Commercial songs from the 70s. Nostalgic TV commercial jingles.
When it comes to music of the 1970s, it was an era that produced countless classic songs—often called Showa Kayō—that are still loved today.
Naturally, many of these timeless hits were used in commercials at the time.
What’s more, numerous 70s tracks that were popular with listeners back then have also been picked up as commercial songs decades after their original release!
In this article, we’ll introduce a wide range of songs: not only those used in real time during the 1970s, but also tracks released in the 70s that were later featured in commercials.
From nostalgic commercials of the era to recently aired spots, enjoy a comprehensive look at 70s masterpieces that continue to be loved across generations.
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Commercial songs from the 70s: Nostalgic commercials (41–50)
As long as the sun is in the skynishikino akira
Akira Nishikino’s “Sora ni Taiyō ga Aru Kagiri” was released in 1971 and has long been sung as one of his signature songs.
It’s a popular track—he even performed it on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen—and it’s often featured in nostalgic music specials, so it’s known across generations.
With a calm yet powerful sound that embodies classic kayōkyoku, the gentle lead vocal layered with chorus conveys a warm, uplifting positivity.
The recurring phrase “as long as there is [X]” stands out, and the song has sometimes been adapted into parody lyrics for commercials.
That familiarity, along with its approachable feel, seems to be a key part of its enduring appeal.
youthMorita Kōichi to Toppugyaran
Koichi Morita and Top Gallant’s “Seishun Jidai” (Youthful Days) was released in 1976 and gained popularity for its skillful portrayal of the feelings of youth.
The group also performed the song on the NHK New Year’s Eve music show Kōhaku Uta Gassen, and it continues to be remembered as one of their signature tracks.
The sound has the light touch of group sounds, and the overlap between this buoyant feel and the youthful lyrics vividly evokes a fulfilling youth.
The song was also used in a Sumitomo Trust commercial, which gives the impression of aligning with the idea of building toward the future.
The Tree of HitachiAsa Kōtarō, Hide Yuuki, Shingāzu Surī
The Hitachi commercial featuring the big Hitachi tree on Oahu, Hawaii has remained familiar even since the 2000s.
The lyrics are catchy, so many people probably remember it! From when the song was first adopted through the sixth generation of the commercial, the vocals were performed by singers Kotaro Asa and Hide Yūki, along with the female chorus group The Singers Three.
The song was also used at the Hitachi Group Pavilion at Expo 2005 Aichi, Japan, and it plays every day at noon at Tsutenkaku in Osaka.
It’s a number that sings about the joy of watching the tree in front of you grow and imagining what form it will take.
From the Orange Village to Springririi
Lily’s “From Orange Village to Spring” is a song released in 1976, included as the B-side of “Ie e Oide yo” (“Come Home”).
Set to a gentle sound that evokes elements of country music, it portrays the calm scenery of a village.
The song’s rhythm has a buoyant lightness, and the overall gentle yet cheerful atmosphere conjures a sense of love for one’s hometown.
As a commercial jingle, it’s best known for being used in a Shiseido ad, where the music and visuals together depict the rising excitement as the season turns toward spring.
Morning of PartingPedoro & Kapurishasu
Pedro & Capricious’s “Wakare no Asa” (Morning of Parting) was released in 1971 and is known as one of the group’s signature songs.
The original is “Was Ich Dir Sagen Will” by Austrian singer Udo Jürgens, to which Rei Nakanishi added Japanese lyrics for this version.
The sound leans strongly toward kayōkyoku, giving it a different vibe from the original, and over this powerful arrangement the sorrow of parting is sung.
Because the song conveys a kind of strength that tries to shake off loneliness, when it’s used in commercials it tends to create an impression of emphasizing the power to move forward.
Mr. Summertimesaakasu
The second single by Circus, pioneers of chorus groups.
In 1978, it was used as the summer campaign commercial song for Kanebo.
It’s a mood kayōkyoku cover with Japanese lyrics of “Une Belle Histoire,” originally released by Michel Fugain & Le Big Bazar in France, and the harmony of the two female vocals and two male chorus voices is truly wonderful.
The song portrays a woman’s feelings, with a heartrending yet highly sensual atmosphere that draws you into an adult world.
The 2018 version, “Mr.
Summertime 2018,” sung by seven members from different eras, is also moving and seems to convey a deepening richness that comes with age.
My heart is stop-motionKuwae Tomoko
The song chosen for the POLA cosmetics company commercial was Tomoko Kuwae’s debut track, “My Heart Is Stop Motion.” It sings of a heart that can no longer be restrained after falling in love the moment they met.
By likening the moment of meeting to spring and the time before, without romance, to winter, the seasonal imagery clearly conveys the joy of falling in love.
In 2013, a bossa nova version of the song was released, expressing the passionate movement of the heart with a fresh melody that offers a different flavor from the original.