RAG Musicartist
Lovely artist

Songs by male artists known for their captivating deep voices. Classic Japanese hits and recommended popular tracks.

These days, male vocalists with high tones are especially popular, and it feels like we hear fewer songs sung with deep, rugged low voices.

Still, that resonant low register that echoes to the core is something many men aspire to, and I suspect plenty of women also find themselves saying, “I get chills from a smoky, masculine singing voice!”

When a male artist known for his striking low notes sings from a woman’s perspective, it can actually highlight feminine allure and sound even more captivating.

This time, we’ve gathered classic tracks by male artists whose irresistibly rich low vocals steal the show.

Go ahead and lose yourself in these stylish, moody low voices.

Songs by male artists known for their captivating low voices. Classic J-pop masterpieces and recommended popular tracks (21–30).

rainbowFukuyama Masaharu

Masaharu Fukuyama “Niji” PV
rainbowFukuyama Masaharu

Masaharu Fukuyama’s 18th single, released in August 2003.

It came out as a triple A-side single: “Niji / Himawari / Sore ga Subete sa.” The featured song “Niji” was used as the theme for the Fuji TV drama WATER BOYS, while “Sore ga Subete sa” was selected for a Pocari Sweat commercial, making this single a release that truly captured the momentum Fukuyama had at the time.

Known for his rich, deep lower register, Fukuyama’s vocal appeal is fully on display here as well—the track is crafted to let you savor the charm of his mid-to-low vocal range.

tide of bloodYoshii Kazuya

A song newly recorded for inclusion on Kazuya Yoshii’s first best-of album, “18.” The theme of this piece is “songs by male artists with captivating low registers—classic Japanese hits and recommended favorites,” but what will surprise you when you hear this track is Yoshii’s remarkable vocal range.

In the intro and the A section, you can fully savor his highly persuasive, deeply resonant low tones, yet the soaring high notes once the chorus hits are also worthy of special mention.

The way his vocals turn the song dramatically from the B section—where the low pitch continues—into the high-pitched chorus is nothing short of masterful.

milk teaFukuyama Masaharu

Masaharu Fukuyama – milk tea (Full ver.)
milk teaFukuyama Masaharu

This is Masaharu Fukuyama’s 21st single, released in May 2006.

It was used as the theme song for the TBS variety show “Koisuru Hanikami!” Fukuyama is a singer known for his richly resonant low voice, and the appeal of his vocals can be fully appreciated in this gentle ballad as well.

The quiet melody and his voice, which seems to permeate to the core, are perfectly matched in this song.

Space Battleship Yamatosasaki isao

Space Battleship Yamato (1) / Isao Sasaki + The Royal Knights
Space Battleship Yamatosasaki isao

The theme song of the popular Showa-era anime Space Battleship Yamato is sung by Isao Sasaki.

Both the anime itself and its theme are such classics that they hardly need any introduction anymore.

Sasaki’s resonant low vocals, combined with a thick, full-bodied male chorus, lend the piece a quasi-military color that heightens Yamato’s heroic atmosphere.

However, the kind of taut, powerful low notes you hear in this song are actually quite hard to produce when you try singing it yourself, which really showcases Sasaki’s exceptional vocal ability.

Just by you being herekome kome CLUB

Kome Kome Club’s 13th single, released in May 1992.

Speaking of Tatsuya Ishii from Kome Kome Club, he’s widely recognized as a highly skilled singer who brings a deep, rich low register—somewhat reminiscent of a Showa-era kayōkyoku crooner—into a thoroughly modern J-pop context.

That appeal is on full display in this song as well, where he lets you savor his truly “enchanting low tones.” While high-tenor singers often get the spotlight, there are surely many who admire a low voice like his.

Ruby RingTerao Akira

Atsushi Terao’s sixth single, released in February 1981.

Although Terao had originally been active as an actor, the massive success of this song greatly boosted his recognition as a singer.

He composed the song himself, and I remember him saying on some TV program at the time that he wrote it with Alice (who were huge then) in mind.

It definitely has a strong flavor of the so-called “New Music” genre that was booming from the late ’70s to the early ’80s.

The voice you hear from Terao on this track is the very definition of a ‘rich, rugged’ tone—an ideal example of a male vocal with compelling low-end appeal.

That said, I personally feel that this voice owes more to Terao’s natural vocal charisma than to sheer technique or training, so singing it in a similar style at karaoke might actually be quite challenging.

If you’re confident in your lower register, though, by all means give it a try!

I’ll walk home.Saitō Kazuyoshi

Kazuyoshi Saito Walk Home (Single Version) -Short Edit- (Remastered)
I'll walk home.Saitō Kazuyoshi

This is Kazuyoshi Saito’s fourth single, released in June 1994.

Starting in April 1994, it was used as the opening theme for Fuji TV’s children’s program “Ponkickies,” and it became a hit.

Although Kazuyoshi Saito is not a singer known for highly technical vocal techniques, his simple, somewhat plain singing voice is incredibly captivating to listeners.

Please enjoy his vocals that make effective use of his masculine low register.

I also think the slightly strained-sounding high notes nicely enhance the sense of a song that truly conveys emotion!