Kiyoshi Maekawa’s Most Popular Songs Ranking [2026]

Fragments of Men and WomenMaekawa Kiyoshi8rank/position

Kiyoshi Maekawa “Fragments of a Man and a Woman” (Lyric Video)

A standout hit from the early Heisei era with a strong Showa kayō vibe, this song showcases lyricist Toyohisa Araki’s flair—having the title read as “kakera” instead of “hahen.” ‘Otoko to Onna no Kakera’ was released in 1991 as a single by Kiyoshi Maekawa and is one of his signature songs, beloved in karaoke.

As mentioned, it leans more toward classic Showa pop than straight enka.

While techniques like kobushi appear, the overall difficulty is relatively modest, making it approachable even for beginners to enka.

Don’t be shy—channel Maekawa himself and try expressing your own take on this “cool, grown-up song”!

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Let’s go on foot.Maekawa Kiyoshi9rank/position

[MV] Kiyoshi Maekawa / Let's Walk (full ver.)

It’s a heartwarming anthem for life, released at a time when the world was in turmoil during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Aruite Ikou,” released in 2020, is a single by Kiyoshi Maekawa, with lyrics and music by Hiroki—who is actually Maekawa’s real son—and backing vocals by his daughter Yuna.

It’s truly a song created by the Maekawa family.

Rather than enka or kayōkyoku, it has a J-pop style, and Maekawa’s conversational singing really resonates.

The simple melody makes it very easy to sing, and it’s the kind of song you’d love to have Dad sing at family karaoke!

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Terminal Station NagasakiMaekawa Kiyoshi10rank/position

Terminal Station Nagasaki

Shuchaku Eki Nagasaki (Terminal Station Nagasaki) is a song by Kiyoshi Maekawa released in 1995.

The lyrics and music were written by Masashi Sada, who is from Nagasaki and has sung many local songs about the city.

Set at Nagasaki Station, it is a poignant song about parting.

Sing me a breakup songMaekawa Kiyoshi11rank/position

Sing even a breakup song

Writing it as “別れ曲” and reading it as “Wakare Uta” is truly brilliant, isn’t it? Among Maekawa’s songs, this popular 1993 release features lyrics by Toyohisa Araki—who also created the masterpiece “Otokoto Onna no Kakera”—and music by Takashi Toshimi.

It was even performed at that year’s NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen, so many people will find it familiar.

Set in a gentle 6/8 tempo, it’s smooth and sultry, and Maekawa’s vocals, expressing the complexities of a woman’s heart, are simply exquisite.

Because the melody moves up and down quite a bit, be careful not to go off pitch, and try singing with a conscious focus on the contrast between low and high notes.

While the enka-style kobushi ornamentation is restrained, vibrato appears frequently; in particular, the powerful, ad-lib-like singing before the chorus is somewhat difficult, so make it a focus of your practice!

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Tokyo DesertMaekawa Kiyoshi12rank/position

Tokyo Desert

This is Tokyo Sabaku, the smash hit released in 1976 by Hiroshi Uchiyamada and the Cool Five, later performed solo by Kiyoshi Maekawa and even showcased at the Kōhaku Uta Gassen—truly a masterpiece among masterpieces! From the intro that seems to sob with melancholy to the lyrics of “Tokyo Desert,” which evoke urban loneliness yet a determination to keep living here, Maekawa’s dramatic, heartfelt singing is superb.

It’s often used in commercials, so many in the younger generation have probably heard it at least once.

It’s also a karaoke favorite, though the vocal range is very wide, leaping from quite low notes to high ones in one sweep, so singing the melody smoothly is by no means easy.

That said, the tune itself is very easy to remember, so try it out while adjusting the key to suit your voice.

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Rose music boxMaekawa Kiyoshi13rank/position

Rose music box

One of Kiyoshi Maekawa’s signature solo songs, also performed at the 1997 NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen, is “Bara no Orugōru” (The Rose Music Box).

With its moody guitar phrases, an instantly catchy chorus, and Maekawa’s irresistibly masculine delivery that poignantly conveys a woman’s heartache, it’s the kind of classic that makes you want to sing it at karaoke.

The production straddles enka and mood kayō, and the overall melody line is easy to sing, so even beginners who struggle with straight enka should find it approachable.

That said, clearly projecting the low notes and adding vibrato like Maekawa does is surprisingly difficult, making this a great practice piece for those who aren’t confident with their lower register.

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The world of sorrowful loveMaekawa Kiyoshi14rank/position

The world of sorrowful love

This is a masterpiece you’ll definitely want to sing at karaoke—sitting somewhere between enka and mood kayōkyoku, with a wonderfully melancholic guitar that adds just the right flavor! Kiyoshi Maekawa’s “Kanashimi no Koi Sekai,” released in 1994, showcases his sultry, dapper vocals—truly outstanding.

While a free, expansive vibrato is ideal, even those who can’t do vibrato will find the melody very easy to sing and can fully enjoy it at karaoke.

If you’re aiming to sing like Maekawa, I recommend practicing so you can deliver smooth vibrato in both your low and high ranges.

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