White LoversKuwata Keisuke1rank/position

Keisuke Kuwata – Shiroi Koibitotachi (Full ver.)

From the intro’s beautiful organ sound, this song really evokes winter.

It’s a classic you always hear when the season comes around! Although the theme is “heartbreak,” its gentle melody and touching lyrics make it a song you’ll find yourself wanting to sing.

The final chorus is sung almost entirely in falsetto, so the range gets quite high, but otherwise it stays around D3–G4, which is relatively calm and comfortable for male voices.

Using falsetto here and there enhances the bittersweet mood and brings out the song’s appeal.

For the falsetto on the B4 in the last chorus, try producing a thin tone as if your voice is being pulled up from above your head—you should get a clean sound.

For the very last chest-voice note of the song, project it straight out as far as you can! The key is to avoid tensing up.

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Surfing JohnnyKuwata Keisuke2rank/position

Keisuke Kuwata – Surfin' Johnny (Short ver.)

Released in July 2001, this solo single by Keisuke Kuwata was also beloved as a theme song for a Japan Coca-Cola commercial.

It became his first million-selling release under his solo name and truly became a summer anthem.

The moment the piano in the intro rings out, it’s as if a sparkling ocean unfolds before your eyes—an exhilarating track.

Beyond its brightness, the song gains depth by portraying the fleeting pangs that surface in a passionate romance and the heartache of repeated meetings and farewells.

If you’ve ever had a bittersweet summer love, it’s sure to resonate with you.

I wonder if it will be sunny tomorrow.Kuwata Keisuke3rank/position

Keisuke Kuwata – Will It Be Sunny Tomorrow? (Short ver.)

The sweeping ensemble of grand piano and strings stirs the heart, doesn’t it? This piece was released in May 2007 as singer-songwriter Keisuke Kuwata’s first solo single in about five years—he’s also known as the frontman of Southern All Stars.

It was used as the theme song for the TV drama “Operation Love,” so many people may remember it.

While lamenting the past, its lyrical words entrust a modest hope to the future, resonating deeply as they ride on Kuwata’s characteristically expressive melody.

When life brings you to a halt, this song gently nudges you forward and gives you a small courage to face tomorrow.

It’s a warm, timeless ballad that stands as a milestone in J-pop history.

After the FestivalKuwata Keisuke4rank/position

Keisuke Kuwata – After the Festival (Full ver.)

That sudden stillness and loneliness that arrives after a joyful time.

Keisuke Kuwata masterfully sings of that sentimental scene that everyone can relate to.

Released in October 1994, this song was also used as the theme for the drama “Shizukanaru Don,” and surely remains in many people’s memories.

The helpless lingering attachment and unbroken, pure feelings after a passionate love has ended are woven together by a weathered, Dylan-esque vocal timbre and a gently resonant acoustic sound.

The faint warmth and bittersweet ache that remain after the frenzy—portrayed so vividly in this work—are truly nothing short of breathtaking.

It’s a gem of a rock ballad, perfect for immersing yourself in quiet reflection on days gone by as summer ends and autumn begins.

A million years of happiness!!Kuwata Keisuke5rank/position

Keisuke Kuwata – 1,000,000 Years of Happiness!! (Full ver.)

Keisuke Kuwata’s “A Million Years of Happiness!!” is a perfect song for a first birthday.

Its bright, lively vocals and rhythm carry a warm message of well-wishes.

The lyrics by Momoko Sakura are filled with the cosmos, nature, and hope for the future.

Also used as the ending theme for the anime Chibi Maruko-chan, this track beautifully matches the wish for a child’s healthy growth.

It’s also a great choice for birthday party videos!

Miracle EarthKuwata Keisuke & Mr.Children6rank/position

Miracle Earth

A gem of a track where a powerful, stirring melody fuses with profound lyrics.

While sharply questioning humanity’s anxieties about the future and the contradictions of society, it also sounds a poignant alarm about the global environment.

The vocals by Keisuke Kuwata and Mr.Children blend with breathtaking harmony, resonating deeply as if heaven and earth were echoing one another.

Released in January 1995, the song was produced as a charity single for AIDS awareness and drew a tremendous response, reaching No.

1 on the Oricon charts.

All proceeds were donated to AIDS countermeasures, standing as proof of social contribution through music.

It’s highly recommended for listeners who wish to reflect on contemporary social issues and the human condition, or who seek a grand, emotionally stirring melody.

TokyoKuwata Keisuke7rank/position

Keisuke Kuwata – Tokyo (Full ver.)

A heart-stirring ballad that delicately portrays loneliness and a sense of loss against the backdrop of a rain-soaked city nightscape.

With Keisuke Kuwata’s signature deep vocals and melodies, it gently envelops the bittersweet emotions of people living in the city.

Exuding a suspense-drama atmosphere, the song topped the Oricon Weekly Chart for two consecutive weeks immediately after its June 2002 release.

Featured on the album “ROCK AND ROLL HERO,” it drew widespread attention and received high acclaim, including Song of the Year at the 17th Japan Gold Disc Awards.

It’s a gem of a masterpiece that reflects the mature heart—one you’ll want to listen to quietly on a solitary rainy night.