[2025] A roundup of Western songs used as theme and insert songs in Japanese dramas

drivers licenseOlivia Rodrigo

Olivia Rodrigo – drivers license (Official Video)

The music that colors a drama not only deepens the story, but can also come to symbolize the drama itself.

For example, Olivia Rodrigo’s debut single “drivers license” intricately weaves her emotional shifts and delivers a message that resonates with many people within a single track.

Born from complex romantic feelings, the ballad enhanced the 2021 new drama “Love You as You Are” (Itaike ni Koishite) and became a hot topic.

Olivia’s songs, which fuse youth and talent, could be called truly one-of-a-kind for many listeners.

The moment you hear them, you’ll be captivated—no doubt about it.

Be sure to experience their charm together with the drama.

We’re All AloneBoz Scaggs

We’re All Alone (2023 Remaster)

Boz Scaggs’s “We’re All Alone” drifting across the Japanese night sky.

Used as the theme song for Hulu’s “When It Rains, You Are Kind,” its quiet afterglow captured many hearts.

It fits the mood of the work so perfectly, evoking the drama’s poignancy and the characters’ inner lives.

His voice is sweet and gentle, like it could softly stay by your side at any moment.

When you hear that song, the scenes from the drama will surely unfold before your eyes.

It’s a magical melody that lets you relive those moving moments all over again.

Great DJThe Ting Tings

The Ting Tings – Great DJ

The Ting Tings, who brought a refreshing breeze from the UK and performed “Great DJ.” Their captivating charm lies in a catchy sound you can’t forget once you hear it, tinged with a sense of nostalgia.

In fact, this track made a big splash in Fuji TV’s drama “Sunao ni Narenakute,” further enhancing the show’s energetic world and leaving viewers with a stylish impression.

The rhythm created by the repeating guitar riff might just carry a sense of hope for welcoming a brand-new morning.

AngryThe Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones – Angry (Official Music Video)

The Rolling Stones, living legends of rock, stirred global buzz in 2023 with their new song “Angry,” released as they entered their eighties.

Remarkably, in Japan it was chosen as the theme song for the drama “Our Difficult Lawyer.” Many rock fans were surprised, but it feels like a spot-on selection that deepens the drama’s world.

The lyrics, which convey troubled emotions with refrains, strongly resonate with viewers and seem destined to become unforgettable.

Also, Sydney Sweeney’s appearance in the music video further enhances the song’s appeal.

Time To Say GoodbyeIl Divo

IL DIVO – Time to Say Goodbye (Live)

The brilliance of Il Divo’s Time To Say Goodbye has carried over from film to television drama, its moving melody stirring the heart.

Used as the theme song for the 2011 series Diplomat Kosaku Kuroda, the track left a striking impression, preserving the charm of the original while Il Divo’s distinctive vocals evoke a dreamlike world.

Blending classical and pop elements, it remains one of their signature songs, retaining its appeal long after its release.

Perfectly in harmony with the drama’s emotional scenes, it has surely been etched deeply into the memories of many viewers.

bad guyBillie Eilish

Billie Eilish – bad guy

Billie Eilish’s “Bad Guy,” though a Western pop song, has become more familiar in Japan as it’s increasingly heard in TV dramas.

Its selection as the theme song for the drama “Shiro demo Kuro demo nai Sekai de, Panda wa Warau.” brought it even more attention! With her signature whispery vocals that continue to captivate fans, Billie Eilish has brought a fresh breeze to the music scene.

This song, now a karaoke staple, offers a new challenge for singers.

Why not fully immerse yourself in its unique world?

Love Me TenderElvis Presley

Elvis Presley “Love Me Tender” (October 28, 1956) on The Ed Sullivan Show

Elvis Presley’s warm, captivating vocals make “Love Me Tender” a timeless ballad that never fades with the passage of time.

Its rich emotion and gentle melody tenderly embrace listeners’ hearts.

In particular, it may have surprised many that this enduringly beloved song added color to the moving story of “Takane no Hana.” Elvis’s music surely brought new emotion to Japanese drama fans and left a vivid impression.