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Duke Aces Popular Song Rankings [2026]

Alongside the Bonny Jacks and the Dark Ducks, Duke Aces was one of Japan’s proud chorus groups.

In addition to carrying on the tradition of singing Japanese songs, they were cherished for their gospel and jazz chorus performances.

Though they underwent several member changes as they aged and, to much regret, disbanded in 2017, won’t the masterpieces they left behind remain forever as part of Japan’s musical heritage?

Duke Aces Popular Song Rankings [2026] (1–10)

Phoenix HoneymoonDuke Aces8rank/position

2013 Men's Chorus Himi 4 - Phoenix Honeymoon
Phoenix HoneymoonDuke Aces

Composed in 1967, this song is a classic BGM choice for video features introducing honeymoon trips to the Nichinan Coast in Miyazaki Prefecture.

With its relaxed, somewhat Hawaiian feel and a happy tone, it symbolizes the peaceful era in which honeymoon travel finally became common in Japan.

It remains a cherished local song in Miyazaki Prefecture to this day.

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Song of the LivingDuke Aces9rank/position

Duke Aces – "Song of Living Beings" (Narration: Rokusuke Ei)
Song of the LivingDuke Aces

A song that resounds with the beautiful voices of the Duke Aces, one of Japan’s representative choral groups.

This piece was written by the golden duo of Rokusupe Ei and Hachidai Nakamura—the very team who composed and wrote the lyrics for “Ue o Muite Arukō” (“Sukiyaki”).

The sweeping lyrics, where sorrow and hope weave a contrast like light and shadow, together with the supporting orchestration, make for a profoundly satisfying listen.

Older kayōkyoku is sometimes misunderstood as akin to enka, but we shouldn’t forget that there are many songs like this one that express brightness and strength alongside melancholy and wistfulness.

In honor of the sorrow and the value of friendship known only to those who have lived long lives, let us present this marvelous song by a group formed in 1955.

Masuda Bunka
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What a nice bath.Duke Aces10rank/position

While the Drifters’ “Bibanon Rock” is the more familiar version, this one also became established early on as a kayōkyoku (Japanese popular song).

The hot spring resorts mentioned differ slightly: Duke’s version sings about Kusatsu, Ikaho, Manza, and Minakami, whereas the Drifters mention Noboribetsu, Kusatsu, Shirahama, and Beppu.

It’s fun to compare the two.

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Duke Aces Popular Song Rankings [2026] (11–20)

A woman aloneDuke Aces11rank/position

It is a song themed around Kyoto, included as one of the tracks in the “Nihon no Uta” series.

It was released in 1965.

The lyrics mention three locations in Kyoto: Sanzen-in, Kōzan-ji, and Daikaku-ji.

On the local station Kyoto Broadcasting, during its Kinki Broadcasting era in the 1980s, an instrumental version was at times used as the background music for the radio civic information program “Kyoto City Dayori.”

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