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 of Ryuichi Sakamoto's film music |
| 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 | Mizu no Naka no BagatelleSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | Experience the delicate piano pieces of Ryuichi Sakamoto |
| 11 | Before LongSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | Ryuichi Sakamoto’s gentle piano piece |
| 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 | 20220302Sakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | A gentle piece whose quiet melody resonates in the heart |
| 23 | AmoreSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | Ryuichi Sakamoto’s “Amore” is complete with added lyrics |
| 24 | Asience (Fast Piano Version)Sakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | A sophisticated piece with an Oriental melody |
| 25 | Aubade 2020Sakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | A piano piece that expresses the beauty of dawn |
| 26 | BachataSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | Introduction to Latin music piano works |
| 27 | Composition 0919Sakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | A soothing classic layered with piano |
| 28 | HibariSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | A piece characterized by overlapping pianos |
| 29 | High HeelsSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | Theme song of an Almodóvar film |
| 30 | IetaSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | The strength and poignancy Ryuichi Sakamoto poured into a commercial jingle |
| 31 | IntermezzoSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | Ryuichi Sakamoto interprets Brahms in technopop |
| 32 | Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (from the film “Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence”)Sakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | Introducing Ryuichi Sakamoto’s classic song “Merry Christmas.” |
| 33 | OpusSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | A beautiful piano piece where silence and space resonate |
| 34 | Put your hands upSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | Ryuichi Sakamoto’s “Put your hands up” becomes a big hit |
| 35 | RelâchéSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | Introduction to Ryuichi Sakamoto’s 1981 solo track ‘Relâche’ |
| 36 | ReversingSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | A piano piece in the style of French modern music |
| 37 | SolitudeSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | The film score Solitude composed by Sakamoto |
| 38 | Tokyo StorySakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | Ryuichi Sakamoto’s music reflecting scenes of Tokyo |
| 39 | Yamazaki 2002Sakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | Piano piece from the Suntory Whisky commercial |
| 40 | a flower is not a flowerSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | A piece by the erhu player Kenny provided by Ryuichi Sakamoto |
| 41 | andataSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | Ryuichi Sakamoto's quiet and profound piano music |
| 42 | choral no.1Sakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | A tranquil world where piano miniatures heal the heart |
| 43 | fullmoonSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | Ryuichi Sakamoto, an innovator in contemporary music |
| 44 | kokoSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | Ryuichi Sakamoto releases koko on his own independent label |
| 45 | lorenz and watsonSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | Introducing Gem-Like Works for Solo Piano |
| 46 | nostalgiaSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | Harmony of quietude and momentum in a piano work |
| 47 | self portraitSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | Introduction to Ryuichi Sakamoto’s Experimental Musical Works |
| 48 | sonatineSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | Introduction to piano solo pieces included in BTTB |
| 49 | Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence – Piano Solo FeatureSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | When it comes to piano solo pieces I want to try playing, Ryuichi Sakamoto... |
| 50 | Railroad Worker (piano version)Sakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | A masterpiece of film theme songs reimagined for solo piano |
| 51 | The Other Side of LoveSakamoto Ryuichi featuring Sister M |  play_arrow | A moving ballad born from a father-daughter collaboration |
| 52 | Yae no Sakura Main ThemeSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | Theme song for a Taiga drama by Ryuichi Sakamoto |
| 53 | Forbidden Rouge MagicImawano Kiyoshirō × Sakamoto Ryūichi |  play_arrow | Sensational collaborative techno-pop |