A special feature on Mariya Takeuchi’s best songs: a must-hear collection of masterpieces for both longtime fans and first-time listeners.

Mariya Takeuchi has been at the forefront of Japan’s pop scene for over 40 years since her 1978 debut.

Her songs—led by sophisticated melodies and an urban sound that have captivated countless listeners—continue to be loved across generations.

Around 2017, she saw a resurgence in international recognition through “Plastic Love.” Another major appeal is how her lyrics naturally evoke vivid scenes and her warm musical style offers comfort to the heart.

Here, we feature a selection of Mariya Takeuchi’s exquisite masterpieces!

Playlist

A special feature on Mariya Takeuchi’s best songs: a must-hear collection of masterpieces for both longtime fans and first-time listeners.
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Plastic LoveTakeuchi Mariya		A classic of 80s city pop has been rediscovered around the world
2	SeptemberTakeuchi Mariya		A signature song by Mariya Takeuchi. A classic hit for September, featuring her uniquely captivating voice.
3	stationTakeuchi Mariya		Reunion at the station, the bittersweet pain of a past love
4	Song of LifeTakeuchi Mariya		Theme song from an NHK morning drama, singing about the preciousness of life
5	Pure Love RhapsodyTakeuchi Mariya		Theme song single for an adultery drama
6	Let me give you a songTakeuchi Mariya		Mariya’s warm, heart-touching songs
7	Tonight is a Hearty PartyTakeuchi Mariya		The classic winter Kentucky commercial song
8	Cheer up!Takeuchi Mariya		Lyrics and music by Mariya Takeuchi, sung by Hiroko Yakushimaru
9	camouflageTakeuchi Mariya		A drama theme song single released in 1998
10	Single AgainTakeuchi Mariya		A woman's complex emotions centered on infidelity
11	Stop fightingTakeuchi Mariya		A single by Naoko Kawai composed by Mariya Takeuchi
12	confessionTakeuchi Mariya		Responsible for the theme song of Tuesday Suspense Theater
13	Manhattan KissTakeuchi Mariya		A bright, upbeat love song from the bubble era, themed around an affair
14	Apple Papple PrincessTakeuchi Mariya		Mariya Takeuchi, a fantastical techno kayō song
15	Once moreTakeuchi Mariya		1984 drama theme song single
16	Door of LifeTakeuchi Mariya		A moving masterpiece where talent shines in one's 50s
17	A yardstick for happinessTakeuchi Mariya		Theme song for a drama starring Yuki Amami
18	Wonderful HolidayTakeuchi Mariya		Nostalgic, like a Christmas commercial song, bright in winter
19	Mysterious Peach PieTakeuchi Mariya		Shiseido commercial song enters Top 10 for the first time
20	Seriously Only You (Let’s Get Married)Takeuchi Mariya		A love song in the style of Mendelssohn’s Wedding March
21	How to Find HappinessTakeuchi Mariya		A commercial for Sea and Hair, featuring Yui Aragaki and Mariya Takeuchi
22	Let’s go home (My Sweet Home)Takeuchi Mariya		It was cherished as a classic among hit singles.
23	Rainy driveTakeuchi Mariya		Urban, sophisticated rain sounds interwoven with jazz piano…
24	Lonely WomanTakeuchi Mariya		Popular songs used as theme songs for TBS dramas
25	Angel’s SighTakeuchi Mariya		Requiem of Solitude and Loss
26	Storm of LoveTakeuchi Mariya		Express an affair in a bright rhythm
27	ReplyTakeuchi Mariya		A melancholy melody arranged by Tatsuro Yamashita
28	Silent LegendTakeuchi Mariya		Mariya Takeuchi’s new song: the charm of nostalgic J-pop
29	Lovely holidayTakeuchi Mariya		Kentucky Fried Chicken's Christmas c...
30	Special loverTakeuchi Mariya		Seiko Matsuda 30th Anniversary Debut Commemorative Single
31	Your placeTakeuchi Mariya		Mariya Takeuchi’s soothing song that invites you to paradise
32	Winter LoversTakeuchi Mariya		Debut first No. 1 single
33	Dear Angie ~ You Won’t LoseTakeuchi Mariya		Ending theme song of NEWS23
34	Twilight DiaryTakeuchi Mariya		Mariya Takeuchi's new song is the theme for a drama
35	Every day is special.Takeuchi Mariya		Mariya Takeuchi’s special masterpiece
36	You like whiskey, don’t you?Takeuchi Mariya		Mariya Takeuchi’s cover song is a hidden gem
