[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
- 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
- [Must read] Songs with great lyrics. Moving songs you’ll want to listen to while reading the lyrics
- 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
[Songs About Alcohol] Timeless Classics and the Latest Hit Tracks to Enjoy While Savoring a Drink (11–20)
GlassDomura Riu
A bittersweet song that intertwines alcohol and romance.
It delicately portrays love fading away, like ice cubes melting in a glass.
Released in December 2020 and included on the album “Imaginary World,” the track stands out with its unique fusion of pop and hip-hop.
It’s perfect for those moments when you want to feel the ache of one-sided love or a breakup—best enjoyed with a quiet drink.
It also pairs well with a moody atmosphere at a bar late at night.
Paradise Has No BorderToukyou Sukapara Daisu Ookesutora
The commercial that caused a stir was Kirin Hyoketsu’s spot set to Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra’s “Paradise Has No Border,” where, incredibly, Sakana-kun doesn’t talk about fish but picks up a sax and jams out.
He also appears in the latter half of this video—definitely a must-see.
And wow, this setup—Skapara really nails whatever they do, don’t they?
plastered junkiesyudou
A song by syudou, known for a style that evokes both sweetness and bitterness like dark chocolate.
By vividly depicting a desire to escape from everyday stresses—such as the exhaustion of crowded trains and tangled human relationships—it highlights issues in contemporary society.
It expresses the futility of temporary oblivion and rest, along with self-loathing and confrontation with reality.
Released digitally in March 2021, this was syudou’s first original song featuring his own vocals.
In live performances, he presents a caricatured act as a drunken protagonist, making it a track that has garnered significant attention from fans.
I messed up.syudou
Syudou’s song leaves a strong impression with its blend of self-reflection and regret.
Through the repetition of striking phrases, it conveys the feeling of having done something irreversible.
It depicts an ironic situation in which an attempt to momentarily escape everyday stress ends up driving oneself into an even tougher spot.
Released as a digital single in November 2023, this track is recommended for those moments when you want to look back on your actions over a drink, or for people who, incorrigibly, keep making the same mistakes.
You may find yourself empathizing with the lyrics, which capture delicate emotional shifts.
Killer QueenQueen
It’s a hit song by Queen released in 1974.
Moët & Chandon champagne appears at the beginning of the track.
It’s well known that Freddie, the vocalist, loved Japan, and you can sense that from the word “geisha” in the lyrics and from how he would change “Paris” to “Tokyo” during live performances.
Hotel CaliforniaThe Eagles
This globally famous song, which also lends its name to the album title, is about a fictional hotel called “Hotel California.” It has been covered by a wide range of musicians across genres.
The song is also well known for the word “spirits” in its lyrics, which carries a double meaning: distilled liquor and souls.
[Sake Songs] Classic favorites and the latest hit songs to enjoy while sipping alcohol (21–30)
Sorry for being clingyAya a.k.a. Panda
The track that became the breakthrough for female rapper AYA a.k.a.
PANDA.
It sounds like an upbeat party tune, but the lyrics subtly reveal a budding crush.
Over the booming club music that drowns out the voice of the guy she likes, a slightly mischievous girl works up the nerve to get closer and act a little coy.
Have you ever wanted to use a bit of liquid courage to make your move, only to find yourself oddly composed when you’re actually in front of the person you like? Even her cocktail choice perfectly fits that playful “little devil” vibe.
Be sure to check it out!
