[Night Drive] Songs recommended for nighttime drives

Burning Friday NightLucky Kilimanjaro

Burning Friday Night

A song that paints a nighttime scene of sharing whisky and loneliness has been released by Lucky Kilimanjaro.

It features an upbeat rhythm inspired by 80s city pop and disco, with glossy, synth-driven textures that leave a strong impression.

The lyrics carefully depict the Friday-night mix of exhilaration and solitude, along with the longing for human connection.

Included on their first mini-album, FULLCOLOR, released in July 2015, the track resurfaced on social media in 2023, garnering renewed attention and surpassing 10 million streams as a revival hit.

It’s perfect as background music for settings with a mature vibe, like nighttime drives or bars.

For those carrying loneliness yet striving to look ahead, it’s sure to be a song that stays close to the heart.

Racing into the NightYOASOBI

YOASOBI “Racing into the Night” Official Music Video

This is the debut digital-only single by the two-member music unit YOASOBI, who have now achieved a level of popularity and recognition that dominates the J-POP scene.

Featuring impactful lyrics based on a novel and an arrangement highlighted by a driving, memorable piano, the track became a hot topic especially among younger listeners.

Its catchy melody, spun with a clear, translucent vocal, seems perfect for coloring the atmosphere inside a car on a night drive.

It’s a pop tune that will liven up your nighttime outings—one that almost everyone has heard at least once, making it a song you can sing together with all your friends.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Time Will TellUtada Hikaru

Hikaru Utada – time will tell

This is a song by Hikaru Utada called “Time Will Tell.” Among the tracks on her debut album First Love, it’s by far the one with the strongest R&B flavor.

Its steady beat lifts your spirits, and the message in the lyrics helps ease a tense mind.

It’s a song I recommend listening to when you’re feeling down.

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Yoimachi Jēn

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ODD TAXIsukaato to PUNPEE

Skirt and PUNPEE “ODDTAXI” Official Music Video (Opening Theme of the TV Anime ‘ODDTAXI’)

This track features a sophisticated lo-fi beat that flows like the hustle and bustle of the city and the scenery of the night.

Skirt’s acoustic guitar and the saxophone crafted by PUNPEE beautifully capture the urban views you glimpse on a nighttime drive.

While portraying urban solitude and complex human relationships with a distinctive touch, the city as seen from a taxi driver’s perspective resonates deeply with listeners.

Released in April 2021 as the opening theme for the TV anime Odd Taxi, a re-recorded version was included on the album SONGS in November 2022.

It’s a piece that carries a mature afterglow, perfect for late-night drives or quiet moments in a nighttime café.

YokazeHentai Shinshi Kurabu

Yokaze

This is a song whose wistful vocals over a lo-fi beat really sink into your heart.

You can picture yourself in a car speeding down the highway at night, letting the wind rush in through the window as you try to blow away your daily worries and anxieties.

The balance between rap and singing by Hentai Shinshi Club is exquisite, crafting a story-like world with a mellow vibe.

Released in April 2020, it was included on the album “HERO” the same year, and it was also used as the walk-up music for Rakuten Eagles player Hideto Asamura.

It’s a warm, mature track you’ll want to listen to while driving, when spending time alone, or on a quiet night with someone special.

Slow Dance feat. BIMSIRUP

SIRUP – Slow Dance feat. BIM (Official Music Video)

It’s a superb love song that leaves a pleasant afterglow.

Included on SIRUP’s May 2019 album “FEEL GOOD,” this R&B-tinged track was born from a collaboration with BIM.

Its lyrics, which reflect on past experiences and emphasize the importance of moving forward at your own pace without rushing, resonate deeply.

The warm melody line and the duo’s smooth vocals blend into a harmony that gently envelops the listener.

It’s a perfect song to elevate the mood of a romantic night with someone special.

If you want to savor precious moments with a loved one while soaking in a relaxed, mature atmosphere, this track is just right.

SPACE BOYDave Rodgers

DAVE RODGERS / SPACE BOY [Initial D]

A signature track by Italy’s DAVE RODGERS, bursting with a sense of speed that feels like racing through space! This work masterfully fuses a driving four-on-the-floor beat with a catchy melody.

It was included on the album “Super Eurobeat Vol.

87” in April 1998 and released as a 12-inch single on the A-Beat C label in October of the same year, quickly becoming a fan favorite.

Notably, it was featured in Episode 1 of the cult Japanese anime Initial D, earning massive acclaim as the soundtrack to its car racing scene.

Put this track on while driving the highway or winding mountain roads, and you’ll swear your beloved ride has transformed into a racing machine.

A must-hear that grabs the hearts of drivers seeking an extraordinary thrill!