RAG MusicRanking
Wonderful Music Rankings

[50s] Popular Japanese Music / J-POP Rankings [By Generation]

We’re excited to present the latest Top 100 ranking of Japanese pop (J-pop) songs for listeners in their 50s, ordered by most plays! As we reach this stage of life, we may find ourselves looking back on the music we’ve listened to rather than seeking out new sounds.

Seeing the paths each of us has taken might be one of the ways to enjoy music.

The playlist is updated weekly.

[50s] Popular Japanese Music / J‑POP Rankings [By Generation] (91–100)

wicked womanNakajima Miyuki99rank/position

Miyuki Nakajima has released a lot of hit songs.

One I’d like to recommend, with a comfortable vocal range, is “Akujo” (Bad Girl), released in October 1981.

Just from the title you might think, “Is it a dark song?” but the tune is surprisingly bright and the melody is easy to remember.

When you look at the lyrics, though, you’ll think, “It’s kind of a bittersweet song…” The verses (A-melo to B-melo) are sung fairly low, almost like speaking, and there’s a part in the chorus where the pitch suddenly jumps up, so watch out there.

Time your entry for the high notes and throw yourself into it—project your voice with momentum! That way you can sing comfortably without straining your throat.

If your timing is off it’ll feel odd, so keep practicing until you nail the timing.

River of Ten Thousand MilesCHAGE and ASKA100rank/position

[LIVE] The River of Ten Thousand Miles / CHAGE and ASKA / THE Summer Festival Osaka Castle LIVE
River of Ten Thousand MilesCHAGE and ASKA

The 3rd single “Banri no Kawa,” which marked their first-ever entry into the Oricon Weekly Top 10.

Its lyrical words and melodically oriental atmosphere evoke a sense of nostalgia just by listening.

The melody line, reminiscent of folk songs and enka, is simple and easy to sing, but be careful—the fast melody in the chorus makes it tricky to keep pitch.

With an ensemble that conveys a wistful mood and feels pleasant to the ear, it’s a number that’s enjoyable to sing at karaoke as well.