Taeko Onuki Popular Songs Ranking [2026]

The Metropolitan Museum of ArtOhnuki Taeko1rank/position

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

It is said that this song was inspired by the American children’s author E.

L.

Konigsburg’s From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs.

Basil E.

Frankweiler.

It was broadcast on NHK’s Minna no Uta, and because of its nostalgic tone and the clay animation, some children reportedly found it scary.

The singer is Taeko Onuki, well known for the theme song of the film Shall We Dance?

city; urban areaOhnuki Taeko2rank/position

Taeko Onuki “City” with translation / Taeko Onuki “City” [Official Audio]

This work captivates with its delicate vocals and sophisticated sound.

It portrays the loneliness and clamor of urban life, resonating deeply with listeners.

Released in July 1977 on the classic album SUNSHOWER, it is known as one of Taeko Onuki’s signature songs.

The track shines with Ryuichi Sakamoto’s meticulous arrangement, characterized by forward-thinking musicality that incorporates elements of jazz and fusion.

Recommended for those who want to express a metropolitan atmosphere and complex emotions.

Using this song in an Instagram Reel creates a nostalgic, stylish post, making it a popular choice.

The Water is WideOhnuki Taeko3rank/position

Karla Bonoff – The Water Is Wide (Audio)

This commercial depicts the everyday lives of various people alongside the Daihatsu Move Canbus.

It shows people living by the sea and in nature, and how their daily routines are supported by the Move Canbus, conveying a sense of safety, trust, and easygoing drivability.

The song that underscores the gentle mood of the visuals is Taeko Onuki’s rendition of “The Water Is Wide.” It’s a cover that clearly pays homage to Karla Bonoff’s original, and the tender vocals layered with the sound of acoustic guitar convey a warm feeling.

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kappamaki

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Women Who Fall in Love in SummerOhnuki Taeko4rank/position

Cover of Taeko Onuki, Taeko Onuki [Women in Love in Summer] piano vocals (with rhythm) cover – Cover of Taeko Onuki [Summer Groove song♪]

Taeko Onuki’s “Women in Love in Summer” evokes the image of a summer night in the city.

Released in 1983 as her 10th single, it was used as the theme song for the TBS drama of the same name.

It’s also a signature track from her acclaimed album SIGNIFIE.

Arranged by Ryuichi Sakamoto, the song features a romantic sound crafted with extensive use of synthesizers.

The lyrics, which conjure images of romance between adult men and women living in the city, are also quite striking.

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Hamada Takuya

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An unexpected giftOhnuki Taeko5rank/position

Taeko Onuki - A Sudden Gift

The breakup songs by Taeko Onuki that come to mind are “Atarashii Shirtsu (New Shirt)” and “Totsuzen no Okurimono (A Sudden Gift).” In both, the lyrics vividly evoke scenes, and they’re filled with tender feelings.

They convey something like, “I can’t say exactly when we started dating, but our relationship ended without either of us clearly saying goodbye.” A fade-in, fade-out kind of romance might spare both people from deep wounds, but it may be the kind that lingers in the heart forever.

Colorful CityOhnuki Taeko6rank/position

Colorful City – Taeko Ohnuki

This is a song included on Taeko Ohnuki’s 1982 album “Cliché,” and she is known as an idiosyncratic singer.

Her voice has a distinctive sense of weightless floating.

So it’s no surprise that Tomoyo Harada—whose vibe similarly evokes a mysterious, airy feel—has covered this song.

4:00A.M.Ohnuki Taeko7rank/position

Taeko Ohnuki – 4:00 AM – 1978

This is a track that brilliantly captures the taut air before dawn, where silence and tension coexist.

Ryuichi Sakamoto’s arrangement deftly places piano and synthesizer tones to evoke an urban yet somehow wistful scene.

Taeko Onuki’s translucent vocals quietly bring to the surface emotions like inexpressible restlessness and a faint fever, seeping into the listener’s heart.

Included on the classic album MIGNONNE, released in September 1978, it has been cherished worldwide alongside the renewed appreciation for city pop.

Its glow continues to grow across eras, with a re-edit issued on 7-inch in 2025.

It’s an exquisite song for adults—one that keeps you company through sleepless, lonely nights and leaves a subtle afterglow.