A Man’s Way of Life: Songs of Men. Masterpieces packed with manly valor and aesthetics.
We’ve gathered a collection of classic songs packed with the aesthetics of manhood.
Across every genre—rock, pop, enka—you’ll find the way men live sung about in many forms.
Men may usually keep things inside, yet hold firm convictions; their willingness to take on challenges, or conversely, the strength to face their own vulnerabilities, also feels distinctly masculine.
A broad-minded generosity and single-minded devotion can be especially attractive from a woman’s perspective, too.
In this article, we introduce many timeless tracks that touch on the path of a man’s life and on love.
Every song is valiant and stirring.
Music by men that even men admire—let’s listen closely and take it all in!
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A Man’s Way of Life: Songs for Men. Masterpieces Filled with Masculine Valor and Aesthetic (41–50)
Sake, Tears, Men, and WomenKawashima Eigo
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.
Unstoppable Rock ‘n’ RollYokohama Ginbae
This song by Yokohama Ginbae features an exhilarating, high-energy rock ’n’ roll sound and was released as the B-side to their debut single, “Yokosuka Baby.” Tracks that reference the “tsuppari” culture, which was prevalent at the time of its release, are a hallmark of the group’s appeal, and this particular song depicts tearing down the highway at night in a prized car.
The scenery glimpsed while driving and the rush that comes with speeding are conveyed through both the sound and the lyrics.
Gardenia blossomWatanabe Tetsuya
A classic song that powerfully portrays the life of a man steeped in melancholy.
Released in August 1973, it became a major hit, ranking 7th on the 1974 Oricon year-end chart.
Tetsuya Watari’s deep, rugged vocals poignantly convey the ache of lost love.
Using the gardenia flower as a symbol, the lyrics weave together nostalgia for days gone by and a lingering sense of regret, resonating deeply with listeners.
Beloved in many contexts—including Watari’s first appearance on the 1974 Kōhaku Uta Gassen and its use in the 1976 film of the same title—this is a song for anyone who has experienced heartbreak or parting, or stands at a crossroads in life.
It’s easy to sing at karaoke and has a universal appeal that resonates with people of all genders.
king (shogi piece)Murata Hideo
This song expresses a life wagered on shogi pieces and a way of living fought with everything you’ve got.
Hideo Murata’s powerful vocals shake the soul.
Released in November 1961, it became a million-seller.
It was also used as a movie theme song and has been covered by many artists.
Just like a shogi match, listening to this song at crucial moments in life can give you courage.
You can feel the passionate emotions that overlap with Murata’s own life.
When you want to renew your determination to face hardships, give it a listen.
It’s a masterpiece filled with the aesthetics of manliness that is sure to set your heart ablaze.
Full-Power BoySukima Suichi
It was released in 2005 as Sukima Switch’s fifth single.
The song, which was featured as an insert track in the Toho-distributed film “Rough” and received many other tie-ins, reached No.
3 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart and earned them their first appearance at the 56th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
It has a very large number of words, making it quite difficult to keep the rhythm.
Melancholy TrainMitsubishi Michiya
This is a song that poignantly conveys the sadness of a man who has parted from the woman he loved.
Mr.
Hosokawa is now a renowned master whose high notes are especially beautiful, but he once said on a program that his mentor, Mr.
Mihashi, truly had the most beautiful voice.
This song lets you fully savor that convincingly beautiful voice.
A Man’s Pure HeartFujiyama Ichirō
How lonely a man’s path can be.
I feel that keenly.
A woman can never truly understand a man, and of course the reverse is also true, but I think the loneliness men carry is so much deeper than women’s that it can become a song like this.
A woman’s loneliness, it seems to me, almost inevitably involves heartbreak.