Hit and popular songs by Kenji Ozawa
Kenji Ozawa has been active since the late 1980s as a member of Flipper’s Guitar, and he launched his solo career in 1993.
In the 1990s, he dominated the domestic pop scene and also crossed genres with the release of “Kon’ya wa Boogie Back.”
In this article, we’ll introduce a selection of recommended songs from Kenji Ozawa’s catalog—often praised for their sophisticated music and lyrics—all at once.
Whether you’re listening to his music for the first time or have been a longtime fan, take this opportunity to revisit his popular tracks.
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Ozawa Kenji’s famous and popular songs (1–10)
To live by loving and being lovedOzawa Kenji
If you’re from the Ozaken generation, this is one track you just can’t skip—the kind that makes you go, “Ahh, this is it!” the moment you hear it, right? Released in 1994, it was the lead single from the smash-hit album LIFE.
Even after a long time, that rush of excitement from the intro comes right back, and before you know it, you’re humming along—lots of people must feel that way.
The spoken-word part between sections really hits you, too.
Among Ozaken’s songs, this is definitely one that “takes you right back to that era” whenever you listen to it, isn’t it?
The Reason We Set Out on a JourneyOzawa Kenji
This is a rearranged single edit of a track originally included on the 1994 album “LIFE,” released in 1996.
It was also used as the theme song for the drama “Shota no Sushi” and in JR West commercials.
While parting from someone due to a departure is often portrayed negatively, this song—enhanced by its sound—presents that departure as something happy.
Another notable point is the quotations from Paul Simon’s “You Can Call Me Al” and “Late in the Evening” that appear within the track.
About fluidsOzawa Kenji
It’s a single released in 2017.
Because it was his first CD release in 19 years, it generated a lot of buzz.
Throughout the track, vividly resonant strings stand out, along with a variety of percussion sounds that leave a strong impression.
While it has a refreshing feel, it also carries a mysterious atmosphere that suggests a sense of weightlessness and instability.
The way the song incorporates accents that catch the listener’s ear is, I believe, one of Kenji Ozawa’s charms.
Ozawa Kenji’s Famous and Popular Songs (11–20)
cometOzawa Kenji
This song, “Comet,” was released digitally in 2019.
It was one of the advance tracks from “So kakkoii 宇宙,” the first release in 13 years since the 2006 album “Ecology of Everyday Life 毎日の環境学.” In the music video, there’s a scene where he sits across from a child in a small neighborhood diner, intensely enjoying a game of cards; it drew attention because the child is actually his own son.
For longtime fans, the lyrics really hit home, and it’s a track packed with that classic Ozaken sound that’s sure to get you pumped.
Ultraman ZembuOzawa Kenji
What a snappy and delightful number this is.
The song “Ultraman Zenbu” was the first in a trio of singles released over three consecutive months in 2021.
Inspired in part by ideas from Kenji Ozawa’s younger son, it takes the righteous hero Ultraman as its theme.
As the title “Ultraman Zenbu” (meaning “all” or “everything”) suggests, it centers on a hero who has gathered the powers of all the various Ultramen.
The title has a great ring to it, doesn’t it? You might think it’s a children’s song, but it truly resonates with adults as well.
I can hear an owl.Ozawa Kenji to SEKAI NO OWARI
This song, “The Owl’s Voice Can Be Heard,” a collaboration between Kenji Ozawa and SEKAI NO OWARI, was released in 2017.
The lyrics and composition are by Kenji Ozawa, but when you listen through the track, you can clearly feel SEKAI NO OWARI’s worldview as well, and of course Ozaken’s world unfolds too.
The way these elements intertwine makes it a truly exquisite collaboration.
The theremin that comes in during the interlude further enhances the song’s atmosphere, amplifying its unique world.
Good night, kitten!Ozawa Kenji
A song packed with Ozaken’s charm and a fan favorite.
“Good Night, Kitten” is included on the 1994 album LIFE.
When he appeared on TV and such, he used to call his girlfriend “kitten,” which became a talking point and kind of a running joke back then (lol).
It’s a sweet track with that unmistakable Ozaken flair—one you’ll want to keep on repeat—and, just like the title suggests, it’s perfect for listening before bed to drift off comfortably.