Ranking of Popular Japanese Songs and J-Pop Among Men [2026]

DarlingMrs. GREEN APPLE85rank/position

Mrs. GREEN APPLE "Darling" Official Music Video

A perfect Mrs.

GREEN APPLE track to hear during graduation season, when anxiety and excitement mix.

The lyrics question your true self and gently urge you to love yourself—including your weaknesses—giving you the courage to take a new step forward.

Written as the theme song for NHK General’s “Mrs.

GREEN APPLE 18 Festival” in January 2025, the song is also included on their best-of album “10,” released in July of the same year.

On the program, a chorus performance with 1,000 18-year-olds was showcased, and its sheer energy became a hot topic.

When you’re straining to meet others’ expectations, listening to this will remind you it’s okay to be just the way you are.

It’s also perfect for belting out at karaoke with friends as you celebrate each other’s new beginnings!

TemptationGLAY86rank/position

GLAY / Temptation

This is a staple song for live shows, and TAKURO has said he wanted it to be a “trigger to fire things up” on stage! Right from the intro drums and guitar riff, your energy shoots up.

The overall vocal range is D#3 to C#5—there are high notes, but it’s a rhythm-friendly rock tune, so if you sing out boldly without hesitation, you’ll likely hit those highs.

The flow goes from a relatively calm delivery in the A and B sections to an explosive chorus, and even a rough, raw singing style will look and sound cool! Just be careful not to overstrain your voice in the chorus.

The key is to resonate through your body—place a hand on your chest and let your chest voice ring out comfortably.

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Kubota Mami

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Voice of the Seaurashima tarō (kiritani kenta)87rank/position

"The Voice of the Sea" Full ver. / Urashima Taro (Kenta Kiritani) [Official]

The hit song “Umi no Koe” was born from an au commercial.

It was composed by the Okinawan band BEGIN, and the vocals are sung by Kenta Kiritani, who plays Urashima Taro.

Since Kiritani is primarily an actor, the vocal line is crafted to be very simple.

While the arrangement doesn’t particularly emphasize the low register, you can sing from the first verse through the chorus using a resonant, overtoned delivery that adds fullness.

It’s recommended for those who want to emphasize thickness rather than sheer depth.

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Ryo

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RomanticismMrs. GREEN APPLE88rank/position

Mrs. GREEN APPLE – Romanticism

A track by Mrs.

GREEN APPLE brimming with vibrant, bouncing pop sensibility that portrays human love and impulses.

Released in April 2019 as their ninth single, this song was written specifically for Shiseido SEA BREEZE’s TV commercial “Deo & Water: Fateful Bear.” It was later included on the acclaimed album Attitude.

Motoki Omori’s soaring high-tone vocals and the euphoric melody are truly captivating.

Though it’s challenging and worth tackling, if you can sing it smoothly at karaoke, you’re sure to steal the spotlight! Wrapped in the sweet-and-sour atmosphere of youth, it’s the perfect choice when you want to appeal to someone you’re interested in.

Overdosenatori89rank/position

Natori – Overdose

Natori’s vocals, with a gentle, whispering tone, ooze a sense of danger and heartache like a forbidden love.

It’s a shocking love song that portrays the maddening feelings of two people who can’t escape, even as they cling to a false relationship.

Riding on a pleasant electropop melody, the urge to escape reality intertwines with self-destructive emotions.

Featured on the album “Gekijō” released in December 2023, this track also drew attention as the song for Nike’s Air Max Excee commercial.

It’s a must-listen for anyone who feels on the verge of losing their way, or who wants to pursue love without worrying about others’ eyes.

horizonback number90rank/position

back number – Horizon

Back number, a band that has produced countless classic ballads.

There are endless masterpieces to name, but when it comes to songs that are especially popular at karaoke, many people probably think of “Suiheisen.” This piece mainly sits in the middle register, with the chest-voice parts staying within a narrow range of mid1 D to mid2 G.

However, it does include falsetto notes up to hi A and hi C, so watch out for those sections.

Aside from that, the pitch is easy to match, so you can aim for a comfortable 90 points.

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Ryo

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cotton candyback number91rank/position

back number – Watagashi (full)

Set against the backdrop of a summer festival, this bittersweet love song portrays the feelings of a man who can’t bring himself to confess his love.

Released in 2012 as the sixth single, it was also included on the third album “blues” and the best-of collection “Encore.” Chosen as the opening theme for TBS’s COUNT DOWN TV in July 2012, it reached many listeners.

Wanting to hold hands but hesitating, wanting to say “I like you” but unable to put it into words—the song is filled with that poignant frustration, evoking the faint, youthful crushes many experienced in their school days.

Amid the lively bustle of the festival, quiet emotions surface; this is a track that resonates with the sweet, fleeting moments of love.