Songs men like. Classic and popular Japanese songs.
It’s packed with songs that were used in dramas and anime!
There are also tracks from those dramas you admired back in the day and the anime and movies you were hooked on.
I think many of these are staple choices for men’s karaoke, so why not give them a look?
Songs Men Like: Classic and Popular Japanese Tracks (1–10)
heartbeatMasaharu Fukuyama
A poignant yet warm ballad that captivatingly portrays the turmoil of an unexpected love.
The protagonist, who had decided never to fall in love, grapples with confusion and a loneliness hidden behind a brave front, all conveyed through Masaharu Fukuyama’s richly emotive vocals.
Included on his original album “AKIRA,” released in December 2020—his first in six years and eight months—the song was chosen as the theme for the drama “#Remolove: Normal Love Is for the Weak.” Its delicate melody reflects the nuances of the protagonist’s emotions, making it a deeply satisfying listen.
Try listening while thinking of someone special.
Song of the Old Man of Nishi-ShinjukuTsuyoshi Nagabuchi
This is a deeply human song that portrays the life of a bar owner in Nishi-Shinjuku—awkward in some ways, yet unwavering in his principles.
The father’s oft-repeated catchphrase may inspire some listeners to live fully in the present so they won’t look back with regret.
Released on the August 1990 album “JEEP,” the track was also used as an insert song in the drama “From the North Country ’92: Departure.” For those standing at a crossroads in life or hesitating before a new challenge, it carries a warm yet powerful message that gently, firmly nudges you forward.
Midnight ExpresswayFlower Companies
Flower Companyz is a Japanese rock band.
They were formed in Nagoya in 1989.
Since making their major-label debut in 1995, they have been actively performing to this day.
‘Shinya Kousoku’ (Midnight Highway) is a classic song that has been sung since their indie days.
astronomical observationBUMP OF CHICKEN
BUMP OF CHICKEN is a four-member rock band formed in Chiba in 1996.
They made their major-label debut on TOY’S FACTORY with their first single, “Diamond,” and scored a mega-hit in 2002 with “Tentai Kansoku” (Stargazing).
They remain highly active today.
Silent majorityKeyakizaka46
Keyakizaka46 is a Japanese female idol group active since 2015.
Their debut single, Silent Majority, stands out for its music centered on minor chords and its strongly message-driven lyrics, projecting a powerful worldview together with its costumes and choreography.
HANABIMr.Children
One of Mr.
Children’s signature songs, in which poignant yet beautiful scenes unfold in your heart.
It’s a masterful ballad that sets the inner conflicts of everyday life, self-questioning, an undying sense of hope, and deep feelings for someone precious to a delicate yet powerful melody.
Released in September 2008 as their 33rd single, it was widely loved as the theme song for Fuji TV’s drama “Code Blue: Doctor Heli Kinkyū Kyūmei” and topped the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart for two consecutive weeks.
With its mid-tempo ballad style that makes it easy to sing with emotion, if you practice and perform it naturally, it’s sure to resonate deeply with listeners and showcase a new side of you!
SubtitleOfficial HIGE DANDism
This song gives the impression of a moving, listenable ballad.
To sing it with a beautiful, breathy tone like vocalist Fujiwara’s, lung capacity, diaphragmatic breathing, and bodily awareness are all important.
You might think, “There’s so much to keep in mind…,” but don’t worry! First, when you sing, make sure to really listen to the backing drums.
If you sing in sync with the drum accents, it becomes easier to keep the rhythm and to hit the high notes.
By the way, even my female students struggled with this song, saying, “It’s so high!”—I think the key is how you produce the sound.
If you sing with the image of resonating in the back of your head, the overall feel becomes softer, bringing you closer to Fujiwara’s gentle tone.
There are also soaring long tones, so try finding the placement where you can produce them comfortably and sing from there.