[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 (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.
road; way; path; street; route; Tao (in philosophy)Utada Hikaru
Since making a sensational debut in her teens and taking the J-pop scene by storm, singer-songwriter Hikaru Utada has gained even more artistic depth after resuming activity following her hiatus from the public eye.
This track, released as a pre-release single from her sixth album “Fantôme,” was featured in Suntory Tennensui’s commercial “Mizu no Yama Ittekita: Southern Alps.” With a brisk beat yet a subtly wistful melody, it’s the perfect soundtrack for a nighttime drive that reveals a landscape different from the daytime.
An emotional pop tune you’ll find yourself humming along to behind the wheel.
Make it through a lonely nightLucky Kilimanjaro
A track by Lucky Kilimanjaro, a band known for their city pop-flavored style.
It’s included on their 2018 EP, HUG.
While the floating synth sound is striking, the drum’s intricate, groovy beat provides a compelling contrast—one of the reasons this song is so enjoyable.
As suggested by the title and lyrics, and as shown in the music video, it’s a perfect fit for scenes of driving at night, lost in thought.
MercuryDAOKO
This is a track from DAOKO’s first major-label album, “DAOKO.” After entering the working world, you come to realize the gap between ideals and reality, find yourself nostalgically recalling your student days, and maybe even stretch a little to seek new love as you step into the nightlife.
DAOKO’s clear, translucent voice is soothing, singing about the feelings of a girl just as she is.
It’s a perfect song for those moments when you’re a bit tired from an unfamiliar job and want to take a drive to refresh your mood.
waitsaidāgāru
“Matsu” is a cool track with a slightly languid yet subtly seductive vibe.
Released digitally by Cidergirl in 2021, it’s set in a room, but its underground mood and danceable band sound make it perfect for a night drive.
It lifts your spirits when you just want to drive without thinking and clear your head.
While showcasing a new side of this so-called “carbonated” rock band, the ensemble’s pleasant cohesion is still very much there.
You’ll be wrapped in a stylish, fluffy sense of weightless drift.
54321Cream
A skilled music duo consisting of Staxx T from Osaka and Minami, who was born in Hong Kong and raised in Kobe.
This track, themed around love at first sight, is featured on their 2016 album “CHANGE.” With its flowing, beautiful melody, it’s the perfect song to play on a nighttime drive.
On nights when you find yourself deep in thought or lost in memories, it will gently keep you company.
Wonderlandiri
A song that was featured in a Sony Walkman commercial.
The bouncy keyboards and gentle melody blend into a perfectly comforting harmony.
We may not know what’s right, but it carries a message of getting through each day even as we struggle.
It’s the kind of track you’ll want as a driving companion to recharge your energy for tomorrow!