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!

Playlist

Yankee Songs: A Collection of Tracks about Delinquents, Rebels, and Mischief
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Bōsō spiritKishidan		A song of Kishidan’s love for Boso and reunion
2	ff (fortissimo)HOUND DOG		The ultimate cheer song that passionately fires up a man's soul
3	Lullaby of a Serrated HeartChekkāzu		A classic in the 7-5 meter that was a hit for over 40 weeks
4	Golden SoulShonan no Kaze		An anthem celebrating the way men live their lives
5	Yankee SoulAKB48		AKB48’s delinquent-gang-style song “Everyday, Kachuusha.”
6	Before anything else, from atop the roadIsseifubi Sepia		A sepia-toned, macho, and fervent debut track
7	foolKondō Masahiko		A masterpiece that sings of Masahiko Kondo’s loneliness and melancholy
8	GLORIAZIGGY		ZIGGY’s classic that captures the restlessness and radiance of youth
9	White Flamesaitou yuki		Saki Asamiya theme song: the melancholy and passion of youth
10	I love you, OKYazawa Eikichi		Eikichi Yazawa’s solo debut song, a mature ballad
11	Monument of SorrowMinamino Yoko		A Drama Theme Song That Tells of a Girl's Loneliness and Resolve
12	Yankee rockAKB48		Express passion with raw, hard-hitting rock
13	triggerSera Masanori & Tsuisto		Masayuki Sera’s passionate rock hit song
14	Bay Area Sun TribeOginome Yōko		The appeal of iconic, fast-paced songs from the ’80s
15	Seventeen-Year-Old’s MapOzaki Yutaka		Yutaka Ozaki’s “Seventeen’s Map”: a passionate anthem of youthful loneliness
16	Showa spiritT.C.R. Yokohama Ginbae R.S.		The allure of rock that celebrates the spirit of the Showa era
17	Wanna DM?t-Ace		A flashy, thrilling song about the push and pull of love
18	A forty-something who wants to be a DQN and wants to die.Kyūso Nekokami		The appeal of Kyuso Nekokami's song 'DQN'
19	Say whatever you wantLEX		A hip-hop song that expresses the confidence of youth
20	High School Rock ’n’ Roll Pushback: Osaka Cabaret Club Story ArcOsaka Ginbae		A band of Ginbae enthusiasts carries on the legacy and keeps the music alive
21	Delinquent High School Rock ’n’ Roll (Going to School Version)Yokohama Ginbae		A classic hit by Yokohama Ginbae, a symbol of tsuppari (delinquent) culture.
22	Blood In MeAnarchy		A powerful, fighting-spirit-filled rap track by ANARCHY.
23	A Man’s Badge of HonorShima Daisuke		Daisuke Shima’s signature song “Otoko no Kunshō” becomes a big hit
24	Night of 15Ozaki Yutaka		A classic song that portrays Yutaka Ozaki’s youth and inner struggles
25	Kawasaki DriftBAD HOP		The appeal of BAD HOP, a delinquent-style rap group
26	One Night CarnivalKishidan		Kishidan’s early signature song, “One Night Carnival”
27	Japanese delinquent (Yankee subculture)Takei Yūki		Yuki Takei’s hip-hop sings about his way of life.
28	good-for-nothingTHE BLUE HEARTS		Being a good-for-nothing is a personality too—live as you are.
29	Funky Monkey BabyKyaroru		The legendary rock band that Eikichi Yazawa belonged to
30	The Ten CommandmentsNakamori Akina		The appeal of Akina Nakamori, who sings her own distinctive way
31	BE-BOP-HIGHSCHOOLNagayama Miho		A classic by Takashi Matsumoto and Kyohei Tsutsumi, an ’80s idol song
32	Purple Highwayku-ru-su		Cools will go down in music history.
33	Shakotan BoogieCassys		Legendary theme song of the Shakotan movie
34	Don’t underestimate me.Matayoshi & Namenna yo		Bōsōzoku-style characters are popular thanks to the Namennayo (Nameko/Nameneko) craze.
