Hi-STANDARD’s Signature Songs and Hidden Gems Guide [2026]

Endless TripHi-STANDARD

Hi-STANDARD – ENDLESS TRIP

“Endless Trip,” included on Angry Fist, is also a fan favorite.

For Hi-Standard, it’s fair to call it a mid-tempo track, and it carries both a sense of positivity and a hint of bittersweetness.

Hi-Standard once broke up and fell into an apparently hopeless relationship, with rumors of bad blood circulating.

Now that they’ve reconciled and started performing again, the phrase “endless trip” resonates all the more with fans.

You Can’t Hurry LoveHi-STANDARD

Hi-STANDARD – You Can’t Hurry Love(OFFICIAL VIDEO)

Immediately after the release of the aforementioned “Another Starting Line,” the cover EP “Vintage & New, Gift Shits” was announced.

Consisting entirely of covers of well-known songs, it was another release that moved fans to tears.

Among the tracks on this EP, one of the most popular is the 1980s hit by The Supremes, “You Can’t Hurry Love.” What’s especially noteworthy is the opening line, where Ken Yokoyama—guitarist and backing vocalist—takes the lead vocals.

During Hi-Standard’s hiatus, he was highly active as the frontman and singer-guitarist of his own Ken Band, and you can say this song brings the fruits of that work back into Hi-Standard.

New LifeHi-STANDARD

Hi-STANDARD – New Life [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

“New Life,” included on “Growing Up,” is likely one of the songs that’s especially popular with fans.

Even people who don’t know Hi-Standard at all might recognize its intro.

That intro has long been used as the jingle played before and after commercials on the radio show “All Night Nippon” hosted by the comedy duo Ninety-Nine.

As an aside, the young comedy duo NON STYLE reportedly took their name as a play on Hi-Standard.

Fighting Fists,Angry SoulHi-STANDARD

Hi-STANDARD [FIGHTING FISTS, ANGRY SOUL] PV Haista

Another popular track from Angry Fist is “Fighting Fists, Angry Soul.” Hi-Standard is often described as being like “the friendly guys from the neighborhood,” and it’s true that their approachable personalities and relentlessly positive songs give them a familiar charm.

At the same time, they’re a band that insists on being a “punk band,” and they never hide their political stance—participating in events advocating for Tibetan freedom and anti-nuclear protests, for example.

This song embodies that strong spirit of self-assertion, powerfully singing about sometimes getting angry and raising your fists to stand up and fight.

California DreaminHi-STANDARD

Hi-STANDARD – California Dreamin’

Hi-Standard began doing punk-style covers of famous songs around the time of Growing Up.

The album includes three covers, and the most popular among them is California Dreamin’.

They brilliantly rearranged the pop original into a tense punk rock track, and the sudden tempo drop in the interlude leading into a metal-like guitar solo is especially breathtaking.

Guitarist Ken Yokoyama is one of Japan’s most famous guitarists, and this is one of the songs where his appeal shines the most.

Summer Of LoveHi-STANDARD

Hi Standard – Summer of love

One of the songs from Growing Up that still remains popular at live shows is Summer Of Love.

As the title suggests, it’s a bright, summery tune packed with the raw, energetic charm of early Hi-Standard, even if it’s a bit unpolished.

The guitar rhythm in the intro also evokes ska, and I believe it’s a track that went on to influence the later ska-punk scene.

GloryHi-STANDARD

Hi-standard – Glory

This song likens dreams to “Glory,” celebrating one’s own worth and life.

Glory is different for everyone—find your own glory.

The lyrics may be a bit cheesy, but only Hi-STANDARD can make them sound so cool.