![Ken Hirai’s Most Popular Songs Ranking [2026]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/991O_tvDBXM/maxresdefault.webp)
Ken Hirai’s Most Popular Songs Ranking [2026]
With his uniquely expansive vocals and catchy songs, Ken Hirai has secured an unshakable position in the J-pop scene.
This time, we’ll introduce a ranking of his most popular tracks.
Since these are all well-known songs, there’s a good chance you’ve heard many of them.
Ken Hirai Popular Songs Ranking [2026] (1–10)
NonfictionHirai Ken1rank/position
Based on the artist’s real experience of losing someone close, this medium-tempo ballad explores views on life and death and loneliness, and served as the theme song for the TBS drama “A Little Giant” in the April 2017 season.
Kenshi Hirai himself said it “cuts into the dark side of life,” and it’s a masterpiece that expresses an earnest questioning of death and a sense of loss.
The chorus is famous, so I think many people know the song.
The overall vocal range is C3–A4, and the falsetto in the chorus is especially distinctive; if you can’t hit that comfortably, the performance can feel underwhelming.
Rather than belting in chest voice, sing more strongly in falsetto.
Try placing a hand on the back of your head and imagine sending your voice in that direction as you sing.
#302Hirai Ken2rank/position
“#302” portrays a poignant love for a woman heartbroken by a failed romance.
Released in 2019, the song was used as the theme for the TV drama “4-minute Marigold,” and the music video features Yui Sakuma and Sho Kiyohara.
Although the rhythm is set in 6/8, the melody that flows over it is very simple, so as long as you follow the lyrics closely, you should be able to sing it without feeling too anxious.
The chorus goes a bit higher, so if you’re not comfortable with high notes, we recommend adjusting the key to make it easier to sing.
Can I call it magic?Hirai Ken3rank/position
It was written as the theme song for the Panasonic LUMIX GX7 Mark II commercial featuring Haruka Ayase and went on to become a long-running hit.
It’s a quiet, love-filled ballad where the acoustic guitar tones resonate with Ken Hirai’s vocals.
The overall vocal range of the song is F2–B4, and compared to other songs, the high notes aren’t unexpectedly that high, making it a range that seems singable in falsetto.
In fact, Ken Hirai sings it softly in falsetto to create a bittersweet mood, so it’s best to sing with the sensation of releasing a thin stream of sound from the top of your head.
For the low notes in the A section, be sure to raise your eyebrows and take care not to strain your throat.
Close your eyesHirai Ken4rank/position
A ballad that portrays the sorrow of losing a loved one and the aching yearning to keep chasing their memory.
Ken Hirai’s emotional vocals gently accompany hearts spending lonely nights.
Released in April 2004 as his 20th single, it was written as the theme song for the film “Crying Out Love, in the Center of the World.” With total shipments exceeding one million copies, it became a social phenomenon, topping the annual charts that year.
It will especially resonate with those who, in unguarded moments, recall a past love and feel their chest tighten.
A gem of a track, perfect for adult men who want to listen alone while quietly having a drink.
confessionHirai Ken5rank/position
This is a song by Ken Hirai that explores themes of deep despair and unrequited love.
Released in May 2012 as his 35th single, it poignantly depicts, from a woman’s perspective, the anguish and sorrow of yearning for love that remains out of reach.
Chosen as the theme song for the TV Asahi drama “The W’s Tragedy,” it reached No.
5 on the Oricon weekly chart.
It’s a piece we hope will resonate with anyone who has suffered through a love that could not be fulfilled.
You are my friend.Hirai Ken6rank/position
This is the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Wonderful Life” starring Takashi Sorimachi, and it marks the first time Ken Hirai has attempted a “one-man a cappella,” with every sound recorded using only his own voice and body—resulting in a soothing piece.
The song’s overall vocal range is B2 to C#5, and since Ken Hirai’s songs typically have wide ranges, the key point is how to produce the high notes with ease.
As this work isn’t the type that requires belting, it’s best to keep a light singing approach throughout.
For both low and high notes, aim to resonate in the head while lifting your facial muscles as you sing.
POP STARHirai Ken7rank/position
Released on October 26, 2005 as the 23rd single, it became a major hit as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Kiken na Aneki” starring Misaki Ito.
Marking the 10th anniversary of Ken Hirai’s debut, the song features a pop, exhilarating melody and luxurious strings.
With a relatively fast tempo and a bouncy rhythm, the melody line keeps driving forward, making it highly recommended for those who love bright, danceable tracks.
The chorus sits quite high, so in addition to using falsetto, it’s crucial to project your voice confidently without hesitation.
Try singing with large, full-body movements, as if sending your voice far into the distance.
even ifHirai Ken8rank/position
A singer-songwriter who leads Japan’s R&B scene, Ken Hirai continues to captivate many fans with his strikingly chiseled features and sweet, soulful voice.
Do you know the famous ballad he has cherished and kept singing as the theme song for his concept live series, “Ken’s Bar,” which he considers his life’s work? Its lyrics, like a solitary monologue at a bar counter while tilting a glass, confess an unbreakable longing for someone who loves another—immersing you in a heartache that feels like watching a love film.
Originally a phantom track performed only at live shows, it was released in December 2000 as a limited-time single in response to fervent fan requests.
Some listeners may have felt their hearts tighten at its portrayal of a forbidden love.
With its mellow atmosphere, it’s the perfect song to revisit on a night when you want to reflect on past romances.
Dear daysHirai Ken9rank/position
Produced by Kiyoshi Matsuo for the first time in ten years to cap off the 15th anniversary, this exquisite ballad, tinged with sadness yet evoking hope for the future, was released on May 4, 2011 as the theme song for TBS’s Sunday drama JIN: The Final Chapter.
The song spans a very wide vocal range from G#2 to C5, with a clear structure where the range gradually rises from the A verse to the B verse and then the chorus.
The low notes in the A verse are pitches you don’t often use, so be careful not to let your voice get muffled.
Take a deep breath and project your voice forward, letting the air flow.
The start of the chorus uses phonemes that make falsetto easy to produce, so if you really let your head voice resonate, you should be able to hit the notes without any problem.
ElegyHirai Ken10rank/position
This is a masterpiece whose poignant love story, told from a woman’s perspective, resonates in the rich vocals of Ken Hirai.
It delicately portrays the feelings of a woman consumed by love, expressing the intense emotions of fixation on her partner and a fierce willingness to embrace even the pain of love.
Released in January 2007 as the theme song for Toho’s film Love’s Crucible, it was also included on the album FAKIN’ POP and performed at the 58th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen.
In 2021, it was covered by Fuyumi Sakamoto on her album Love Emotion, continuing to influence many artists.
It’s a song to listen to on nights after heartbreak or when you’re suffering from thoughts of someone you love.