Best Songs and Popular Tracks by Male Singer-Songwriters: 2026 Rankings
A singer-songwriter who performs their own self-written songs.
Their music expresses a wide range of emotions from the artist’s heart.
Here, we present a ranking of songs by such singer-songwriters that are particularly outstanding for their lyrical expression.
Playlist
| Best Songs and Popular Tracks by Male Singer-Songwriters: 2026 Rankings | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1 | Eine KleineYonezu Kenshi |  play_arrow | Kenshi Yonezu’s warm love song, a heart-stirring expression of emotion |
| 2 | NonfictionHirai Ken |  play_arrow | A moving ballad born from a friend's death |
| 3 | globeYonezu Kenshi |  play_arrow | Kenshi Yonezu to produce the theme song for a Hayao Miyazaki film |
| 4 | Close your eyesHirai Ken |  play_arrow | A ballad about longing for a lost lover |
| 5 | Sakura (Solo)Moriyama Naotaro |  play_arrow | A heartfelt song themed around cherry blossoms and farewell |
| 6 | Stand by me, Stand by you.Hirai Dai |  play_arrow | A ballad depicting the fateful meeting of destined lovers… |
| 7 | spring thunderYonezu Kenshi |  play_arrow | Kenshi Yonezu’s masterpiece that portrays a first love like cherry blossoms |
| 8 | Promise of SunflowersHata Motohiro |  play_arrow | Motohiro Hata’s moving ballad, a masterpiece that depicts friendship |
| 9 | AiHata Motohiro |  play_arrow | A moving song about someone timid about love encountering a gentle love |
| 10 | Gazing up, the sky is blueHata Motohiro |  play_arrow | An inspiring song by Motohiro Hata that captures the milestone of graduation |
| 11 | Fukuwarai (a traditional Japanese “lucky laugh” face-making game)Takahashi Yuu |  play_arrow | Takahashi Yu’s gentle songs lift my spirits |
| 12 | Can I call it magic?Hirai Ken |  play_arrow | Ken Hirai's love-filled lyrics are heartwarming. |
| 13 | MetronomeYonezu Kenshi |  play_arrow | Kenshi Yonezu’s love ballad, feelings passing each other by |
| 14 | SakurazakaFukuyama Masaharu |  play_arrow | Unchanging love amidst separation |
| 15 | Starting Line ~ A New BreezeBaba Toshihide |  play_arrow | An uplifting song that cheers you up when you face setbacks |
| 16 | Time ParadoxVaundy |  play_arrow | Vaundy’s movie theme song is a masterpiece that heals the heart. |
| 17 | Until we meet againHirai Dai |  play_arrow | Dai Hirai's ballad portrays a farewell and the hope of reunion. |
| 18 | Untitled TodayHirai Dai |  play_arrow | A moving song that celebrates the small joys of everyday life |
| 19 | Sakura (2019)Moriyama Naotaro |  play_arrow | Sakura 2019 version by Naotaro Moriyama |
| 20 | Let’s become a familyFukuyama Masaharu |  play_arrow | Marriage is a chosen family, a song of bonds that support one another. |
| 21 | rainbowTakahashi Yuu |  play_arrow | Takayuki Takahashi’s “Niji” is a song that gives you a push and cheers you on. |
| 22 | That paper airplane splits the cloudy sky19 |  play_arrow | 19 signature songs that capture the tremors of youth |
| 23 | HOT LIMITT.M.Revolution |  play_arrow | The summer classic “HOT LIMIT,” a song about passionate love. |
| 24 | With one liter of loveVaundy |  play_arrow | Vaundy’s music that stays close to the heart, songs that affirm loneliness |
| 25 | normal temperatureVaundy |  play_arrow | Vaundy’s love song, Jounetsu |
| 26 | spring thunderfuki no tō |  play_arrow | A life-affirming song depicting spring thunder and cherry blossoms |
| 27 | Overflows ~Unable to Put It into Words~Naoto Intiraymi |  play_arrow | Songs that resonate with the heart, music that stirs the emotions |
| 28 | for YOU。haji→ |  play_arrow | Haji→’s two discs released in 2013... |
| 29 | Graduation, goodbye.haji→ |  play_arrow | A song that gives you a push before graduation |
| 30 | Spring colors.haji→ |  play_arrow | Haj→’s spring song makes my heart dance in spring colors |
| 31 | Anniversary (feat. miwa)haji→ |  play_arrow | A duet song brimming with love for someone special |
