Ranking of Male J-Pop Singers’ Best-Lyric and Most Popular Songs [2026]
The appeal of music may lie in the world of its lyrics.
The lyrics an artist sings create a special world that belongs only to that artist.
That’s why we empathize with those lyrics, feel moved by them, and find encouragement in them.
Here, we introduce a ranking of songs with great lyrics and popular tracks by male Japanese artists.
We hope you’ll discover songs with wonderful lyrics that resonate in your heart!
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Top Japanese Male Singers’ Songs with Great Lyrics & Popular Hits Ranking [2026] (81–90)
End of SummerShimizu Shota81rank/position
As the end of summer draws near, you get that distinctive, aching tightness in your chest, don’t you? In those moments, Shota Shimizu’s timeless ballads gently stay by your side.
They make you feel the memories of a summer romance spreading through your heart like the gradations of a sunset.
The unspoken loneliness the protagonist must be feeling, and the tenderness for days that won’t return, come through vividly in his emotive vocals.
This song is lovingly included on his March 2014 album ENCORE, and is cherished among fans as a hidden gem.
It’s perfect for the threshold of autumn, when the lively season bids farewell and a touch of sentimentality sets in, or for a quiet night spent alone, lost in memories.
If you savor each lyric as you listen, you’ll be drawn even deeper into its world—no question about it.
Please enjoy it that way!
Prologue feat. AimerShimizu Shota82rank/position
Shota Shimizu is a singer-songwriter who has been in the spotlight since his teens for his gentle vocals and overwhelming singing ability.
“Prologue feat.
Aimer,” included on his 9th album HOPE, drew attention as a track featuring Aimer, just as the title suggests.
The lyrics look back on a romance that ended before it could reach the future they had envisioned, evoking the image of someone not yet ready to step into the next love.
It’s a heartrending love ballad, with their interwoven voices coloring a sentimental story.
cherry blossomShimizu Shota83rank/position
Shota Shimizu, one of Japan’s most accomplished singers.
When he sings, any scene becomes deeply moving, and his song “Sakura” is almost unfair in how powerful it is.
It’s a piano-accompanied ballad, and his clear, pure voice seeps straight into your heart.
When cherry blossom season arrives, be sure to lose yourself in this song!
FanfareTamaki Kōji84rank/position
This is a rousing anthem powerfully sung by Koji Tamaki, famed for his overwhelming vocal prowess, riding on a melody full of drive and momentum.
Released as a single in November 2025, it was chosen as the theme song for TBS’s Sunday drama “The Royal Family.” Drawing on his childhood experiences in Hokkaido and paralleling life with the growth of a horse, this work was created with those images in mind.
Its message—that life isn’t only about winning or losing, and that it’s important to face forward and move on as your true self—resonates deeply with listeners.
Pick this song when you need that extra bit of courage at a crucial moment.
MelodyTamaki Kōji85rank/position
It’s a classic released in 1996 by Koji Tamaki, one of Japan’s most iconic singers.
Although it didn’t perform strongly in single sales, it remains a highly popular ballad.
Many musicians admire Tamaki, and this “Melody” has been covered by artists like Masayuki Suzuki and Takaya Kawasaki.
The lyrics vividly evoke hometown scenery and cherished memories, reminding you of pure, straightforward feelings.
While Tamaki often uses very simple expressions, his songs convey an indescribable depth.
Give it a listen when you want to remember what truly matters.
countrysideTamaki Kōji86rank/position
A heartwarming, soul-stirring masterpiece filled with encouragement for those burdened by fatigue and worries.
Drawing from his own experience overcoming mental instability, Koji Tamaki carefully portrays the inner cries that everyone carries.
Released in July 1996 as his 11th solo single, it was used as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Coach.” That same year, he made his first appearance at the 47th NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen, where his performance deeply moved viewers at the time.
Highly recommended for anyone feeling lost or anxious in life, or for those who want to encourage someone dear to them.
First LoveFukuyama Masaharu87rank/position
A song by Masaharu Fukuyama released in 2009.
Although it’s in a minor key and has a darker tone, it also feels gentle and beautiful.
Fukuyama’s signature sultry, resonant vocals match it perfectly.
At first glance, the title might make you think it’s a song about first love, but reading the lyrics reveals that it’s a metaphor.
It portrays a man and woman who used to be lovers; now they each have someone important in their lives, yet they realize the person they truly love is still each other.
It’s a track overflowing with the ache of unfulfilled longing.
HitomiFukuyama Masaharu88rank/position
The lyrics, filled with compassion and warmth, resonate deeply.
Chosen as the theme song for the Kansai TV/Fuji TV drama “When Spring Comes,” it was released digitally in February 2024.
The song gently speaks to the importance of sensing the unseen efforts and feelings within people.
It carries a profound message that reflects the drama’s themes of parent–child bonds and love.
It’s a recommended listen when you want to cherish your connections with others.
Wrapped in Fukuyama’s warm vocals, why not take a moment to feel the small joys of everyday life and your love for family?
Tomoë GakuenFukuyama Masaharu89rank/position
Tomoe Gakuen, released in 2017 as a digital-only single by Masaharu Fukuyama, has a somewhat striking title—and for good reason: it’s named directly after a real elementary school.
The song served as the theme for the drama Totto-chan!, which portrays Tetsuko Kuroyanagi’s roots, and its title is taken from Tomoe Gakuen, Kuroyanagi’s alma mater and the school attended by the drama’s protagonist.
The lyrics unfold like a calm recollection of memories that steadily draws you in—making it a deeply moving song.
aspiration; longing; ardent desireFukuyama Masaharu90rank/position
Masaharu Fukuyama’s song “Sōbō,” released on December 4, 2023, is a work that resonates deeply with the heart.
Created as the theme song for the film “At the End of the Flowering Hill, If I Could Meet You Again,” it has drawn much attention.
The lyrics, interweaving wishes for the future, memories of the past, and emotions of the present, are profoundly moving.
I’m once again struck by Fukuyama’s exceptional abilities in lyric writing, composition, and arrangement, as well as his deep understanding of human emotion.
While centered on the theme of lost love, the song remains compelling in the way it offers a message of hope and comfort.
It’s recommended for those burdened by something heavy or those who wish to believe in love again.