A roundup of debut songs by Japanese female artists from the 1970s
The 1970s was a time in Japanese music history when a wide variety of female artists—singer-songwriters and idols alike—burst onto the scene, bringing vibrant color to the world of Japanese pop.
From towering figures like Miyuki Nakajima and Yumi Arai to stars such as Mari Amachi, Momoe Yamaguchi, Pink Lady, and Candies, this golden era produced one beloved classic after another.
Is there a debut song from those days by a female artist that still resonates with you? In this article, we’ll introduce the memorable debut tracks of the women who blazed through that dazzling decade.
Playlist
| A roundup of debut songs by Japanese female artists from the 1970s | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1 | Inspector Pepperpinku redii |  play_arrow | Pink Lady, who debuted in 1976… |
| 2 | Aquamarine Lovetenchi mari |  play_arrow | As an insert song for the drama “Jikan Desu yo,” Ocha no… |
| 3 | Listening to OliviaAnri |  play_arrow | On a night of heartbreak, Anri gently stays close to my heart… |
| 4 | Lullaby of the Thistle MaidenNakajima Miyuki |  play_arrow | Different from the image of the “queen of heartbreak songs,” … |
| 5 | MeditationOzaki Ami |  play_arrow | Ami Ozaki, who was expected to be the 'second Yuming'... |
| 6 | Come back—my timeTakeuchi Mariya |  play_arrow | Lyrics by Kazumi Yasui, music by Kazuhiko Kato… |
| 7 | I’m crazy about you.kyandīzu |  play_arrow | A three-member idol group that took the world by storm in the 1970s… |
| 8 | 17 years oldMinami Saori |  play_arrow | In 1971, appearing like a comet from Okinawa, ... |
| 9 | No reply needed.Arai Yumi |  play_arrow | Yumi, who would go on to lead the later J-POP scene… |
| 10 | age; the age range typical for adolescence or a particular stage in lifeYamaguchi Momoe |  play_arrow | Born from “Star Tanjō!” (Star Is Born), Momoe Yamaguchi’s… |
| 11 | Back then, I wasiruka |  play_arrow | After the Shrieks disbanded, he began a solo career in 1974... |
| 12 | Even if love diesYashiro Aki |  play_arrow | Aki Yashiro, affectionately known as the “Queen of Enka,” … |
| 13 | Midnight Door ~ Stay With MeMatsubara Miki |  play_arrow | The de- by Miki Matsubara, released in 1979... |
| 14 | Hide-and-seekIshikawa Sayuri |  play_arrow | Sayuri Ishikawa, who would go on to become a leading figure in the enka world, her 1... |
| 15 | Budding of LoveKousaka Miyuki |  play_arrow | Originally a model, she made a sensational debut at the young age of 14... |
| 16 | Yearning Soaked in Rainchiaki naomi |  play_arrow | Naomi Chiaki, whose song “Kassai” was a huge hit. … |
| 17 | The crimson moon at twilightJudi Ongu |  play_arrow | Becoming a sensational hit with “Miserarete,” and that beauty… |
| 18 | Liar SeagullKobayashi Sachiko |  play_arrow | Nowadays, even the younger generation knows him by the nickname “Final Boss,” and… |
| 19 | Right face!Ishikawa Hitomi |  play_arrow | Hitomi Ishikawa’s tagline is “’78 Kayō…” |
| 20 | poppy flowerAgunesu Chan |  play_arrow | Agnes Chan’s debut single is… |
| 21 | Lost roadWatanabe Machiko |  play_arrow | Became a hit maker in the late ’70s and the ’80s… |
| 22 | The place where I was born and raisedNoji Yukiko |  play_arrow | Noji Yoshi...'s work, which resonates in the heart with warm feelings for one’s hometown. |
| 23 | awakeningKinochi Midori |  play_arrow | As Midori Kinouchi’s debut single, 19… |