35	Ride On Dreams ~Theme of the Street Racers~Gakuro		A youthful rock song about delinquent biker students
36	Be-Bop ParadiseBībāppu Shōnen Shōjo Gasshōdan		A legendary yankii (delinquent) movie from the ’80s!
37	A flawless rock ’n’ rollerarajin		Hit songs by Yamaha Music Contest singers
38	Girl ANakamori Akina		The Appeal of Akina Nakamori, an Innovator in the Idol World
39	Bring it onKishidan		A song about a clumsy yet sincere woman who resolves to stake her life on a do-or-die gamble.
40	Shonan GraffitiMomotarō		Momotaro, debuted with Guriwazu (Red Warriors), musical activities
41	Rock ‘n’ Roll Love Fortune-tellingreisa		A coming-of-age rock song by an ’80s yankī girl
42	SCHOOL OUTBOØWY		BOØWY’s early sound and musical evolution
43	PAIN IS BEAUTYchanmina		Expressing the importance of living true to oneself
44	aphida mu a ki i		Punk rock sings of rebellion against society.
45	Where the wind goesShodai · Onikazen Jin		Onikaze Blade, the debut song by a member who came from an idol background.
46	JINGI: I will make you love meNagayama Miho		Miho Nakayama’s classic “Seishun Pops”
47	Burikko Rock ‘n’ RollG Reivo		The appeal of the junior band of Yokohama Ginbae
48	To the sorrow that has become sullied…Isseifubi Sepia		Theme song of the 'Otokojuku' anime with Spartan-style education
49	Midnight AngelBLACK SATAN		BLACK SATAN, former member(s) of Kureiwaisu
50	drifting lifeIke Reiko		The appeal of Reiko Ike, the queen of girl-gang films in the 1970s
51	Like James DeanJohnny		Yokohama Ginbae guitarist scores a hit with his solo debut song.
52	High-Teen BoogieKondō Masahiko		A signature song by Masahiko Kondo and a movie theme song.
53	Shonan BakusozokuSho		Shonan Bakusozoku’s theme song, passionately sung by Ginbae
54	Let’s dance until morningTachi Hiroshi		Hiroshi Tachi, the leader of Cools, and the allure of his pompadour
55	Stop it, Rock ‘n’ Roll!Mikkī		Mickey’s debut song from Detective Yoroshiku
56	You’re blindingly bright.Yabuki Kaoru		Idol-style guitarist, passion for music
57	On the Machine (Shō and Momoko’s Rock ’n’ Roll)Sugimoto Tetta & LONELY-RIDERS		Band formation, a cartoonist’s song, fusion with tsuppari (delinquent punk style)
58	crowONE OK ROCK		A song about the courage to believe in your own path and move forward
59	Top-speed Rock ‘n’ RollYokohama Ginbae		Yokohama Ginbae’s youthful, full-throttle rock
60	Leave Saturday night to me.Johnny		Johnny from TCR Yokohama Ginbae RS, solo activity
61	Smokin’ BoogieDaun Taun Bugiugi Bando		A classic three-chord blues song about cigarettes
62	One-on-One FantasyKishidan		Kishidan’s new song: hot rock with a provocative edge.
63	Majijo Teppen BluesAKB48		AKB48’s punkish song has an ’80s vibe
64	For a secondLEGO BIG MORL		Autobiographical film of a former delinquent-turned-comedian, theme song by LEGO
65	RememberKazama San Shimai		Theme song of a crime film: the romantic feelings of three sisters
66	Tokyo Survivalmōsōzoku		The raw worldview of biker gangs resonates with me.
67	The man is a clown.Shima Daisuke		Daisuke Shima’s music representing the tsuppari (delinquent/yankii) culture
68	Across the agesG Reivo		The band Kuriwisu, with Tetta Sugimoto as the vocalist.
69	Yankee Boy, Yankee GirlTōma		A song that lives in the moment, with a guitar like a cough
70	Song of the Delinquent Big BrotherKamon Tatsuo		A legendary song that depicts yankii (Japanese delinquent) culture
71	Manga HANKHO-KI!SHINSUKE-BAND		The debut song of Shinsuke’s rebel manzai band
72	You look sad.asuka gumi		Singing about the bittersweet maiden’s heart of yankee youth
73	Midnight Drivin’Cherībōizu		History and influence of the rock band Cherry Boys
74	Because / Fall in Love / SuddenlyMihara Junko		Junko Mihara’s multifaceted entertainment career and political life
75	Badass☆Yankee RoadBOYSANDMEN		A refreshing, rousing cheer song brimming with Showa-era manly spirit
76	whoosh whooshgedō		Gaidō: wildly popular with biker gangs for its Japanese-style rock
77	Yankee SpiritHirano Sho, Jinguji Yuta (King & Prince)		A passionate friendship song from Showa-era delinquent culture