Songs men like. Classic and popular Japanese songs.

SymphonyHirai Dai

Hirai Dai / Symphony (Music Video)

A song by Dai Hirai that powerfully sings of feelings for a loved one, as if telling a hero’s story of life.

Like the heroes we all admired, the determination to grow stronger for the sake of someone you must protect strikes a chord.

Produced in April 2023 as the theme song for the live-action film “TOKYO MER: Mobile Emergency Room — The Movie,” it beautifully blends Hirai’s gentle, warm vocals with the grandeur of an orchestral sound.

The lyrics, linked to the film’s worldview, are sure to gently encourage everyone striving for the sake of someone dear.

Filled with love, Hirai’s voice makes this a song you’ll want to hear when your feelings for family, a partner, friends, or anyone special grow strong.

homeKiyama Yusaku

Yusaku Kiyama - Home

A song from a father’s perspective by Yusaku Kiyama that weaves together the deep love of a parent cherishing their child and the joys of parenting, expressed through a gentle vocal and ballad melody.

It delivers to the heart, along with the warm tones of the piano, everyday moments shared with a child, a parent’s feelings as they watch their child grow, and messages to the child.

Released in February 2008 as his major-label debut on tearbridge records, it was chosen as the ending theme for Nippon TV’s “UtaSta!!” and Yomiuri TV’s “Joho Live Miyane-ya.” In December of the same year, he performed at the 59th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen.

This is a song you’ll want to listen to during life’s important milestones—such as graduations and weddings—when you want to feel the bond between parent and child.

Sake, Tears, Men, and WomenKawashima Eigo

EXILE ATSUSHI – Sake, Tears, Men and Women (EXILE ATSUSHI SPECIAL SOLO LIVE in HAWAII)

This is a socially conscious masterpiece that portrays the subtle miscommunications between men and women and the nuances of emotional expression with deep insight.

It warmly observes how men open up through drinking and women through tears, each revealing their inner feelings.

Born from impressions Eigo Kawashima had at age 18 during a family memorial gathering, the song was included on the November 1975 album “Jinrui” (Humanity) and released as a single in June 1976.

Also known as the jingle for the sake brand Kizakura, it became a major hit, reaching No.

9 on the Oricon weekly chart.

It is a gem I recommend to anyone who wants to face their heart honestly when confronted with life’s sorrow and poignancy.

countrysideTamaki Kōji

Koji Tamaki “Rural Landscape” (HD)

This is a gem of a masterpiece by Koji Tamaki, depicting people who, while facing the weaknesses and conflicts hidden within, live with strength.

The song richly portrays life as it is: a solitary soul kicking a stone, eyes gazing at the night sky in prayer, and an oil-stained back fallen silent.

Its melody gently teaches the importance of not overreaching, but simply taking one step at a time and steadily doing what you can.

Released in July 1996, the song was used as the theme for the Fuji TV drama “Coach” and became a major hit, reaching No.

2 on the Oricon charts.

It’s a track I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone who feels lost or anxious in daily life, or who is searching for a way of living that is true to themselves.

An unfinished love song I’ve been working on foreverHata Motohiro

Motohiro Hata “An Always-Unfinished Love Song” Music Video

In harmony with the world of the film “Love Letters on Our 35th Year,” Motohiro Hata delicately captures warm, nuanced emotions.

This work weaves together the love of a long-married couple and feelings that deepen day by day with a gentle yet powerful melody, beautifully expressing a form of love that grows more vibrant with time.

It will be released and made available for streaming between February and March 2025.

The limited first edition includes jacket cards featuring visuals from the film, handwritten lyric cards, and a Blu-ray containing live performance footage.

It is a song that will resonate deeply with those who hold feelings for someone dear or who struggle to put their emotions into words.

CheersNagabuchi Tsuyoshi

Cheers

This is a renowned song that has continued to resonate with many as an anthem celebrating life’s new beginnings.

Originally released in September 1980 on the album “Kampai,” it vividly depicts a celebratory scene lit by candlelight and carries a warm message of encouragement for a friend taking their first step forward.

Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi’s powerful vocals deliver hope and courage for the future.

In 1988, it was re-recorded and released as a single, becoming a major hit that reached No.

1 on the Oricon charts.

In the early 1990s, it was also featured in commercials for Kirin Lager Beer, further boosting its recognition.

To this day, it remains a timeless song passed down through the years, often chosen to convey heartfelt feelings to loved ones at important milestones in life, such as weddings and graduation ceremonies.

Somewhere other than hereGLAY

GLAY / To Somewhere, Not Here

If the men present are in their 30s, GLAY is a safe choice.

TERU’s high-tone voice is tough for men to sing at karaoke and is actually in a key that’s easier for women.

That said, the guys generally know the songs well, so they’ll likely sing along here and there.

Among GLAY’s tracks, the absence of shouty parts and the fact that the lyrics aren’t full-on romance make them easier to sing without feeling self-conscious.