Miki Imai’s Most Popular Songs Ranking [2026]

PRIDEImai Miki1rank/position

Miki Imai - 'PRIDE' Music Video

This piece resonates with lyrics that portray deep love for a partner and the will of an independent woman, carried by a warm melody crafted by Tomoyasu Hotei.

You don’t need to belt it out, and the melody moves gently, making it a great choice even for those who aren’t very confident in their singing.

Released in November 1996 as Miki Imai’s 12th single, it also became well known as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Doc.” As a tender, soothing ballad, it’s recommended for the latter part of a karaoke session or in a calm setting.

Simply following the melody carefully will make it sound lovely, so consider adding it to your repertoire.

short-sleevedImai Miki2rank/position

short-sleeved

This song begins with a scene of stepping onto a station platform scented with early summer.

In contrast to the refreshing setting, it portrays the aching feelings of a woman who has fallen in love with someone she must not love.

The lyrics, which lay bare the painful thought that “the one I love will never love me,” capture those complex emotions without omission.

Released in August 1990 and included on the album Ivory II, the track has come to be widely known as one of Miki Imai’s signature ballads.

It is a song I especially recommend to those suffering from heartbreak or unrequited love.

The Sound of WavesImai Miki3rank/position

Miki Imai “Shiosai (The Sound of Waves)” Music Video

Miki Imai, known for her translucent singing voice and her portrayals of sophisticated, urban women, delivers in this work a summer ballad that seeps into the heart, crafted entirely by her partner, Tomoyasu Hotei.

You can almost picture the protagonist on a beach at dusk, listening closely to the ebb and flow of the waves and quietly reflecting on a love from long ago.

Released ahead of the album AQUA in July 2001, the song also reached living rooms nationwide as the ending theme of the infotainment show The! Sekai Gyoten News.

Put it on during a late-summer drive, and sweet, bittersweet memories will resurface, enveloping you in a nostalgic mood.

PIECE OF MY WISHImai Miki4rank/position

Miki Imai – “PIECE OF MY WISH” (from the 30th Anniversary Concert Tour 2015 “Colour”)

This is a TV commercial for Kao’s detergent New Beads.

It shows a woman played by Yuriko Yoshitaka who whispers, “I want to be praised,” for getting out of bed on a winter morning, making it home despite the cold, and still doing the laundry.

The CM song is “PIECE OF MY WISH,” released by Miki Imai in 1993.

The song’s message—“believe in even the slightest hope and turn it into the strength to move forward”—feels like an answer song to the ad.

A Bouquet of Kisses in the RainImai Miki5rank/position

A Bouquet of Kisses in the Rain (2025 Remaster)

A single song by Miki Imai that instantly turns the gloomy image of a rainy day into a romantic scene.

Included on the classic album “retour,” released in August 1990, it also became widely loved as the opening theme for the Yomiuri TV/Nippon TV anime YAWARA!.

The lyrics capture the sweet, slightly bittersweet thrill unique to mutual feelings—being surprised by an unexpected confession from someone you like.

The sprightly melody crafted by singer-songwriter KAN and Imai’s crystal-clear vocals weave a harmony that vividly evokes the sparkle of a budding romance.

It’s the perfect song to play in that moment filled with the sense that their love is about to blossom even more.

PIECE MY WISHImai Miki6rank/position

Miki Imai – “PIECE OF MY WISH” (from the 30th Anniversary Concert Tour 2015 “Colour”)

Many of you were likely captivated by Miki Imai’s singing voice.

Known for her warm vocals and profound songs, one of her signature works is this track, which was chosen as the theme song for the drama “Ashita ga Aru Kara.” Released in November 1993, it reached No.

1 on the Oricon charts, became her first million-selling single, and marked an important milestone in her musical career.

The lyrics, which express the importance of moving forward without giving up when faced with difficulties and the inner strength people possess, have continued to resonate with many.

It’s a heartwarming song that serves as a cheer for those striving to overcome adversity.

Miss youImai Miki7rank/position

Miki Imai - “Miss You” Music Video

A song released in 1994.

It was used in a Nippon TV drama.

It became her second single to reach No.

1 on the Oricon charts.

The composer is Tomoyasu Hotei, who is also her husband, and he also took part with chorus and a guitar solo.

Over a mid-tempo groove, Miki Imai’s clear voice gently sings lyrics that are simple yet brimming with passion.

It’s a song that softly evokes nostalgia and longing.

Snowy WeekendImai Miki8rank/position

Snowy Weekend mp3

This is a song by Miki Imai, who is active not only as a singer but also as an actress.

It’s included on her seventh album, “flow into space,” and it’s also noteworthy that the arrangement was handled by Joe Hisaishi.

The content conveys a calm yet bittersweet atmosphere, as if looking out at the snowy sky through a window and reflecting on memories.

While suffering from the poignancy of memories of snow, it also depicts a determination to become a new self and move forward into the future.

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kappamaki

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Blue RainImai Miki9rank/position

Miki Imai – “Blue Rain” [TV Asahi drama “A Woman of the Crime Lab” theme song]

A track from Miki Imai’s 20th original album, “Sky,” released in June 2018.

It’s a very gentle, mellow ballad, sung quietly as if murmuring or whispering, so it may be one of the best choices for women in their 40s to sing.

It’s true that when you really pursue this kind of “soft singing,” it can be more difficult to master than songs that call for belting, but if you’re just enjoying it at your usual karaoke, there’s no need to worry that much.

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Kei Takahata

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Orange RiverImai Miki10rank/position

Miki Imai – Orange River

Miki Imai’s “Orange no Kawa” (Orange River) is included as the fifth track on her best album “Ivory.” Many people love this song, and it remains a hidden gem with steady popularity, still sung today at karaoke and the like.