[Drinking Songs] Timeless Classics and the Latest Hit Tracks to Enjoy with a Drink
Songs about alcohol.
Do you have a favorite one?
When it comes to drinking, beyond the types of alcohol themselves, there are all kinds of situations: getting lively with a crowd, quietly sipping alone, or soaking up the mood at a bar.
In this article, we’ll introduce classic songs about drinking that suit various scenes, situations, and emotions.
We’ve selected a wide range from nostalgic hits of the ’70s and ’80s to the latest chart-toppers, so enjoy the differences in vibe across the decades.
- [Intoxication and Music] A collection of pleasant Japanese songs to accompany your drinks
- Songs that hype you up just by listening—recommended tracks from timeless classics to the latest releases
- Easy-to-sing songs recommended for men in their 70s: A collection of classic hits you’ll want to sing at karaoke
- [Tearjerker] Songs that make your heart tremble with tears & moving tracks with lyrics that touch the soul
- [Songs with Great Lyrics] Masterpieces you’ll want to listen to while savoring the words that resonate with your heart
- Lively songs recommended for people in their 80s: A collection of nostalgic enka and kayōkyoku
- [Touching the Heart] Timeless Ballad Masterpieces. A Collection of Unfading Classics and the Latest Songs [2026]
- Songs that get people in their 30s pumped up: a roundup of nostalgic tracks that are also great for karaoke
- A Must-See for Those in Their 20s: A Collection of Youthful Songs That Bring Back School Days
- [Karaoke] Recommended Songs for Men in Their 80s: A Collection of Showa-Era Classics You’ll Want to Belt Out
- A love song that makes a man in his sixties relive his youth. Timeless classics that rekindle the romances of those days.
- [Relaxed & Gentle] A calm track with an easy, unhurried tempo
- Breakup songs recommended for people in their 80s: a collection of classic tracks that capture heartbreaking feelings
[Drinking Songs] Classic Evergreens and Latest Hit Tracks to Enjoy While Savoring a Drink (71–80)
Maybe PART IIMiki Katsuhiko & Kobayashi Sachiko
“Moshikashite PART II,” which evokes the feel of a dangerous, adult romance.
Released in 1984, it’s a collaboration between Sachiko Kobayashi and Katsuhiko Miki, who composed the song.
It also serves as an answer song to “Moshikashite,” which came out about half a year earlier.
The lyrics portray someone who, despite worrying that dating this person might not actually be a good idea, keeps deepening the relationship while blaming it on the alcohol.
The melody, which heightens the thrill of the two people’s growing love, is also memorable.
Be sure to listen to it together with “Moshikashite,” the Part 1.
Drunken TangoDeng Rikjun (Teresa Ten)
A drinking song by Teresa Teng, the Asian songstress famous for “Toki no Nagare ni Mi o Makase.” Her voice glides over the gentle melody, creating a sophisticated, adult mood.
Rather than a lively, social vibe, it seems perfect for spending quiet time alone at home or in a stylish bar.
We all have those times when we don’t want to think about anything, right? There’s a touch of sadness, and it may really hit home on nights when you want to forget the bad things.
Roses and PistolsMatsuda Seiko
Among Seiko Matsuda’s songs, this one stands out as a track on the album “Windy Shadow,” notable for its heavy use of synthesizers.
Set up almost like a Western, it has a charm you don’t find today, including the subtly quirky premise typical of Showa-era idol pop.
It’s also surprisingly eye-opening to realize how older programmed sounds often leaned so much on various forms of tremolo!
Northern fishing groundsKitajima Saburō
Among Saburo Kitajima’s works, the song “Kita no Gyojo” is one that’s especially packed with motifs that feel quintessentially “him,” both in its sound and its lyrics.
It sings of boarding a boat for medium to long stretches, heading out to distant fishing grounds, and sharing the toil of daily life while constantly encouraging one another.
This arrangement in particular stands out for the horn section in the intro that evokes Hakodate, and the dense, era-evoking bass beat—together they fuse incredibly well with Sabu-chan’s voice.
Hearing it on stage really drives home the feeling of “Saburo Kitajima is right here!”
In a new city for the first timeNishida Sachiko
It was used as the commercial song for Kiku-Masamune Sake Brewing starting in 1975 and was released in 1979.
In 2009, it was covered by the African American enka singer Jero.
Part of the lyrics was changed to “Kiku-Masamune” for the commercial, and the song is still used in the ads today, making it well known across a wide range of generations in Japan.
celebratory sakeSakamoto Fuyumi
From the title alone, you can picture a barroom scene—this is “Iwai-zake” (Celebratory Sake), sung by enka legend Fuyumi Sakamoto.
Released in 1988 and performed on the NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen, it’s known as a national favorite.
In Japan, people drink at many milestones, and among them, sake is often shared in celebratory moments.
“Iwai-zake” is a send-off song, seemingly dedicated to two people at the start of a new journey.
Both the emotionally rich melody of enka, loved across generations, and the celebratory drinks shared on such occasions truly resonate with the heart.
Bottoms up!Tonneruzu
Now established as heavyweight figures in sketch comedy with numerous eponymous shows, Tunnels first began catching fire in popularity with songs from college-girl TV programs like “Yuyake Nyan Nyan,” which became big hits among young people and were staples at company and school parties.
The duo, whose fame was rapidly rising not only in comedy but also as hosts, went on to release a talk-like song.
It became a nationwide smash, serving as a go-to party tune, and even today its lyrics are often quoted in puns by middle-aged and older gentlemen.