Breakout after her re-debut! Introducing a ranking of Miyuki Kawanaka’s popular songs

your catchphrasekawanaka miyuki8rank/position

Miyuki Kawanaka “Your Catchphrase” Music Video

A song woven by Miyuki Kawanaka’s gentle voice that tenderly conveys feelings toward a mother and touches the heart.

Its worldview—where a mother’s favorite sayings become a pillar of support in life—evokes a nostalgic, heartwarming mood.

Released in February 2025, this work is a gemlike ballad crafted by lyricist Suzuko Sawada and composer Masato Sugimoto.

When you want to quietly reflect on memories with your mother and gratitude for family, this piece will offer a melody that resonates within.

Embraced by Kawanaka’s characteristically warm expressiveness and a calm, gentle tone, it is a song that makes many listeners want to express their thanks to someone dear.

Only youkawanaka miyuki9rank/position

Miyuki Kawanaka “Devoted Only to You” Music Video (full ver.)

Miyuki Kawanaka’s classic “Anata Hitosuji.” While Miyuki Kawanaka performs songs across a wide range of styles, her gently rendered enka pieces, in particular, are highly acclaimed.

One of the most singer-friendly aspects of this song is, above all, the slender vocal tone.

It’s not frail, but in the sections where she projects, she tightens her throat, so you won’t find the vocal production especially difficult.

Most of the ornamental notes (kobushi) that appear are vibrato-based as well, making this song easy to sing in that respect too.

Be sure to add it to your repertoire.

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A Woman’s Life: Flowers of Sweatkawanaka miyuki10rank/position

[MV] Miyuki Kawanaka / A Woman’s Life ~Flowers of Sweat~

A heartwarming life-affirming song that sings of gratitude to a devoted mother and the deep love from her daughter.

Lyricist Osamu Yoshioka portrays a mother who toiled through daily life, overcoming any hardship with a smile.

That scene overlaps with Miyuki Kawanaka’s loving, compassionate voice, deeply resonating in the hearts of listeners.

The single was released in May 2003 to coincide with the Mother’s Day season.

It was later included on best-of albums such as the classic “Miyuki Kawanaka Daizenshū” and continues to be beloved by many.

Doesn’t it make you feel the beauty of those who live earnestly and give you strength to face tomorrow? Let it be an opportunity to express the gratitude you can’t usually put into words to someone important to you.

A beautiful day for lifekawanaka miyuki11rank/position

Miyuki Kawanaka “Jinsei Biyori” Music Video

From her debut, Miyuki Kawanaka has been known for her distinctive, rich voice, and lately that voice has gained even more power and presence.

As a result, she’s been releasing more forceful songs as her career progresses.

One recommendation is Jinsei Biyori, released in 2024.

It features a powerful delivery with effective shouts.

While executing the shouts can be challenging, the song has few long sustained notes and doesn’t use rapid melismatic ornamentation (kobushi), so for those familiar with enka, it should be relatively easy to sing.

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Winter Trainkawanaka miyuki12rank/position

Miyuki Kawanaka “Winter Train” Music Video (Short Ver.)

Miyuki Kawanaka’s “Fuyu Ressha” (Winter Train) is a song released on February 8, 2023, that portrays a journey of warmth and the heart.

Set against the chill of winter, its delicate lyrics stand out, while Kawanaka’s powerful yet fragile voice vividly depicts moving forward into the future with a touch of poignancy.

This piece, which tenderly sings of deep love, is truly a song you’ll want to listen to slowly during the winter season.

Lily of the Valley — Kimi-kagesōkawanaka miyuki13rank/position

Lily of the Valley — Kimi-kagesō

Released in 1999, this song—one of Miyuki Kawanaka’s signature tracks—sold 600,000 copies, won the Gold Award at the Japan Record Awards, and was performed on the NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen.

Titled “Kimikagesou ~Suzuran~” (“May Lily of the Valley”), it’s a popular number that many people likely sing at karaoke.

While it has the classic, unpretentious pathos of mainstream enka, the vocal range is fairly wide.

The soaring high notes in the chorus are impressive, but the low notes in the A section can be quite challenging.

Adjust the key to suit your voice and aim for a performance with clear dynamic contrast.

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Love is separationkawanaka miyuki14rank/position

Love is separation

Miyuki Kawanaka’s classic “Ai wa Betsuri” is distinguished by its poignant melody.

While it preserves the essence of enka, the song as a whole leans more toward kayōkyoku.

As a result, the kobushi—one of the more challenging enka techniques—appears very little.

There is a vocal ornament that resembles kobushi in the transition from the B section to the chorus, but it’s more of a wide, fast vibrato than true kobushi.

If you’ve mastered basic vibrato, you should be able to reproduce it well.

Consider adding this song to your repertoire.

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