Ryuichi Sakamoto Popular Song Ranking [2026]
Ryuichi Sakamoto, a Tokyo University of the Arts graduate affectionately known as “Professor,” became a household name through his work with Yellow Magic Orchestra, formed in 1978.
In 1987, he became the first Japanese recipient of the Academy Award for Best Original Score for the film The Last Emperor.
What are the rankings of SAKAMOTO’s most popular songs on the global stage?
Playlist
| Ryuichi Sakamoto Popular Song Ranking [2026] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1 | Merry Christmas, Mr. LawrenceSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | The film Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence, directed by Nagisa Oshima... |
| 2 | Merry Christmas Mr. LawrenceSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | A masterpiece in which the musical elements of the East and the West are splendidly fused… |
| 3 | energy flowSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | A quiet, healing melody—timeless songs that resonate with the heart |
| 4 | AquaSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | Introduction to Ryuichi Sakamoto’s piano piece “Aqua” |
| 5 | The Last EmperorSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | A film depicting the life of Puyi, with music composed by Ryuichi Sakamoto. |
| 6 | I-ke-na-i Rouge MagicImagawa Kiyoshiro + Sakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | The famous song by Kiyoshiro Imawano and Ryuichi Sakamoto |
| 7 | Forbidden Rouge MagicImawano Kiyoshiro, Sakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | A collaborative song by Kiyoshiro Imawano and Ryuichi Sakamoto |
| 8 | Thousand KnivesSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | An experimental instrumental track from Ryuichi Sakamoto’s debut |
| 9 | War & PeaceSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | In March 2023, they sadly passed away… |
| 10 | Before LongSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | Ryuichi Sakamoto’s gentle piano piece |
| 11 | Mizu no Naka no BagatelleSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | Experience the delicate piano pieces of Ryuichi Sakamoto |
| 12 | energy flow (Ura BTTB)Sakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | A popular commercial jingle had a major impact on the music scene. |
| 13 | Railway ManSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | The heartwarming theme song of the film “Railroad Man,” composed by Ryuichi Sakamoto |
| 14 | Plastic BambooSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | A song from when the professor was still in his twenties, before joining YMO… |
| 15 | Ryuichi Sakamoto MedleySakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | A wonderful collection that brings together Ryuichi Sakamoto’s masterpieces in a piano medley. |
| 16 | OtowaSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | Ryuichi Sakamoto’s masterpiece “Otowa,” beautiful and light. |
| 17 | THE JAPANESE SOCCER ANTHEM ~ The Song of Japanese SoccerSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | While rooted in classical music, it also draws on folk music… |
| 18 | The Sheltering SkySakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | A masterpiece theme song from a Ryuichi Sakamoto film |
| 19 | andanteSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | Ryuichi Sakamoto’s final-period piano piece, andante |
| 20 | Sweet IllusionSakamoto Ryūichi & Kakutōgi Sesshon |  play_arrow | An unusual fusion and rock session |
| 21 | Merry Christmas Mr. LawrenceRyuichi Sakamoto (Sakamoto Ryūichi) |  play_arrow | Ryuichi Sakamoto’s masterpiece “Merry Christmas” resonates with the heart. |
| 22 | AmoreSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | Ryuichi Sakamoto’s “Amore” is complete with added lyrics |
| 23 | IetaSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | The strength and poignancy Ryuichi Sakamoto poured into a commercial jingle |
| 24 | IntermezzoSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | Ryuichi Sakamoto interprets Brahms in technopop |
| 25 | Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (from the film “Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence”)Sakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | Introducing Ryuichi Sakamoto’s classic song “Merry Christmas.” |
| 26 | Put your hands upSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | Ryuichi Sakamoto’s “Put your hands up” becomes a big hit |
| 27 | RelâchéSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | Introduction to Ryuichi Sakamoto’s 1981 solo track ‘Relâche’ |
| 28 | SolitudeSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | The film score Solitude composed by Sakamoto |
| 29 | Tokyo StorySakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | Ryuichi Sakamoto’s music reflecting scenes of Tokyo |
| 30 | a flower is not a flowerSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | A piece by the erhu player Kenny provided by Ryuichi Sakamoto |
| 31 | andataSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | Ryuichi Sakamoto's quiet and profound piano music |
| 32 | fullmoonSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | Ryuichi Sakamoto, an innovator in contemporary music |
| 33 | kokoSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | Ryuichi Sakamoto releases koko on his own independent label |
| 34 | self portraitSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | Introduction to Ryuichi Sakamoto’s Experimental Musical Works |
| 35 | Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence – Piano Solo FeatureSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | When it comes to piano solo pieces I want to try playing, Ryuichi Sakamoto... |
| 36 | The Other Side of LoveSakamoto Ryuichi featuring Sister M |  play_arrow | A moving ballad born from a father-daughter collaboration |
| 37 | Yae no Sakura Main ThemeSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | Theme song for a Taiga drama by Ryuichi Sakamoto |
| 38 | Forbidden Rouge MagicImawano Kiyoshirō × Sakamoto Ryūichi |  play_arrow | Everything—the music, the visuals, the PV—just everything… |