[Night Drive] Songs recommended for nighttime drives
There are all kinds of driving situations—wanting to be alone with your thoughts, spending a relaxing time with someone special, or having fun with friends! For any of these drives, I think music is essential.
In this article, I’ll introduce songs that are perfect for nighttime drives.
I’ve gathered mellow R&B and slightly laid-back rock and pop tracks.
These are classics that can create a great vibe whether you’re solo or with a group, so be sure to make them your companion for your night drive.
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[Night Drive] Recommended Songs for a Night Drive (11–20)
Midnight DriveCHIHIRO
An urban, sophisticated love song set on the Shuto Expressway running against a backdrop of city buildings at night.
CHIHIRO’s delicate vocals and a sound that blends R&B with city pop beautifully capture the mood of a night drive.
Released as a digital single in July 2021, the track sings about the importance of taking action rather than just waiting.
Vivid details—like sharing an iced mocha or stealing a kiss in a traffic jam—leave a strong impression.
It’s a recommended song for anyone who wants to connect with the complexities of love or enjoy a drive while taking in the city’s nightscape.
My WayMirei Touyama
An early song by Mirei Toyama, a singer who’s currently in the spotlight.
Fellow singer Shota Shimizu wrote and produced the track.
With Mirei Toyama’s powerful, beautiful vocals and lyrics that give you a gentle push, it quietly encourages you while putting you in a mellow mood.
Listening to it while driving might make your troubles feel like they’re slipping away.
Drive AwayNishino Kana
A captivating track that colors your night drive.
Lyrics filled with freedom and liberation resonate deeply.
Released in October 2017, this song vividly portrays young people breaking free from restraints, carried by Kana Nishino’s powerful vocals.
You can feel the exhilaration of racing through glittering cityscapes with the music flowing from the car stereo.
Its message about the importance of living true to yourself hits even harder when heard on a nighttime drive.
It’s a song especially worth hearing for anyone burdened with worries or anxieties.
Inner Bluepasokon ongaku kurabu
As the unit’s name suggests, PASOCOM MUSIC CLUB—who center their musical activities around DTM—released this track in 2018.
It’s included on the album “DREAM WALK.” The track’s urban appeal lies in its striking bassline and polished beats, giving it a vibe that would suit late-night highway drives or a leisurely walk.
Guest vocalist Inoue Warabi’s cool singing perfectly complements the song’s atmosphere.
Trace that dreamYOASOBI
YOASOBI, the music duo that made a striking debut with their smash hit ‘Racing into the Night’ and has garnered popularity both in Japan and abroad, especially among younger listeners.
Their second digital-only single, ‘Tracing That Dream,’ produced based on the novel ‘Yume no Shizuku to Hoshi no Hana,’ later released in a ballad version as well, which became a hot topic.
Its liberating melody carried by a driving piano phrase seems perfect for coloring a night drive.
The lyrics, which make you want to go far away, lift your spirits—it’s a refreshing pop tune through and through.
Paper Drivekiki vivi lily
It’s included on kiki vivi lily’s EP “Blossom,” released in May 2023.
Characterized by her sweet vocals and a groovy sound, the lyrics strikingly depict loneliness and a yearning for freedom.
They express the desire to drive down the highway at night and the struggle of being unable to escape reality, resonating deeply.
You can hear influences from hip-hop and R&B in the music.
It’s a perfect track for when you want to spend time alone with your thoughts or relax with someone special.
[Night Drive] Recommended Songs for a Night Drive (21–30)
melodramanatori & imase
A sentimental song just seems to suit a night drive while gazing at the highway and city lights, doesn’t it? For that kind of setting, I recommend this track: “Melodrama.” Created by a powerhouse duo of Gen Z singer-songwriters Natori and imase, it was released in August 2024.
The song was chosen as the theme for Nissan Motor’s 90th anniversary film, “NISSAN LOVE STORY.” It’s a pop number where nostalgia intersects with an urban sheen.