RAG MusicRanking
Wonderful Music Rankings

Teresa Teng Popular Songs Ranking [2026]

Teresa Teng was a singer loved not only in Japan but across the Chinese cultural sphere, as well as in Thailand, Malaysia, and many other places.

Her professionalism—asking producers and others repeatedly about the meaning of the lyrics until she fully understood them and refusing to proceed with recording until then—really comes through in her singing, doesn’t it?

Here is a ranked list of some of her popular songs.

Teresa Teng Popular Song Rankings [2026] (1–10)

The Road Gelsomina WalkedTeresa Ten8rank/position

When it comes to Teresa Teng, she is widely acclaimed for works imbued with a sense of melancholy, but among them, the one I particularly recommend for its refined gravitas is The Road Gelsomina Walked.

While the song is categorized as kayōkyoku (Japanese popular song), it features a passionate melody somewhat reminiscent of chanson or bolero.

In contrast to that fervent melody, the vocal line is crafted to be quite narrow in range and monotonous.

Toward the end of the A section, a technique appears that is closer to a Western-style vocal riff than to traditional kobushi ornamentation, making this piece one of her works with especially strong Western influences.

Ryo
Report a problem

disturbedTeresa Ten9rank/position

When it comes to Teresa Teng’s songs, the ones that leave a strong impression are those tender, emotionally rich ballads.

That said, she actually released dance music as well.

Among those, the one I especially recommend is Midasarete (“Disturbed”).

While the essence of kayōkyoku (Japanese pop song style) is strongly present throughout, it’s fundamentally groovy, featuring performance characteristics similar to adult contemporary.

You do need to be mindful of the groove, but conversely, there aren’t many other technical hurdles—so for someone with good rhythm, it should be a relatively easy song to sing.

Ryo
Report a problem

late autumnTeresa Ten10rank/position

Teresa Teng, celebrated throughout her life as the songstress of Asia, continued to sing of dreams, love, and melancholy.

She made her debut in Japan in 1974, captivating many fans with a voice that blended passion and poignancy.

This song is a masterpiece in which she delicately portrays the feelings of a woman experiencing the pain of a broken heart and the loneliness that follows.

It was included as the B-side to Yuunagi, released in 1992.

It’s a perfect song to listen to on a long autumn night while thinking of someone dear.

Report a problem

Teresa Teng Popular Song Rankings [2026] (11–20)

Where is your hometown?Teresa Ten11rank/position

When people think of Teresa Teng, many probably remember her mood-evoking songs.

This track, “Where Is My Hometown?”, differs from that image and is crafted as a gentle kayōkyoku with a touch of enka flavor.

In terms of genre, it feels like a mix of country, enka, and kayōkyoku.

Although the piece sits slightly high in vocal range, there are no sections that require belting out high notes, so its difficulty is surprisingly low.

There are quite a lot of long tones, so be sure to take solid breaths during the rests.

Ryo
Report a problem

ScandalTeresa Ten12rank/position

Teresa Teng’s songs are full of that quintessential ’80s vibe.

You can especially hear it in the synthesizers and the vocal lines.

This track, “Scandal,” is unusual for a Teresa Teng song in that its vocal line is crafted more like a 1970s idol tune.

It features a melody that leans somewhat toward doo-wop, and in contrast to the sprightly rhythm, the vocal line is characterized by a narrow range and gentle, gradual pitch movement.

Ryo
Report a problem

hotelTeresa Ten13rank/position

It’s a masterpiece by the famed duo—lyricist Rei Nakanishi and composer Keisuke Hama—richly imbued with the essence of Showa-era kayōkyoku.

The song portrays a secret love that can only continue in limited, hidden places, and its helpless yearning really tugs at the heart.

Teresa Teng’s crystalline voice beautifully expresses the fleeting happiness within such a fragile relationship, as well as the sudden surges of anxiety and jealousy that well up.

The piece was originally recorded in competing versions by multiple singers; in 1985, Yutaka Shimazu’s version won the Wired Music Award at the 18th Japan Cable Radio Awards.

Teresa Teng’s rendition can be heard on classic albums such as “Love and Its Life.” It’s a track you’ll want to savor on a sentimental night, letting every note sink in.

Report a problem

Midnight RequiemTeresa Ten14rank/position

In the era when Teresa Teng was active, both kayōkyoku and pop music were popular.

As a result, many of her songs tend to incorporate elements of more avant-garde genres even within kayōkyoku.

Among such works, I recommend “Midnight Requiem.” It strongly reflects elements of adult contemporary and kayōkyoku, and while it has a smooth feel, it’s characterized by the uniquely rich, lingering vocal phrasing typical of kayōkyoku.

The vocal range itself is narrow, and there are no phrases requiring complex pitch movements like ad-libs or melismatic turns, so if you carefully track the pitch, it’s possible to aim for a high score at karaoke.

Ryo
Report a problem
Read morechevron_right
Arctic MailTeresa Ten