37	5 seconds before I fall seriously in loveTakeuchi Mariya		Mariya Takeuchi self-covers “Maji de Koi Suru 5-Byo Mae.”
38	THE CHRISTMAS SONGTakeuchi Mariya		A refined masterpiece of English poetry for Christmas
39	One-Sided Love in TearsTakeuchi Mariya		A poignant tale of unrequited love
40	Morning GloryTakeuchi Mariya		Tatsuro Yamashita’s bright city pop song “Morning Glory”
41	Seriously, only youTakeuchi Mariya		Wedding classic songs and the gentle singing voice of Mariya Takeuchi
42	Days of LoveTakeuchi Mariya		A love song co-written by Mariya Takeuchi and Tatsuro Yamashita
43	Forever FriendsTakeuchi Mariya		A classic song whose ringing telephone evokes memories
44	NatalieTakeuchi Mariya		The story of a woman pursuing her dreams in a big city
45	A day that’s happy and lonelyTakeuchi Mariya		A ballad portraying a mother's complex feelings as she celebrates her child's marriage
46	Aloha-Style Love ManualTakeuchi Mariya		A love anthem riding on the Hawaiian breeze
47	Synchronicity (a lovely coincidence)Takeuchi Mariya		A heartwarming song about lovers in sync
48	Slow LoveTakeuchi Mariya		A precious song that makes you pause and realize happiness
49	Baby MineTakeuchi Mariya		Dumbo Japanese version end song, expressing motherly love
50	Boy Hunt (Where the Boys Are)Takeuchi Mariya		Mariya Takeuchi expresses 1960s pop in a Japanese style
51	Your Place (Have a Good Time Here)Takeuchi Mariya		Regain your true self with soothing music
52	A love without tomorrowTakeuchi Mariya		The anguish of a bittersweet love where the future can’t be promised
53	A quiet legendTakeuchi Mariya		A heartwarming anthem cheering on those who stay true to their beliefs
54	NostalgiaTakeuchi Mariya		A song where her voice resonates with nostalgia
55	LindaTakeuchi Mariya		A wedding standard song provided to Ann Lewis
56	Time TravelerTakeuchi Mariya		Theme song of a 1986 animated film
57	Midnight NightingaleTakeuchi Mariya		The ballad that became the theme song of the drama “Shiroi Kage”
58	Final movementTakeuchi Mariya		Self-covering a song provided to Hiroko Yakushimaru
59	Cheer up.Takeuchi Mariya		This song is meant to encourage a friend who went through a heartbreak, but…
60	Color · White BlendTakeuchi Mariya		Introduction to famous songs provided to Miho Nakayama
61	Plastic LoveTakeuchi Mariya		A singer and writer who represents city pop
62	Plastic LoveTakeuchi Mariya		Mariya Takeuchi’s “Plastic Love” is gaining attention overseas.
63	Regretting the past won’t change anything, and worrying about the future won’t help.Takeuchi Mariya		Singer-songwriter Mariya Takeuchi...
64	Dream of You: The Blue Wind of Lemon-LimeTakeuchi Mariya		Debuted in 1979; gained recognition with upbeat songs.
65	Come back, my time.Takeuchi Mariya		Debut single: refreshing, but only 20,000 copies sold.
66	Threads of FateTakeuchi Mariya		The invisible threads of fate that connect people to one another
67	A Day of Joy and Loneliness (Your Wedding Day)Takeuchi Mariya		A mother’s song filled with feelings for her daughter—joy and loneliness
68	My beloved IzumoTakeuchi Mariya		A song by Mariya Takeuchi imbued with her feelings for her hometown, Shimane
69	Lovely holidayTakeuchi Mariya		Christmas standard song, Mariya Takeuchi classic
70	Cheer upTakeuchi Mariya		Mariya Takeuchi provides a song for actress Hiroko Yakushimaru...
71	Single AgainTakeuchi Mariya		Unable to let go of my feelings for the man I broke up with…
72	Summer MontageTakeuchi Mariya		This song is by Mariya Takeuchi, and Mitsuki Takahata...
73	Lovely HolidayTakeuchi Mariya		Selected for a Christmas commercial for KFC…
74	Ivory CoastTakeuchi Mariya		If anything, her husband, Tatsuro Yamashita, is more of a summer person…
75	Everyone is alone.Takeuchi Mariya		A gentle, kindness-filled song with loneliness as its theme
76	Let’s Go Home ~My Sweet Home~Takeuchi Mariya		A timeless song that resonates with the heart, cheering you on through busy days
77	An unexpected giftTakeuchi Mariya		Mariya Takeuchi's classic hit, hard to obtain.
78	Let’s go homeTakeuchi Mariya		Released on November 10, 1992 (Heisei 4).…