Songs from Ponkickies: A roundup of nostalgic classics and popular tracks
Don’t you ever find yourself humming the songs that played on the “Ponkikki/ Ponkikkids” series even now? Spanning from the 1970s to the 2010s, the music from the Ponkikki series has been beloved for decades—children’s songs that still leave a deep impression on adults’ hearts.
In this article, we’ll introduce plenty of tracks from “Ponkikkids” that are sure to stir up a wave of nostalgia.
Be sure to find your new favorite tune!
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Songs from Ponkickies: A collection of nostalgic classics and popular tracks (41–50)
Birthday PartyGonna be fun
A song by the special unit Gonna Be Fun, featuring vocals by Rie Tomosaka.
The lyrics and music are by Toshiyuki Tachikawa of Daiji MAN Brothers Band, and it’s based on their song “Birthday Time.” Since it’s rooted in a band track and includes members who usually perform with other bands—Takaaki Kaneko of RIZE and Takumi Sameshima, who plays support guitar for rock-leaning artists—the result is a pop song with a strong band sound: bright and refreshing, yet powerful.
Kung Fu LadyTakada Tomoko
From the title and the sound, you can kind of tell it’s a track inspired by Chinese action films.
The tempo is very relaxed, so it brings to mind tai chi among Chinese martial arts.
The lyrics also seem to prioritize atmosphere, and they even sound like introductions of characters in an action movie.
Toward the end, there’s a section where four-character idioms are read aloud in Chinese over a gentle, Chinese-style sound, making the track come across as distinctly playful.
The Song of the Twelve Zodiac Animalskurappu
It’s a very bright and fun song where the animals of the twelve zodiac signs make lively, comical appearances in time with a catchy tune.
Some people might even find that, before they know it, they’ve memorized all twelve zodiac signs just by listening to this song.
palindromic 21-faced layerYamazaki Seisuke
This song, full of humor and built around palindromes, brims with charm that conveys the fun of language to children.
Set to a lively rhythm, the lyrics depict everyday scenes through palindromes, unfolding one after another, so before you know it you’ll be humming along.
Included on the 1993 album “Hirake! Ponkikki Super Hit Complete Collection” and used on the children’s program “Hirake! Ponkikki,” the track—together with Kiyosuke Yamazaki’s comical vocals—is perfect for parents and children who want to enjoy wordplay.
Why not sing it together as a family and have fun unraveling the mysteries of palindromes?
I am a train.Koshibe Nobuyoshi
Many children love vehicles, don’t they? This song is one I especially recommend for kids who adore trains.
Not only trains appear, but also conductors, station staff, and even the sales ladies who walk through the cars.
It even features the people who maintain the trains.
By listening to the song, kids can learn a lot about life on board and the many jobs connected to trains.
Things like ticket-punching station staff might be a world today’s children don’t know, now that automated ticket gates and transit IC cards are mainstream.
It’s an exciting song, so please give it a listen!
Ready, set, go!Mr.Children
This is a song that was used as the ending theme in fiscal year 2005.
It is included on Mr.Children’s single “Yon-Jigen Four Dimensions.” While the sound alone gives a refreshing impression, a closer look at the lyrics reveals emotions akin to the poignancy of contemplating the transition from childhood to adulthood.
With words that symbolize childlike qualities appearing throughout, the song also seems to portray the confusion of someone in the midst of growing up, bewildered by their own changes.
It carries a mysterious atmosphere that feels both nostalgic and bittersweet.
Flower FestivalIshii Byūti
This is a single released under the name “Ishii Beauty” by Tatsuya Ishii, who is also a member of Kome Kome Club.
Within the program, it was used as the theme song for a performance project called “BON-DANCE.” It carries a peaceful message that evokes a festive scene, calling on everyone—anyone—to gather and dance together.
While the sound is laid-back, it’s a fun track made memorable by the shouts interwoven into the vocals and rhythmic accents that make you want to move your body.