Hit and popular songs by 19 (Juke)
Let me introduce songs by 19 (Juke), a male folk duo that disbanded in 2002.
At the time, alongside Yuzu, they brought a folk current to the J-pop scene and are said to be the pioneers of the neo-folk genre.
They also enjoyed huge popularity, appearing twice on the NHK New Year’s Eve Music Festival (Kohaku Uta Gassen) and providing an official cheer song for the Sydney Olympics, but sadly they disbanded.
After the breakup, member Kenji Okahira became well known for his activities with 3B LAB.☆S.
Now, please enjoy the songs of 19, who helped bring folk music back into the spotlight.
19’s famous and popular songs (1–10)
footprint(s)19
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call it a single that became a commercial jingle and introduced a rare rhythmic pattern for 19, creating a fresh vibe.
Many people may have heard it in passing.
While it has a strangely swaying feel, it’s also a song that many artists choose to cover.
That paper airplane splits the cloudy sky19
The hit song that made 19 famous.
Many people resonated with the lyrics, and I bet quite a few actually threw paper airplanes or wrote them during class.
It’s a nostalgic youth anthem and is still featured on TV shows today.
A graduation song, a song of friends.19
The lyrics were also featured in a popular novel, so many of you may have discovered the song there.
With school-themed lyrics, it’s perfect for graduation season, and it’s still often sung at graduation ceremonies.
It’s a song about setting off with tears and smiles.
Congratulations19
A later-period song for 19 with strong punk rock elements.
It’s popular at live shows because Kenji, Keigo, and the audience all come together.
It’s also a birthday song that says, “Thank you for being born, and thank you for living.”
telepathy; tacit understanding (literally: ‘heart-to-heart communication’)19
For anyone in a long-distance relationship, these lyrics are sure to hit hard.
They poignantly convey the loneliness and tenderness you only realize when you’re by yourself.
It’s a song I want you to listen to when you suddenly feel lonely and want to cry, and today it’s a classic that many different artists cover.
theme song19
I think this song will be a tailwind for anyone who hates erasing their individuality and following the path they’re told to take.
No two people are the same, so let’s live without hiding who we are! For those who feel stuck, it will be a wonderful anthem of encouragement.
Three-Minute Diary19
It’s on their early album, and many people love the melody that portrays the innocence and brightness of being 19.
During live shows, watching vocalist Kenji dash around the stage and hype up the crowd makes the audience feel giddy with excitement—it’s a high-energy song through and through.