Men’s enka: a collection of classic songs portraying the way men live and their fighting spirit
There are many enka songs that depict the way men live and their stylish, gallant spirit.
There are also songs that sing about bonds and love from a male perspective.
In this article, we’ll introduce a wide selection of songs that convey men’s emotions.
We’ve gathered plenty of chic, cool tracks and deeply moving songs full of compassion.
We’re sure you’ll find songs that resonate with you regardless of gender, so please listen while following along with the lyrics.
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Men's enka: A roundup of classic songs portraying the way men live and their spirit (41–50)
A man should just cry in silence.Miyashita Kenji
A passionate new work marking the re-debut of veteran enka composer Kenji Miyashita as a singer.
This gem portrays the melancholy of men living through the Showa era, powerfully expressing deep-seated emotions and struggles.
While honoring the traditional enka style, it features modern arrangements for a heartwarming finish.
Released in February 2025, it captivated audiences at the KOBE Ryūkōka Live in Kobe with a fervent performance reminiscent of his days as a traveling street singer.
The coupling track includes “Jinsei Mayoizaka” (Life at the Crossroads).
Sincerely singing of life’s doubts and inner conflicts, this piece is recommended to enka fans as a song that gently soothes hearts weary from everyday life.
Men’s enka: A collection of classic songs (51–60) portraying the way men live and their fighting spirit
Homeward Journey to the NorthKobayashi Akira
Hokkikō, a work that depicts the feelings of a man returning to his hometown.
This piece is characterized by a very gentle melody that perfectly matches its theme.
Above all, the tempo is extremely slow, allowing ample preparation before each entry in any part.
In addition, the vocal line itself is simple, and it does not feature the complex lines that often appeared in popular songs of that era using enka-style melismatic ornamentation.
With its narrow vocal range, it ranks among the easiest of Akira Kobayashi’s songs to sing.
The Northern CliffsYamauchi Keisuke
This work gives voice to a woman’s aching heart, as if the sea breeze were piercing her chest.
Released in February 2025 to commemorate Keisuke Yamauchi’s 25th anniversary since debut, it perfectly pairs his powerful vocals with a melody that conveys emotions with no place to go.
Set against the sheer cliffs of the north, it portrays lingering attachment, frustration, and a loss of hope for tomorrow.
It is a song that will surely stay close to the hearts of those bearing the pain of love.
AfterglowYamauchi Keisuke
It’s a moody masterpiece of kayōkyoku built on a 6/8 rhythm, with an impactful drum sound in the intro and an impressive slap bass line.
For Keisuke Yamauchi, it’s also a song commemorating his 20th debut anniversary, and it fully showcases the charm of his distinctive voice—powerful, sensual, and uniquely his.
He does use the characteristic kobushi of an enka singer, of course, but since the song leans more toward kayōkyoku, the kobushi itself is restrained, making it a great choice even for those not used to straight-up enka.
The A melody section is also good practice for singing low notes carefully, so try performing it while being mindful of the contrast with the soaring chorus!
Big brotherYamakawa Yutaka
A work that leaves a strong impression of masculinity and sincerity, “Aniki” honors an older brother and is known for its moving lyrics.
While the piece firmly inherits elements of enka, the vocal line is surprisingly understated, with none of the intricate kobushi runs typical of the genre.
If the presence of kobushi is used to define enka, this work would be classified as kayōkyoku, as every part features a simple vocal line.
As a result, even those who are not confident in their singing ability should be able to perform it without difficulty.
KeikoYamakawa Yutaka
Yutaka Yamakawa’s classic “Hotaruko” is memorable for its masculine lyrics that express deep feelings for a woman.
While it’s categorized as a so-called “man’s song,” its power is somewhat restrained compared to typical enka.
Instead, it emphasizes a smooth, mellow singing style, so high-level techniques like shouts aren’t required.
Also, aside from the very end of the chorus, there aren’t particularly difficult spots for kobushi (melodic turns), and even there, the kobushi functions as an extension of the vibrato.
Overall, the level of difficulty is quite low for an enka song.
Omokage Main LineYamakawa Yutaka
Yutaka Yamakawa, who delivers emotionally charged performances and excels at both masculine and feminine songs, is renowned for many works—but among them, Omokage Honsen stands out as a track that exudes distinctly masculine allure.
While it firmly retains elements of enka, the overall piece leans strongly into mood kayō (mood pop), especially emphasized in the A and B sections.
As a result, there are fewer instances of kobushi (ornamental vocal turns) and no complex pitch movements, making it perfect for beginners to enka.
Be sure to add it to your repertoire.