![RC Succession Popular Song Rankings [2026]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/4CZZslbCWaQ/sddefault.jpg)
RC Succession Popular Song Rankings [2026]
Led by Kiyoshiro Imawano, they had a major impact on establishing the style of Japanese rock and live performance.
Their fashion and remarks also became a kind of subculture among young people.
Due to Kiyoshiro Imawano’s passing, they effectively disbanded, but we’ve compiled a ranking of the music they left behind!
RC Succession Popular Songs Ranking [2026] (1–10)
In the night sky after the rainRC sakuseshon1rank/position
An immortal masterpiece by RC Succession that vividly paints the night sky after the rain.
Its simple yet resonant melody stirs the listener’s emotions.
While colorfully expressing the sorrow of losing a beloved car, the lyrics are marked by a subtly sexy turn of phrase.
Released as a single in January 1980, this work became a turning point as the band shifted to a rock lineup.
Listen during the rainy season as you gaze out the window, and your heart will dance in sync with the rhythm played by the sound of the rain.
In the night sky after the rainRC sakuseshon2rank/position
When it comes to iconic songs in the history of Japanese rock, this track is indispensable.
Using a car breakdown as its motif, the lyrics deftly capture the subtleties of human relationships, resonating deeply with listeners.
The energetic rock ’n’ roll sound pairs perfectly with Kiyoshiro Imawano’s passionate vocals.
Released in January 1980, this song became the catalyst for RC Succession’s breakthrough.
It has long been beloved as a live staple, and in 2013 it even became the motif for a film.
It’s perfect for when you want to fire up the atmosphere at karaoke or reminisce about your youthful days.
Men in your 50s, why not heat up the karaoke room with this one song?
Slow BalladRC sakuseshon3rank/position
The saxophone’s tone captivates across many genres, and RC Succession’s “Slow Ballad” is a track where the instrument’s graceful resonance particularly stands out.
Within the quiet ballad, the saxophone’s melody—woven together with a voice that sounds wrung from the depths—evokes a profound sense of melancholy in listeners.
Since its 1976 release, the song has transcended time and been covered by many artists, and it can be called a masterpiece that possesses a delicacy uncharacteristic of a rock band.
Cool and airy yet carrying a hidden heat, the saxophone’s timbre continues to enthrall countless music fans to this day.
You know me.RC sakuseshon4rank/position
When RC Succession’s “Ame-agari no Yozora ni” (In the Midnight After the Rain), one of their signature songs, was released as a single, this track “Kimi ga Boku o Shitteru” (“You Know Me”) appeared as the B-side.
It’s said to symbolize the relationship between Kiyoshiro Imawano and Reichi Nakaido, and in a sense it’s a very important song, as it would always be performed whenever they appeared together even after RC Succession went on hiatus.
The lustrous ring of the guitar and the tone of the organ, along with Kiyoshiro’s slightly wistful voice and the melody, are truly moving.
While it’s hard to imitate Kiyoshiro’s idiosyncratic vocal phrasing, singing the melody yourself reveals how simply catchy and approachable it is.
This song is exactly that kind of classic—there are no extremely high notes, and it feels great to sing.
By all means, try singing it with a dear friend who can handle the backing vocals!
A world without tomorrowRC sakuseshon5rank/position
RC Succession’s “Eve of Destruction” is a song that boldly tackles the harsh theme of the realities of war.
It’s a cover of the track released in 1965 by American singer-songwriter Barry McGuire.
The song draws distant conflicts closer to the listener, engraving a sense of the looming threat of war—something we rarely have the chance to truly feel—and speaks to the terrifying ways war destroys individual lives.
The raw, true-to-Kiyoshiro Imawano wording pierces straight through, doesn’t it?
Welcome!RC sakuseshon6rank/position
As an opening number for a live show, you couldn’t ask for a more fitting classic than “Yōkoso”! It’s included on RC Succession’s legendary live album RHAPSODY from their shift into a rock band, and Kiyoshiro Imawano kept performing it even in his solo years.
The lyrics welcome the audience to the concert and introduce the band members—something that would almost certainly backfire if a run-of-the-mill artist tried to imitate it.
It’s a catchy, brilliant rock ’n’ roll tune you can blast through on sheer momentum, but the range is on the higher side, so if you’re not comfortable with high notes, try lowering the key.
Transistor radioRC sakuseshon7rank/position
Transistor Radio is the 11th single by RC Succession, released in 1980.
The lyrics, drawn straight from Kiyoshiro’s own childhood experiences, vividly evoke a time when radio was the gateway to music.
It’s a catchy rock ’n’ roll number that kicks off with a buoyant guitar, yet its gently bittersweet, nostalgic melody can really bring a tear to your eye.
It’s a very popular song that many people want to sing at karaoke, but because the pitch range is fairly wide and the highs and lows are quite extreme, you might find it surprisingly difficult when you actually try it.
If you listen to the original over and over and sing with the mindset of boldly exaggerating Kiyoshiro’s vocal style, you might be surprised how well it clicks!