[Japanese Music] A Collection of Heart-Touching Hit Folk Songs from the 1970s
What kind of songs come to mind when you hear “folk songs”? While folk music has its roots in traditional ballads and ethnic music, it evolved over time into various forms, became widespread, and produced many massive hits known by everyone.
This article focuses on the 1970s—a period when folk songs came to be recognized as popular music and transitioned into what was called “New Music,” and when many legendary singer-songwriters who left their mark on Japanese music history emerged—and compiles classic, blockbuster folk songs from that era.
The youthful inner landscapes sung with beautiful melodies and richly poetic expression are sure to resonate with younger generations as well.
If you’re interested in Showa-era popular songs, be sure to check it out!
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interaction; friendly contact; bondingNakamura Masatoshi
This is Masatoshi Nakamura’s debut single, released on July 1, 1974.
The song was used as an insert track for the TV drama “Warera Seishun!” and reached No.
1 on the Oricon Singles Chart, becoming a massive hit with over 1.3 million copies sold.
Even today, “Fureai” continues to be cherished as a classic in Japanese music history and stands as a signature song of Nakamura’s career.
Its relaxed tempo also makes it easy to sing at karaoke.
First loveMurashita Kōzō
Kozo Murashita’s signature song, released in 1983, is a quiet and heartrending folk piece woven from his delicate voice and lyrical melody.
Gently singing of lost love, it has etched itself into many people’s memories and possesses a universality that resonates even with those who didn’t live through that era.
Accompanied by the sound of an acoustic guitar, its lyrics make it easy for listeners to overlay their own memories, allowing each person to feel a story that’s uniquely their own.
It became a major hit, selling 526,000 copies on the Oricon charts and ranking sixth on the year-end list.
It’s a recommended track for anyone who wants to feel the poignancy of romance and the fleeting nature of youth.
Takuro Yoshidatabi no yado
Takuro Yoshida, who sadly ended his entertainment career in 2022, remained popular right to the end—so much so that when he announced his retirement, prices for his old records began to rise.
This song, “Tabi no Yado,” released under his hiragana name “yoshida takurou,” is one you’ve likely heard at least once, even if you’re not a particular fan.
The lyrics, which depict nothing more than a loving couple traveling through a hot spring town, still feel fresh today.
It’s a gentle track that feels like the softer flipside of more hard-hitting folk songs.
Wandering Love SongNagabuchi Tsuyoshi
Known as a poignant heartbreak song, this track was released as a single in October 1978 and captured the hearts of many as Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi’s debut.
Its delicate acoustic guitar tones and emotionally charged vocals leave a strong impression.
The lyrics, which depict a romance born from the loneliness of living alone and its eventual end, resonated with many listeners and made the song a popular choice for karaoke.
It has become a staple in Nagabuchi’s national tours, helping to raise his profile.
For anyone who has experienced the pain and conflict of a broken heart, it is a song that will surely strike a chord.
The youth I walked through with youkaze
Kaze’s “The Youth I Walked With You” is a classic deeply etched in the hearts of those who spent their youth in the 1970s.
The lyrical words written by Shozo Ise portray universal themes such as friendship, love, and parting, awakening unforgettable memories that lie dormant in the listener’s mind.
The harmony woven by the beauty of the melody and Ise’s vocals stirs the poignant emotions of youth and unfailingly tugs at the heartstrings.
Since its 1976 release, the song has been covered by numerous artists, including Hiromi Ota, and has continued to be loved across generations.
It is a piece you’ll want to listen to when you pause at life’s turning points and feel like immersing yourself in memories of former friends and lovers.
Let’s get married.yoshida takurou
A quintessential folk love song and one of Takuro Yoshida’s signature masterpieces.
Its candid expression of feelings that resonated with the youth of the time and lyrics that sing of deep, marriage-minded love are especially appealing.
Released in January 1972, it became a massive hit, surpassing one million copies sold by September of that year.
If you sing it at karaoke, try delivering it sincerely over the gentle tones of an acoustic guitar.
It’s a great choice for conveying your feelings to a lover or someone special, and it’s also well-received as a performance at weddings.
To say goodbyebiriibanban
This work is known as a classic folk song from the 1970s.
It conveys the pain of heartbreak, lingering attachment to the past, and the courage to take a new step forward, all carried by a gentle melody.
Its touching lyrics and warm vocals are sure to soothe listeners’ hearts.
Released in February 1972, it drew attention as the theme song for a TV drama.
It’s recommended for those trying to overcome a broken heart or open a new chapter in life.
Wrapped in the tender vocals of Billy BanBan, why not spend some time facing yourself?