Noriyuki Makihara

Biography

Noriyuki Makihara (槇原 敬之, Makihara Noriyuki), nicknamed Mackey (マッキー) by his fans, is a Japanese pop singer-songwriter. He has sold a total of 21 million copies in Japan alone.

Biography

Makihara was born on 18 May 1969 in Takatsuki, Osaka, Japan. He attended Aoyama Gakuin University to study English literature. In addition to creating songs for his own music career, he has written, produced and performed songs for many other artists, the most notable being SMAP's "Sekai ni Hitotsu Dake no Hana". He is ranked at No.84 in a list of Japan's top 100 musicians, provided by HMV. He was invited to write the song "The Gift" for English band Blue in their album Guilty.
Makihara made his debut to the J-pop scene in the early '90s after performing on a televised song competition program. He made a name for himself with the release of songs such as "Mou Koi Nante Shinai" (もう恋なんてしない) and "Donna Toki mo" (どんなときも), both of which, among several others, are covered to this day by current popular artists (including English-language covers by various American artists). Some of his music has been translated into other languages, and "Donna Toki mo" specifically has been remixed by Bemani artists "Dream Line Out" for use on Konami's Beatmania game series.
Much of his music's lyrical content has revolved around romantic love, though themes of profound joy, reminiscence, gratitude and deeper spiritual aspects of the human condition have become predominant in recent years.
In 1999, he was given a suspended 18-month prison sentence for possession of amphetamines.
In 2003 he became famous for composing "Sekai ni Hitotsu Dake no Hana" (世界に一つだけの花, "The One and Only Flower in the World"), which was recorded by Japanese boy band SMAP and sold millions.
On 13 February 2020, Makihara was arrested for alleged illegal stimulant possession, as police found 0.083 gram of stimulant at his condominium in Tokyo's Minato Ward in April 2018. On 2 August 2020, Makihara was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for three years by the Tokyo District Court.

In popular culture

In December 2025, Makihara became viral in Indonesia because it was stated that at the time he filmed the music video of "Mou Koi Nante Shinai", he looked similar to Joko Widodo or Jokowi, former president of Indonesia. Many Indonesians also stated that the music video for the song appeared on their YouTube homepage, and other social media platforms are also filled with memes likening Makihara to Jokowi.

