Ryuichi Sakamoto Popular Song Ranking [2026]

Before LongSakamoto Ryuichi11rank/position

Before Long

Ryuichi Sakamoto’s piano piece “Before Long” is a captivating work with a calm and delicate atmosphere.

Featured at the beginning of the landmark 1996 album “NEO GEO,” it was composed at the request of American music producer Bill Laswell for “something like a prelude.” The graceful piano melody intertwined with soothing synthesizer sounds creates a musical flow that carries a lingering sense of quiet time, resonating deeply with the listener.

Simple yet profound, it is a piece that fully showcases Sakamoto’s uniquely crafted sonic world.

energy flow (Ura BTTB)Sakamoto Ryuichi12rank/position

Ryuichi Sakamoto-Energy Flow

As soon as the commercial for Regain EB tablets aired on TV, it won overwhelming support from all quarters, and this extraordinary song—originally just a 30-second jingle—was even released as a CD.

It was also featured on the album “image,” and remains a quintessential work that helped launch the ongoing trends of Mellow Music and healing music.

If you’re feeling tired and haven’t heard it yet, please give it a listen at least once.

Railway ManSakamoto Ryuichi13rank/position

Ryuichi Sakamoto Poppo-ya (Railroad Man)

Created as the theme song for the film “Railroad Man,” this heartwarming piece was composed by Ryuichi Sakamoto with lyrics by Tamio Okuda.

Its gentle, wistful melody beautifully captures the feeling of waiting.

Released in June 1999, the film swept the major categories at the Japan Academy Prize, including Best Picture, with Sakamoto’s music making a significant contribution.

The tender sound of the piano resonates softly, soothing the listener’s heart.

It’s perfect for relaxing before bedtime or as quiet background music while working.

And when you feel like reminiscing about someone special, why not give it a listen?

Plastic BambooSakamoto Ryuichi14rank/position

Ryuichi Sakamoto – Plastic Bamboo

This is a piece from when the Professor was still in his twenties, before he joined YMO.

In an era when sequencers and similar gear were hardly available, simply recording synthesizers this beautifully was a challenge, yet—as you’d expect from someone already regarded as a master—the result has a razor-sharp sound.

Ryuichi Sakamoto MedleySakamoto Ryuichi15rank/position

Ryuichi Sakamoto Piano Medley

This piano medley is packed with renowned masterpieces by Ryuichi Sakamoto, whose name resonates around the world.

Spanning a broad musical spectrum from classical to contemporary, it brings together a collection of wonderful pieces that everyone has heard, all woven into a single medley.

OtowaSakamoto Ryuichi16rank/position

Otowa

Ryuichi Sakamoto, a world-renowned musician known for his energetic range of activities.

The piece “Otowa” was chosen as the theme for the commercial of Audi’s sports car, the R8 Spyder.

It is included on the compilation album “Year Book 2005–2014,” which gathers previously unreleased tracks.

The title was reportedly inspired by the archaic feel of the Japanese language and the imagery of wings.

Sakamoto has said he aimed to harmonize sound with a sense of speed, and the track’s beauty, lightness, and elegance conjure up scenes of cityscapes and nature alike—an arresting number.

I think it pairs perfectly with moments when you want to spend quality time.

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KEI

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THE JAPANESE SOCCER ANTHEM ~ The Song of Japanese SoccerSakamoto Ryuichi17rank/position

Japanese Soccer Song / Ryuichi Sakamoto (Yasuhide Ito) / Japanese Soccer Anthem by Ryuichi Sakamoto (Arr. Yasuhide Ito) NAS-BN427

Ryuichi Sakamoto, the artist known as “the Professor,” blends a foundation in classical music with elements of folk and popular music.

Born from a commission by the Japan Football Association as part of the bid activities for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, “THE JAPANESE SOCCER ANTHEM” is now heard in a wide variety of football-related settings.

From its fanfare-like opening to the grand string ensemble, its melodies stir the heart and lift the players’ spirits.

Though an instrumental piece, it carries a palpable message of encouragement—an enduring masterpiece.

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Hoshino Takashi

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The Sheltering SkySakamoto Ryuichi18rank/position

The Sheltering Sky

Among Ryuichi Sakamoto’s piano works, one of the most popular is The Sheltering Sky, composed as the theme for the film of the same name.

Its delicate, emotive piano melody and ambient soundscape are striking, showcasing Sakamoto’s distinctive musical sensibility.

The piece beautifully evokes the vast desert vistas and the characters’ solitude, and it continues to be cherished as a memorable masterpiece that lingers in the listener’s heart.

Its bittersweet melody—so moving it could bring you to tears—and its romantic tone make it perfect for immersing yourself in your own world at the piano.

With a relaxed tempo and relatively few notes, it’s also welcoming for beginners.

Why not conjure a scene from the film and perform your own version of The Sheltering Sky?

andanteSakamoto Ryuichi19rank/position

andata

“andante,” included in composer Ryuichi Sakamoto’s final album 12, is a simple and beautiful piano piece that evokes the pulse of life.

The term “andante,” meaning “slowly and calmly,” aptly captures the world of this piece.

Its wistful melody offers a glimpse of Sakamoto’s stance as he faced his battle with illness, as if rendering the delicate shifts of his heart in sound.

The consistent tempo and resonant touch highlight the work’s elegant poise.

With a coexistence of vital melody and silence that guides listeners into a meditative realm, it is a piece that prompts reflection on life and death.

Sweet IllusionSakamoto Ryūichi & Kakutōgi Sesshon20rank/position

Ryuichi Sakamoto & The Kakutougi Session-Sweet Illusion

The album Summer Nerves drew attention for its unique concept of having fusion and rock musicians jam together on the same instruments.

This track, included on that album, is characterized by a funny yet smooth arrangement.