[Wamono] A roundup of popular 1970s Japanese dance songs and disco kayō

Speaking of the 1970s, it was also an era overseas when danceable music like funky soul and disco rose to prominence, giving birth to many history-making hits.

In Japan, too, many who spent their youth in those days probably have memories of hitting the dance floor night after night to the big hits.

This time, we’re focusing on Japanese music from the ’70s that reflects the influence of soul and disco—introducing both smash hits and hidden gems that later became known as “Wamono” and gained popularity among DJs.

Young music fans interested in city pop and disco kayō, be sure to check these out!

Playlist

[Wamono] A roundup of popular 1970s Japanese dance songs and disco kayō
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	YOUNG MAN (Y.M.C.A.)Saijō Hideki		Hideki Saijo’s “Y.M.C.A.” became a big hit.
2	Sexual Violet No. 1Kuwana Masahiro		A passionate love song that paints desire in colors
3	bulldogfoorību su		Four Leaves is the origin
4	Inspector Pepperpinku redii		Introduction to Pink Lady's smash hit songs
5	Disco galAsahina Maria		Asahina Maria’s disco-soul fusion debut song
6	Casablanca Dandysawada kenji		Kenji Sawada’s classic hit—a song with a mature allure
7	School HeavenFingā 5		Finger Five's youth song
8	Cutie HoneyMaekawa Yōko		Yoko Maekawa’s Classic Dance Anime Songs
9	bullseyeYamamoto Rinda		Linda Yamamoto’s 1973 smash hit. Also popular as a baseball cheer song.
10	That shy guykyandīzu		A song that endearingly portrays Candy’s shy boyfriend
11	Sexy Bus StopAsano Yūko		Yuko Asano’s 1970s soul song(s)
12	HELL OR HEAVEN (Hell or Heaven)Gō Hiromi		Hiromi Go's disco song becomes a big hit
13	My teacher is feverishHarada Jun		Jun Harada's TV drama theme song was remade in 2005
14	A BOYOhtaki Yuko		Yuko Otaki’s debut synth-pop
15	I just can’t stopYamamoto Rinda		Transforming from a sweet voice to a fierce one and into a hit song
16	For example… for exampleWatanabe Machiko		One of Machiko Watanabe’s breakup songs and a signature track
17	As Easy As You Make ItSHŌGUN		A funky rock song with a positive message
18	Youth Running Wildbyūti pea		Singing and dancing by female professional wrestlers
19	Love’s Indian DollRinrin Ranran		Twin sisters debut as assistants on Star Tanjō!
20	Woman of FlameYumi Kaoru		Kaoru Yumi is a ballet dancer.
21	A Tangerine-Colored Lovezūtrobi		Zuutorubi is an idol group that’s good at talking.
22	Sinbad on the Shorepinku redii		Pink Lady was extremely busy due to their immense popularity.
23	Roses and Pistolsgyaru		Re-debuting as a unit after an audition program
24	A Flower Blooming Underwater of LoveMatsuzaka Keiko		Keiko Matsuzaka’s fishnet stocking look is making headlines
25	DEEPShibuya Teppei		Teppei Shibuya shines with his dancing and singing
26	Invader WALKMaki Ueda		The popularity of women’s professional wrestling and the Space Invaders game
27	Love is a red roseTonosama Kingusu		Tonosama Kings switched to mambo.
28	24,000 KissesGōruden hāfu		A four-member all-half women’s group
29	Phantom Thief Alibabaapacchi		Birth of the idol group Apache
30	Purple Highwayku-ru-su		Hiroshi Tachi’s days as a young rock ’n’ roller.
31	Beautiful SundayTanaka Seiji		A hit song that’s always heard at Bon Odori venues
32	Gentle Devilkyandīzu		Candies doing a mature, devilish pose
33	Kakko-man BoogieDaun Taun Bugiugi Bando		The band name followed a comical rock direction and became a big hit.
34	Little Red Riding Hood, bewareULTIMATE LAZY for MAZINGER		Hard rock performance in a sailor uniform
35	UFOpinku redii		A smash hit song with a theme of UFOs, aliens, and romance
36	Triangle Love Lettertoraianguru		Activities of the successor group to Candies
37	Tokyo Dodonpa Girlsakura tamako		Mari Watanabe’s “Tokyo Dodonpa Musume” became a big hit.
38	Wonder BoogieIshino Mako		Mako Ishino sings with a summer theme
39	Rui-ruiTakagawa Yosuke		Yosuke Tagawa used to be an idol singer.