The Most Idol-Like Star in the Enka World: Easy-to-Sing Songs by Kiyoshi Hikawa
Enka singer Kiyoshi Hikawa, who greatly energized Japan’s enka scene with “Kiyoshi no Zundoko Bushi.” With his idol-like, handsome appearance and stable vocal technique, he sparked a renewed boom in the 2000s, a time when enka was on the decline.
This time, we’re introducing some of Kiyoshi Hikawa’s songs that are easy to sing.
Because his musical background includes rock, many of his tracks have a pop-like feel.
We’ve gathered songs that even those unfamiliar with enka can sing, so be sure to check them out.
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- [The Pinnacle of Modern Enka] Shimazu Aya’s Easy-to-Sing Songs
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[The Idol of the Enka World] Kiyoshi Hikawa’s Easy-to-Sing Songs (11–20)
Castle of White CloudsHikawa Kiyoshi
Compared to typical enka singers, Kiyoshi Hikawa has released many catchy enka songs.
His signature hit “Kiyoshi no Zundoko-bushi” is especially catchy and pop-oriented.
However, “Hakuun no Shiro” is different.
This work is classic, straight-ahead enka, even incorporating a touch of folk-song flavor.
As a result, while kobushi (ornamental vocal turns) appear as usual, the very slow tempo lets you build tension and then apply the kobushi effectively.
Having many rests before a kobushi is a very important element in singing enka.
If you want to sing authentic enka, starting your practice with this piece is a great idea.
Because you are hereHikawa Kiyoshi
Kiyoshi Hikawa’s masterpiece “Anata ga Iru Kara” is memorable for its moving lyrics.
It’s neither enka nor kayōkyoku; it was released as a pure pop song.
As such, you won’t find the complex vocal lines that demand the high-level singing technique typical of enka.
The tempo is relaxed and the vocal range isn’t very wide, making it very easy to sing.
It’s extremely catchy, so even people in their 70s and older who aren’t familiar with pop music should be able to sing it without any trouble.
dreamy sky; sky filled with deep thoughts or feelingsHikawa Kiyoshi
Kiyoshi Hikawa’s first pop album, Papillon.
This piece is one of the tracks included on the album, and it’s known as a ballad that’s exceptionally easy to sing.
Although it’s a pop work, it doesn’t feature the rapid-fire delivery or complex melodic jumps common in recent pop songs.
It firmly incorporates elements of kayōkyoku (classic Japanese popular music), making it a great recommendation even for those who feel uneasy about recent music trends.
Consider adding it to your repertoire.
Don’t worry about it.Hikawa Kiyoshi
Among the many enka singers, Kiyoshi Hikawa is especially known for his wide musical range.
Even among his works, the standout piece that drew attention as an unconventional masterpiece is “Kinishinai.” While this is a pop song, it’s strongly infused throughout with elements of dance music.
The melody has a great groove, yet the vocal range is surprisingly narrow and the tempo isn’t particularly fast, so even those who find recent songs challenging should be able to sing it with ease.
Consider adding it to your repertoire.
WonderlandHikawa Kiyoshi
The masterpiece “Wonderland” leaves a strong impression with its rock sound.
The song channels elements of visual-kei rock—also part of Kiyoshi Hikawa’s roots—and its melody carries a BUCK-TICK-like vibe.
Despite being authentic rock, the piece keeps the vocal range relatively narrow throughout.
Aside from the interlude’s non-vocal sections, there are virtually no long sustained notes, and neither kobushi-style ornamentation nor shouts appear, so complex vocal techniques aren’t required.
Consider adding it to your repertoire.
In conclusion
Kiyoshi Hikawa is an enka singer who uses a hiccup-like vocal technique that flips the voice very frequently.
At the same time, his music is notably catchy, and in recent years he has been actively working on pop as well.
As a result, the later his works are, the more they tend to feature songs that are easier to sing.
His roots lie in visual kei rock, so I expect we’ll see even more singable tracks from him going forward! This article will continue to be updated regularly, so please be sure to bookmark it!