Popular Band Rankings [2026]

Over DriveJUDY AND MARY71rank/position

Over Drive

When it comes to quintessential summer anthems of the ’90s with an exhilarating, piercing sense of freshness, it has to be this one by JUDY AND MARY.

YUKI’s free-spirited lyrics—like something leaping out of a fairy tale—blend seamlessly with TAKUYA’s sprightly guitar riffs to whisk listeners into the ultimate summer mood.

Released in 1995, the song also aired in a Toyota commercial and peaked at No.

4 on the Oricon charts.

Packed with the band’s condensed energy, it’s perfect for a drive—brimming with a charm that makes you want to keep on cruising under the summer blue sky.

rose flowerkururi72rank/position

Quruli – Rose Flower

An enduring masterpiece by Quruli, a band that continues to lead Japan’s rock scene with their ever-shifting musical style.

Released as a single in January 2001, it was also included on their third album, TEAM ROCK.

The world conjured by the steady beat and heartrending lyrics is simple yet profound, a piece that truly tests the performer’s expressiveness.

While there are few difficult chords or phrases, the limited number of notes makes rhythm-keeping and dynamic control especially important.

single bedSha ran Q73rank/position

Sharam Q “Single Bed” (Music Video)

The song “Single Bed,” renowned as one of the great ballads of the Heisei era, is also a signature work of Sharam Q and is still frequently sung at karaoke today.

Its range spans mid1 C# to mid2 G#, so it’s not extremely low, but because the more energetic phrases can be delivered with a rich lower–mid register, it’s a piece that lets men with lower voices showcase their appeal.

Using the hiccup vocal technique further enhances a masculine quality, so give it a try for reference.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Ryo

Report a problem

Season in the SunTUBE74rank/position

Tube Season in the sun

The third single overall by TUBE, the four-piece rock band still known today as a byword for summer.

Released in April 1986, it became a major turning point for the band.

Composer Tetsuro Oda is said to have infused it with his own longing for the sea, and the result is an exhilarating number.

Its lyrics, which depict the bittersweet feeling of lamenting the passing summer under the dazzling sun, and its uplifting melody can still set your heart ablaze even now.

It’s perfect not only for summer drives but also for those slightly sentimental moments at dusk.

For those who heard it in real time, it’s an immortal summer song you can’t help but hum along to.

JAMTHE YELLOW MONKEY75rank/position

THE YELLOW MONKEY – JAM

THE YELLOW MONKEY is a band that steadfastly upholds its own aesthetic, grounded in glam rock.

Released in February 1996, this song is a heavy rock ballad whose piercing, earnest message resonated widely.

It portrays a sharp gaze toward society and a thirst for life—touching on everyday loneliness and the unease felt toward overseas news coverage.

It was used as the ending theme for NHK’s music program “Pop Jam,” and its coupling track became the theme song for the anime Rurouni Kenshin.

When you want to feel the human vulnerability and quiet prayer that lie behind the dazzling sound, this is a track well worth listening to.

It’s okay.BLUE ENCOUNT76rank/position

BLUE ENCOUNT “Daijoubu” Music Video (YouTube Ver.)

This is a rock number that embraces anxieties and worries that lead you to deny yourself, combining warmth that affirms you just as you are with powerful strength.

The passionate rock band from Kumamoto, BLUE ENCOUNT, released it as a single in June 2016.

Chosen as the opening theme for TBS’s CDTV and as the theme song for a high school baseball program, the track was later included on the acclaimed album THE END.

It also became a pivotal song that deepened the bond with fans in the lead-up to their first performance at Nippon Budokan in October 2016.

It’s perfect as a cheer for friends striving toward their dreams—and when you want to give a strong push to your own back as you take on a challenge, be sure to sing it.

Moonlight FlowerJanne Da Arc77rank/position

Janne Da Arc – Gekkouka (Moonlight Flower)

It features a bittersweet melody and dramatic lyrics.

Janne Da Arc is famous for their wide and high vocal range, so this song is recommended for those confident with high notes.

In fact, the range of Gekkouka is D#3 to B4, and the chorus is indeed on the higher side.

To aim for a high score in karaoke, the key points are to stabilize the high notes in the chorus and convey emotion through dynamics.

There are also sections with long sustained notes, so you’ll need to pay attention to the pitch bar and hold them properly.

Be careful not to strain on the high notes—aim for an easy, resonant chesty sound!

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Kubota Mami

Report a problem