Special Feature: Name Songs — Masterpieces with Names Sung by Artists

DancerFukkun:)Tatsuki Fukuda
Primarily active in Tokyo, I have experience as a backup dancer for artists, a music video dancer, and a commercial dancer. I continue to work as a dancer while also engaging in article production. After discovering Michael Jackson in junior high school, I began dancing in my second year of high school. Since starting dance, in addition to the J-Pop and Japanese rock I had been listening to, I began exploring Western R&B, rap, alternative music, and other tracks commonly used for dance. In elementary school, I spent three years in a choir, and because I love singing, I often go to karaoke for fun. These days, I enjoy a wide range of music, from Japanese rock and rap to K-pop.
Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICHane Keisuke
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. After working in a music studio and handling wedding sound, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with a variety of instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in junior high school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on my own musical activities and the experience gained through my work, I produce daily articles, including various song introductions, features on music festivals around the country, and live reports. In music, I enjoy not only rock from Japan and abroad but, lately, a wide range of J-pop as well.

Timeless masterpieces with names woven into them—songs that resonate and that everyone has heard at least once.

From sweet love songs filled with feelings for someone special to tracks that reflect on the very idea of a name, they capture a wide range of emotions.

The hidden stories behind each song are captivating, too.

This time, we’re showcasing a curated selection of unforgettable songs that put “names” in the spotlight!

They’re all gems that will make you want to swap in the name of someone dear to you, so be sure to find your own favorite track!

[Name Song Feature] Great Songs with Names Sung by Artists (21–30)

my nameback number

back number – “My Name” Music Video

my nameback number

back number released their first mini-album, “Nogashita Sakana,” in 2009, and their song “Christmas Song,” which was also used in a drama, became a major hit.

This track, too, centers on a love theme characteristic of back number, and it serves as the theme song for the film “Wolf Girl and Black Prince.”

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KayoGOING STEADY

Kayo — GOING STEADY

KayoGOING STEADY

Among the songs by the youth punk band GOING STEADY, Kayo stands out as a straightforward love song overflowing with affection.

The lyrics, which recount past memories with a woman named Kayo, are truly heartrending.

At the same time, each of those scenes unfolds before your eyes as you listen, leaving a soft, slightly heartwarming impression.

And Mineta Kazunobu’s singing—while he’s not necessarily technically skilled—comes across as utterly straightforward and sincere.

That, I think, is exactly what makes Mineta Kazunobu so compelling.

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Heaven’s NameMomoiro Kurōbā Zetto

Commemorative single for Momoclo Christmas 2017: “The Name of Heaven / Don’t Get Your Hopes Up Weirdly…? ♡” TRAILER VIDEO (2017.12.13 @ Saitama Super Arena)

Heaven's NameMomoiro Kurōbā Zetto

Momoiro Clover Z is a girl group that debuted in 2009.

They originally had five members, but after Momoka Ariyasu graduated in 2018, they have been active as a four-member group.

This song is one of the more subdued tracks in Momoclo’s catalog, and during live performances you can immerse yourself in its gentle atmosphere.

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Eris with Azure Eyesanzenchitai

Safe Zone ~Eris with Blue Eyes~

Eris with Azure Eyesanzenchitai

It was released in 1985 as the tenth single by Anzen Chitai.

The lyrics were written by Goro Matsui and the music was composed by Koji Tamaki.

It was used in a commercial for Daio Paper’s “elis,” with the catchphrase “Elis is Anzen Chitai.” It reached No.

2 on the Oricon chart and is one of Anzen Chitai’s most popular songs.

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MayumiKAN

Mayumi KAN

MayumiKAN

KAN is a singer-songwriter whose real name is Kazu Kimura.

He is active in various fields related to music.

The song was released as a single cut from the album “TOKYOMAN” in 1993.

A distinctive feature is how the song unfolds as if speaking to Mayumi.

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EMMANEWS

NEWS EMMA

EMMANEWS

Released in 2017 as NEWS’s 21st single.

The song was used as the opening theme for Fuji TV’s Thursday drama “The Courage to Be Disliked,” starring member Shigeaki Kato.

It’s notable for its sexy, alluring dance in which the jacket is treated like a woman and danced with.

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YukoMurashita Kōzō

"Yuko" Kozo Murashita (Yuko Araki)

YukoMurashita Kōzō

This is a single released in 1982 by Kozo Murashita, captivating for its poetically beautiful expressions.

Unlike the tender feelings of first love in his big hit “Hatsukoi,” this song portrays a different kind of romance—an admiration for an older woman.

Why does unrequited love tighten the chest so much? The melancholy lyrics and melody only amplify those emotions.

If you’ve fallen for an older woman, you’ll find yourself relating even more, and if you substitute the name with the person you care for, the sentimental mood becomes irresistible.

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