Albums

'Kimi ga Warau Toki, Kimi no Mune ga Itamanai Youni' (25 October 1990, WEA Japan. Re-released 26 November 1998)
'kimi wa dareto shiawasana akubi wo shimasuka。' (25 June 1991)
'Kimi wa Dare to Shiawase na Akubi wo Shimasu ka.' (25 September 1991, WEA Japan. Re-released 26 November 1998)
'Kimi wa Boku no Takaramono' (25 June 1992, WEA Japan.Re-released 26 November 1998)
'SELF PORTRAIT×SELF PORTRAIT31 October 1993 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1君に会いに行く4:282No.14:513さみしいきもち4:184髪を切る日5:215Witch hazel5:266彼女の恋人［ALBUM VERSION］5:257SELF PORTRAIT4:148困っちゃうんだよなあ。3:299MILK5:1010ズル休み5:3611雪に願いを4:3912猫がふんじゃった4:12' (31 October 1993, WEA Japan)
'PHARMACY×PHARMACY25 October 1994 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1INVITATION (INSTRUMENTAL)1:282HOME WORK5:103DARLING4:2142つの願い (VERSION II)4:505LONESOME COWBOY5:076TWO MOONS5:457SPY4:378花水木6:189OCTAVERS6:0410今年の冬5:4611恋はめんどくさい？5:3312東京DAYS4:46' (25 October 1994, WEA Japan)
'Ver.1.0E LOVE LETTER FROM THE DIGITAL COWBOY×Ver.1.0E LOVE LETTER FROM THE DIGITAL COWBOY25 July 1996 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Hey Yo!1:222Cowboy(Album Mix)4:323The Lover In You4:384Running Out Of Daydreams5:205Day And Night5:4469×Forever4:227My Eyes Adored You4:538I Can Feel Your Heart4:289Secret Heaven(Album Version)4:2710Limit's Of Love4:2911I'm Not Gonna Fall In Love4:4312Bye Bye Cowboy2:1113If You Believe In Love5:47' (25 July 1996, WEA Japan/River Way)
'LOVE CALLS FROM THE DIGITAL COWGIRL×Love Calls From the Digital Cowgirl10 August 1996 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 8 tracks1Cowboy5:132I'm Not Gonna Fall In Love6:113Limit's Of Love4:084Day And Night6:035The Lover In You4:386Secret Heaven4:367Running Out Of Daydreams5:438Limit's Of Love5:20' (10 August 1996, WEA Japan/River Way)
'UNDERWEAR×UNDERWEAR25 October 1996 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1男はつらいっすねぇ4:122PENGUIN5:223どうしようもない僕に天使が降りてきた3:584君の自転車4:155うん5:206I need you.(ALBUM VERSION)5:047revenge3:398オオカミ少年4:519THE END OF THE WORLD5:5210PAIN6:0311LOVE LETTER4:5912まだ見ぬ君へ4:55' (25 October 1996, WEA Japan/River Way)
'SMILING~THE BEST OF NORIYUKI MAKIHARA~' (10 May 1997, WEA Japan)
'SMILING II~THE BEST OF NORIYUKI MAKIHARA~' (25 September 1997, WEA Japan)
'Such a Lovely Place×Such a Lovely Place27 November 1997 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1うたたね6:182Fan Club Song6:033Cleaning Man5:324モンタージュ3:365手をつないで帰ろ5:286素直 〜Album Version〜3:587情熱 〜Album Version〜4:588印度式4:599僕のものになればいいのに6:2910足音5:0211Such a Lovely Place6:48' (27 November 1997, SME Records)
'SMILING III~THE BEST OF NORIYUKI MAKIHARA~' (10 May 1998, WEA Japan)
'Listen to the Music×Listen To The Music28 October 1998 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1蒼い月の夜～Lady In Blue～5:082海と少年3:433秋の気配4:384Rain5:165ミス・ブランニュー・デイ(MISS BRAND-NEW DAY)5:186君に、胸キュン。4:527David4:168朧月夜3:079春よ、来い4:5210MONKEY MAGIC4:1711空と君のあいだに5:2312月の舟5:24' (28 October 1998, SME Records)
'SMILING GOLD~THE BEST & BACKING TRACKS~' (24 February 1999, WEA Japan)
'Cicada×Cicada7 July 1999 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1～introduction for Cicada～1:102pool5:423Hungry Spider4:394HAPPY DANCE ～Album Version～5:315Star Ferry5:266青春5:127STRIPE!5:458この傘をたためば6:269The Future Attraction4:5710BLIND5:4311Name Of Love5:1812Cicada4:5213MattetazeBaby!4:5214MattetazeBaby! ～Backing Track～4:52' (10 July 1999, SME Records)
'10 Y. O. ~THE ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION~' (24 May 2000)
'Taiyou' (29 November 2000, WEA Japan)
'NORIYUKI MAKIHARA SINGLE COLLECTION~Such a Lovely Place 1997–1999~' (6 December 2000)
'Home Sweet Home×Home Sweet Home21 November 2001 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Happy Birthday Song4:152LOTUS IN THE DIRT4:363桃4:564ファミレス4:545You are so beautiful4:336Are You OK?3:567天国と地獄へのエレベーター4:5381秒前の君にはもう2度と会えない(ALBUM VERSION)4:569長生きしよう5:2410君が教えてくれるもの5:2411Home Sweet Home5:30' (21 November 2001, WEA Japan)
'Song Book~Since 1997–2001~' (23 January 2002)
'THE CONCERT – CONCERT TOUR 2002 "Home Sweet Home" – ' (9 May 2002)
'Honjitsu wa Seiten Nari' (7 November 2002, WEA Japan)
'EXPLORER×EXPLORER11 August 2004 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1優しい歌が歌えない5:022夏は憶えている5:333Tag Team5:054武士は喰わねど高楊枝5:175Happy Ending5:236君の名前を呼んだ後に4:527とりあえず何か食べよう4:528ハトマメ〜Say Hello To The World.〜4:559The Fog5:2110世界に一つだけの花4:4011Boy, I'm gonna try so hard4:4212僕が一番欲しかったもの5:4013SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CONCERT “cELEBRATION” 密着撮り下し映像' (11 August 2004, Toshiba-EMI)