| 24 | Even angels dreamSakurada Junko |  play_arrow | Junko Sakurada had the catchphrase “Angel of the Zephyr.” |
| 25 | Hey, listen, Mom.ishida ayumi |  play_arrow | Ayumi Ishida, an artist from the 1970s... |
| 26 | White WeekendAn Ruisu |  play_arrow | Ann Lewis’s father is American and her mother is Jap… |
| 27 | duetIwasaki Hiromi |  play_arrow | As Hiromi Iwasaki’s debut single in 1975... |
| 28 | a young woman’s heartMizusawa Aki |  play_arrow | As Aki Mizusawa’s debut single in 1973… |
| 29 | Anko Camellia is the flower of loveMiyako Harumi |  play_arrow | Speaking of enka with powerful vocal ornamentation, it's Harumi Miyako. |
| 30 | No one knows anyone.Katō Tokiko |  play_arrow | With just a single guitar, they unfold the wonderful world of that song… |
| 31 | My castle townKoyanagi Rumiko |  play_arrow | The tagline “everyone’s lover”… |
| 32 | Scat at DawnYuki Saori |  play_arrow | Saori Yuki has been active through a duo with her older sister and her distinctive scat singing style. |
| 33 | sproutAsaoka Megumi |  | Megumi Asaoka is an idol who represents the Showa era with an elegant, refined 'ojousama' image. |
| 34 | Rainy Day SoliloquyYagami Junko |  play_arrow | The hi- from “Mizuiro no Ame” and “Purple Town”... |
| 35 | youKozaka Akiko |  play_arrow | As Akiko Kosaka’s debut single in 1973… |
| 36 | longing; yearning; admirationŌba Kumiko |  play_arrow | As Kumiko Oba’s debut single, 197... |
| 37 | Sunflower GirlItō Sakiko |  play_arrow | As Akiko Ito’s debut single in 1974… |
| 38 | Red BalloonAsada Miyoko |  play_arrow | As the debut single of Miyoko Asada, 197… |
| 39 | pure lovekatahira nagisa |  play_arrow | As the debut single of Nagisa Katahira, 197… |
| 40 | Glass SlopeTakada Mizue |  play_arrow | Released in 197… as Mizue Takada’s debut single |
| 41 | At the coffee shopabe shizue |  play_arrow | Shizue Abe is a singe… of a song called “The Scent of Freesia.” |
| 42 | Downtown After the RainAgunesu Ramu |  play_arrow | As Agnes Lum’s debut single, 1... |
| 43 | Tears of the SunAnzai Maria |  play_arrow | Maria Anzai is a quarter German, and "… |
| 44 | Tears of HappinessOkazaki Yuki |  | As Yuki Okazaki’s debut single in 1970… |
| 45 | Beautiful YokohamaHirayama Miki |  | As Miki Hirayama’s debut single in 1970... |
| 46 | smileHayashi Hiroko |  play_arrow | As Hiroko Hayashi's debut single in 1974... |
| 47 | Woman of ShinjukuFuji Keiko |  play_arrow | As Hikaru Utada’s mother, and also as a singer... |
| 48 | Daniel, mon amourHenmi Mari |  play_arrow | Mari Henmi has the image of mature sex appeal, but... |
| 49 | Blue BluesAoe Mina |  play_arrow | Speaking of the Queen of Blues, that would be Mina Aoe... |
| 50 | Across this wide fieldMoriyama Ryoko |  play_arrow | Ryoko Moriyama, a godlike figure in the folk world. Guita... |
| 51 | teacherMori Masako |  play_arrow | The catc… of “Your Classmate Masako Mori” |
| 52 | raindropsŌta Hiromi |  play_arrow | As Hiromi Ohta’s debut single in 1974... |
| 53 | monologueOkada Nana |  play_arrow | When Nana Okada was a first-year high school student, she audi— |
| 54 | I’m not afraid of wolves at all.Ishino Mako |  | As Mako Ishino’s debut single in 1978… |
| 55 | Tokyo LullabyNakahara Rie |  | The debut single, “Tokyo Lullaby,” was a smash… |
| 56 | Not even worth confessingKitahara Mirei |  | Released in 197…, as Mirei Kitahara’s debut single |
| 57 | The Enka Boat of TearsHiyoshi Mimi |  play_arrow | Mimi Hiyoshi—only adults know who she is... |