| 32 | Ca Va?Bikkeburanka |  play_arrow | Enjoy summer with the multilingual mashup song 'Ca Va?' |
| 33 | LA LA LA Love SongKubota Toshinobu |  play_arrow | The beginning of my favorite drama, “Long Vacation,” is... |
| 34 | MissingKubota Toshinobu |  play_arrow | Toshinobu Kubota’s classic song that sings of the pain of unrequited love |
| 35 | Serenade, if anythingInoue Yosui |  play_arrow | Even after heartbreak, remain in your own world, and the— |
| 36 | BoyhoodInoue Yosui |  play_arrow | A masterpiece with great lyrics that everyone can sing. |
| 37 | Harmony at Summer’s EndInoue Yosui & Anzen Chitai |  play_arrow | A heart-stirring song that colors the end of summer |
| 38 | Love ForeverKatō Miriya × Shimizu Shōta |  play_arrow | An inspiring song by Miliyah Kato and Shota Shimizu |
| 39 | Song of BeginningsOhashi Takuya |  play_arrow | A support song for Takuya Ohashi’s solo debut |
| 40 | Easy★RiderOkuda Tamio |  play_arrow | A cheerful pop to support a laid-back youth |
| 41 | Song of the DawnMiyamoto Hiroji |  play_arrow | A ballad by Hiroji Miyamoto that resonates with the heart |
| 42 | sparklingOda Kazumasa |  play_arrow | Kazumasa Oda’s “Kira Kira” is an exhilarating masterpiece. |
| 43 | GraduationOzaki Yutaka |  play_arrow | Yutaka Ozaki’s message of youth, expressing a longing for freedom |
| 44 | Christmas EveYamashita Tatsuro |  play_arrow | Ever since being featured in JR’s commercial, they’ve completely… |
| 45 | celeryYamazaki Masayoshi |  play_arrow | The one that SMAP sings is also famous, but Yama... |
| 46 | It was all you.Yamazaki Masayoshi |  play_arrow | Masayoshi Yamazaki’s poignant love song classic |
| 47 | No matter what I do, it’s no good.Okazaki Taiiku |  play_arrow | Okazaki Taiiku’s Humorous and Encouraging Songs |
| 48 | POP STARHirai Ken |  play_arrow | Ken Hirai shows a new side of himself with a pop, up-tempo song. |
| 49 | You are my friend.Hirai Ken |  play_arrow | Ken Hirai’s “Kimi wa Tomodachi” is a drama theme song with friendship as its theme. |
| 50 | Homeward Road in MarchHirai Dai |  play_arrow | In the season when the cherry blossoms bloom, Dai Hirai’s songs resonate with my heart. |
| 51 | BuddyHirai Dai |  play_arrow | A song with a warm melody that portrays love |
| 52 | Life is BeautifulHirai Dai |  play_arrow | Conveying the beauty of life through a pleasant tone |
| 53 | Slow & EasyHirai Dai |  play_arrow | Enjoying summer with Dai Hirai's 'Slow & Easy' |
| 54 | Recipe for HappinessHirai Dai |  play_arrow | The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 ending theme song |
| 55 | Gate of GloryHirai Dai |  play_arrow | Hirai Dai’s “Glory’s Door” sings about how to move forward after setbacks. |
| 56 | Prayer FlowerHirai Dai |  play_arrow | Hirai Dai’s debut song. A warm melody of prayer and healing. |
| 57 | Rainy BlueTokunaga Hideaki |  play_arrow | A poignant song that purifies past love with the rain |
| 58 | EurekaHoshino Gen |  play_arrow | Gen Hoshino's cheer song, singing of rebirth and courage |
| 59 | Family SongHoshino Gen |  play_arrow | Gen Hoshino’s “Family Song” is a masterpiece overflowing with family love. |
| 60 | SUNHoshino Gen |  play_arrow | Gen Hoshino’s refreshing cheer song |
| 61 | dead endHoshino Gen |  play_arrow | A poignant love story from a movie theme song |
| 62 | In the midst of the trivialHoshino Gen |  play_arrow | A heartwarming bala depicting the everyday life spent by a couple in love… |
| 63 | IdeaHoshino Gen |  play_arrow | Gen Hoshino’s cheering song: a track to listen to when you’re feeling down |
| 64 | mysteryHoshino Gen |  play_arrow | A song that warmly expresses an inexplicable, tender feeling of love |
| 65 | Outside the dreamHoshino Gen |  play_arrow | Gen Hoshino is active in both music and acting. |
| 66 | loveHoshino Gen |  play_arrow | The theme song of the drama 'We Married as a Job!' (Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni Tatsu)… |
| 67 | IHoshino Gen |  play_arrow | A masterpiece whose gentle lyrics by Gen Hoshino soothe the heart. |
