Popular Japanese songs among men in their 20s. Recommended masterpieces and classic tracks.

As a personNEW!SUPER BEAVER

SUPER BEAVER “As a Person” LIVE MV

This is a SUPER BEAVER song whose unadorned words cut to the core of human nature and stir the heart.

While acknowledging the darker sides of people—lies, betrayal, and secrets—it still sings of wanting to believe and to keep on loving.

The track was included on the album “27,” released in June 2016.

It was used as the opening theme for the drama “Sono ‘Okodawari’, Watashi ni mo Kure yo!!” starring Mayu Matsuoka, and in 2021 it was also selected for Asahi Beer’s “Asahi Super Dry” commercial.

A powerful ballad that incorporates the band’s first use of strings, it’s a song you’ll want to hear when you’re struggling with relationships or frustrated by your own weakness.

Even if people call you a fool, it will give a push to those who still want to live with style.

Sugar Song and Bitter StepUNISON SQUARE GARDEN

UNISON SQUARE GARDEN “Sugar Song and Bitter Step” MV

How about lifting your spirits with a lively tune? This is a signature song by the popular rock band UNISON SQUARE GARDEN, released in May 2015 as their 10th single.

Chosen as the ending theme for the anime Blood Blockade Battlefront, it became a hot topic and marked the band’s first entry into the top five of the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.

The funky rhythm, sharp guitar and bass, and Saito’s soaring vocals are simply irresistible! At first glance the song feels poppy and cheerful, but its lyrics portray both the sweetness and bitterness of life.

It’s a wonderful track that blows away everyday frustration and helps you face forward.

Be sure to feel the sound with your whole body!

RPGSEKAI NO OWARI

SEKAI NO OWARI「RPG」

SEKAI NO OWARI’s classic song “RPG.” This work, which could be called the culmination of the band’s fantastical musical style from their early days, is something anyone born in the Heisei era has probably heard at least once.

Surprisingly, the song’s vocal range is quite narrow, spanning from mid1 C# to hi A.

Since the frequently used notes are also on the lower side, even men with lower voices can sing it without issue if they drop the key.

If you want to boost the quality, try mixing in breaths like Fukase does—doing so will really liven things up at karaoke.

Bunny GirlAKASAKI

[AKASAKI] Bunny Girl (Lyric Video)

AKASAKI’s hit song “Bunny Girl,” which went viral nationwide.

The vocal range in this track is from mid1 C to mid2 G, which is quite narrow for recent Japanese pop.

There’s a key change in the final chorus, but even so, the overall pitch movement is minimal, making it exceptionally easy to sing.

The vocal line also has gentle rises and falls, so it’s recommended for people who want to get the crowd going even if they’re not very confident in their singing.

If you want to sound more polished, try incorporating overtone techniques to add richness to the low–mid range.

HabitSEKAI NO OWARI

SEKAI NO OWARI「Habit」

SEKAI NO OWARI’s hit song “Habit.” Many listeners were likely astonished by this track, which departs from their usual fantastical worldview and instead delivers somewhat caustic, realistic lyrics.

As the groove is emphasized throughout, the song sits within a generally standard vocal range for a SEKAI NO OWARI track, from mid1 C to mid2 F.

However, since the highest note (mid2 F) appears fairly frequently, it may be better to lower the key slightly depending on the singer’s range.

While it’s overall on the easier side, there are several rap-like sections, so it’s recommended to firmly memorize the flow that matches the lyrics.

Bedroom TalkOfficial HIGE DANDism

Official HIGE DANDism – Bedroom Talk [Official Lyric Video]

Composed and written by guitarist Daisuke Kozasa, this is a gentle song that tenderly keeps you company in the quiet of night.

It portrays a calm time spent stepping back a little from social media and truly connecting with someone important.

The track is included on the acclaimed 2021 album “Editorial,” a record created with input from all the members, which lends a sense of depth to the band’s expression.

Its warm, mellow atmosphere feels perfect for settling your mind at the end of the day.

It’s a recommended listen for those who are a bit worn out by relationships or who want to drift off to sleep with a peaceful heart.

together; along with; bothWANIMA

WANIMA – Together (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

WANIMA’s hit song “Tomoni.” While many of its lyrics are negative, the chorus suddenly shifts to a highly positive message, and that strong contrast made the track popular with many listeners.

In this piece, the lowest note is mid1 F and the highest is hi C#, which is a relatively wide range for a male vocal song.

However, the hi C# only appears twice in the first verse’s A section; the song is basically structured with hi A# as the top note, so with key adjustment it can be quite singable.

Since it tends to have fewer natural breakpoints, lowering the key by one step from your optimal key may work better when actually singing.