Akira Kobayashi Popular Songs Ranking [2026]

With a fiery heartKobayashi Akira1rank/position

With a Fiery Heart ☆ Akira Kobayashi

A work notable for its distinctive sound featuring strings, “Atsuki Kokoro ni.” This piece includes few of Akira Kobayashi’s trademark upward-climbing long tones.

Since most of the long tones occur while the melody descends, even those who struggle with upward vibrato can sing it without issue.

It’s a kayōkyoku with a strong pop flavor, and advanced vocal techniques like kobushi do not appear at all.

However, the rhythm at the beginning of the chorus is somewhat irregular, so you’ll need to practice that part thoroughly.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Ryo

Report a problem

Automobile Show SongKobayashi Akira2rank/position

Automobile Show Song

The classic “Automobile Show Song,” composed as an insert song for the film “The Dice You Threw Call Tomorrow.” As befits film music, it strongly features a comic-song flavor and maintains a cheerful melody throughout.

While it’s classified as kayōkyoku (Japanese popular song), its melody is closer to American pop of the time and doesn’t require the intricate pitch bends typical of kayōkyoku leaning toward enka.

However, there’s one spot right before the chorus begins and one spot within the chorus where a kobushi (ornamental vocal turn) appears, so take care with those parts.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Ryo

Report a problem

Homeward Journey to the NorthKobayashi Akira3rank/position

Homeward Journey to the North

Hokkikō, a work that depicts the feelings of a man returning to his hometown.

This piece is characterized by a very gentle melody that perfectly matches its theme.

Above all, the tempo is extremely slow, allowing ample preparation before each entry in any part.

In addition, the vocal line itself is simple, and it does not feature the complex lines that often appeared in popular songs of that era using enka-style melismatic ornamentation.

With its narrow vocal range, it ranks among the easiest of Akira Kobayashi’s songs to sing.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Ryo

Report a problem

In a dreamKobayashi Akira4rank/position

Akira Kobayashi “In a Dream” (Official Audio)

Among the many TV period dramas in the Hissatsu series, Edo Professional: Hissatsu Shōbainin is known for its hard-boiled style—and this theme song graces its ending.

With lyrics by Yū Aku and music by Kōichi Morita, it was released as a single in February 1978.

Akira Kobayashi’s signature deep, rugged voice is fully showcased, perfectly linking with the drama’s weighty worldview.

While the song falls under enka and kayōkyoku, it is characterized by a spoken, intimate delivery without excessive kobushi or vibrato.

Its build toward the chorus is superb, carrying rising emotion that will resonate especially with adults acquainted with life’s bitterness.

A masterpiece recommended for quiet nights, sipping a drink alone and savoring the lingering afterglow of the story.

I’m appearing under my former name.Kobayashi Akira5rank/position

I'm appearing under my former name.

Surprisingly, many of Akira Kobayashi’s songs have strong pop elements, but that’s not the case with “Mukashi no Namae de Deteimasu.” While it’s nominally classified as kayōkyoku, its structure and vocal lines are entirely enka, and at the end of the chorus you get a kobushi that’s not much different from traditional enka.

The presence of kobushi might make it seem difficult, but in this song the pitch shifts within the kobushi never change by more than three notes, so it’s by no means highly challenging.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Ryo

Report a problem

A Migratory Bird with a GuitarKobayashi Akira6rank/position

A Migratory Bird with a Guitar

Akira Kobayashi’s classic “Guitar o Motta Wataridori” is strongly infused with elements of Western pop.

The song is based on doo-wop, a musical genre that rose to popularity in the 1950s.

While doo-wop has roots in Black music, this track’s melody leans toward a country-flavored pop reminiscent of Elvis Presley, and it’s arranged with a gentle, understated melodic line throughout.

Perhaps to suit that melody, the song features a relatively narrow vocal range for a Kobayashi number.

The long tones aren’t difficult, and there are no intricate melismatic twists like kobushi, so consider adding it to your repertoire.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Ryo

Report a problem

Cape ToiKobayashi Akira7rank/position

Cape Toi

This is a local song by the one and only Akira Kobayashi, filled with his signature Asahi style, capturing both a wandering vibe and a longing for his hometown in Kushima City, Miyazaki Prefecture.

Although it was released in 1976, it seems not many people in Miyazaki are familiar with it.

Cape Toi is also famous for its wild Misaki horses.