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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!

Playlist

A Man’s Way of Life: Songs of Men. Masterpieces packed with manly valor and aesthetics.
show_chartTitlePlaylistReview
1Like tonight’s moonElefanto Kashimashi
Like tonight's moonElefanto Kashimashiplay_arrow
Ere… whose passion grows as she gazes at the shining moon.
2Yo, you there, kid.Takehara Pisutoru
Yo, you there, kid.Takehara Pisutoruplay_arrow
Let's practice singing in the compelling style of Takahiro Takahashi (Takehara Pistol)
3dragonflyNagabuchi Tsuyoshi
dragonflyNagabuchi Tsuyoshiplay_arrow
A powerful folk-rock song with a strong will to overcome adversity.
4Midnight ExpresswayFurawā Kanpanī
Midnight ExpresswayFurawā Kanpanīplay_arrow
Flower Companies' youth rock fight song
5Get WildTM NETWORK
Get WildTM NETWORKplay_arrow
Giving rise to numerous artists and groups...
6ChampionArisu
ChampionArisuplay_arrow
The valiant figure of a man in battle, and the quiet burning of his heart…
7A Man’s Badge of HonorShima Daisuke
A Man’s Badge of HonorShima Daisukeplay_arrow
Debuted as the junior act of Yokohama Ginbae and became a TV personality…
8outdatedKawashima Eigo
outdatedKawashima Eigoplay_arrow
While spending a peaceful time at the tavern, my own...
9Runnerbakufū suranpu
Runnerbakufū suranpuplay_arrow
At the time of their formation, they were seen as a novelty due to their extreme performances…
10No.1UVERworld
No.1UVERworldplay_arrow
A passionately stirring band known as the “band that makes men cry”…
11sonetACIDMAN
sonetACIDMANplay_arrow
A song that portrays Hokkaido’s nature and embodies a resolve to live
12My WayDef Tech
My WayDef Techplay_arrow
A song that sings about the importance of moving forward as yourself
13an unfamiliar roadSHERBETS
an unfamiliar roadSHERBETSplay_arrow
Former BLANKEY JET CITY front…
14SymphonyHirai Dai
SymphonyHirai Daiplay_arrow
Dai Hirai sings powerfully about his feelings for someone special
15Ballad of a SingerSaitō Kazuyoshi
Ballad of a SingerSaitō Kazuyoshiplay_arrow
Kazuyoshi Saito’s gentle ballad of love
16Endless JourneyMr.Children
Endless JourneyMr.Childrenplay_arrow
A signature work by Mr.Children. It depicts the courage to keep moving forward.
17countrysideTamaki Kōji
countrysideTamaki Kōjiplay_arrow
Koji Tamaki’s gem of a masterpiece, gently advising on the journey of life
18Be the soil that makes flowers bloom, rather than the flowers themselves.berii guddoman
Be the soil that makes flowers bloom, rather than the flowers themselves.berii guddomanplay_arrow
A heartwarming song that celebrates the value of those who support from behind the scenes
19The Goofy Man’s WayKanjani∞
The Goofy Man’s WayKanjani∞play_arrow
I try to pursue the ideal image of a man...
20homeKiyama Yusaku
homeKiyama Yusakuplay_arrow
A song by Yusaku Kiyama that celebrates parental love and the joys of raising children
21Until the World Ends…WANDS
Until the World Ends…WANDSplay_arrow
Swept through the J-POP scene in the 1990s...
22Golden SoulShonan no Kaze
Golden SoulShonan no Kazeplay_arrow
Rousing myself to overcome difficulties...
23wandererOkuda Tamio
wandererOkuda Tamioplay_arrow
A bright, breezy atmosphere that evokes a solo trip by a man...
24Showa Man’s SongYamazaki Teiji
Showa Man's SongYamazaki Teijiplay_arrow
I find myself thinking, “Are men like this from the Showa era no longer in vogue?”
25BadMichael Jackson
BadMichael Jacksonplay_arrow
Michael's songs from his macho phase have a heavy accent and are hard to sing.
