[Piano Solo with Vocals] Recommended for Piano-and-Vocal Performances! Hit Songs from the Heisei to Reiwa Eras
Singing while accompanying yourself on the piano—piano-vocal performances—are so cool and wonderful, aren’t they!
Many famous artists perform in a piano-and-vocal style, and every year brings a wealth of great songs.
In this article, we’ll introduce recommended songs for those who want to try piano-vocal covers, focusing on hits from the Heisei and Reiwa eras.
We’ve gathered a variety of tracks—not only songs originally written for piano-and-vocal performance, but also pieces with captivating piano timbres, songs where the piano isn’t the main instrument yet suit piano-vocal arrangements perfectly, and more.
Why not use this article as a starting point to make your own piano-vocal debut?
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[Piano Solo with Vocals] Recommended for Piano Solo with Vocals! Hit Songs from the Heisei to Reiwa Eras (21–30)
rainbow-coloredayaka
Ayaka’s “Nijiiro” captivates many with its moving melody and beautiful lyrics.
Known as the theme song for the NHK morning drama “Hanako to Anne,” the piece has a timeless, cross-generational appeal and is perfect for piano and voice.
The piano’s canon-style accompaniment is rhythmic and soothing, further elevating the song’s powerful message.
As with its reputation for being easy to play on guitar, it has a simple yet resonant sound, making it enjoyable for everyone from beginners to advanced players.
threadNakajima Miyuki
A great recommendation for female singer-songwriters who are beginners at singing with self-accompaniment is Miyuki Nakajima’s “Ito.” Released as a single in 1998, it’s known as a classic that remains beloved by many even after more than 20 years.
If you’re accompanying yourself on piano, a simpler arrangement is easier to play, right? This is a straightforward ballad that can be rendered with the most orthodox quarter-note chord accompaniment, making it a perfect first song to try for singing with piano.
The key is B-flat (two flats), which uses many white keys, so it’s easier to remember which keys to press—another point in its favor!
[Piano and Vocals] Recommended for piano-vocal performances! Hit songs from the Heisei to Reiwa eras (31–40)
contrailArai Yumi
When it comes to classic piano ballads by Yumi Matsutoya, “Hikoukigumo” (Vapor Trail) stands out.
It’s the title track of her 1973 album Hikoukigumo, and in 2013 it was chosen as the theme song for Studio Ghibli’s animated film The Wind Rises.
“Hikoukigumo” is also a staple in her concerts and is often performed as a piano-and-vocal solo by Matsutoya herself.
It’s in E-flat major with three flats, so you’ll encounter black keys, but with practice you can definitely master it.
Try using her live piano-vocal performances as a reference and give it a go!
The Future Projection IIDREAMS COME TRUE
When it comes to ballads with beautiful piano intros, DREAMS COME TRUE’s “Mirai Yosouzu II” is a must.
It was included on their 1989 album “LOVE GOES ON…” and is a classic love song often played at weddings.
The piano in the intro deliberately uses chords that step outside the song’s key, creating a striking sound.
Since it’s in a key with six flats—one of the most challenging—it’s recommended to look for sheet music transposed to an easier key, or use the transpose function if you’re playing on a digital piano!
LeoYuuri
Yuri’s “Leo” is a song I can recommend to a wide range of players—from beginners trying piano-vocal for the first time to advanced musicians—because its melody sticks easily in your head and the chord progression is simple to learn.
Singing it with the piano’s beautiful accompaniment deepens the emotion of the original, and it will help performers immerse themselves in the song’s world.
Watching a video of Yuri performing it as a guitar-and-vocal piece also helps you grasp the vibe, so I highly recommend it.
By all means, enjoy performing it while savoring the heartwarming story behind the lyrics and the collaboration with the piano’s tone.
MPRINCESS PRINCESS
When it comes to songs by the all-girl band PRINCESS PRINCESS with beautiful piano, M is the one that stands out.
Although it was included as the coupling track to their smash-hit single Diamonds and was a B-side, it became a beloved classic for many.
The piano accompaniment in the first verse, which feels like a conversation with the vocals, is both beautiful and striking.
Since the song is in 12/8 time using triplets, it may be challenging to get used to the rhythm, but it’s definitely a piece you should try!
BoyhoodInoue Yosui
Among Yosui Inoue’s songs, the one with a strikingly simple piano accompaniment is “Shonen Jidai” (Childhood).
Released in 1990, it reached No.
4 on the Oricon singles chart and became a million-seller—his biggest hit and signature song.
From the intro to the end, it features steady quarter-note chord playing.
While there are occasional chords that require two black keys, the progression is relatively easy to finger and memorize.
Several times throughout the piece, a beautiful high-register phrase is interwoven, so be sure to practice until you can sing while playing!