Lovely TV drama music

[2026] Summary of Western songs used as theme and insert songs in Japanese dramas

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.

Songs chosen as drama theme tracks tend to stick in our memories, and they’re easy to talk about as common topics with school friends or coworkers—something that hasn’t changed even in the 2020s.

In fact, if you watch a lot of Japanese dramas, you probably know that Western songs are quite often used as well.

In this article, we’ve researched and compiled Western music that has been used as theme songs and insert songs in Japanese dramas.

We cover everything from the 2010s to the latest dramas of the 2020s, so feel free to use this for trend-checking or to spark some slightly nostalgic conversations!

[2026] A compilation of Western songs used as theme or insert songs in Japanese dramas (11–20)

unattainable beauty

Love Me TenderElvis Presley

Elvis Presley “Love Me Tender” (October 28, 1956) on The Ed Sullivan Show

Love Me TenderElvis Presley

Elvis Presley’s warm, captivating vocals make “Love Me Tender” a timeless ballad that never fades with the passage of time.

Its rich emotion and gentle melody tenderly embrace listeners’ hearts.

In particular, it may have surprised many that this enduringly beloved song added color to the moving story of “Takane no Hana.” Elvis’s music surely brought new emotion to Japanese drama fans and left a vivid impression.

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rainbowFukuyama Masaharu

Masaharu Fukuyama – Rainbow (Full ver.)

rainbowFukuyama Masaharu

An exhilarating number that gives powerful courage to everyone pursuing their dreams and goals.

Released in August 2003 as one of the tracks on a triple A-side single, it was chosen as the theme song for the drama “WATER BOYS.” Topping the Oricon weekly chart for five consecutive weeks at the time, this song portrays the journey of moving toward the future by overcoming hardships while holding one’s heartfelt emotions close.

Masaharu Fukuyama’s warm yet resolute vocals deliver the straightforward message directly to listeners’ hearts.

Its catchy, easy-to-remember melody is another draw, making it a perfect classic for moments when you’re aiming for a goal with friends or taking a new step forward.

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In conclusion

As mentioned at the beginning, this article compiles Western songs that have been used as theme songs or insert tracks in Japanese dramas aired from the 2010s up to the present in the 2020s.

It’s interesting and fun that Olivia Rodrigo’s songs have already been used twice just in the 2020s, isn’t it? I also plan to add songs from even older-era dramas, so please be sure to bookmark this page!