'Completely Recorded×Completely Recorded25 August 2004 · Album · CompilationSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 31 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11NG4:452ANSWER5:093どんなときも。5:064冬がはじまるよ3:515もう恋なんてしない4:346北風～君にとどきますように～5:327彼女の恋人5:268No.14:539ズル休み5:3910雪に願いを4:40112つの願い4:4312SPY4:3513SECRET HEAVEN4:2614COWBOY4:3415どうしようもない僕に天使が降りてきた4:0016まだ生きてるよ ('98 new version)4:05Disc 21素直3:422モンタージュ3:343足音5:004HAPPY DANCE4:355STRIPE!5:456Hungry Spider4:407桃4:548Are You OK?3:569雨ニモ負ケズ5:0810花火の夜4:3711これはただの例え話じゃない4:3512Wow5:0713君の名前を呼んだ後に4:5014Good Morning!4:5415優しい歌が歌えない4:58' (25 August 2004, WEA Japan)
'NORIYUKI MAKIHARA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA "CELEBRATION"' (25 November 2004)
'Listen To The Music 2×Listen To The Music 228 September 2005 · Album · CompilationSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Smile2:522Your Song4:083野に咲く花のように4:304traveling5:075I Will Be Here For You3:446Forget-me-not4:477島育ち～人の歩く道～4:388TIME AFTER TIME4:499言葉にできない5:2210ヨイトマケの唄6:1611ファイト！6:0912ごはんができたよ6:2013見上げてごらん夜の星を (Orchestra live ver.)4:12' (28 September 2005, Toshiba-EMI)
'LIFE IN DOWNTOWN×LIFE IN DOWNTOWN22 February 2006 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1いつでも帰っておいで4:242Naked5:293ほんの少しだけ (feat.. KURO from HOME MADE 家族)5:354星の光6:475ゥンチャカ4:516月の石6:337親指を隠さずに4:148店じまい5:039明けない夜が来ることはない(ALBUM VERSION)6:0410チキンライス5:0111尼崎の夜空を見上げて6:1612ココロノコンパス(ALBUM VERSION)6:2113遠く遠く～'06ヴァージョン5:0614WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD2:54' (22 February 2006, Toshiba-EMI)
'Kanashimi Nante Nan no Yaku ni mo Tatanai to Omotteita.' (7 November 2007, J-More)
'Personal Soundtracks×Personal Soundtracks19 November 2008 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Taking The Central Course2幸せはタイヤを穿いてやってくる3Chocolats et Sweets4君の後ろ姿(花王「アタック」TVCMソング)5Orange Colored Sky6つま先立ちで(笑)(関西テレビ「こどものうた」11月度マンスリーソング)7WE LOVE YOU.8Hey...9僕の今いる夜は10Firefly〜僕は生きていく11The Average Man Keeps Walking.(TOKYO FM系列全国37局ネット「NISSAN あ,安部礼司〜BEYOND THE AVERAGE〜」テーマソング)12Merry-go-round'08' (19 November 2008, J-More)
'Best LOVE' (1 January 2010, J-More)
'Best LIFE' (1 January 2010, J-More)
'Fuan no Naka ni Te o Tsukkonde' (30 June 2010, J-More)
'Heart to Heart×Heart to Heart27 July 2011 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11二つのハート5:122Jewel In Our Hearts(Japanese Ver.)5:203犬はアイスが大好きだ3:594LUNCH TIME WARS3:395林檎の花5:126Appreciation5:057White Lie5:248風は名前を名乗らずに5:419軒下のモンスター4:5210Remember My Name5:3911今日の終わりにありがとうを数えよう5:27Disc 21「林檎の花」Music Video2「Remember My Name」Music Video' (27 July 2011, Buppu/SME Records)
'Dawn Over the Clover Field×Dawn Over the Clover Field19 December 2012 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11Theme Song5:272Birds Stop Twittering Tonight5:503ゼイタク(Album Ver.)5:274バイトが君を待っている1:025Season’s Greeting5:586恋する心達のために(Album Ver.)5:037Curtain Call4:518まったくどうにもまいっちゃうぜ4:549四つ葉のクローバー(Album Ver.)5:0910Flying Angels5:5511Boys & Girls!4:59Disc 21「四つ葉のクローバー」Music Video' (19 December 2012, Buppu/SME Records)
'Listen To The Music 3×Listen To The Music 322 January 2014 · Album · CompilationSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 18 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11MAGIC TOUCH4:592キラキラ4:353LOVE RAIN ～恋の雨～4:424夏の日5:215愛を止めないで4:056卒業写真4:147ホームにて4:448RIDE ON TIME4:269BOYS & GIRLS4:41Disc 21真夏の夜の夢4:412Rain5:203Missing4:424GET BACK IN LOVE5:085流星のサドル4:596きみと生きたい5:017時代4:418銀の龍の背に乗って5:509Hello, my friend5:50' (22 January 2014, Buppu/SME Records)
'Lovable People×Lovable People11 February 2015 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Theme for Lavable People2:342ミタテ5:543Life Goes On ~like nonstop music~4:204可愛い人4:185君の書く僕の名前4:596鋭く尖った細い月4:207新しいドア4:198Once Upon A Long Ago5:179言わせてください5:1610Fall3:5911Elderflower Cordial5:1512君への愛の唄5:4813Alone7:33' (11 February 2015, Buppu/SME Records)
'Believer×Believer14 December 2016 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Introduction ～Believer's Theme～2:322一歩一会 (Renewed)4:373不器用な青春時代4:114Souvenir ～思い出～4:205運命の人5:426テレビでも見ようよ4:5375 minutes (Renewed)5:028You are what you eat.5:109A HAPPY NEW YEAR4:4210信じようが信じまいが4:5111理由4:4712超えろ。 (Renewed)4:4513もしも6:17' (14 December 2016, Buppu/SME Records)
'Design & Reason×Design & Reason27 February 2019 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1朝が来るよ4:302どーもありがとう4:553だらん5:304In The Snowy Site5:225ただただ4:586キボウノヒカリ5:397微妙なお年頃4:2882 Crows On The Rooftop5:289記憶5:1610Design & Reason6:27' (13 February 2019, Buppu/SME Records)
'Yosoro' (25 October 2021, Buppu/SME Records)
'Bespoke×Bespoke2 March 2022 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1約束の場所4:332かみさまでもえらべない。5:173着メロ4:494イカ大王体操第24:385悲しみの帳5:116THE CODE ～暗号～4:407カガミヨカガミ4:098Sakura Melody5:019一番初めての恋人5:2210チキンライス 2020 ver.5:0411Love & Peace Inside?5:57' (2 March 2022, Buppu/SME Records)