[Beginner’s Guide] Start with this song! Senri Oe’s iconic and popular tracks

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.
POPS writer/editorKEI
Since discovering music during my school days, I’ve mainly listened to Japanese and Korean pop. I have experience writing articles for sites like Utaten. 2000s J-pop and 2010s K-pop were especially the soundtrack of my youth. With the mindset that “good is good,” I enjoy music across genres. Thanks to past work environments and their influence, I was exposed to lots of classic rock and kayōkyoku (Japanese popular songs), which may have broadened the scope of what I love. At RAG MUSIC, I currently focus on K-pop and J-pop. I strive to edit with a feel for the scene and an eye for hit potential.

Senri Oe, who brought a fresh sensibility to the music scene in the 1980s as a singer-songwriter, has since expanded his activities as a jazz pianist and continues to pursue new musical challenges.

In this article, we introduce some of Senri Oe’s signature songs, which have captivated many fans with their simple, sophisticated lyrics, memorable melodic lines, and gentle vocals.

If you’re just about to explore Oe’s music, be sure to check these out.

[Beginner Edition] Start with this song! Senri Oe’s Masterpieces and Popular Songs (41–50)

Christmas Once MoreŌe Senri

Christmas Once Again

Christmas Once MoreŌe Senri

Senri Oe, who made his debut as a singer while in college and was hugely popular in the 1980s as a singer-songwriter.

The Christmas song included on his third album, “Miseinen,” released in 1985, is “Mou Ichido X’mas” (One More Christmas).

Set to an up-tempo, rock-style melody, it portrays a couple bound by deep love, even if they sometimes quarrel.

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[Beginner Edition] Start with this song! Senri Oe’s classic and popular tracks (51–60)

When it starts raining heavilyŌe Senri

When the Rain Really Starts Falling (Senri Oe & Misato Watanabe Cover)

When it starts raining heavilyŌe Senri

Senri Oe has left behind hits like “Jūnin Toiro” and “Kakkowarui Furarekata” in each era and continues to work energetically today.

As a producer, he has also provided songs for many artists, including Seiko Matsuda and Maomi Yuuki.

“Honburi ni Nattara” is a duet with Misato Watanabe.

The lyrics, which entrust the course of one’s actions to the rain—“If the rain starts coming down harder…”—showcase the full extent of Oe’s talent, earning him the nickname “the male Yuming.” There are times when you just can’t make up your mind, right? In moments like that, why not try taking a page from this song at least once?

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Taki no namida pin ku

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Monochrome of the Wintry WindŌe Senri

I think this is one of Chinri’s classic mid-period songs.

The lyrics are so consciously pop—almost to a degree no one else considers—that they make your heart ache.

It’s a refreshing yet bittersweet track that follows in the lineage of female pop singers like Yumi Matsutoya and Akiko Yano.

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sabotageŌe Senri

The stylish tune sings of a guy lamenting how overwhelmingly busy his job in Tokyo is.

The delicate depiction of the cityscape is also very characteristic of Senri’s lyrics.

Senri actually has a younger sister, and it’s a little thrilling when the sister briefly appears in the song.

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Poignant KissesŌe Senri

Senri Oe “Poignant Kisses” MUSIC VIDEO

Poignant KissesŌe Senri

A light, breezy melody makes this track a delight.

It’s a number from the 2019 album “Hmmm,” released as a 7-inch analog single in 2020.

With renowned jazz drummers Ari Hoenig and Matt Clohesy on bass, the delicate yet melodic ensemble is truly captivating.

It’s Senri jazz that fills you with joy, making you want to skip through the streets or stride out in style—perfect for a weekend outing.

Be sure to check out the music video, too, and enjoy Senri Oe’s playful, charming presence!

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Re VisionŌe Senri

Re Vision/Senri Oe

Re VisionŌe Senri

Sensationally comfortable and stylishly toned Senri jazz that will make you swoon.

This track is included on the 2019 album “Hmmm.” It carries a mood that feels like the flow of a day; its graceful yet bright atmosphere, with beautiful harmonies and melodies, makes your ears happy.

It’s the kind of song you’ll want to play softly as everyday background music.

“Re Vision,” with its music video that pays homage to hit songs from her Japan era, is chic and wonderful.

It’s a number that makes you want to feel the sound with your whole body—seeing it with your eyes and hearing it with your ears.

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Santa Claus is comingŌe Senri

Santa Claus is coming

Santa Claus is comingŌe Senri

When it comes to songs that capture the magic of Christmas, Senri Oe’s piece is the one that comes to mind.

It’s a track included on the album “Chibusa,” released in December 1985, with lyrics and music both by Oe himself.

Characterized by a light, poppy sound, it depicts Santa Claus arriving in a reindeer-drawn sleigh.

The lyrics also carry the deeper meanings of Christmas, expressing it not merely as a festive commotion but as a heartwarming season.

It’s recommended for those who want to cherish their Christmas memories or are looking for BGM for a home party.

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