Yankee Songs: A Collection of Tracks about Delinquents, Rebels, and Mischief
When you think of “yankees” and “tsuppari” (delinquent youth), a lot of images come to mind—motorbikes, fights, tokkofuku (special long jackets), and more.
From the past to the present, it’s a theme that often appears in dramas, movies, and manga, packed with cool elements like friendship, manly spirit, and clumsy kindness.
In this article, we’ll be introducing plenty of songs themed around these yankees and tsuppari! We’ll be featuring not only Showa-era tracks but also more recent releases.
Now, let’s dive in and start listening!
- Classic songs about fights. Recommended popular tracks
- A Must-See for Those in Their 20s: A Collection of Youthful Songs That Bring Back School Days
- Coming-of-age songs for your 50s: heart-thumping × heartwarming classics and popular tracks [2026]
- Also great for karaoke with friends! Youthful songs that hype up the Reiwa era
- [2026 Edition] Youth Anthems for Your 40s! A Roundup of Popular Heart-Pounding × Heartwarming Songs
- Youth Songs for Your 30s: Iconic and Popular Tracks That Are Both Heart-Pounding and Heart-Melting
- A classic track: a timeless anthem of youth punk that defined an era. A nostalgic youth song.
- A collection of iconic, cool Showa-era kayōkyoku classics sung by male vocalists
- [2026] Get Everyone Pumped! Fun and Funny Songs That Kill at Drinking Parties
- Hype to the max! Party songs recommended for the Yutori generation
- Packed with everything from friendship to romance! Youth anthems recommended for Gen Z
- Perfect for karaoke or background music! Energetic songs recommended for men of the Yutori generation
- From emotional tracks to exhilarating tunes! Heisei-era youth songs
Yankee Songs: A Collection of Rebellious/Delinquent/Rowdy Tracks (21–30)
Funky Monkey BabyKyaroru
Debuting with a look of leather jackets and pompadours, Carol enjoyed overwhelming popularity during a brief activity period of about two and a half years, leaving their mark on Japanese music history.
They’re also known for having the greatest rock star, Eikichi Yazawa, as their bassist and vocalist.
In the 1970s, when folk and kayōkyoku dominated Japan’s music scene, they not only achieved commercial success as a rock band, but their unruly, trailblazing activities became a social phenomenon—truly a legendary band.
Among Carol’s signature songs, Funky Monkey Baby stands out.
It’s a breezy rock ’n’ roll number; beyond Yazawa’s melodic sensibility, the word choices by Johnny Ōkura—credited with pioneering the technique of setting lyrics that mix Japanese and English to rock—are superb.
The Ten CommandmentsNakamori Akina
In an era when cute-character idols were all the rage, she forged her own path with a cool expression and firmly projected vocals, which even earned her popularity among delinquents at the time.
This song is a perfect fit precisely because it’s Akina Nakamori.
The piercing gaze and elbow-like choreography are spot on, too.
Yankee songs: A collection of tunes about delinquents, rebels, and rascals (31–40)
BE-BOP-HIGHSCHOOLNagayama Miho
A masterpiece of 1980s idol pop created by the ultimate Showa-era duo: lyrics by Takashi Matsumoto and music by Kyohei Tsutsumi! Released in 1985 as the theme song for Be-Bop High School, in which Miho Nakayama—then 15 and known as “Miporin”—starred as the heroine, it became a hit alongside the film.
Together with JINGI: Aishite Moraimasu, the theme for the sequel Be-Bop High School: Koko Yotaro Elegy composed by Tetsuya Komuro, it’s a song that many look back on with fond nostalgia.
Nakayama’s charming performance, portraying a pure yet strong-willed girl, epitomizes the classic Showa idol style—and it’s truly wonderful.
Purple Highwayku-ru-su
Speaking of Cools, they are an indispensable presence in any discussion of Japanese music history, having continued their activities from their formation in the 1970s through to the 2020s.
Originally formed as a motorcycle team after Hiroshi Tachi and Koichi Iwaki met, they shot to fame when they served as a cheering squad at the breakup concert of Carol, led by Eikichi Yazawa.
They later made an official debut as a music group, releasing Purple Highway as their first single.
The sound, influenced by upbeat, oldies-style American rock, credits Eikichi Yazawa as the composer.
The lyrics by Hiroshi Tachi—fitting for a group with motorcycle-team roots—are straightforward and great.
Shakotan BoogieCassys
This song was used as the theme for the live-action film released in 1987, based on Michiharu Kusunoki’s manga.
It was performed by the legendary band Cassys.
The song is about “shakotan,” lowering a car’s ride height, and its lyrics are a barrage of puns using car model names, reminiscent of Akira Kobayashi’s “Jidosha Sho Uta” (The Automobile Show Song).
Listening to the charming lyrics, you can’t help but be delighted as the names of the popular cars of the time keep popping into your ears.
Don’t underestimate me.Matayoshi & Namenna yo
Around the beginning of 1980, the Nameneko craze took off: photos of kittens dressed in biker gang-style outfits became wildly popular, and a flood of character merchandise was sold.
Among these, a record was released under the name Matayoshi & Namenna yo, but the vocals were actually performed by Tetsuo Nishihama, formerly of the band Trans Am.
Although Matayoshi was presented as the main character, it was in fact played by a female cat.
By today’s standards, it’s the kind of Showa-era “tough cat” record that would likely draw protests from animal welfare groups.
Ride On Dreams ~Theme of the Street Racers~Gakuro
This song was chosen as the theme for the anime “Shonan Bakusozoku: The Riders Left Behind,” which portrays the story of delinquent students tearing down the road on their bikes.
It’s a classic rock number with a nostalgic Showa-era vibe that makes you feel sentimental as you listen.
The refreshing, positive lyrics are irresistible, too.
And with this driving rhythm, doesn’t it have just the right sense of speed for a road trip soundtrack? It’s a wonderful song that will make adults recall their youth—you might even find yourself back in that moment in time.