26YAH YAH YAHCHAGE and ASKA
YAH YAH YAHCHAGE and ASKAplay_arrow
The hit song by CHAGE and ASKA...
27SubaruTanimura Shinji
SubaruTanimura Shinjiplay_arrow
Shinji Tanimura, who is also active as a member of Alice...
28My Adidas: Aspirations as a Human BeingTakehara Pisutoru
My Adidas: Aspirations as a Human BeingTakehara Pisutoruplay_arrow
The importance of believing in yourself and moving forward...
29Take back love!kurisutaru kingu
Take back love!kurisutaru kinguplay_arrow
With the theme song of the TV anime Fist of the North Star, the aesthetics of manhood...
30Goodbye ElegySuda Masaki
Goodbye ElegySuda Masakiplay_arrow
It was even chosen as the theme song for the drama “Todome no Kiss”…
31ultra soulB’z
ultra soulB'zplay_arrow
It sounded perfect for a hot-blooded sports cheer song...
321sec.10-FEET
1sec.10-FEETplay_arrow
It’s the 11th single. The movie “Crows Z…”
33water lily blossomShonan no Kaze
water lily blossomShonan no Kazeplay_arrow
This song by Shonan no Kaze really gets the most hype, doesn’t it?
34Effeminate; overly sentimental; being clingy/whiny (context-dependent)Gōruden Bonbā
Effeminate; overly sentimental; being clingy/whiny (context-dependent)Gōruden Bonbāplay_arrow
Made the name of Golden Bomber instantly famous…
35BirdmenTHEE MICHELLE GUN ELEPHANT
BirdmenTHEE MICHELLE GUN ELEPHANTplay_arrow
A quintessential rock ’n’ roll song featuring a cool guitar riff.
36HeroFUNKY MONKEY BABYS
HeroFUNKY MONKEY BABYSplay_arrow
Sometimes, we should also feel grateful to Dad...
37Karajishi Botan (Chinese Lion and Peony)Takakura Ken
Karajishi Botan (Chinese Lion and Peony)Takakura Kenplay_arrow
When you say 'yakuza,' it somehow gives a bad impression...
38Lion HeartSMAP
Lion HeartSMAPplay_arrow
The one that ranked sixth in the annual rankings is the hugely popular a…
39crimsonX JAPAN
crimsonX JAPANplay_arrow
Speaking of X, it’s this song!! As for Kurenai, YOSHI…
40Samurai SoulUrufuruzu
Samurai SoulUrufuruzuplay_arrow
In the PV, Tortoise Matsumoto appears sporting a chonmage topknot…
41Deep ImpactDragon Ash
Deep ImpactDragon Ashplay_arrow
Dragon Ash fi— Rappagariya...
42Unstoppable Rock ‘n’ RollYokohama Ginbae
Unstoppable Rock 'n' RollYokohama Ginbaeplay_arrow
A rock 'n' roll sound with a sense of speed and momentum...
43Full-Power BoySukima Suichi
Full-Power BoySukima Suichiplay_arrow
As Sukima Switch’s fifth single overall, ...
44A man among menUrufuruzu
A man among menUrufuruzuplay_arrow
A gentle atmosphere that soothes the heart…
45king (shogi piece)Murata Hideo
king (shogi piece)Murata Hideoplay_arrow
A life staked on shogi pieces, and a desperate struggle to live…
46Melancholy TrainMitsubishi Michiya
Melancholy TrainMitsubishi Michiyaplay_arrow
The sorrow of a man who separated from the woman he loved is heartrending...
47Song of the Old Man of Nishi-ShinjukuNagabuchi Tsuyoshi
Song of the Old Man of Nishi-ShinjukuNagabuchi Tsuyoshiplay_arrow
A heartwarming classic that sings about the life of a clumsy father
48BAD BOYBIGBANG
BAD BOYBIGBANGplay_arrow
Fans love it so much that even the members themselves say they like it and it’s well-received.
