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)
LovelyOzawa Kenji
Its first appearance was as a track on the album “LIFE,” and it was later released as the fifth single.
Incorporating a light brass sound, the song has an overall happy vibe.
The lyrics match the feel of the music, expressing the exhilaration of love as suggested by the title.
The distinctive opening guitar-cutting riff is quoted from “Clean Up Woman,” a song by American singer-songwriter Betty Wright.
Strong feelings, strong loveOzawa Kenji
This is a single released in 1995.
It has remained a beloved hit, even being used as an insert song in the 2018 film “SUNNY: Strong Mind, Strong Love.” While the overall tempo of the track is fast, the lyrics are laid out with plenty of breathing room, and the occasional rapid-fire phrases add an accent that showcases technique.
Sonically, the agile, roaming bass that matches the brisk tempo and the bright, uplifting brass tones are especially striking.
I can’t say goodbye.Ozawa Kenji
This song was released in 1995 as the tenth single.
It was also used in a commercial for Morinaga’s chocolate “DARS.” The lyrics vividly depict detailed scenes, making it easy to picture what’s being seen and, in turn, to empathize with the song’s characters.
The light, breezy sound paired with everyday imagery evokes a sense of savoring the small, ordinary happiness found in daily life.
The cutting guitar riff heard in the intro and the bridge is borrowed from Michael Jackson’s “Black or White.” It’s such a distinctive sound that it’s likely to catch your attention the moment you hear it.
Thrilling Uplifting StreetOzawa Kenji
This single was released in 1995.
It was also used as the opening theme for COUNT DOWN TV.
The song as a whole evokes a happy vibe similar to the popular track Lovely.
Although the title is unique, the lyrics make it clear that the song expresses the very same bubbly excitement the title suggests.
Even within the rapid-fire, tightly packed words, there are pleasing sounds and playful touches scattered throughout, making the fun of the song come through loud and clear.
muskOzawa Kenji
This track is included on their fourth album, Eclectic, released in 2002.
The first thing that stands out is the hard-to-read title—it’s pronounced “Jakou,” referring to a traditional fragrance also known as musk.
From the sound and vocals, it seems to convey an overall mysterious atmosphere.
If you focus on the bass, it becomes clear: it repeatedly plays essentially the same motif, and the song’s structure is built by increasing and decreasing the number of instruments sounding—a fascinating approach.
Perhaps the sense of eeriness comes from the mechanical elements woven into the track.
Meteor BebopOzawa Kenji
This song was included as the B-side on the single “Tsuukai Ukiuki Dori,” released in 1995.
At the time of that B-side release, the title was “Nagareboshi Bebop,” but in later releases such as on albums, the title was changed to “Ryūsei Bebop.” The piano sound is soothing, and the melody has a certain excitement to it, making it a very pleasant number to listen to.
It’s hard to spot a shooting star, isn’t it? This track captures the fleeting nature of shooting stars as well as the beauty of the night sky.
Boogie Back Tonight (Nice Vocal)Ozawa Kenji
Released in 1994, this collaborative track with Scha Dara Parr also drew attention because it brought together two artists from different record labels.
Two versions were released simultaneously: “nice vocal,” featuring Kenji Ozawa, and “smooth rap,” spotlighting Scha Dara Parr.
With its laid-back, slow tempo and minimal ornamentation, the arrangement allows both of their vocals to really stand out.
While the song carries an adult, sophisticated mood, it also evokes an undeniable sense of fun.