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[A Must-See for Rock Beginners] KiYoshiro Imawano's Easy-to-Sing Songs

Kiyoshiro Imawano, a legendary figure in Japan’s rock scene.

Not only did he make his mark with bands like RC Succession and The Timers, but he also created many classic songs as a solo artist.

Even now, after his passing, his musical style and values continue to be loved by many listeners.

This time, we’ve picked out some of Kiyoshiro Imawano’s songs that are especially easy to sing.

We’ll also feature tracks from RC Succession and The Timers, so be sure to read to the end!

[A Must-See for Rock Beginners] Kiyoshiro Imawano’s Easy-to-Sing Songs (11–20)

ROCK ME BABYImawano Kiyoshirō

Opening his fifth solo album, GOD, released in 2005, is the breezy, R&R-flavored track ROCK ME BABY, just as its title suggests.

Even within its characteristically simple lyrics—so typical of Kiyoshiro, who never forgot the heart of a kid who loves rock ’n’ roll—there’s a subtle yet important message that showcases his impeccable sensibility.

It’s a perfect karaoke song with a catchy melody you can memorize after just a few listens, though you might find the pitch range a bit demanding.

Since this is the kind of song where the groove matters most, start by going all-in with the energy—try imitating Kiyoshiro’s style, including the final shout.

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Daddy’s SongImawano Kiyoshirō

Even people who aren’t particularly interested in the artist Kiyoshiro Imawano probably know this song.

Released in 1991 as his sixth single, Papa no Uta became widely known and popular after being featured in a Shimizu Corporation TV commercial.

With Shigesato Itoi’s lyrics that exude humorous affection and Kiyoshiro’s moving melody and vocals, the song likely gave confidence to working dads across Japan.

Despite its simplicity, it’s surprisingly difficult to sing: the range is wide and the pitch moves up and down quite a bit, so you may find it harder to perform than expected.

Since the mood shifts between the verse and the chorus, it’s a good idea to practice each section separately.

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Heavy rainImawano Kiyoshirō

With lively drums, a bright horn section, and a catchy melody, this classic by Kiyoshiro will make your body and soul start dancing! This “Hageshii Ame” isn’t a cover of THE MODS, but rather a track included on Kiyoshiro’s sixth solo album, Yumesuke, released in 2006.

It also drew attention for featuring Kiyoshiro’s longtime ally from the RC Succession days, Reiichi Nakaido, in the songwriting.

It has that quintessential Kiyoshiro vibe, and while the surprising chorus that even mentions “RC Succession” sits a bit on the higher side of the range, the jumps aren’t too extreme.

If you relax into the upbeat groove and sing along, the rhythm comes naturally, making it easy to perform.

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In the night sky after the rainRC sakuseshon

When it comes to RC Succession, this is the song that many people think of.

The feel-good rock ’n’ roll number “Ameagari no Yozora ni” (“In the Night Sky After the Rain”) was co-written by Kiyoshiro Imawano and Reichi Nakaido and released as a single in 1980.

Nakaido’s dazzling guitar riff, Imawano’s soulful vocals, and the playful lyrics brought a fresh breeze to Japan’s rock scene.

Because the clear, enunciated vocal style differs from today’s J-pop, younger singers might find it unfamiliar at first—but if you ride the rhythm and sing its incredibly catchy melody, you’ll have a great time nailing it at karaoke.

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In conclusion

Among artists, Kiyoshiro Imawano has one of the most distinctive vocal timbres at the top level.

As I mentioned in the rankings, if you lean too much into his singing style, it can actually make the song harder to sing, so I recommend performing within your own natural style.

On Rag Music, besides this article, we also feature many easy-to-sing songs by various artists.

Be sure to check those out too!