Work songs: recommended masterpieces and popular tracks
There are plenty of songs that cheer on people working hard every day, but I’ve put together a selection of so-called “message songs” for those who are labeled—or call themselves—corporate drones.
I’m sure there are tracks you’ll find nothing but relatable, so when you’re worn out from work or need a little mental breathing room, listen with the idea of finding comrades.
These songs will make you feel relieved or crack a smile, and they should help you reset and think, “Maybe I can push just a little more!”
Playlist
| Work songs: recommended masterpieces and popular tracks | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1east | It’s fine.Urufuruzu | play_arrow | An unabashedly bright and positive vibe, so typical of a band from Kansai... |
| 2east | Progresskōkua | play_arrow | NHK’s documentary program “Professional: Shigoto no Ryuugi” (Professionals: The Style of Work)… |
| 3east | Hymn to LaborMomoiro Kurōbā Zetto | play_arrow | Mr. Kenji Ohtsuki, aka Oken from the band Musume Shōjo-tai (King-Show),... |
| 4east | Fight! SalarymanKetsumeishi | play_arrow | If you're tired from work, this one song. “Usually, ass… |
| 5east | Labor CALLINGdohatsuten | play_arrow | An anthem cheering on people who are tired from work |
| 6east | Receiptpawāzu | play_arrow | A song about salaryman relatable moments revolving around receipts… |
| 7east | Song of LoveSutoroberī Furawā | play_arrow | As a title for the Nintendo GameCube… |
| 8east | Shut up.Ado | play_arrow | The 202… that propelled Ado’s name to nationwide fame |
| 9east | My boyfriend is a salaryman.SHINE’S | play_arrow | SH formed by Yosuke Ito and Taro Sugimura… |
| 10east | Let’s quit this company.sendamitsuo | play_arrow | “That’s it, I’m really quitting this company!!”… |
| 11east | Glory to the commuting songsDOTAMA | play_arrow | A relatable track to switch up your mood on the commute |
| 12east | Worker MKinniku Shoujo Tai | play_arrow | The unique appeal of Muscles Girl Band's music and lyrics |
| 13east | Working manUNICORN | play_arrow | Tamio Okuda of UNICORN, the classic song “Working Man” |
| 14east | salarymanImawano Kiyoshirō | play_arrow | A drama from the employment ice age era, Kiyoshiro's classic song |
| 15east | Salaryman’s Song 2011Hatsune Miku | play_arrow | The monotonous daily life of a salaryman |
| 16east | The moratorium never ends.za endo | play_arrow | A corporate-drone rock band by active company employees, The… |
| 17east | Sign of Courage ~ Regain Theme ~Ushiwakamaru Saburōta (Tokito Saburō) | ![]() | It even ranked in the 1989 New Words and Buzzwords Awards… |
| 18east | There’s always tomorrowRe:Japan | play_arrow | Those who say, “I know Re:Japan”... |
| 19east | Salaryman BluesIshihara Yūjirō | ![]() | Yujiro singing about the feelings of a salaryman |
| 20east | SalarymanShinagawa Yuu to Suberāzu | play_arrow | Hiroshi Shinagawa of the comedy duo Shinagawa Shoji is Japan… |
| 21east | The Sun Also RisesArajin (shuuchishin + Pabo) | play_arrow | A song cheering on salarymen, all gathered in suits |
| 22east | HeroFUNKY MONKEY BABYS | play_arrow | Even an ordinary office worker can leave flashy results... |
| 23east | TAXISuzuki Kiyomi | play_arrow | Ms. Kiyomi Suzuki, well known from groups like the Chanels... |
| 24east | Riemann’s LockTakahashi Yū | play_arrow | Japanese salaried workers, sometimes described as corporate drones (shachiku), ... |
| 25east | Let’s workNORIKIYO from SD JUNKSTA | play_arrow | Of course, NORIKIYO’s rap skills... |
| 26east | byte / part-time jobThe Misspergers | play_arrow | Expressing anger through rap about a work environment that differs from the job posting |
| 27east | Happy Order?imase | play_arrow | A lively song that supports working people, discovering the brilliance of work |
| 28east | 2 a.m. and a highballnakigoto | play_arrow | A song that saves me on my late-night walk home from a part-time job |
| 29east | Melancholy and part-time jobyangusukinii | play_arrow | A song that sings the heartfelt cries from my part-time job |
| 30east | Bring back the shifts, the hourly wage, and while you’re at it, bring back love!!Yoshiki Risa & Hyadain | play_arrow | Convenience store part-time job cheer song—so encouraging! |
