It’s been 16 years since the word ‘Vocaloid’ became popular in Japan. It all began with a singing voice synthesizer named Hatsune Miku in 2007 which took the internet and Japanese culture by storm, sparking a plethora of artists to take to this new and exciting genre. It is primarily characterized by loving, happy instrumentals, and typically follows a danceable beat.
With such a joyous instrumental melody being the focus in Vocaloid music, it’s only fitting that a lot of the songs are about love. Here are the 10 best Vocaloid love songs for your enjoyment!
1. Dreamin Chu Chu
Artist: emon feat. Hatsune Miku
Released: 2020
If you’re looking for an adorable, carefree summer hit, look no further than “Dreamin Chu Chu”. It’s enough to make even the coldest heart begin to thaw as its ditsy drum chimes and delightful melodies create an atmosphere that can only be compared to love itself.
The use of Hatsune Miku here creates a modern nostalgia for when she first hit the mainstream media, which only makes this song more enjoyable.
2. Love Song
Artist: lamazeP feat. Hatsune Miku
Released: 2015
Aptly named for this list, “Love Song” is as self-descriptive as it gets. There’s something so adorable about this track’s 8-bit sound, which also gives it a delightful retro feel.
Along with its cute-as-can-be instrumental melodies, it also features a guitar solo that’s quite unexpected and adds a lot of flavor to the overall track. It’s not exactly a mind-blowing solo, but it’s fun and fits the song well!
3. La, La, Love You
Artist: Yusuke-P feat. Hatsune Miku
Released: 2013
If you couldn’t tell already, Hatsune Miku has quite a large presence in the Vocaloid scene! Her voice is unmissable and is practically the bastion of this curious subgenre of electronica. “La, La, Love You” is as straight and true as it sounds in its theme.
The little fanfare before the chorus makes it sound like something off Super Mario Kart, and I only mean that in the most admiring way. Its carefree nature only adds to the fact that this is a plain and simple love song that’s meant to spread joy and succeeds in doing so.
4. Like, Dislike
Artist: Honeyworks
Released: 2012
Here we have a track that opts for a more traditionally instrumental approach. Complete with funky, groove-laden guitars, “Like Dislike” is a beach-pop hit with an electronic twist that’s sure to get you in the mood for a dance.
This song also follows a story. In it, Kagamine Len and Rin share back-and-forth vocals that explore Len’s crush on Rin. It’s a delightfully innocent track that also happens to be incredibly groovy.
5. When The First Love Ends
Album: Ryo/Supercell feat. Hatsune Miku
Released:
“When The First Love Ends” was first released as unlockable content on the incredibly popular PSP rhythm game Hatsune Miku: Project Diva 2nd. Since then, it showed a melancholic side of artists using Miku’s synthesizer capabilities.
Despite its melancholic overlay, it still has the energy and bounce of a standout Vocaloid track and, in my opinion, is one of the best to use Miku.
6. Melancholy
Album: Junky feat. Hatsune Miku
Released: 2011
In “Melancholy”, it’s autotuned central. While this may be the case, it doesn’t detract from the overall enjoyability of the track. It has an energetic, guitar-heavy section with curious synths and even the occasional laser sound for good measure.
This song seems to either be about a breakup or that unfortunate moment when you begin to realize that you don’t understand someone after all. We’ve all struggled with relationships at some point in our lives, so there’s a relatability to the overall feeling this track gives off.
7. Melt
Artist: Hatsune Miku
Released: 2013
Despite the genre being fairly simplistic when it comes to the dance numbers, Vocaloid music can also be quite complex. While it may not necessarily seem that way on the surface, the drumming and piano sections in “Melt” are rather captivating.
It’s hard to get an accurate translation of most Vocaloid songs, so for the most part we work off feeling alone. However, a rough translation for “Melt” is that Hatsune has a crush on someone and is willing to go to the edge of the earth to prove her love.
8. When You Touch Me -R-
Artist: Hatsune Miku
Released: 2011
Here, we have a complete style shift compared to the other songs on this list. “When You Touch Me -R-” follows a more R&B or trap beat, opting for a much slower tempo and heartfelt vocalizations.
This stripped-down approach makes for a more vulnerable listen. While Hatsune Miko isn’t a real person, “When You Touch Me -R-” does create an emotional atmosphere.
9. Can’t I Even Dream?
Artist: Hatsune Miku
Released: 2009
“Can’t I Even Dream?” is the most heartbreaking song on our list, and I’m sorry to have had to subject you to it. In this track, the usual instrumental arrangements and dance qualities are gone; simply Miku and a digital piano passage are present except for some background noise.
It’s only when you read the lyrics that you understand how sad this song is compared to the rest of the songs featuring Miku. A true anthem for heartbreak, it makes its way onto this list for its unique qualities and Evanescence feel.
10. Two-Faced Lovers
Artist: Hatsune Miku
Released: 2009
Finishing off our list we have the frantic and energetic “Two-Faced Lovers”. Here, Hatsune Miku takes on an entirely different form, as they’re sped up to a tempo that’s barely recognizable from her usual offerings.
This slightly chaotic vocal arrangement pairs surprisingly well with the equally sudden instrumentals, the synthesizers of which harmonize with Miku at points.
Alex is a man of many talents. He’s been playing music since he was young, and has been the main content writer at Tone Start for the past few years. Alex loves to play around with different styles of music and enjoys listening to anything from country to classical.