Masaaki Sen’s Popular Song Rankings [2026]

youSen Masao8rank/position

you

Known as a signature song from the mid-career period, “Anta.” Unusually for a song by Masao Sen, it is a piece sung from a female perspective, expressing the feelings of a woman who still longs for the man she parted ways with.

Throughout, the vocals remain quietly reflective, and surprisingly, there are few instances of kobushi (ornamental turns), and the ones that do appear are not difficult.

This makes it very easy for beginners to sing.

The vocal range is also quite narrow, so if you adjust to a suitable key, anyone—regardless of gender—should be able to sing it smoothly.

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A lone pineSen Masao9rank/position

A lone pine

A masterpiece, “Ippon no Matsu,” released as the coupling track for the new version of “Yaima.” This work is quite traditional, with a melody strongly infused with a Japanese flavor reminiscent of the early days of enka.

However, unlike classical enka or folk songs, it doesn’t feature complex kobushi-style ornaments or vocal lines with frequent pitch fluctuations, making it approachable even for beginners.

While the range rises slightly at the end of the chorus, the overall vocal range is very narrow, so it’s also recommended for those who are concerned about their range.

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old man teacherSen Masao10rank/position

old man teacher

Masao Sen has left behind many great songs, but among them, Oyaji Sensei is especially known for its outstanding storytelling.

The spoken lines at the beginning draw you into the piece, and from there the world of the song unfolds all at once.

The depiction of sharing drinks with one’s former teacher is particularly memorable, and the whole piece is set to a warm, unhurried melody.

There’s hardly any kobushi (ornamental vibrato), so even those who find enka vocal stylings challenging can sing it comfortably.

Consider adding it to your repertoire.

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Singing of the four seasons of my hometownSen Masao11rank/position

Singing of the four seasons of my hometown

Masao Sen’s classic “Singing of the Four Seasons of My Hometown” is notable for its grand, impressive vocals.

Although Sen often employs a gritty, understated singing style, this work is characterized by warmly enveloping, expansive vocals and a relaxed tempo throughout.

While there are many pauses in the song, it doesn’t rely heavily on vocal ornamentation, so as long as you carefully follow the pitch, it’s quite singable.

However, since it features many long sustained notes, be mindful of using dynamics so you don’t over-project your voice.

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Yaima (Yaeyama)Sen Masao12rank/position

Yaima (Yaeyama) New Version

Among recent songs, Yaima (Yaeyama) is especially renowned as a masterpiece.

Originally released in 1999, it was recently re-released as a new version.

Compared to the original, it has a more relaxed atmosphere, and since it’s a song set in Okinawa, the essence of Ryukyuan music—most notably the sound of the sanshin—is emphasized.

As it incorporates many pop elements, there are hardly any demanding techniques such as kobushi (ornamental vocal turns).

It’s a song that beginners will find very easy to sing.

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farewellSen Masao13rank/position

farewell

Masao Sen is known for his wide range of vocal expression.

While his rugged, earthy phrasing is particularly striking, he also has songs that primarily feature a gentle, enveloping style of singing.

Among these, the one I especially recommend is “Wakare.” Rather than enka, its melody feels more like a mid-Showa-era kayōkyoku, with very little kobushi ornamentation.

Instead, the range is somewhat wide and there are many long tones, so it’s important to carefully determine the appropriate key to avoid running out of stamina midway.

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Motomachi BluesSen Masao14rank/position

Motomachi Blues

Speaking of the Showa era, it’s also memorable as the heyday of blues.

Unlike overseas blues, the Japanese take on blues was about whether it carried a bluesy feel within an enka style, and by that definition, this work is a spot-on blues kayō song.

It preserves the essence of enka while combining the grit of blues with the singability of pop kayō, and the vocal lines are kept very simple throughout.

It’s approachable even for beginners, so consider adding it to your repertoire.

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