Shiina Ringo’s Best and Most Popular Songs: From Hit Singles to Hidden Gems, All in One Guide!

Spy StoryShiina Ringo

A track included on the album Sanmon Gossip, released on June 24, 2009.

According to Ringo, this song is a sequel to the aforementioned “Mayonaka wa Junketsu.” This is also the first time someone else handled the lyrics for one of her songs, making it a somewhat unusual piece.

17Shiina Ringo

17

The B-side of the single “Crime and Punishment.” It’s sung in English, and it seems to express how she felt at seventeen.

For a B-side, the quality is truly outstanding.

It’s a quintessentially Ringo masterpiece and good enough to stand as a single on its own.

Of course, it’s also included on “Watashi to Hoden.”

on flight JL005Shiina Ringo

Ringo Sheena – “On JL005” from Ringo Expo ’14

A track from the 5th album “HI IZURU,” released on November 5, 2014.

The title “JL005” is the name of the flight route connecting Tokyo and New York, and she composed the song based on images she had while actually taking that flight.

It is also said to depict the feeling of “only one’s consciousness existing” onboard.

Notably, to recreate the sound of an airplane taking off, they recorded and edited the sound of a Dyson fan, which is used in the actual track.

NIPPONShiina Ringo

Ringo Sheena – “NIPPON”

A track included on the 5th album “Hi Izuru,” released November 5, 2014.

The song was commissioned by NHK and written as the theme for NHK’s soccer-related programs from fiscal 2014 onward, following the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

From the intro, it features the sound of a whistle—essential for soccer cheering—and incorporates the familiar chant rhythm “Tan-tan, ta-ta-tan, ta-ta-ta-tan, Nippon!”, making it a perfect anthem for supporters.

It also drew attention for its backing band “37564,” which featured Shinichi Ubukata (ELLEGARDEN, Nothing’s Carved In Stone) on guitar.

blue skyShiina Ringo

Aozora -Blue Sky- (Gekokujo Xstasy ’00 / Live)

This one is also a coupling track, included on “Instinct.” It’s a poppy, cute song that offers a glimpse of Ringo’s brighter side.

When I first heard it, I realized just how wide the stylistic range could be even for the same artist.

Both the melody and lyrics of the chorus are outstanding.

Put it on when you want something warm and easygoing.

a typical womanShiina Ringo

Ringo Sheena – An Ordinary Woman

A track included on the 5th album “Hi Izuru,” released on November 5, 2014.

There’s an anecdote that after releasing the single “Carnation,” she first learned—prompted by questions from men—that the lyric “the one and only” referred to something only women could truly understand, which led her to create a song that conveys that nuance in a way accessible to all genders.

The piece depicts the moment when everything arrives at once—despair, hope, loneliness, and joy—emotions uniquely experienced at a turning point in a woman’s life.

Iroha nihohetoShiina Ringo

Sheena Ringo – Iroha ni Hoheto

A track from the fifth album Hinode, released on November 5, 2014.

It was written on commission as the theme song for the drama Kamo, Kyoto e Iku: Shinise Ryokan Okami no Nikki.

You can hear a very striking harpsichord right from the intro, performed by former Tokyo Jihen member Ichiyo Izawa (appa, the HIATUS), who took part in the recording.