BEGIN's Popular Song Rankings [2026]

Ink of the HeartBEGIN50rank/position

Ink of the Heart

BEGIN is a band that represents Okinawa, adept at a wide range of styles—from a unique sound and sweet-and-sour lyrics to heartwarming messages.

They have so many great songs that many of you are probably familiar with them.

Among their catalogue, a piece that’s especially perfect for expressing gratitude to one’s parents is Kokoro no Ink (“Ink of the Heart”).

While many songs of this kind rely on straightforward, unadorned lyrics, this track weaves in a rich variety of vocabulary and expressions, resulting in lyrics that are both moving and artistic.

The melody is a refined, sweet blues, making it a recommendation for listeners with a discerning ear.

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Ryo

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Love runsBEGIN51rank/position

BEGIN — Love Runs

As the title suggests, it’s a refreshing song that makes you want to start running the moment you hear it.

You might just find real-life love, not the kind you find in games.

It’s a different vibe from “Umi no Koe” and “Shima Uta no Takara,” and BIGIN’s urban side is truly wonderful—definitely a song I want you to hear.

Don’t abandon loveBEGIN52rank/position

Don't abandon love – BEGIN

The masculine yet gentle, smoky vocals and lively rhythm pleasantly stir the heart.

It’s a song that brightens the gloom of heartbreak and fills you with a positive spirit, as if urging you to take a new step forward to seek your next fateful encounter.

Beautiful in the past, beautiful nowBEGIN53rank/position

Beautiful in the past, beautiful now

A heartwarming island song by BEGIN, filled with the soothing tones of the sanshin that seep into your soul.

The lyrics lovingly depict the everyday lives of our grandparents’ era and the island’s abundant nature, stirring a deep sense of nostalgia in listeners.

Carried by a gentle melody, the message to cherish both the timeless beauty of the past and the beauty that exists here and now comes through clearly.

First included on the album “Ongaku Brigades II,” released in June 1997, the song was later featured on “BEGIN no Shimauta ~Omoto Takeo~.” It’s perfect for those moments when, living far from home, you suddenly find yourself longing for the old days.

When you seek peace of mind amid a busy life, why not lend an ear to these tender tones?

Okinawa Sunshine DayBEGIN54rank/position

Okinawa sunshine day

It’s an irresistibly cheerful summer tune that conjures up piercing blue skies and a pleasant sea breeze.

The buoyant rhythm that fuses ska and reggae naturally gets your body moving just by listening.

The track was inspired by guitarist Masaru Shimabukuro—who wrote both lyrics and music—after seeing his friends having a great time back in his hometown.

The lyrics convey the liberating feeling of driving under a cloudless sky and the positive vibe of surrendering to island rhythms and forgetting your worries.

Featured on Taiyo, the band’s first album in seven years set for release in July 2025, the song captures the warm, live energy of being recorded in one take on Ishigaki Island.

Perfect for summer drives, it also makes the ideal BGM whenever you want a quick mood refresh.

12-string guitar of meteorsBEGIN55rank/position

Shooting Star 12-String Guitar (BEGIN cover) - Solo Performance

A track included on an early album.

Rather than having an Okinawan sound, it leans more toward a Western pop feel, yet you can sense the beginnings of what makes BEGIN who they are today.

It’s a gem of a song, and I recommend listening to it while driving.

Voice of the SeaBEGIN56rank/position

BEGIN / Voice of the Sea [Umi no Koe] MV short ver. (au Santaro commercial song)

It’s well-known from the au commercial where actor Kenta Kiritani, portraying Urashima Taro, sang it, but the song was written by BEGIN.

They also did a self-cover of the track.

It’s a refreshing tune that conjures up images of Okinawa’s blue sea, white sandy beaches, and clear blue sky.