[Mighty Guy] A Selection of Easy-to-Sing Songs by Akira Kobayashi
Born in 1938, Akira Kobayashi—known as the “Mighty Guy,” a true legend among legends and one of the last of the so-called silver screen stars—continues to work actively even now in the 2020s, well into his late eighties.
A towering figure who has left his mark on Japanese entertainment history as both an actor and a singer, he even wrote the lyrics himself for his long-awaited 2022 single, “Ganbare Wakazō” (“Hang in There, Young Fella”), hinting that he’ll keep energizing Japan through various activities going forward.
Kobayashi’s songs are also hugely popular at karaoke.
In this article, we’ve selected and compiled tracks that are especially easy for beginners to sing.
If you’re a younger listener curious about enka or Showa-era pop, be sure to check them out!
Playlist
| [Mighty Guy] A Selection of Easy-to-Sing Songs by Akira Kobayashi | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1east | With a fiery heartKobayashi Akira |  play_arrow | A featureless song by Akira Kobayashi; pay attention to the rhythm in the chorus. |
| 2east | Homeward Journey to the NorthKobayashi Akira |  play_arrow | A gentle song depicting a man's feelings as he returns to his hometown |
| 3east | Only a rainbow on my armKobayashi Akira |  play_arrow | The Appeal of Akira Kobayashi’s Classic Song ‘Ude ni Niji Dake’ |
| 4east | Automobile Show SongKobayashi Akira |  play_arrow | Inserted song in a film, with a cheerful and bright melody |
| 5east | In a dreamKobayashi Akira |  play_arrow | Akira Kobayashi’s uniquely cross-genre fusion song “Yume-n Naka” (In a Dream) |
| 6east | Will you come with me?Kobayashi Akira |  play_arrow | Characteristics of Akira Kobayashi’s famous song “Will You Come With Me?” |
| 7east | In the distant Showa era…Kobayashi Akira |  play_arrow | A song featuring Akira Kobayashi’s captivating deep baritone |
| 8east | wandererKobayashi Akira |  play_arrow | The appeal of Akira Kobayashi’s early classic “Sasurai” |
| 9east | I’m sorryKobayashi Akira |  play_arrow | An emotional enka song with a melancholic melody, “Gomen ne” (I’m Sorry) |
| 10east | A Migratory Bird with a GuitarKobayashi Akira |  play_arrow | Kobayashi Akira’s classic hit “Guitar,” influenced by Western music |
| 11east | Song of FarewellKobayashi Akira |  play_arrow | A cover of a school song sung by Akira Kobayashi |
| 12east | I’m appearing under my former name.Kobayashi Akira |  play_arrow | Enka-style song by Akira Kobayashi, with restrained kobushi (vocal ornamentation) |
| 13east | JunkoKobayashi Akira |  play_arrow | Akira Kobayashi’s classic song “Junko,” with a tropical-style melody |
| 14east | Akira’s Zundoko SongKobayashi Akira |  play_arrow | Enka’s Zundoko melody: the characteristics of Akira Kobayashi |
| 15east | acting like a wifeKobayashi Akira |  play_arrow | Asahi Kobayashi’s women’s song “Playing the Wife” |
| 16east | Akira’s Soran BushiKobayashi Akira |  play_arrow | A classic song that sings of the vigorous life and love of a man of the sea. |