Takashi Yu's masterworks and popular songs
Let me introduce some songs by singer-songwriter Yu Takahashi.
When it comes to Yu Takahashi, his song “Fukuwarai,” known for its warm, heartfelt lyrics, is especially famous.
He has a wide range of tracks, from ballads to slightly uptempo numbers, so please give this playlist a listen.
It’s said that in 2011, Yu Takahashi did a street performance in New York, and at that time he placed an opinion advertisement in The New York Times.
Apparently, he was the first to place such an opinion ad in The New York Times since Yoko Ono.
Takahashi Yu’s classic and popular songs (1–10)
HIGH FIVETakahashi Yuu
Making his major debut in 2010 with the single “Subarashiki Nichijō” (“A Wonderful Everyday”), Takahashi Yu is a singer-songwriter from Akita.
In 2011, he performed a street live in the heart of New York, and two years later, in 2013, he successfully held his first concert at the Nippon Budokan.
His 2017 single “Niji” (“Rainbow”) was selected as the ABC Summer High School Baseball support song and the opening theme for Asahi Broadcasting Television’s “Netto Koshien.” Serving as an “Akita Music Ambassador,” he also leads the Akita CARAVAN MUSIC FES, working to energize his hometown of Akita.
Current applauseTakahashi Yuu
This work is marked by powerful vocals and straightforward lyrics.
It’s a cheer song that celebrates everyday efforts and small victories—described as “modest clutch plays.” Even amid a hectic routine, you can feel the encouragement for yourself and those around you who are doing their best.
Released in September 2024, it has been used as the theme song for Nippon TV’s morning news program Oha!4 NEWS LIVE since April.
It’s perfect for tough mornings when getting out of bed is hard, or when work feels overwhelming.
It’s a song that gives you energy, so definitely give it a listen! It’s a track packed with the charm of Yu Takahashi.
CANDYTakahashi Yuu
Takahashi Yu’s “CANDY” powerfully conveys a deep sense of sadness.
It is said to be a song written based on his experiences of being bullied.
Those experiences are expressed in the lyrics with vivid, realistic words.
Through this song, feel Takahashi Yu’s resolve as he says that to become an ideal singer, one must be prepared to endure hurt.
Riemann’s LockTakahashi Yuu
Yu Takahashi is a singer-songwriter from Akita.
“Salaryman’s Rock” is a work released in 2015.
In the fan vote to select the final track for his best-of album covering 2009 to 2015, Warau Yakusoku (Promise to Smile), this song was chosen as the last addition.
PrideTakahashi Yuu
It’s the ending theme of NHK’s “MAJOR 2nd.” Speaking of Yu Takahashi, he’s a singer-songwriter known for his bluesy voice and distinctive choice of words.
This song, too, is a passionate cheer anthem that’s a perfect fit for the protagonist who’s dedicated to sports.
TOKYO DREAMTakahashi Yuu
Recently, Gen Hoshino has been popular as a singer-songwriter, and right behind him is Yu Takahashi.
I want every young person who has dreams of Tokyo to listen to this song.
This is truly a song for the younger generation.
Fragments of LightTakahashi Yuu
It’s the opening theme for the TV anime “orange.” While mellow, the song has a somewhat pop, fast-paced feel, and its lyrics evoke “friendship” and “bonds,” making it a perfect fit for a youthful school-life anime.
BE LIGHTTakahashi Yuu
Yu Takahashi, beloved for songs that speak for people’s hearts and give them courage, does it again with “BE RIGHT.” From the very first moment, this track hits you full throttle.
Rather than just giving you a gentle push forward, it feels like it digs into your subconscious and speaks to you head-on, leaving you with the sense of being firmly addressed.
It’s a powerful, dependable song that forcefully drives home the truths you kind of already know deep down, but needed to hear squarely and unmistakably.
Thank youTakahashi Yuu
It can feel a little embarrassing to express gratitude to someone, right? At times like that, how about saying it through this song? It’s a track by Takahashi Yu, a real-time singer-songwriter.
It was released in 2018 as his 20th single and served as the theme song for the film “My Dad is a Heel Wrestler.” Its straightforward lyrics and vocals resonate deeply.
end creditsTakahashi Yuu
A medium-tempo ballad of gratitude and resolve that Takahashi Yu released to mark the major milestone of his 15th anniversary since his major-label debut.
It’s a lead track from the best-of album “Jiyū Gozen,” set for release in December 2025, and it was digitally released in July.
Starting with a quiet piano motif and building powerfully toward the latter half, its structure unfolds like a single film retracing his journey so far.
It’s a work infused with his soul—he even rebuilt it from near completion after deciding, “This isn’t it.”