Lovely Western music

[2026] A Collection of Western Songs That Include Japanese

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.

If you’re a fan of Western music, there’s a good chance you’ve had the experience of suddenly hearing a familiar language—Japanese—pop up in the songs you usually listen to.

Just as Japanese artists sometimes write lyrics that mix English and Japanese, many Western artists intentionally incorporate Japanese lyrics into their songs.

In this article, we’ve put together a variety of tracks from different eras and genres that include Japanese.

We’ve tried to leave out songs that are simply Japanese-language versions of existing Western tracks, so you might discover some surprises like, “Wait, this song has Japanese lyrics too?”

【2026】A Collection of Western Songs Featuring Japanese (21–30)

Mr. RobotoStyx

Styx – Mr. Roboto (Official Video)

Mr. RobotoStyx

The sudden appearance of Japanese sounds in Western music can feel fresh and unexpectedly delightful.

Styx’s 1983 release “Mr.

Roboto” is a prime example.

Inspired by Japan’s robot culture, songwriter Dennis DeYoung built the track around the Japanese phrase “dōmo arigato,” and it reportedly achieved high chart success at the time.

Its story—caught between technology and humanity—resonates deeply, while the Japanese sprinkled throughout the lyrics lends an exotic flavor.

It’s a one-of-a-kind classic by Styx that continues to be loved by many music fans, so if you’re looking for a recommended track, definitely give it a listen!

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Matte KudasaiKing Crimson

King Crimson – Matte Kudasai

Matte KudasaiKing Crimson

When it comes to moments where Japanese lyrics shine in Western music, perhaps none exemplify it better than King Crimson’s heartwarming ballad “Matte Kudasai.” Released in 1981 on the album Discipline, the song’s delicate guitar tones and the poignant Japanese title phrase “wait, please” exude a unique sense of wistfulness.

The performances by renowned musicians—Adrian Belew and Robert Fripp on guitars, Tony Levin on bass, and Bill Bruford on drums—leave a quiet afterglow in the listener’s heart.

It may well be that songs like this, created in pursuit of essence rather than commercial success, hold the secret to being loved across time.

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[2026] Compilation of Western songs that include Japanese (31–40)

Lost In TranslationLogic

Logic – Lost In Translation (Official Audio)

Lost In TranslationLogic

A track by the American rapper Logic that leaves a vivid impression with its hip-hop sound interwoven with Japanese.

Set over a beat reminiscent of the early ’90s Brooklyn hip-hop scene, the sharp lyrics delve into success, fame, and rebuttals to critics.

Positioned as the closing track on the May 2019 album Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, it features Japanese narration toward the end, delivering a provocative yet humorous message: “Wasn’t that the best?” Coupled with the anecdote that this segment was completed during his stay in Japan, the song’s appeal is heightened even further.

It’s a track I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone who feels frustration when their message isn’t understood or who struggles with communication across cultures.

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Friends (feat. ScHoolboy Q)Mac Miller

Mac Miller – Friends (feat. ScHoolboy Q)

Friends (feat. ScHoolboy Q)Mac Miller

A track brimming with exotic flair, including Japanese lyrics, appears in the work of American rapper Mac Miller.

Released on the 2014 mixtape Faces, this song—featuring ScHoolboy Q—chronicles a story of friendship.

Over a relaxed, jazz-inflected beat, the two rappers speak candidly about the loneliness behind success and the value of true friendship.

A heartfelt cry of “I need friends” surfaces throughout, conveying not just a pursuit of outward success but a longing for inner peace.

The lyrics, which depict the struggle for success and a sense of responsibility toward family, hold a depth that may not be apparent on first listen.

Try listening in a calm setting to fully absorb the weight of the words.

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In conclusion

When you put together songs under the theme of Western music that includes Japanese, you really start to see each artist’s individuality—it's kind of interesting how you can get a feel for how each of them perceives the sound of Japanese. Beyond the songs I introduced this time, you can find Western tracks with Japanese in some unexpected places, so if you’re interested, definitely dig deeper!