| 68 | In the Great Sky and on the Vast EarthMatsuyama Chiharu |  play_arrow | A song by Chiharu Matsuyama about the courage to move forward after setbacks |
| 69 | A Letter to YouKuwata Keisuke |  play_arrow | Keisuke Kuwata’s heartwarming love song and cheer song |
| 70 | I wonder if it will be sunny tomorrow.Kuwata Keisuke |  play_arrow | A song that lets you believe in yourself and feel hope for tomorrow |
| 71 | White LoversKuwata Keisuke |  play_arrow | A heartwarming ballad that turns the bittersweet love of winter into a blessing |
| 72 | cherry blossomMoriyama Naotaro |  play_arrow | Naotaro Moriyama’s famous song that depicts parting and reunion with the cherry blossoms. |
| 73 | If being alive is painfulMoriyama Naotaro |  play_arrow | When I'm down, I cry and set out—this is a song of hope |
| 74 | To all living thingsMoriyama Naotaro |  play_arrow | A grand song about life and love, the theme song of a 2004 drama |
| 75 | The End of SummerMoriyama Naotaro |  play_arrow | Scenes at summer’s end and the landscape of the heart |
| 76 | I won’t fall in love anymore.Makihara Noriyuki |  play_arrow | A ballad depicting the pain of heartbreak and the glimmer of hope |
| 77 | Far, far awayMakihara Noriyuki |  play_arrow | Noriyuki Makihara’s Hometown Farewell Cheer Song |
| 78 | cherry blossomKawaguchi Kyogo |  play_arrow | The charm of Kyogo Kawaguchi’s soothing classic “Sakura” |
| 79 | FanfareTamaki Kōji |  play_arrow | Koji Tamaki’s moving cheer song conveys the courage to face forward. |
| 80 | MelodyTamaki Kōji |  play_arrow | Koji Tamaki, one of Japan’s most iconic singers, in 199… |
| 81 | countrysideTamaki Kōji |  play_arrow | Koji Tamaki’s moving masterpiece that resonates in the heart, giving people courage. |
| 82 | First LoveFukuyama Masaharu |  play_arrow | Masaharu Fukuyama’s heart-stirring first love song, resonating with bittersweet feelings. |
| 83 | HitomiFukuyama Masaharu |  play_arrow | A song of compassion and love, depicting the bonds of family. |
| 84 | Tomoë GakuenFukuyama Masaharu |  play_arrow | Masaharu Fukuyama’s “Tomoe Gakuen” is the theme song for the biographical drama about Tetsuko Kuroyanagi. |
| 85 | aspiration; longing; ardent desireFukuyama Masaharu |  play_arrow | Fukuyama’s new song “Sōbō” resonates with the heart. |
| 86 | An unfinished love song I’ve been working on foreverHata Motohiro |  play_arrow | A heartwarming song that depicts the deep love of a married couple |
| 87 | Yo, you there, kid.Takehara Pisutoru |  play_arrow | Takihara Pistol’s cheer song, a message to move forward as yourself |
| 88 | BOW AND ARROWYonezu Kenshi |  play_arrow | Kenshi Yonezu’s passionate theme song portrays the challenge of pursuing a dream. |
| 89 | LemonYonezu Kenshi |  play_arrow | Kenshi Yonezu’s “Lemon”: poignant lyrics and a beautiful melody |
| 90 | Pale BlueYonezu Kenshi |  play_arrow | Kenshi Yonezu’s moving farewell song “Pale Blue” |
| 91 | Bye, see you again sometime!Yonezu Kenshi |  play_arrow | The theme song of Kenshi Yonezu’s story of growth and reunion |
| 92 | canaryYonezu Kenshi |  play_arrow | A ballad that layers bewilderment and hope onto the birds’ song |
| 93 | peace signYonezu Kenshi |  play_arrow | Explanation of Kenshi Yonezu's 'Peace Sign' |
| 94 | I was looking at the moon.Yonezu Kenshi |  play_arrow | Introduction to Kenshi Yonezu’s “I Was Watching the Moon” |
| 95 | Ghost of the SeaYonezu Kenshi |  play_arrow | Kenshi Yonezu’s “Spirits of the Sea” and its Summer Reverie |
| 96 | Gray and Blue (+Masaki Suda)Yonezu Kenshi |  play_arrow | A youth song by Kenshi Yonezu and Masaki Suda |
| 97 | Horse and deerYonezu Kenshi |  play_arrow | Kenshi Yonezu’s powerful cheer song |
| 98 | AlbaSuda Keina |  play_arrow | A song whose vocals and lyrics by Keina Suda resonate with the heart |
| 99 | Tomorrow will surely be a good day.Takahashi Yuu |  play_arrow | When you feel anxious, listen to music and stay positive |
| 100 | Wonderful EverydayTakahashi Yuu |  play_arrow | A song of love and hope in everyday life |