49King of Men!Kanjani∞
King of Men!Kanjani∞play_arrow
It’s the theme song of the movie “The Mole Song.” This one is a bit…
50Sake, Tears, Men, and WomenKawashima Eigo
Sake, Tears, Men, and WomenKawashima Eigoplay_arrow
A socially conscious masterpiece that depicts the feelings of men and women
51loadTHE toraburyū
loadTHE toraburyūplay_arrow
THE Toraidar’s signature song, a classic that depicts the journey of life
52Gardenia blossomWatanabe Tetsuya
Gardenia blossomWatanabe Tetsuyaplay_arrow
A masterpiece that sings of the life of a man steeped in melancholy. 19…
53Do whatever the hell you want.sawada kenji
Do whatever the hell you want.sawada kenji
A scorching, stirring heat hits you right from the intro guitar riff...
54CheersNagabuchi Tsuyoshi
CheersNagabuchi Tsuyoshiplay_arrow
A famous song by Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi that celebrates the start of a new chapter in life
55draft (cold air seeping through gaps)Sugi Ryōtarō
draft (cold air seeping through gaps)Sugi Ryōtarōplay_arrow
A fine song that quietly observes a man's way of life. 1976…
56A Man’s Badge of HonorYokohama Ginbae
A Man’s Badge of HonorYokohama Ginbaeplay_arrow
A masterpiece that portrays the passionate hearts of young people, driven by a rebellious spirit
57A Man’s Pure HeartFujiyama Ichirō
A Man's Pure HeartFujiyama Ichirōplay_arrow
The path of a man is such a lonely one...
58Daddy’s SongImawano Kiyoshirō
Daddy’s SongImawano Kiyoshirōplay_arrow
It’s not only a cheer song for working fathers, but also...
59Real FaceKAT-TUN
Real FaceKAT-TUNplay_arrow
Debut released on March 22, 2006…
60together; along with; bothWANIMA
together; along with; bothWANIMAplay_arrow
An anthem that overcomes the past and the future
61Is it okay if I cry?yashiki takajin
Is it okay if I cry?yashiki takajinplay_arrow
It’s a song that candidly lays bare a man’s weakness. Yashiki…
62forever; for good; indefinitelyGReeeeN
forever; for good; indefinitelyGReeeeNplay_arrow
A ballad depicting memories and love with a lover
63An unfinished love song I’ve been working on foreverHata Motohiro
An unfinished love song I've been working on foreverHata Motohiroplay_arrow
Hata Motohiro’s new song that gently expresses the love between a married couple
64Naked HeroVaundy
Naked HeroVaundyplay_arrow
Even selected as the theme song for the anime “Ranking of Kings”…
65Love SongShonan no Kaze
Love SongShonan no Kazeplay_arrow
A heartfelt song that portrays men's vulnerabilities and dreams
66With a fiery heartKobayashi Akira
With a fiery heartKobayashi Akiraplay_arrow
A powerful singing voice grounded in Akira Kobayashi’s enka, and...
67rainbowFukuyama Masaharu
rainbowFukuyama Masaharuplay_arrow
refreshing like a gentle summer breeze
68A Man’s LifeKitajima Saburō
A Man's LifeKitajima Saburōplay_arrow
Saburo Kitajima’s classic that sings of life
69IllusionMY FIRST STORY × HYDE
IllusionMY FIRST STORY × HYDEplay_arrow
MY FIRST STORY and HYDE ar...
70Pure Love SongShonan no Kaze
Pure Love SongShonan no Kazeplay_arrow
There are also women who prefer love ballads with a masculine vibe...
71Man BoatHosokawa Takashi
Man BoatHosokawa Takashiplay_arrow
Set in Esashi, Hokkaido, while thinking of his mother, he brashly...
72ComradeToba Ichirō
ComradeToba Ichirōplay_arrow
An enka piece that passionately sings of the bond between men
73to the point of being reportedSION
to the point of being reportedSIONplay_arrow
A husky singing voice that resonates deep in the heart, and toward us...
