Junichi Inagaki Popular Song Ranking [2026]

By the time of the Christmas carolsInagaki Junichi1rank/position

Junichi Inagaki – When It's Christmas Carol Time (Official Music Video)

When you’re wrapped in the crisp winter air, don’t you ever find your heart stolen by a melody that seems to come from nowhere? Sung by Junichi Inagaki, a singer who also handles drum performances, this piece is a classic that truly defines the season.

In fact, if you delve into the lyrics, they depict a slightly bittersweet, mature romance in which the couple takes some time apart until Christmas to reflect on their relationship.

Released as a single in October 1992, it was used as the theme song for the TBS drama “Homework” and became a huge hit, selling over 1.4 million copies.

Its sophisticated synth sound and Inagaki’s wistful vocals will make moments spent on snow-white slopes feel all the more dramatic.

Summer HornsInagaki Junichi2rank/position

Junichi Inagaki “Summer Claxon”

Released in 1983, this work brims with an urban, stylish allure.

The lyrics, which look back nostalgically on lost summer memories and the end of a romance, resonate deeply with listeners.

Junichi Inagaki’s rich vocals blend beautifully with the pop melody to create a superb track.

It was also used in a commercial for Fujifilm’s car-stereo-only audio cassette tape “GT-I,” making it popular across generations.

It’s said that the chorus was completed after more than 100 takes.

Give it a listen when you want to revisit bittersweet summer memories, as a companion on a drive, or when you’re trying to move past a farewell with someone precious.

Dramatic RainInagaki Junichi3rank/position

Dramatic Rain

Junichi Inagaki is a male singer with a distinctive and memorable vocal tone.

Known for his unique musical style that blends city pop and AOR into Japanese kayōkyoku, he has produced many classic songs.

Among them, the one I especially recommend for aiming for a high score is Dramatic Rain.

With a relatively narrow vocal range of mid1 D# to hi A and a gently undulating vocal line, it should be manageable for men in their 60s who are accustomed to kayōkyoku melodies.

Be sure to check it out.

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Long VersionInagaki Junichi4rank/position

Junichi Inagaki – Long Version

Composed by Yasuhiro Abe and also used in a commercial, it’s turned into a superbly mellow nighttime ballad by Junichi Inagaki.

The many songs grouped under the label “city pops” probably felt trendy, evoking the atmosphere of the urban night.

When I listen to them now and then, I feel like a city nightscape comes into view.

EscapeInagaki Junichi5rank/position

Junichi Inagaki “Escape”

A classic released in March 1983 that portrays yearning and a desire to escape.

Junichi Inagaki’s crystalline vocals beautifully color a love story set against a nighttime shoreline.

The song delicately captures the feelings of dreaming about running away with a loved one, striking a chord with many listeners.

This was Inagaki’s fourth single and was also included on his album “J.I.” released the same year.

As a quintessential track of Japanese AOR and city pop, it continues to shine with undimmed charm.

It’s a song we’d especially recommend to those troubled by love or wishing to step away from everyday life for a while.

Blue Jean PierrotInagaki Junichi6rank/position

Junichi Inagaki / Blue Jeans

Speaking of seductive singing voices, this is the person who comes to mind.

“By the Time the Christmas Carols Play” is famous, but since that’s from the ’90s, we’ll save it for another time.

In terms of a masculine vocal that expresses a man’s allure, earnestness, and even sorrow, there may be no one who surpasses him.

Rather than simply being a great singer, he might be Japan’s best when it comes to bringing out that slightly naive, sensitive male voice.

That’s the kind of artist he is.

Unrequited Love of 1969Inagaki Junichi7rank/position

[Junichi Inagaki - Unrequited Love from 1969] I'm a woman, but I tried singing it [ELAFAR]

It was released on October 25, 1989.

The lyrics are by Yasushi Akimoto, and the music is by Tatsuhito Kuwamura.

It’s a song about a girl he fell in love with in 1969—a girl he couldn’t confess to back then, but has loved ever since.

When he remembers those days now, his chest tightens; it’s a song that expresses that kind of bittersweet longing.