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!
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- An anthem for your 30s. Beloved and popular songs that are both heart-pumping and heart-fluttering.
- 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
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- 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 tough/delinquent/rowdy tracks (41–50)
One-on-One FantasyKishidan
This song conveys the tense atmosphere of a one-on-one showdown.
It was included on Kishidan’s original album “THE YANK ROCK HEROES,” their first in about seven years, released in January 2023.
The track was chosen as the theme song for the TV Tokyo drama “Metropolitan Police Department Deliberation Division.” With provocative lyrics, it’s a mid-tempo dance-rock number brimming with rebellious spirit.
Its straightforward sound is a major draw, making it a great recommendation when you want to feel positive or psych yourself up.
Yankee Songs: A Collection of Rebel/Delinquent/Rowdy Tracks (51–60)
Top-speed Rock ‘n’ RollYokohama Ginbae
As a symbol of the ‘tsuppari’ (delinquent youth) culture, this is a signature song by Yokohama Ginbae, the rock band that took the 1980s by storm.
It was included on their debut album Buttigiri, released in September 1980.
Riding on a driving rock ’n’ roll sound, it sings of the youthful energy that blazes through Saturday night at full throttle.
You can feel the recklessness of youth and that headlong momentum of not caring about tomorrow.
It’s recommended not only for adults nostalgic for their younger days, but also for young people who want to live fully in the present.
Where the wind goesShodai · Onikazen Jin
This is the debut song of Onikazejin, an idol group whose members were all formerly part of a ladies’ biker gang.
The group was formed with members who ranked high in a popularity poll conducted by the magazine Teens Road.
You can hear a poetry reading that seems to be inspired by Minato no Yōko, Yokohama, Yokosuka.
drifting lifeIke Reiko
Speaking of actresses who symbolize the 1970s “zubeko” delinquent-girl films, names like Meiko Kaji, Miki Sugimoto, and Reiko Ike come to mind.
Reiko Ike, who starred in Toei’s girl-boss series and enjoyed immense popularity overseas, was also active as a singer.
She recorded many must-hear tracks for fans of Showa-era and risqué kayou pop, and in 1971 she even released an album titled “Kōkotsu no Sekai” (World of Ecstasy).
From her songs, this time I’m choosing “Fūten Gurashi.” It’s the theme song of the 1973 film “Zenka Onna: Koroshibushi,” which Ike headlined, and from the moment the flashy brass-section intro hits, it’s guaranteed to send fans of gritty Showa pop into ecstasy with its full-on yassagure vibe.
Like James DeanJohnny
He made his solo debut in 1982 with this song, which he wrote and composed himself.
Until then, he had been active as the lead guitarist of Yokohama Ginbae.
Although he belonged to a tsuppari (delinquent-style) band, he himself pursued band activities while enrolled in a university engineering program.
From 1988, he moved to the production side at King Records and has produced many artists.
This song became the theme for the drama “Akane-san no Obentō” and was a hit, so many of you may find it familiar.
Let’s dance until morningTachi Hiroshi
Hiroshi Tachi was known as the leader of Cools, a rock band that began as a motorcycle team.
Cools included members like Koichi Iwaki and Ken Yokoyama.
Back when they were a bike team, they drew attention by serving as the honor guard at Carol’s farewell concert.
Their all-member pompadours and all-black outfits looked cool, and Tachi kept that style even after leaving Cools.
In this song of his, his higher-pitched voice from his younger days is especially appealing.
To the sorrow that has become sullied…Isseifubi Sepia
Seeing this title, many of you might think of the famous poem by the poet Chuya Nakahara.
However, this is actually the opening theme of the anime “Sakigake!! Otokojuku,” based on a manga by Akira Miyashita.
It’s the story of Otokojuku, a school that puts delinquent boys gathered from all over the country through Spartan-style training, and the manga spans a long 34 volumes.
The group that performs this song, Ikkei Fūbi Sepia (Issē Fūbi Sepia), was formed from the street performance troupe Gekidan Issē Fūbi, and their distinctive staging was a hot topic at the time.