![[2025] A roundup of Western songs used as theme and insert songs in Japanese dramas](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/VPv3_a_70ag/sddefault.jpg)
[2025] A roundup of Western songs used as theme and insert songs in Japanese dramas
Songs chosen as drama theme tracks tend to stick in our memories, and they’re easy to talk about as common topics with school friends or coworkers—something that hasn’t changed even in the 2020s.
In fact, if you watch a lot of Japanese dramas, you probably know that Western songs are quite often used as well.
In this article, we’ve researched and compiled Western music that has been used as theme songs and insert songs in Japanese dramas.
We cover everything from the 2010s to the latest dramas of the 2020s, so feel free to use this for trend-checking or to spark some slightly nostalgic conversations!
[2025] Western songs used as theme songs and insert songs in Japanese dramas (1–10)
Bus StopThe Hollies
The classic song “Bus Stop,” which tells the story of a couple’s fateful meeting at a bus stop in the rain.
Their heartwarming romance truly added a flourish to the screen as the theme song for the drama “What Day Were You Born?” A hit by The Hollies, it was released in 1966, yet it gave viewers a fresh thrill as if time had slipped backward.
Its lyrics, which almost let you smell the rain, vividly reflect the British pop scene, and their timeless beauty resonates across the decades from the ’60s.
Each time you watch, you might just find yourself growing fond of the bus route itself…
vampireOlivia Rodrigo
Olivia Rodrigo’s new dark number “vampire” fuses its piano balladry and pop rock brilliantly with the tense storyline of the drama “Black Familia: The Shindos’ Revenge.” The experience-tempered lyrics are both heartrending and powerful, piercing the viewer’s heart.
Hints of Rodrigo’s own regret and self-admonition add even greater depth.
Her talent, praised by numerous music media beyond her teen-focused popularity, has cemented her reputation at home and abroad.
This standout song that colors the drama—why not watch and listen with your full attention, and truly feel it?
Piano ManBilly Joel
It’s no longer rare for Western music to color the scenes of Japanese dramas.
A global resonance is added to moments that move viewers’ hearts.
Take, for example, Billy Joel from the United States.
His “Piano Man,” decades after its 1973 release, continues to captivate many.
In the Japanese drama “Rokujōma no Piano Man” (The Six-Tatami Piano Man), that very song heightened a delicate, dramatic scene.
The lyrics, inspired by real people, spark listeners’ imaginations.
By all means, give the song a listen and immerse yourself in the drama’s world.
Its heartfelt melody will add a new hue to your memories.
There Must Be An AngelEurythmics
Eurythmics’ “There Must Be an Angel” resonates with us through Annie Lennox’s lustrous, soaring vocals and its emotionally stirring melody.
Used as the ending theme for the 2022 drama “Oi Handsome!!,” the song added a touch of brilliance to the show’s weighty storyline.
Stevie Wonder’s harmonica, in particular, lends warmth and depth to the track, and Annie Lennox’s commanding vocal performance is unforgettable.
It’s truly a song played by angels—once you hear it, you’ll never forget it.
Shape Of YouEd Sheeran
Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You” is striking for its gently poignant yet pulsating, approachable melody.
Its comfortable rhythm and soft vocals blend together to lightly stir the listener’s heart—a true masterpiece! Especially since it was used as an insert song in the Japanese drama “We Did It” (Bokutachi ga Yarimashita), its sound likely remains vivid in many viewers’ memories.
Ed’s world seamlessly crosses borders and naturally blends into our everyday lives.
There’s no doubt his innate talent elevates the music beyond mere background, enhancing the emotional impact of the story even more!
The RoseBette Midler
There are many songs that come to mind in fleeting moments thanks to the pairing of Western music and Japanese dramas.
Among them, Bette Midler’s moving “The Rose” is an unforgettable classic.
In the 1979 film The Rose, she starred and performed the title track, which became a huge hit.
Its beautiful lyrics and melody, expressing the complexities of love, continue to captivate many people to this day.
A masterpiece that even reached No.
1 on the Billboard chart, it crossed 35 years of time to gain renewed attention as the theme song for Flowers for Algernon.
In the drama starring Tomohisa Yamashita, “The Rose” found new life—why not listen to it and feel a warmth like the spring sunshine?
So WhatP!nk
Pink’s “So What” is a perfect fit as the theme song for the drama Doctor-X: Surgeon Michiko Daimon—a track where boldness truly shines.
Pink’s husky, powerful vocals match the free-spirited character of Dr.
Michiko Daimon perfectly.
Celebrating TV Asahi’s 60th anniversary, this drama boasts an unmissable, spot-on pairing.
Although the song was released in 2008, its fresh sound and memorable message continue to captivate audiences.
It’s a timeless anthem that gives courage and strength to everyone who embraces their own kind of power.