Yellow Magic Orchestra Popular Song Ranking [2026]

M-16Yellow Magic Orchestra8rank/position

M16 – YMO

This track is a piece included in the film A Y.M.O.

FILM PROPAGANDA, which was created using material from YMO’s “Sankai” (disbanding) concert.

It was later featured on the best-of album UC YMO.

Its story-like sound, which hints that something continues even after it’s over, leaves listeners with a bittersweet yet blissful feeling.

chance encounterYellow Magic Orchestra9rank/position

Yellow Magic Orchestra – Kai-Koh

Among the tracks on the 1983 album “Uwakina Bokura,” this piece stands out for its distinctly introspective beauty.

Ryuichi Sakamoto wrote and composed it, with Yukihiro Takahashi on vocals.

The shimmering, bell-like timbre of the synthesizer is striking, and its sound—radiant yet tinged with melancholy—resonates deeply.

The lyrics depict the protagonist, who can no longer sing of ideal love, expressing both determination and anxiety as they bid farewell to their former self and take a new step forward.

Although it isn’t a flashy single, it remains a perennial favorite among fans.

east windYellow Magic Orchestra10rank/position

Yellow Magic Orchestra – Tong Poo (1978)

The sound image that gradually thickens from the intro captures your heart almost immediately.

The performance, which deftly manipulates rests and accents, is irresistible…! It’s a track from the B-side of the album “Yellow Magic Orchestra,” released in 1978 in two formats—LP record and cassette tape—and it remains one of the most popular pieces among YMO’s works.

Yellow Magic OrchestraYellow Magic Orchestra11rank/position

Yellow Magic Orchestra – Yellow Magic Orchestra (Full Album)

Yellow Magic Orchestra’s debut album is a masterpiece that stands at the pinnacle of Japanese music.

They truly are like the Beatles; it’s impossible to discuss J-pop without knowing their work.

I can unequivocally say that people of all ages should absolutely listen to it.

Mad PierrotYellow Magic Orchestra12rank/position

Modern Vintage Future Orchestra – Mad Pierrot | A Tribute to YMO

A classic song that borrows its title from the French masterpiece Pierrot le Fou, showcasing the members’ love of cinema.

It appears on Yellow Magic Orchestra’s self-titled debut album, released in November 1978.

Crafted by Haruomi Hosono, the piece is notable for its vocoder-processed, mechanical vocals and synthesizer tones that are sprightly yet unsettling, evoking a circus.

The voice functions as one of the instruments, stirring the listener’s imagination.

It’s a track brimming with the exotic atmosphere and playful spirit characteristic of their early period.

Lotus LoveYellow Magic Orchestra13rank/position

Lotus Love – YMO

A track included on the album “Uwakina Bokura,” released on May 24, 1983.

The lyrics and composition were handled by vocalist Haruomi Hosono.

With its grand lyrical worldview and unforgettable melody that sticks with you after a single listen, it captured the hearts of many.

You could truly call it the ultimate love song.

InsomniaYellow Magic Orchestra14rank/position

Insomnia – YMO

That chaotic sound is exactly what the title suggests.

This track was composed by Haruomi Hosono, who was actually suffering from insomnia at the time.

The tantalizing sonic image makes you feel dizzy… On sleepless nights, why not immerse yourself fully in the world of this piece?