Work songs: recommended masterpieces and popular tracks

A city sandwich board manTsuruta Koji

Koji Tsuruta 'The Sandwich Man of the City'

You used to often see them on the streets in the Showa era, but you don’t see them anymore these days.

I think they were called human billboards—people dressed in flashy, attention-grabbing outfits holding placards or hanging signs on both their front and back to advertise a shop.

They were called sandwich men.

Since the job is really about drawing attention and getting people to look at you, it might not be suitable for someone who’s shy.

Even so, this song sings of the lament in the heart of a man who works for a living.

House mannequin in the night mistyaya

Somewhat, the night-mist house mannequin

You’re probably wondering, “What’s a house mannequin?” Long ago in Japan, the term referred to female shop staff who wore their own brand’s clothes and sold them in the store.

In French, mannequin means model, but this usage is entirely Japanese.

It was during the bubble era, and with fierce brand competition, meeting sales quotas and such was apparently quite tough—hence songs like this were born.

The Northern Ship of SuccessFukuda Kouhei

[Official Full] Kohei Fukuda 'Northbound Success Ship' Music Video

When it comes to big catches in Aomori’s fisheries, it’s got to be Ōma’s tuna, right? I’ve seen it in TV documentaries too—reeling in a single fish that could be worth tens of millions of yen really conveys the men’s desperation.

But landing a giant isn’t easy.

Just as the lyrics say, it takes grit and patience—and it’s a song of men staking everything on their intuition and skill in a showdown at sea.

Sad Little DoveMisora Hibari

Sad Little Dove

Hibari Misora was 15 years old at the time, but her singing ability is unbelievable for a 15-year-old.

It’s the theme song of a film—a story about a sad parting with her family, set in a circus in which Hibari Misora herself stars.

In the past, circuses had the image of being poor, itinerant troupes living day to day.

People who grew up during the period of rapid economic growth say their parents would scold them with, “If you don’t listen, I’ll sell you to the circus!” That’s quite a different image from today’s glamorous, artistic theme-park-like spaces.

DarlingMrs. GREEN APPLE

Mrs. GREEN APPLE "Darling" Official Music Video

This song stays close to the inner voice we all have and offers a chance to rediscover our true selves.

With melodies that gently embrace the anxieties and conflicts of youth and lyrics woven with positive messages, Mrs.

GREEN APPLE conveys the importance of fostering self-esteem.

Released in January 2025 as the theme song for NHK General’s special program “18 Festival,” and performed together with 1,000 members of the 18-year-old generation, the piece is a warm, comforting track that soothes hearts tired from work.

When daily life overwhelms you and you feel like you’re losing yourself, listening to this song will give you the courage to accept who you are, just as you are.

Old Man Hanasa ka after a night shiftCover Girls

Hanasaka Jiisan, After the Night Shift (CoverGirls 13th Performance “On a Starry Night”)

This song, which really gets the otagei going, is so fast-paced that I couldn’t grasp the lyrics’ meaning while singing it, but reading them, they’re actually quite deep.

The older man working the night shift packs cardboard boxes, and his boss is younger—tough for a man, right? Even in a life like that, the song says that small connections with others can make you feel happiness in life.

Daughter of the CircuitPUFFY

PUFFY “Circuit no Musume” OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

No introduction needed—this is a hit by the popular female duo PUFFY, produced by Tamio Okuda.

Their debut song “Asia no Junshin” was shocking, but the laid-back vibe of this track is just as refreshing.

PUFFY’s charm really lies in their natural, unforced style.

This song is a relaxed PUFFY-style take on a woman taking a job as a race queen.

You can imagine race queens watching over the drivers with just this kind of feeling.

By the way, if you place this single’s cover next to the cover of “Nagisa ni Matsuwaru Etcetera”…

well, I’ll let you discover the rest for yourself! Listening to it while you work will surely put you in a good mood.