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Tokyo Desert: A Collection of Kiyoshi Maekawa’s Easy-to-Sing Songs [2026]

Kiyoshi Maekawa scored a massive hit in 1969 with Nagasaki wa Kyou mo Ame Datta, released as the lead vocalist of Hiroshi Uchiyamada and the Cool Five.

He went on to release other classics that left their mark on Japanese music history, such as Uwasa no Onna and Tokyo Sabaku.

After leaving the group in 1987, he has continued to perform for many years as a solo artist.

While he effortlessly handles everything from sultry low notes to soaring highs with stable and refined vocal technique, it’s interesting that he himself isn’t particularly fixated on the profession of being a singer.

From among Maekawa’s popular songs, we’ve selected a few that are relatively approachable for beginners.

Please take a look and use them as a reference for karaoke.

[Tokyo Desert] A collection of Kiyoshi Maekawa’s easy-to-sing songs [2026] (11–20)

Hold meMaekawa Kiyoshi

If you’re part of the generation that knows the 1990s well, you may remember the variety show “Shitte Dō Suru no!?” which aired for a short time.

The song used as its ending theme was Kiyoshi Maekawa’s 1996 single “Dakishimete.” It has the feel of a kayōkyoku ballad elevated by grand orchestration, and Maekawa’s singing seems to dial back enka-style techniques a bit.

The melody unfolds straightforwardly, making it approachable even for those not used to enka, but to be honest, executing the long-tone vibrato perfectly isn’t easy.

Rather than trying to sing it exactly like the original from the start, it’s best to practice with the mindset of gradually getting closer step by step.

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trendMaekawa Kiyoshi

Kiyoshi Maekawa “Fūchō” Music Video
trendMaekawa Kiyoshi

“Fūchō” is a single released in 2024 by Kiyoshi Maekawa, who celebrated his 55th anniversary in 2023 and continues to be as active as ever.

Written by singer-songwriter Ryuun Nagai, the lyrics lament today’s prevailing “trends,” as the title suggests, while emphasizing the importance of caring for one another—something many people, not just middle-aged and older listeners, can relate to.

Thanks to Maekawa’s careful, expansive vocal delivery, the song conveys its message without feeling preachy, which is a real plus.

Although the key is low, making it approachable for those who struggle with high notes, the song actually spans a wide range; singing the firm, powerful low notes like Maekawa does can be surprisingly challenging.

If the pitch feels too low, try adjusting the key to find a range that suits your voice.

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Love SongMaekawa Kiyoshi

If you’re familiar with Kiyoshi Maekawa, you probably know that the racehorse owned by him, Koiuta, took its name from the classic song “Koi Uta” featured in this piece.

Originally released in 1972 during the Hiroshi Uchiyamada and Cool Five era, “Koi Uta” was later re-released as Maekawa’s solo track in 1989, and again in 2007 under the name “Kiyoshi Maekawa & Cool Five” as the 2007 version—clearly a song of special significance to him.

It’s a moody kayōkyoku number, defined by a wonderfully wistful saxophone intro, and it’s a masterpiece that captures the full appeal of Maekawa’s voice—from his sultry low tones to the soaring high notes in the chorus—making it a great choice to try at karaoke.

The vocal range is somewhat broad, but as noted, it leans more toward kayōkyoku than enka; if you’re used to singing Shōwa-era pop, you should be able to handle it without trouble.

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It was rainy again in Nagasaki today.Maekawa Kiyoshi

Kiyoshi Maekawa “It Was Rainy Again Today in Nagasaki” (Lyric Video)
It was rainy again in Nagasaki today.Maekawa Kiyoshi

The classic song that marked vocalist Kiyoshi Maekawa’s memorable starting point, “Nagasaki wa Kyou mo Ame Datta” (“It Was Raining Again in Nagasaki Today”), was a smash hit released in 1969 by Hiroshi Uchiyamada and the Cool Five.

It’s also a quintessential ‘local song,’ and a popular Nagasaki-themed number alongside “Nagasaki no Onna” and “Nagasaki Blues.” It has since been covered by many singers, and Maekawa himself continues to perform it as a solo artist, so most people have likely heard it at least once regardless of generation.

The piece is in 4/4 time with a melody that’s essentially built on triplets, and it briefly weaves in a 2/4 measure at the climactic part of the chorus.

It’s best sung with careful attention to the rhythm.

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Tokyo DesertMaekawa Kiyoshi

This is Tokyo Sabaku, the smash hit released in 1976 by Hiroshi Uchiyamada and the Cool Five, later performed solo by Kiyoshi Maekawa and even showcased at the Kōhaku Uta Gassen—truly a masterpiece among masterpieces! From the intro that seems to sob with melancholy to the lyrics of “Tokyo Desert,” which evoke urban loneliness yet a determination to keep living here, Maekawa’s dramatic, heartfelt singing is superb.

It’s often used in commercials, so many in the younger generation have probably heard it at least once.

It’s also a karaoke favorite, though the vocal range is very wide, leaping from quite low notes to high ones in one sweep, so singing the melody smoothly is by no means easy.

That said, the tune itself is very easy to remember, so try it out while adjusting the key to suit your voice.

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In conclusion

As I mentioned at the start, many of Maekawa’s hit and well-known songs are closer to kayōkyoku than to straight-up enka, so they might be easier to get into even for beginners to enka.

That said, producing Maekawa’s signature lustrous low tones with clear enunciation isn’t easy.

Please use this article as a reference and practice so you can recreate that cool, sultry vocal style at karaoke.