| 31east | Hourly Wage Up-Up SongYuuyami ni izanai shi shikkoku no tenshi-tachi | play_arrow | The campaign for the job information service “Baitoru”... |
| 32east | JapaneseYazawa Eikichi | The Office Worker's True Feelings and a Song of Freedom | |
| 33east | GuildBUMP OF CHICKEN | play_arrow | A masterpiece that questions the meaning of life and evokes deep empathy |
| 34east | We RookiesDISH// | play_arrow | The honest heart and sweet expectations of a new employee |
| 35east | Theme of Hissatsu ShigotoninHirao Masaaki | play_arrow | Composed by the eminent master composer Masayuki Hirao, it's just too famous... |
| 36east | I messed up!!busai-ku | play_arrow | A spin-off unit from Kis-My-Ft2, Mai… |
| 37east | Gachi SakuraShonan no Kaze | play_arrow | Recommended for those who work hard at unpleasant jobs for the sake of their dreams… |
| 38east | Perfect Day310 | play_arrow | Depicting special everyday moments with 310’s clear, transparent singing voice |
| 39east | 50%Ofisharu Higedan Dism | play_arrow | To those who push themselves too hard: let’s face forward at your own pace. |
| 40east | Don’t Mind Me (feat. Sota Hanamura from Da-iCE)Ayumu Imazu | play_arrow | Let’s live positively without worrying—an anthem of encouragement. |
| 41east | curtainYuuma | play_arrow | Sing about the heart that strives for a loved one |
| 42east | Melancholy TrumpeterTeam K(AKB48) | play_arrow | Music that portrays the adult world in a mysterious way |
| 43east | Truck Driving BoogieDauntaun Bugiuugi Bando (Tachikawa Shōten Feisutibō) | play_arrow | The maximum legal speed for trucks is 80 km/h, and now… |
| 44east | nurseNihonjin | play_arrow | A man who actually works as a nurse in pediatrics… |
| 45east | Dream Bus GirlSandaime Koromubia Rōzu | play_arrow | The first generation bus girl song became popular when buses… |
| 46east | Gray fingertipsInoue Yosui | play_arrow | Fading fingerprints on the assembly line and a man's melancholy |
| 47east | large fishing boatKitajima Saburō | play_arrow | Saburo Kitajima, too, has stepped away from the spotlight as a singer... |
| 48east | Fight, GhostwriterMegurine Ruka | play_arrow | An ambitious song that depicts a battle in fast samba |
| 49east | Young police officerHikawa Kiyoshi | play_arrow | Showa-era masterpieces: the feeling of everyday life in the past and budding romance |
| 50east | A city sandwich board manTsuruta Koji | play_arrow | We used to see them on the streets a lot in the Showa era, but now… |
| 51east | House mannequin in the night mistyaya | play_arrow | You’re probably wondering, “What’s a house mannequin?” Back in the day… |
| 52east | The Northern Ship of SuccessFukuda Kouhei | play_arrow | When it comes to big catches in Aomori’s fisheries, it’s got to be Ōma’s... |
| 53east | Sad Little DoveMisora Hibari | play_arrow | Hibari Misora: Circus Films and Vocal Prowess |
| 54east | DarlingMrs. GREEN APPLE | play_arrow | A warm message song that invites you to reflect on your true self |
| 55east | Old Man Hanasa ka after a night shiftCover Girls | play_arrow | This song, which is popular for intense wotagei, has a fast tempo so singing… |
| 56east | Daughter of the CircuitPUFFY | play_arrow | A song that depicts PUFFY as race queens |
| 57east | Hourly wage: ¥850Kamereo | play_arrow | Just from the title, it looks like they’re parodying part-time jobs again… |
| 58east | Working Man OndoHatarakigi Mitsuru (Sawamura Ikki) | play_arrow | Before the preview for the next episode of the drama “Hataraki Man,” the dra… |
| 59east | the second man from the bottomKoyama Takuji | play_arrow | The final punchline is somehow both plausible and implausi— |
| 60east | chefKudō Shintarō | play_arrow | Nice lyrics. Not words, but the chef’s… |
| 61east | HanasakaAkioka Hideharu | play_arrow | It really takes extraordinary mental fortitude to get through chef training... |
| 62east | Plasterer KonetaroNiinuma Kenji | play_arrow | The training of plastering craftsmen is honed through daily discipline. |
| 63east | Headlights / TaillightsNakajima Miyuki | play_arrow | The legendary NHK program that was a huge hit, “Professional…” |

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