Toshinobu Kubota Karaoke Hit Songs Ranking [2026]

LA LA LA Love SongKubota Toshinobu1rank/position

Toshinobu Kubota – LA･LA･LA LOVE SONG with NAOMI CAMPBELL [Official Video Short ver.]

An R&B masterpiece ballad that lifts your spirits like a carousel.

It beautifully captures both the sweetness and the ache of romance.

Toshinobu Kubota’s silky vocals and Naomi Campbell’s whisper-like chorus blend in exquisite harmony.

Released in May 1996, it became a breakout hit as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Long Vacation,” selling 1.856 million copies and winning the Japan Record Award for Excellence.

With a warmth that gently wraps the rain in your heart, this song is perfect for those newly in love and for adults who cherish precious memories.

MissingKubota Toshinobu2rank/position

Toshinobu Kubota – Missing [Official Video]

Actually, “Missing” is a track from his first album, and even though it wasn’t released as a single, it became one of Toshinobu Kubota’s signature songs with overwhelming popularity! The melody line is simple: sing the verse as if you’re speaking, and slightly increase your volume in the chorus to add expressiveness and make it feel good to sing.

In general, you’ll want to be careful not to belt too much, but be especially mindful in the latter part where the melody changes and the range jumps up—avoid straining your throat.

Aim to connect everything smoothly, place accents farther out toward the high notes, and stay conscious of the pitch bar!

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Kubota Mami

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You were mineKubota Toshinobu3rank/position

You were mine

This song, themed around heartbreak, stands out for its passionate vocals and rich musicality.

Toshinobu Kubota’s soul-stirring voice vividly portrays the pain of love.

Released in February 1988 and chosen as the theme song for a Fuji TV drama, it became a major hit—his first entry into the Top 3 on the Oricon charts—and ranked 10th on the year-end singles chart.

Blending R&B elements with lyrics that resonate deeply, this track is perfect for moments when you want to reminisce about love or find the strength to move on from a cherished goodbye.

Indigo WaltzKubota Toshinobu4rank/position

Toshinobu Kubota – Indigo Waltz [Official Video Short ver.]

Toshinobu Kubota’s masterpiece “Indigo Waltz.” Many people probably associate him more with “LA LA LA LOVE SONG” or “Missing,” but if you’re serious about improving your vocal skills, I definitely recommend “Indigo Waltz.” There are two main reasons.

First, it’s in 3/4 time, a rhythm many Japanese singers find challenging.

Second, it features lots of long tones and vocal improvisation.

Since many recent songs shy away from powerful vocals and sustained notes, it’s better to tackle pieces like this if you want to build real vocal ability.

Give it a try.

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Ryo

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LOVE RAIN ~Rain of Love~Kubota Toshinobu5rank/position

Toshinobu Kubota – LOVE RAIN ~Koi no Ame~ [Official Video Short ver.]

Toshinobu Kubota’s “LOVE RAIN ~Koi no Ame~” evokes a romantic rainy scene.

Released in 2010, the song was written for the drama “Tsuki no Koibito ~Moon Lovers~,” starring Takuya Kimura.

It features Kubota’s signature light, pop-leaning R&B sound.

The lyrics depict rain falling like magic, as if urging the couple’s love to deepen.

It exudes a stylish vibe, almost as if the song itself were the drama’s storyline.

If you’re the type who wants to enjoy love come rain or shine, give it a sing!

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SAKI

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the Beat of LifeKubota Toshinobu6rank/position

Toshinobu Kubota – the Beat of Life [Official Video]

Toshinobu Kubota is an R&B singer who has been active for many years and is known in Japan as one of the quintessential great vocalists.

From his catalog, the song I especially recommend is “the Beat of Life.” This track has an R&B sound reminiscent of the late 1990s and early 2000s, and it showcases sophisticated vocal techniques like ad-libs (often heard in R&B) multiple times.

It also demands a strong sense of groove, making it a great challenge for those who are accustomed to singing Western music.

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Ryo

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Candy RainKubota Toshinobu7rank/position

Candy Rain Toshinobu Kubota with Samurai JP (Live)

Toshinobu Kubota’s classic “Candy Rain,” released in 2001, instantly captured listeners’ hearts.

The track beautifully fuses the smoothness of R&B with the catchiness of Japanese pop music.

Its rhythm is unhurried yet marked by a comfortably engaging beat.

Kubota’s silky vocals are sure to evoke sweet, bittersweet memories of youth for women.

Sing this at karaoke and you’ll definitely draw everyone’s attention! It’s the perfect pick when a man wants to showcase his charm.