 17, 1999.

A self-cover of “Squall,” which he originally provided to Eiko Matsumoto.

It’s a slow-tempo, heartrending love song that expresses the aching heart of a woman in love.

The lyrics are written from a female perspective.

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RainMotohiro Hata

Rain / Motohiro Hata (Cover)

Rain by Motohiro Hata

For those wistful rainy-day moods, I recommend Motohiro Hata’s “Rain”! The song was originally by Senri Oe and was a hidden favorite passed down among fans.

Hata covered it for use as the ending theme of the 2013 animated film “The Garden of Words.” His version has a distinct flavor compared to Oe’s original.

The lyrics, which sing of a heart swaying uncertainly in the rain, are perfect for a rainy day—so give it a listen!

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The End Of The WorldNoriyuki Makihara

The end of the world Noriyuki Makihara (Chinese subtitles)

Noriyuki Makihara - The End Of The World

A love song by Noriyuki Makihara, also known as Makky.

The word “rain” isn’t in the title, but it appears repeatedly in the chorus.

Although it’s called a love song, it’s not about an ordinary romance.

Once you realize what it really means, it becomes an achingly bittersweet love song.

It’s the ninth track on the 1996 album “UNDERWEAR.”

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rainMs. OOJA

Rain – Ms. OOJA

Rain Ms. OOJA

Singer-songwriter Ms.

OOJA, known both for her active approach to cover songs as well as her original works, is often called a “late-blooming diva” due to her major-label debut at the age of 28.

“Ame” (“Rain”), included on her third single “Cry Day.

.

.

,” is a cover of one of Chisato Moritaka’s signature songs.

The contrast between the modern sound and her soulful vocals creates a different kind of poignancy from the original.

It’s a sentimental love ballad that resonates with the June rainy season.

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RainySCANDAL

Rainy by SCANDAL, released in 2014.

It was also used as the Japanese image song for the movie “The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones.” While many rain-themed songs are mellow and subdued, this one is a lively, upbeat rock tune that’s quintessentially SCANDAL.

It’s packed with everything great about a girls’ band.

During the rainy season, when the damp weather can easily bring you down, recharge with a powerful track like this.

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It was rainy again in Nagasaki today.Hiroshi Uchiyamada and the Cool Five

Nagasaki Was Rainy Again Today (High Quality) — Hiroshi Uchiyamada and the Cool Five

Yō Uchiyamada and the Cool Five - Nagasaki Was Rainy Again Today

The musician Hiroshi Uchiyamada, who hails from Fukuoka.

The song he released jointly with the kayō group Cool Five, which he leads, is “Nagasaki wa Kyou mo Ame Datta” (“It Was Raining Again in Nagasaki Today”).

The group is from Nagasaki, and the lyrics are sprinkled with many phrases that evoke the city’s streetscape.

With its poignant depiction of a rainy scene, it’s perfect to sing at a karaoke session in June.

The chorus is especially memorable, and it’s a song you’ll want to belt out with a soulful kobushi right through to the end!

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[Rain Songs] Songs to listen to on rainy days. Rain Song Special (91–100)

Rainy Day WomanMiki Matsubara

Rainy Day Woman

Rainy Day Woman by Miki Matsubara

Let me introduce the wonderfully contrasting “Rainy Day Woman.” This is a song released in 1980 by singer Miki Matsubara.

It’s a city pop track with a sultry vibe, and the lyrics depict events on a rainy day.

The first half recalls memories of a sunny summer day spent with a loved one, while the second half portrays saying goodbye to a lover on a rainy day.

This structure makes the melancholy mood of the rain stand out even more.

Even in sadness, the message of self-affirmation is sure to strike a chord.

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