74While listening to a distant train whistleArisu
While listening to a distant train whistleArisuplay_arrow
A supple, crystal-clear melody seeps into the heart…
75When I turn around, the Sea of JapanItsuki Hiroshi
When I turn around, the Sea of JapanItsuki Hiroshiplay_arrow
The man who appears in this song is a traveling man. He…
76mountainKitajima Saburō
mountainKitajima Saburōplay_arrow
The way of life of a man portrayed by Saburo Kitajima is deeply moving…
77Northern SpringSen Masao
Northern SpringSen Masaoplay_arrow
A warm tone that evokes the arrival of spring feels so pleasant...
78Shadow (kagebōshi)Horiuchi Takao
Shadow (kagebōshi)Horiuchi Takaoplay_arrow
Lyrics that symbolize the poignancy and wistfulness of life and resonate deeply in the heart…
79Cotton HandkerchiefŌta Hiromi
Cotton HandkerchiefŌta Hiromiplay_arrow
A poignantly expressive melody tinged with melancholy, and a distant...
80rampaging shipMuraki Dan
rampaging shipMuraki Danplay_arrow
1... that sang of the souls of men who stood up to the raging seas
81MotherMori Shinichi
MotherMori Shinichiplay_arrow
A classic song that passionately sings of deep love and gratitude for one’s mother. Mori...
82soft; gentle; pliantMisora Hibari
soft; gentle; pliantMisora Hibariplay_arrow
A classic song themed around judo, released in 1964...
8312th graderFunaki Kazuo
12th graderFunaki Kazuoplay_arrow
A memorable classic that captures a page of youth.
84Lifetime RespectMiki Dōsan
Lifetime RespectMiki Dōsanplay_arrow
A man's love song that sings of deep love and respect...
85The Sea, That LoveKayama Yūzō
The Sea, That LoveKayama Yūzōplay_arrow
It's a song that only the young boss, Mr. Kayama, can sing. The sea is...
86Oh, sake!Yoshi Ikuzo
Oh, sake!Yoshi Ikuzoplay_arrow
It’s a song known as one of Ikuzo Yoshi’s signature works…
87You are more beautiful than a rose.Fuse Akira
You are more beautiful than a rose.Fuse Akiraplay_arrow
An immortal masterpiece that sings of a man's passion and determination...
88It’s Tough Being a ManAtsumi Kiyoshi
It's Tough Being a ManAtsumi Kiyoshi
A signature song by Kiyoshi Atsumi that has been beloved across generations...
89A life full of scarsTsuruta Koji
A life full of scarsTsuruta Kojiplay_arrow
A gritty, compelling portrayal of a man confronting the hardships of life…
90Bridge of Gloryyuzu
Bridge of Gloryyuzuplay_arrow
An anthem that cheers you on to overcome hardships and seize hope
91Let’s become a familyFukuyama Masaharu
Let's become a familyFukuyama Masaharuplay_arrow
A famous song themed around Masaharu Fukuyama’s marriage
92A Man’s LifeSuizenji Kiyoko
A Man's LifeSuizenji Kiyokoplay_arrow
An inspirational song by Kiyoko Suizenji that portrays the way a man lives
93Snow Migratory BirdsMinami Haruo
Snow Migratory BirdsMinami Haruoplay_arrow
It’s a masterpiece of matabiri songs, with Ms. Minami’s irresistible singing voice…
94Brother ShipsToba Ichirō
Brother ShipsToba Ichirōplay_arrow
A song filled with the passionate feelings of men of the sea...
95Dotonbori SentimentTendō Yoshimi
Dotonbori SentimentTendō Yoshimiplay_arrow
A song whose warmth of human kindness and a man’s way of life resonate deeply with the heart...
96Sūdara-bushiUeki Hitoshi
Sūdara-bushiUeki Hitoshiplay_arrow
Speaking of Hitoshi Ueki’s signature songs, this song comes to mind…
97TATTOOOfisharu Higedan Dism
TATTOOOfisharu Higedan Dismplay_arrow
Official HIGE DANDism to perform the drama’s theme song
98festivalKitajima Saburō
festivalKitajima Saburōplay_arrow
A song released in 1984 that prays for a bountiful harvest of the five grains…
99Who would not think of their hometown?Kirishima Noboru
Who would not think of their hometown?Kirishima Noboruplay_arrow
Men, in general, compared to women, as companions...